Why Nicaragua?

I have been blessed to be a part of another mission trip, this time to Nicaragua. The high school where my husband works and my son attends, Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, NJ, has an annual trip to this country as humanitarian missionaries. Twenty five students and a group of chaperones go to a poor barrio (neighborhood) to build homes for the poor, through the Mama Margarita Foundation. Two years ago a Nicaraguan dentist and a volunteer dentist from Miami started providing much-needed dental care; this year, the Foundation’s other dream came true - we started a medical clinic.  

Soccer field at Mama Margarita

Why Nicaragua? Good question. I’ll talk more about this in another post, but let’s start with this: Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, behind Haiti. The poverty is pretty unimaginable, and the difference between the wealthy and the poor borders on horrifying. However, this I found to be true: the people are truly beautiful.

The beautiful children of Mama Margarita

While Mama Margarita exists as an oratorio (a place for prayer other than a parish church), it also serves as a safe haven in a very harsh world where neighborhood children can play, be tutored, and in many cases receive the only meal they may get that day. In addition to our medical mission, I witnessed a group of high school senior boys - men, actually - bond with these kids in a way which made my heart grow at least three sizes. Our trip leader was Father Manny Gallo, and his task for our group as a whole was almost medical in nature: CPR.

• C for Community. Build a community with each other and with the people of the barrio.
• P for Prayer. Not everyone prays, but most of us ‘talk’ with our higher power or send positive thoughts to somone in need. We were to do this for each other and for others around us to build each other up.
• R for Repentance. No one is perfect. We need to acknowledge our imperfections and express sincere regret for our wrongdoings, as well as accept the imperfections of others.

Over the next few days I will share the joy and heartbreak of this amazing journey, one which changed each of us for the better and made me realize that perhaps this is the kind of CPR which can save lives.