PAN
Presbyterians Aiding Nicaraguans
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Mission Trip, August 2009
Find out about our latest mission trip and see pictures. Click here to visit the blog
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Mission Trip, August 17-31, 2007
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BLOCKS
The possibility of a St. Andrew's Mission Project to Nicaragua with a focus to construct a block building to house two Sunday School rooms resonated with people of all ages. Our church was ready to direct some Mission and Outreach money to support the project, thereby adding to the appeal.
And so, off we went after a full year of planning, in the summer of 2007, twenty-three participants, and representing three generations of St. Andrew's folks.
We were wonderfully supported by the entire community, both church and beyond - with MediPacks, clothing, sports equipment, school supplies etc., etc.
We went to Nicaragua essentially to construct a building. But as we shared experiences amongst ourselves, it was the feelings aroused by doing arts and crafts with kids and moms at the church, talking to residents who eked out a living at the city dump, attending their church services, the sight of health clinics that operated with old or dysfunctional equipment.
Most members mentioned the looks of gratitude from the Nicaraguan people who received a gift of clothing, a soccer ball, a hug of encouragement, or a wave from front gates as we became recognized. Of course there was great satisfaction in seeing the building nearing completion.
We went to Nicaragua essentially to construct a building, but for the majority of us, the memories are related to the people we met and the situations we encountered.
With God's love and compassion in our hearts, we all came home to Canada, enriched by the experience of knowing people who taught us much about them and us.
Truly, it was not just about the blocks!
To see more pictures of our Mission Trip in 2007, check our Missions Blog.
