The nerves are setting in. Our much anticipated trip is finally becoming a reality. It is exactly one hour (2 AM) before we all have to catch a ride to Newark Airport. The unknowingness of it all is a strange, but exhilarating feeling.
It is the first time that Stevens Institute has put together a mission trip with Mustard Seed Communities. Maureen Madigan, who runs the Newman Association on campus, pursued this mission trip months ago. Her vision and perseverance led our group of 10 individuals to come together for an extraordinary cause in Nicaragua.
Get ready as eight students from Stevens Institute, Maureen, and Father Benny (born and raised in Nicaragua) from Saint Peter and Paul church, are about to embark on a wonderful journey in an effort to use their dedicated time and energy with those who need it most.
Over the past two months the team has fundraised thousands of dollars in order to make this trip possible. The community of Hoboken has truly embraced our mission and has supported our fundraising efforts the from the beginning. We could not have done it without the support from Black Bear and Willies, the many delicious donated trays of food from restaurants on Washington St. for a dinner in the St. Peter and Paul parish center, scooping for a cause at Ben and Jerrys, and proceed night at Ralphs Italian Ice. Most of all, we have to thank our family, friends, and students from Stevens who have given their donations and prayers toward our mission trip. Without their support we would not be leaving to get on our flight, which is now....in 4 hours!
Our anticipation amplifies as we count down the hours. Only one stop in Miami and then we fly to Managua - Nicaragua's capital.
Today, we were all texting each other about mosquito netting for our beds, which were recommended for our stay. I have a feeling that when we get there, however, the mosquitoes will be the last thing on our minds.
I cannot wait to meet the children - all 18 of them who have been abandoned and are disabled in one way or another. Without a doubt, this will be an eye-opening experience for our entire team and I can't wait until we land on Nicaraguan soil.
We invite you to follow our blog and join us on on our mission trip as we travel to Central America!
-Juliet
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