Nicaragua 2013 Mission Trip
Update 1 

 The Island of Ometepe

Ferry ride to the island.
 

Games with the children.
 

Maria having fun face-painting!
 
The Nicaragua Team 2013
Nicaragua 2013 Team Photo
From left to right, back row:  Clint Schwartz, Scott Huisman, Brandon Irwin, Lyndon Bontrager; front row:
Maria Winston, Candace Clark, Mary Carrell, Sarah Nimmo, Hannah Mock, Mary Anne Mock, Kathy Smarrella, Steve Schwartz (not pictured)


Nicaragua Mission Trip

Sunday, July 14 Update

 

Kathy Smarrella

 

We made it to Nicaragua! Our team met at the Vineyard at midnight on Friday night and 21 hours later, we were at our hotel in Ometepe, Nicaragua! It took two long van rides, two airplane trips, a trip across a lake in a ferry, and finally a ride in a big yellow bus to get here, but we made it, only slightly worse for the wear. But God was good to us-we made all our connections, got all our luggage, everyone is healthy and happy.

 

After a really great nights' sleep, at about 5 am on Sunday morning, I woke up in Ometepe, in our little "beach" hotel (Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanos). Most of my teammates were still sleeping (at least I thought they were). . . I woke up because the electricity had gone off and our fan wasn't going anymore and it was super hot and stuffy. But it was okay, because it led me outside to a hammock, where I stayed for about an hour or so, praying a bit, thinking through what our day would be like, and looking and listening to everything all around me.

 

What was all around me was kind of crazy! There were weird birds making obnoxious noises; there were geckos squeaking (who knew they did that?); bats were flying by me (which truly freak me out); there were horses and dogs roaming around, and I'm pretty sure a rat ran up the wall next to me. At the same time, everything was really beautiful. . .  a volcano covered in fog to my right, gorgeous and lush foliage everywhere. Listening to the water hitting the beach was soothing, and the breeze was wonderful.

 

That's how I have sort of looked at Nicaragua this first day. It's a gorgeous place, different from any country I've ever been in-with unique sights and sounds and new experiences. There's a lot of unknown-and some things that are a little scary (like lots of bats! Did I mention how much they freak me out?), but sometimes there's so much beauty in the unknown.

 

Our Vineyard team of 12 is working alongside a team of 10 people from The Vineyard Palmares in Costa Rica. We also are here with a couple from a small Vineyard church in Ohio. We don't all speak the same language, so it can be tricky. But there is much beauty and a lot of fun adventure that can be found in getting to know those who are unknown to us! I'm looking forward to getting to know our new teammates better this week and finding all that God has made beautiful in them while we all serve Him together.


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This morning, we went to the Vineyard Palmares church plant in Ometepe. They have a couple buildings and a two-day a week food program, but no pastor. So, they don't have regular services. The plan for the day was for us to focus on the children in the community, playing games, giving them some lunch, and really just to provide some joy ("alegria" in Spanish) in their lives. So our team got in our big yellow bus and drove to the church plant. It started pouring rain, which made for an interesting adventure! We trekked through the rain and mud to get to the "church," carrying everything we'd need to for morning-that included food and pots and pans for lunch, a sound system, games, prizes for the games, firewood, a pi�ata and candy that went in it!

 

Some of our team decorated with balloons and signs, some helped build a fire for cooking (and figure out where to put it in the rain). Others of us helped with cooking-chopping potatoes and carrots to go in some tasty stew. In an hour or so, some kids started to gather and even more fun began. There were block party type games, facepainting, some dancing, games with a giant parachute, and of course, hitting the pi�ata. Then, we had the opportunity to serve lunch to the children and their families. That was pretty great, because we're not really sure how much these kids get to eat on a regular day. So, we did our best to fill them up! Afterwards, we got to pray with them, and with the women who cooked our food-and who also voluntarily run the food program for the neighborhood. God's provision was evident on this day and we're praying that he will continue to provide for them in the days to come.

 

Now, we're back at the hotel, chilling out a little bit and trying to cool down after our hot and sticky day. We'll have a great dinner soon and then have an orientation about our Vacation Bible School (VBS) that will start tomorrow in another nearby community. The plan-which is continually in a state of change--will be to have VBS on the next three mornings and then do some work projects in the afternoons. Your prayers are appreciated! We hope that we will continue to provide "alegria" and spread Jesus' love here in Ometepe. Pray, too, that we will continue to invest in and get to know all our teammates-both Mishawaka and Costa Rica-viewing them as He does. And that we'll find great beauty in all that's unknown around us.

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