Adiós

It's never easy to say goodbye, but today marked our final farewell to the beautiful people and country of Nicaragua. 

YESTERDAY

In the morning, we visited Club Esperanza, a preschool for underpriveleged children. QDuring our visit, we dropped off the more than 130 bags filled with school supplies, toothbrushes, and toys. Although our visit was short, everyone had a blast and we're glad to see our impact was shared with so many!

We are praising God for all His blessings and are glad we had the chance to witness His hand actively at work in the lives of others, such as the Buzbees, the Farringtons, and Open Hearts Ministry. 

Our final night's devotion, led by Mr. G and Mrs. Wier was focused on taking a look back at our work throughout the week and seeing where God was present through an action, a word, or a relationship. They asked us to think about any "God-moments" and to reflect on what it meant to us now at the conclusion of our trip. 

There were many, however, a special experience at Club Esperanza had us all amazed at the way God is at work in our lives – even in the most minuscule of ways. 

While delivering the backpacks we had prepared for the children at Club Esperanza, we did not know the exact number of boy & girl students. Mrs. Wier had a special moment to share.

"It was the last classroom with an odd number or 7 boys and 22 girls. We opened the last suitcase and God had for us 7 boy backpacks and 23 girl backpacks. God is in the little things and cares for the little ones in Nicaragua!"

This was one of several stories that opened our eyes to what it means to have a God who has everything under control and who serves to meet our greatest – and smallest – needs, no matter the circumstance. The times shared during our devotions allowed us to see everything come full circle and to witness how God works in every aspect of our lives and the lives of others.

TODAY

Thank you for your prayers and continued support. We are beginning to board now and are ready be back home. 

#WCSNICACrew2017

Volcan Masaya

Day 3 & 4

These past two days have held a multitude of incredible interactions, and experiences. Yesterday, after making over 50 batches of concrete, we are happy to say we were able to finish the house.

After we packed up, we took a detour to visit the house the 2016 Nica Crew built. It was incredibly impacting to see how that house had become a home. There were hugs and smiles and memories shared. Even the people who were not a part of last year’s team were touched by the heart breaking conditions that the family had lived in only a year before and how much their lives had changed with four new walls around them. It gave us so much hope and excitement for the house we had just finished to become a home as well.

At around 6:30pm, we all loaded up in the van and headed to see one of the most breathtaking parts of Nicaragua. We made a (very worth it) two hour line, and had the opportunity to see a live volcano.

-        - Tori Winter

Kumbaya

TODAY

Thanks for keeping up with us for the past few days.

Today marks day two of sweat, concrete and buckets. As the day progressed everyone became more and more worn out until each and every one of us had zero energy left. Yet, funny enough, all 17 of us students are still awake late at night playing games, laughing, and singing (you know how the whole “kumbaya” thing goes).

The crew worked on building a strong foundation for the house today and making sure the family had a smooth concrete floor -- and not a dirt floor. This is the hardest day of work and I am sure we are all happy today is over, but excited to see the finished house tomorrow. Who knew a group of students could build a house in 3 days?

As work on the house has developed, so has the dynamic and friendship of our diverse group. Sweating, shoveling and hoeing sure does make us feel like life-long friends. From "hoe" jokes to “gringa” bromas, we have all spent the day laughing, and I am sure the rest of the week will stay the same.

Our night is still going as the chaperones sleep and no one can stop eating the sugary donuts so it looks like tomorrow will involve a large amount of coffee. But all the same, we share our highs and lows and special God moments as we prepare to make more memories the rest of this week.

Every day we remember that all we do should be done in Love and for God!

**sorry for the late post...WIFI here is spotty!

- Erica J

Empezando la Construcción de la Casita

TODAY

After breakfast this morning, we loaded the school bus and headed straight to the construction site to start work. Around 9am, we began by moving cement blocks from the front of the property to the rear, where the house is set to be built. While some finished carrying all the cinder blocks, a group of us split to begin painting large metal beams that will be used to support the roof. The rest of the work day consisted of building the walls, which meant stacking cinder blocks and pouring concrete. Before the cement could be poured, however, we had to make it. First, we sifted the sand and wheel barreled it over to the mixing trough. Next, we emptied cement bags and poured buckets of water into the "mezcla." Six members of the crew stirred and scraped the ingredients, while some of us played with Jesus and Estefania – the children who will be living in the house. After several batches of concrete, we were ready for lunch. PB&J’s and Gatorades were passed around, along with cookies! :) 

At 5pm, we wrapped up our work and cleaned our supplies. Then we headed back home and ate an AMAZING dinner and enjoyed another great night of worship and fellowship.

Tomorrow we look forward to leveling the floor and beginning construction on the roof!

#WCSNICACrew2017

Un Embarque Nuevo

DEPARTURE

For some, this year's trip to Nicaragua is their second opportunity to serve. For others, it's their first!

"I've never traveled outside the country before, so figuring out how to keep all my things together at the airport was overwhelming! This is an entirely new experience for me...not being with my family, but I'm looking forward to improving my Spanish speaking skills, along with getting to bond with the "crew."

-  Diamond Taylor (11)

A total of 19 bags packed with clothes, toys, and toiletries joined us on the journey from MIA to our arrival here in NICA. These items are for the families we'll be serving. In addition to the 19 check-in bags, the crew packed close to 140 backpacks for Club Esperanza, an early childhood education program.

TRANSIT

Once we loaded the bus, we set out to "el rancho," the farm we'll be staying at for the rest of the week.

ARRIVAL

After getting our things settled, we then enjoyed dinner with the host family that has graciously provided for our stay. Later, we gathered together for an evening devotional lead by Mr. Gonzalez and Mrs. Wier. We also got to enjoy Landon Scherr (12) and Victoria Winter's (11) musical talents, as they helped conclude day 1 of the NICA trip!

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Thank you to all those who have prayed, supported, and encouraged us along the way. We ask that you please continue to pray for our crew as we prepare to begin work on the house tomorrow. 

NICA Crew 2017