North Dakota and NRN
A unique aspect of working with NRN is that groups work with a church each year instead of hit-and-miss missions. North Dakota has been working with Pastor Alfredo at El Convento, just outside of Leon, Nicaragua. A church was built in 2003. In 2004, two houses were built. In 2005, a portion of land was purchased, and a house built upon a corner of it. The goal is to turn this land into a source of work and income for the people who live near it. This will involve assistance and education in agriculture practices, irrigation during the dry season so that year-round work and crops are available, and also some sort of fence structure to keep wandering livestock out of the field.
However, a mission trip to Nicaragua is more than just a construction trip. In fact, it is less about construction and more about the continual building of relationships with familiar faces as well as new ones. It is not about coming down to show the Nicaraguans how to do something, but working beside them and with them, often learning from them.
North Dakota groups have taken an active role in helping meet physical needs, such as supplying funds for dental and other health needs, passing out food and clothing, purchasing bikes or beds, and talking and interacting with adults and children alike. During the day, a construction site will be filled with kids as well as adults who have come to help or to watch. Activities with the kids, much like an abbreviated VBS, have been done.
As with all missions trips, participants end up getting more from them than the people they have come to minister to. Your outlook and perspective on life will change after one trip, and you’ll no doubt be like most of those who have been to Nicaragua: quickly lining up to go next year.
Questions?
If you are interested in supporting NRN (the parent organization), sponsoring a student, or have other questions on where to send funds for similar needs, contact Nicaraguan Resource Network directly. If you would like to become involved in NRN-ND, however, contact us directly.
Please mail monetary donations or trip fees to:
NRN-ND
c/o Bethel Chapel
70 Poplar Ave.
Carrington, ND 58421
Please mail application and policy forms (from this page) to:
Julie R. Neidlinger
P.O. Box 156
Hampden, ND 58338
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