Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Managua, Nicaragua Bound for Operation Smile Mission #10

I am so excited to be headed on another Operation Smile Mission - this time to Nicaragua. I leave early Thursday morning & have been packing tonight as I have a full day of work tomorrow & teaching tomorrow night - YIKES!!!  This will be my 10th mission in 5 years and I have loved the opportunity to go on every one - some have been really challenging but in the end the opportunity to serve such humble people in o many countries has made me a more grateful person & truly taught me that you do LOVE those you serve - even if you have never met them before. I have also learned that everyone has a "story" and when we take time to find out their story there is always something to be learned...
I wasn't sure that I would be able to get a 2nd mission in this year since my 1st one was in June & we have had a busy summer but I had a 2 week window that would work Nov 1-15th & as is ALWAYS the case....what is meant to be will find it's way & I was fortunate to be offered a position on this mission. I do not know the details but they are supposed to be doing a Mega Mission with multiple mission sites - I guess I will learn more when I arrive.
A few weeks ago a mission friend Erika emailed me...we were in Bolivia together - it was her first mission & I helped train her. Now 3 1/2 years later we will be in Nicaragua together so I am excited to know there will be one familiar face on the team! I looked at the team list for the first time today and we have a BIG team of 60 volunteers! 34 are from Nicaragua & several of them are listed as "in training" after that there are 14 from the US, 5 from Belgium, 4 from Sweden (one of whom is the 3rd recovery room nurse with Erika & me!), then one each from Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela 7 Canada. Truly an international effort.
As always I am blessed to bring goodness from friends here to my mission country - my suitcase is filled with 20 dresses for girls & some outfits for boys & of course some toys. Last Saturday I sent an email to some LDS Church leaders there & one emailed me back today so I am excited & hopeful that in addition to helping the Op Smile families I meet I will also be able to connect with & perhaps help some members of the LDS church in Nicaragua.
I checked on the weather tonight & was a bit distressed - we just barely have had 2 days of "cool weather -high 60's & low 70's here & even rain yesterday so I was thrilled to thin maybe fall had arrived. Well fall will be on hold for me the next 2 weeks because the temperatures in Managua have been a steady 92 degrees with 89% humidity....I am already planning on being a bit sweaty & decided not to pack a sweatshirt.
I still have a little more packing to do tonight & ALOT of loose ends to tie up at CHOC tomorrow but somehow I will be ready to get on my flight Thursday morning. I have WONDERFUL travel...Orange County to Houston a few hours in a layover then a flight from Houston to Managua Nicaragua - roughly 12 hours of total travel & only two hours time difference from California!!! 
Since I have been to the 2 neighboring countries - Guatemala & Honduras I have some ideas of what it may be like but really each mission trip is a surprise...the accommodations, the "hospital", the team, the people & the unique culture & beauty of each country as well as the challenges. But I am EXCITED & ready for another wonderful opportunity to use the gifts & talents I have to benefit others. Of course despite purchasing a Spanish language program after my last Latin American mission it remained unopened so I am kicking myself that I have very minimal medical "Spanglish".
Good Thoughts & Prayers for me & the entire team are much appreciated!!!

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