Team Update #2

On Thursday the team began their work projects at the orphanage. They began planting 1500 plantain trees which will be a sustainable farming project for the orphanage. They also painted the new team center which doubles as a hotel the orphanage uses for consistent income.

 After we finished our work projects we ate lunch and headed out to into town to do some exercises in order to understand poverty more. We did a poverty simulation at the marketplace which helped us understand wealth distribution in Nicaragua. We then  went to a local park and learned more about the history and culture of Nicaragua. Afterwards we returned to the farm, ate dinner and had Porch Time (Bible Study.) It was exciting to see the team begin to open up and process their experiences together. This was a great first full day for all of us together!The group continues to be positive, energetic and intent on pursuing all that God has for them to learn in  Nicaragua.

Team Update #1

What a trip!!!  We have hit the ground running here in Nicaragua. 

The senior and sophomore boys group spent some time getting to know their surroundings and Nicaragua culture as they waited for the other group to arrive.  They toured the orphanage grounds, met the leadership and learned about our plan to make a sustainable impact here at Casa Bernabe.  Then they ventured into the local village of Veracruz to learn more about third world poverty and the living conditions in which many of the kids at the orphanage grew up.

The team united during lunch when the juniors and sophomore girls suddenly arrived.  As soon as they got off the bus the Rancho was filled with laughter and excitement as the teams swapped travel stories and shared a meal with their friends.

After lunch we left immediately to start our work building relationships with the kids from the orphanage.  We took them out to Lake Nicaragua where we all swam, laughed and played together.  The team and the kids are already bonding.  It is beautiful to watch the relationships develop and grow.  It is also special to see the returning team members spend time with kids who seem less like orphaned children and more like old friends.

We returned from the lake and ate dinner and then had "Porch Time" which is our Bible study we do each evening.  Then we got to bed early to give the team plenty of rest so they will be ready for the rest of their trip.

More to come...

Travel Update #3

The Juniors and the Sophomore girls have arrived in Nicaragua!!!  

We are in the airport waiting to clear customs and will be at the orphanage shortly.  

As soon as we get to the orphanage we will be eating lunch and then diving right in to the mission experience by taking the kids from the orphanage to Lake Nicaragua to swim and begin building our relationships with the kids.

I will post a new update tonight reporting on the whole day.  But for now just know that EVERYONE made it to Nicaragua, safe, healthy, happy and ready to serve.

More to come tonight...

Travel Update #2

The Juniors and Sophomore girls are all snug in their beds in a beautiful Radisson hotel in downtown San Salvador.  The hotel is very luxurious and the kids should get a great night sleep here.  They fed us a great dinner and will feed us breakfast in the morning.

The service at the hotel was above and beyond what we could have hoped for in our situation.

I will continue to post frequently to keep everyone updated on our progress in Managua tomorrow.  We should arrive at the orphanage around lunch time and be able to take the kids to the lake for a swim with the rest of the team.

More to come tomorrow...

Travel Update

The Seniors and Sophomore boys have arrived safely in Nicaragua.

 They will spend the rest of the evening settling in to their rooms at the orphanage in preparation for a full day of activity tomorrow.  In the morning, they will be getting acquainted with the orphanage and the surrounding town of Vera Cruz. After getting exposed to the area and the culture, they will take the children from the orphanage to Lake Nicaragua for a fun afternoon of playing, swimming, and building relationships. Please continue to pray for our team, that God would show up in the big moments and the little details.  

The other group composed of the Juniors and Sophomore girls experienced a little more difficulty in their travels to Managua.  Everyone is safe and healthy, however, there were a few weather-related delays to our travel.  The delays we experienced trying to wait out weather over the Managua airport caused us to be diverted to re-fuel in El Salvador.  While re-fueling in there was another storm which forced the airline to cancel the flight for the evening.

We are currently on our way to a nearby hotel where we will get a night of much needed rest.  Our flight leaves at 10am on Wednesday morning. 

Let me re-iterate that everyone is safe and healthy.  The students have high spirits and are growing in love for one another as we experience life today.  God has been good to us throughout. We have already begun bonding as a team overt delicious airport food and various card games.

Please pray for our travel schedule tomorrow.  We are hoping to meet up with the Seniors and Sophomore boys at lunch and take the kids from the orphanage to the lake as one big Chapel missions team.

Stay close to the blog for updates...

NC Team Checklist #3

If your child missed the meeting on 6/17, please stop by Alexis' office to pick up the final packing list (there is a folder on the corner of Alexis' desk with packets from the evening that have the teaching time information, as well as a full pack list).


June 17th Checklist - NC

q Make sure all Money & Forms are in:
o All 3 ReCreation Experience forms:
- Registration
- Experience Activities Consent & Medical Consent
- Covenant of Behavior
o WCC Parental Consent
o Total Cost of Trip $475 ($150 deposit + $325 balance)

*Call 941-1241 ASAP if you have questions about final paperwork or trip balance!

q Be packed & ready to go on Sunday, July 12th:
o We will leave right after church on July 12th in the Chapel Minibuses.
o Bring a packed lunch to eat on the trip there and $ for fast food on the way there and on the way back.
o PACKING LIST – on the back of this page. Only ONE bag per person! Other items we are asking each student to bring (please put your name on your items):
- Work Gloves
- 2 Paint Brushes – (1) 4-inch brush, (1) 2-inch brush
- Hammer

o Blog: http://wccstudentministriesmissiontrips.blogspot.com/
The blog has current administrative information for all Chapel SM Mission trips, and will also be updated while we are on the trip.

Trip Dates: Sunday, July 12th – Saturday, July 18th

We will leave Weaverville after breakfast on July 18th and it is a 7 hour drive, so we will arrive back at the Chapel around dinner time. The hotline # for updates on our planned time home is 919-260-0719. Please check often on the day of our return.

Nicaragua Team Checklist 6/15

Blog: http://wccstudentministriesmissiontrips.blogspot.com/

Support Letters
o Turn support $ into Jess as it comes in.
o Write thank you notes to the people who send you monetary support immediately.

Passport
o Bring a copy of your passport IMMEDIATELY!

Forms, make sure you’ve turned them in DO IT IMMEDIATELY!
o ORPHANetwork form
o WCC Parental Consent notarized (if you do not already have one on file for this school year)

Buy Birthday Gift
o $10-$15 gift for the kid you were assigned
o Wrap your present and make sure your kid’s name tag is on it

Pack your bags!

Next meeting…at the Chapel to go to Nicaragua!!!

Group A- Junior Girls, Junior Boys and Sophomore Girls will meet at 6am at the Chapel on June 23rd.
Group B- Senior Girls, Senior Boys and Sophomore Boys will meet at 7am at the Chapel on June 23rd.