Service Trips

2007/2008

KING’S STUDENTS IN NICARAGUA
On Friday, January 18, ten Grade 12 students and two “chaperones” boarded a flight for Managua, Nicaragua as part of King’s Global Initiative Program. The program was set in place for King’s students to experience life outside of our culture and society. Once students (and teachers) are removed from our daily comforts and luxuries of western culture, they are able to see life from a different perspective.

The King’s students went in cooperation with an organization called World Wide Christian Schools, whose mission is to make Christian education accessible to all people despite socio-economic situations. Two representatives from WWCS met us at the airport and were our guides for the week.
Once we arrived , we found our accommodations and the general eating and lounging pavilion which would be our “home” for the next six days. The four ladies received a nice spacious room with washroom and showering facilities. All eight guys were put into one room, with one shower, one toilet, and not a lot of space. Despite our cramped quarters and need for personal space, we survived unscathed. The first two days were spent acclimatizing to our new environment.

There were so many new sights, sounds, and smells to get used to. We toured the area, visited a volcano, shopped at a market, and relaxed on a beach. The next four days were spent working on various painting projects around the Nicaragua Christian Academy. Our team was a diligent bunch of workers. The days went by quickly as there was lots of work to do.

On the last work day, we went to a poor, rural town called Chichigalpa. While in Chichigalpa, we did more painting in the morning. Later in the afternoon, the village children came out and we spent some time playing games and interacting with them. For most of us this was a powerful opportunity. The realization that children who live without the comforts of our North American culture could be so happy with so little was shocking, but also humbling. Our students took to these children in such a loving, accepting, and compassionate manner. Even though we were there only a couple of hours, there was a natural bond that occurred and the faces of these children will forever be ingrained on our hearts and minds.
Another crucial aspect of the trip was the devotional times among our group. Every morning we would spend 20 minutes in personal devotions. In the evening we had group devotions. These evening devotions were an excellent opportunity to debrief on the experiences of the trip and to share with one another some of the struggles we encounter in our lives. God was visible through these conversations and commitments. It became apparent to everyone that through serving others and being removed from the comforts of our homes, God is speaking loudly and waiting for us to connect with Him in a meaningful manner. The lessons learned in Nicaragua could never be taught in any classroom.

The trip was an experience that we all will never forget. God spoke and we listened. Aside from all the learning that occurred, the group had an amazing abdomen workout - there was none stop laughter from the moment we left Toronto to the moment we arrived. Who ever thought that ten teenagers (and two pseudo teenagers) could have that much fun?! We thank God for this amazing opportunity to serve and learn. And thank you to all parents and supporters who kept us in their prayers and thoughts through the week.