Nicaragua Mission Trip: Kris, Tyler, & Jordan!

Hola, Mis Amigos!

Welcome to the fundraising and information page for our mission trip to Nicaragua!!   We're excited you're exploring what we're up to!

WHY NICA?  

Nicaragua ('Nica') is the second-poorest country in the western hemisphere, but its people are some of the most kind and generous in the entire world.  I've (Tyler) been blessed to travel to many countries and meet many amazing people, yet the people of Nica are by far my favorite (I worked similarly in Nicaragua seven years ago, building houses for those without the ways or the means to do so; the above photos are from that venture).  In Nicaragua, and on this trip, there exists the chance to strive hand-in-hand with people who are actively working to fix the issues that drive Nica's citizens north, fleeing its borders for better lands and better lives - right at the heart of the problem that forces them toward the United States: abject poverty and dismal health factors that have plagued them for decades.  The people of Nica crave better living conditions and to escape the rule of dictatorship which has them on the constant brink of civil war.  Yet, they don't want to leave their homeland.  They just need others to come alongside them and help in working to make things better.

WHY NICA NOW?

We will be traveling with and serving alongside a pack of Amigos for Christ veterans from both Columbus and Cincinnati (Amigos for Christ is the organization we're working with when we head down next month) doing what the native people of Chinandega, Nicaragua are already doing, and what they will continue doing well after we head back home.

In other words, we won't be the 'American heroes' wearing capes, coming in to save the day or practicing some sick type of 'voluntourism' that just makes us feel good for a fleeting moment while on our vacations; instead, we will be rolling-up our sleeves and helping these amazing people with the hard work (building systems to transport clean water/constructing restrooms/building schools/building-up orphans and others in need) they've decided they want to do for themselves - - shoulder to shoulder with Nicaraguans who are striving to make a lasting impact for their family and friends and benefit their own community for the long term. 
Nicaraguans who are working to change their own lives and the world they live in.   We are heading to Nica for 7 days during Thanksgiving (November 23-30) to do hard work that bleeds out love for our fellow humans who are working to help themselves.

HOW MIGHT YOU HELP?

Kris and Jordan have not yet been to Nicaragua, and they could not be more excited for next month!  It's going to be such a sweet and impactful (for the Nicaraguans and for us) venture to this humble and beautiful country, and the three of us want YOU to be there with us as our partner and teammate - through prayer, through financial support, and through the celebration of what we pray and believe God will do through us as tools and instruments in His hands during our time in Nica.

James 2:14-17 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."  Likewise, Isaiah 1:17 reads, "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."  He who numbers the hairs on our head will certainly not turn away from anyone in dire need, and this has inspired us to act! 

God promises protection and help for those who cannot protect themselves, and he redeems injustice through his mighty love.  He also asks us to do something about it.  This is why we are headed to Nica - to do something about the affliction happening with our brothers and sisters in Central America - - in Nicaragua, the second-poorest country in our hemisphere.  Our aim in Nica will be to seek God where He is already moving and working.

We would love for you to prayerfully support us 'Tres Amigos' on this mission trip to Nicaragua!  We are SO BLESSED to have reached our need of $4,500 for this trip!  And, if you are reading this and would still like to give, we will put the funds toward the other expenses associated with this trip.  The funds have enabled us to pay for the flights/luggage, in-country transportation, registration fees that cover lodging and meals, Nicaragua entrance fees, and the items Amigos for Christ has identified as high-need for the communities and families they are running after by the set deadlines of the trip.  We plan to have some heavy suitcases with us on our way to the land of lakes and volcanoes!

If you are led to help us, you will be our partner and teammate - - as such, we would love for you to check-out the amazing organization we're headed down to work with for yourself: https://amigosforchrist.org

Also, there's a short video below that pretty much says it all - we hope you will watch it (turn up the volume!), and then prayerfully consider joining us as a teammate on this mission trip to Nica!!

With all our love, belief, appreciation, and thankfulness -

Gloria a Dios y Muchas, Muchas Gracias!!!

Kris, Jordan, and Tyler

P.S.  We would love to answer questions and hear your thoughts toward the trip.  Shoot Tyler an email at [email redacted].