Mission of peace: Nicaraguan trip an eye-opening experience

By Emily Barksdale
St. Marys High School

From Dec. 27, 2006 to Jan. 13, 2007, FlipSider Emily Barksdale, along with 19 other teens and five adults from the northeastern United States, traveled to Nicaragua with Mission of Peace, sponsored by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Council on Youth Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Each year, a teen MOP team travels to a different country to promote peace, tear down walls and stereotypes and build better relationships with that country.

This year, the team went to Nicaragua, visiting the U.S. Embassy, two volcanoes, various towns and cultural landmarks and a beach. Though the MOPers was based in Managua, they spent plenty of time elsewhere, staying a few nights in a church they painted and with families they'd just met.

Among other activities, the group sang for various churches and at a women's prison. After visiting the Managua city dump -- La Chureca -- and seeing the poverty of the people who live there, the team also spent a good deal of time working and playing with residents of Project Chacocente (www.outofthedump.com).

The thing that impacted me the most about my mission trip to Nicaragua in January was not the cliché realizations of how much we take for granted and how wasteful we are. It wasn't even the close, lasting bonds that were formed between Nicaraguans and our Mission of Peace group as well as amongst ourselves. No, I've come to realize that the thing that never ceases to amaze me is the attitudes of the Nicaraguans.

They have so much less than we do, yet they (at least the ones with whom I came into contact) are more than willing to give. They share everything they have and are so generous -- even with what they can't really afford to share.

At one particular place where my group worked, Project Chacocente, we were around a lot of children. We spent more time with the people there and bonded much more closely with them than with any other group.

The children at Chacocente didn't even know us, but they were almost instantly attached to our sides, holding our hands or putting their arms around us -- and grinning the whole time. They hugged us and gave us presents and just generally showed unconditional acceptance and great love despite the fact that we would see them for just four days, tops.

At this project, we were adding rooms onto a few houses. We had to do such things like bend rebar supports, mix cement and lay block. It was hard work in the hot sun, but we really didn't mind. We could take frequent breaks to play with the children or stand in the shade.

But we weren't the only ones working. Amazingly, the residents of Project Chacocente worked right alongside us. They let us do our thing, but they guided and helped and did just as much as, if not more than, the next person. And they willingly volunteered to do all of this with a smile.

I never heard one harsh word or complaint the whole time that I was in Nicaragua, other than maybe from someone in our group. The people at Chacocente never once seemed upset or scolded us, even if we messed something up (keep in mind that what we were doing was a permanent part of their abode) or exasperated or annoyed them.

And it's not like they were quiet, either. The Nicaraguans frequently joked with each other and shared stories and building tips with us. They were so patient with the few of us who spoke a little Spanish -- and even with those who spoke no Spanish at all.

If we were in their situation, we would probably not stop whining, but they are more than grateful for what little they have. Is that not mind-blowing? Just think how the world would be if everyone could act like that -- letting things roll off their back, being patient and thankful.

Granted, we only were with these people for a few hours each day, but what I saw of them truly makes me think that I could easily spend my life there. My entire perspective of the world has changed.