Central Alberta team builds Mission Centre wall

Members of the team.

NICARAGUA – On January 10, a team of 18 people, mostly from central Alberta, headed to Nicaragua for a mission trip. Planning for the trip had begun about a year prior, when, with the help of Dr. Neitzel, Lutheran Church–Canada’s Mission Executive, a building project had been picked and dates for the trip approved.

A portion of the wall.

The project the team selected was to build a wall around the Mission Centre in Chinandega. Some of the property is being used as an orchard and garden so protection is needed. There are also many larger events that are held at the centre, like conventions and youth gatherings, and a wall adds to attendees’ protection as well. The team hosted many fundraisers and raised enough money to build the entire wall around the Mission Centre. They also prepared crafts and games to share at some local vacation Bible school events.

The team arrived prepared to help with the building of the wall. They helped dig the ditches for the foundation, tied rebar, mixed and hauled cement, hauled cement blocks, and helped in any way they were able. Team members worked with five hired workers who were scheduled to stay and complete the wall after the team left.

Team members also helped out with four VBS programs in the Chinandega area. They found it to be a blessing to work with the Nicaraguan church workers and experience their love for God and for His people. As the group reflected on their time in Nicaragua, they realized they were there to help build a wall, but in many ways several walls came down.

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Melanie Kuhn

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