Hola from Nicaragua!
We made it here on the 10th!
Nicaragua is a beautiful place. We are on the island of Ometepe. We are working with CICRIN Orphanage.
Below I’m writing their ministry statement, so you know a little more about who I’ll be serving with, and what their ministry looks like.
They support the neediest children of Ometepe. Ometepe is an isolated island community in a poor and politically/economically/geographically isolated country. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in this hemisphere with the average worker earning only $2 a day. The need there is very large, and the value of our contributions goes a very long way. It is a place where we can make a difference.
For the children, our vision is to provide: a) a home of Christian love and support: b) proper clothing, food, education and living care (including medical and dental care) c) a safe environment (physically, emotionally, spiritually) d) an education and vocational path to allow them to learn valuable trades ( and attend a Nicaraguan university if they have the ability and aspirations) e) an exit strategy which allows them to become independent and contributing members of Nicaraguan society.
They now mostly run as a day program for children and not so much an orphanage do to the government. They have a school on the grounds that they are expanding. There are right now 50 kids total in the program. Over half of the kids do not live at CICRIN. There are some that have no families, their living conditions weren’t good, or live off the island so they live here still.
They are passionate about this program and mission and I’m happy and excited to serve alongside them the rest of this month.
This month is all squad month!! It’s been so fun living with the whole squad. Which means my best friend is here with me! We weren’t put on the same team so this is such a blessing!
We are doing kitchen duty, ground work (like picking up trash, picking weeds, and raking leaves), working with the kids and teachers at the school, and prayer walking, reading aloud on the grounds and worshipping.
We decided to split up the work amongst teams each week. Our squad has 3 teams so one of our teams are on kitchen/ground duty, the other school duty, and my team has been prayer walking, reading aloud, and worshipping around the property this week.
It has been more challenging than I imagined, but has caused me to grow further out of my comfort zone.
I’m excited that we’ll all get a chance to serve in each area!
That is a summary of our month =)! It’s going to bring great things!
