NICARAGUA – I'm on a Mission!

March 9 - 16, 2018

Here's to one of the most beautiful and spiritually enriching trips of my life! I went on a FOCUS mission trip to Nicaragua. FOCUS stands for Fellowship of Catholic University Students and Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. So I, along with 12 other young adults, served this country and their people for a week. We also got to see some wondrous sights. Here are some highlights!

1. The Franciscan Sisters – The Fraternity of the Poor of Jesus Christ

We were accommodated by Franciscan Sisters in León. Their specialty is to live with the poor, like the poor. We lived with them in their convent without beds and other luxuries.

Although we didn't speak the same language, we still communicated through hand gestures, smiles, laughter, and hugs. I found out that they are such patient, humble, loving, and inspirational women of God with unique testimonies! By the end of the trip, we got close and had a difficult time saying goodbye.

2. Our Lady of Grace Cathedral

Every day, we attended mass at 6:30am at Our Lady of Grace Cathedral. One day, we also went to the observatory floor. Out of respect, they required everyone to walk on it with no shoes. It was... very challenging, as our feet were burning on the cement. But it turned into a funny memory / inside joke that we always bring up.

3. Cerro Negro

Cerro Negro (Black Hill) is an active volcano. The heat and hills were intense, but the sisters dealt with it in their habits and flip flops like champs!

Going down the volcano was the most thrilling part. The hill to go down had a 40 degree angle and was made of lava rocks. We had to bury our feet in the ground so we wouldn't fall. Some of us even ran down. I was so thankful I wore close-toed shoes because if I didn't, it would've been another burning-my-feet experience.

During the car ride back, John, Sam, and I were just giddy with joy. We were reflecting on the adrenaline from going down the volcano and the beauty of the volcano itself. We were reminded that hiking up the volcano was just like life with its ups and downs. But at the end of the day, life is beautiful because God created it to be beautiful.

The whole time, I was also reminded of the song, “Nothing I Hold Onto” by United Pursuit.
I lean not on my own understanding,
My life is in the hands of the maker of heaven.
I give it all to You, God, trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me.
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open.
There’s nothing I hold onto.

We definitely entered a spiritual high just from hiking on Cerro Negro!

4. Service!

We did various things from visiting nursing homes, feeding the homeless on the streets, visiting remote villages, going door to door to pray over families, and more.

This trip exposed me to impoverished lifestyles. It exposed me to people who did not have "success,” fancy vehicles, modern technology, beds, washing machines and dryers, and barely had any water. But these inconveniences didn't kill anyone's contentment – not the Nicaraguans, not the religious sisters, not the missionaries, and surely not mine. We were all still laughing, singing, dancing, praising, hugging, and so much more. Partaking in service projects was truly humbling.

5. Las Peñitas Beach

The day before this was rough. I found myself getting irritated easily. Maybe it was because of the heat. Maybe it was because I couldn't understand Spanish, which made me feel useless. Maybe it was because of a multitude of things.

That's why this (last) day was the absolute best. We spent it riding the waves of the ocean, playing soccer on the sand, singing on top of rocks, and more. It gave the feeling that everything in life was simple, like we were little kids again. Authentic joy was all around. Then, we witnessed the most beautiful sunset. Witnessing the sunset while being authentically joyful was like God saying, "I'm here and I will take care of all of you. I have a divine plan for all of you." It was like God giving us, His children, the biggest embrace.

6. Goodbye

There is no picture that could accompany this moment because it was just too precious. When we went back to the convent, the sisters surprised us with the sweetest goodbye. They sang songs, putting us in a reflective mood. Then, they prayed over us, revealed that it wasn't a coincidence that there were 12 of us, and washed our feet, just as Jesus washed the feet of the 12 disciples. Many tears were shed, hugs were given, and hearts were stretched. I could not have imagined an even more perfect goodbye.