12p0601ni - Ministry Details & Packing

Hey Nicaragua team,

It’s finally time to give you a few more details about your trip! This Summer is going to be an incredible one, where you’re going to see God do great things in you, and in the people of Nicaragua. It will be hard at times, but know that it’s all worth it. Get excited!

Your team will be staying on an island called Ometepe.

You’ll spend about a month working with one of our ministry contacts, Charles, whose heart is outreach into the nearby impoverished area. You’ll get plugged into the community and dive right into building relationships. Various ministries include children's ministry, street ministry, and door to door ministry. You will also be working with a church.

For the other month of your time in Ometepe, you’ll be ministering at an Orphanage. Their vision and desire remains to support the neediest children of Ometepe. Ometepe is an isolated island community in a poor and politically/economically/geographically isolated country. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in this hemisphere with the average worker earning only $2 a day. The need there is very large, and the value of the orphanage’s contributions goes a very long way. It is a place where a difference can be made. For the children, their vision is to provide:

a) a home of Christian love and support

b) proper clothing, food, education and living care (including medical and dental care)

c) a safe environment (physically, emotionally, spiritually)

d) an education and vocational path to allow them to learn valuable trades (and attend a Nicaraguan university if they have the ability and aspirations)

e) an exit strategy which allows them to become independent and contributing members of Nicaraguan society.

Cultural Norms and Sensitivities

Greeting: Shaking hands is the customary greeting in business settings for men and women in Nicaragua (the handshake is usually less firm than in North America). In casual settings, people may greet each other with a hug and kiss, but foreigners are not expected to do this. At parties, everyone is introduced individually.
Etiquette: Nicaraguans often offer guests a cool drink; refusing is considered discourteous. Guests are expected to eat the entirety of what is served, as well as to praise the quality of the meal.
Punctuality: Punctuality is not as highly valued as it is in other countries. Most Nicaraguans are late to meetings and events, often by a half hour or more.

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There is a general packing list that can be found in your Profile by going to Mobilization Info tab and then to the preparation section. There are no additional items that you need to bring.

These are already listed on the general packing list but I want to emphasize them:

Sleeping bag and pillow
Sweater or jacket
Health Information, including proof of Yellow Fever inoculation if required.
Copies of ID and passport packed in various places.
Headlamp (flashlights are fine too…but headlamps are AWESOME because you get to have both hands free. Hands-free is good for middle of the night bathroom runs, reading while your teammates are sleeping, and even for dance parties!)
Water bottle (Nalgene brand is really great.)