How Do You Define Success?

I have heard it said that success can be defined only by what you can measure and those measurements must meet a certain predefined goal.  Some say the intangibles like love, joy and happiness can't be measured or perhaps question how we might measure them at camp? I submit we could count the number of smiles, the number of laughs, the number of challenges, the number of high fives and encouraging words, the number of meals served or times a table was cleaned; what about the number of questions asked in pursuit of a deeper friendship or the silent ponderings before God in the quiet of the morning or the number of Bible pages flipped in reverent reading?  Could we consider the various joyful noises heard in the dining hall or the pool or la cancha (pavilion)?

As I delve deeper into the measurements, I am overwhelmed at the myriad variety of possibilites; any of which could singularly quantify success, and then we get to airport, where a whole new set of measurements present themselves:  good-byes, see-you-soons, Skype-mes, hugs, bear-hugs, neck-squeezes, and tears.  Yes, tears: big ones, small ones, many and few (of the misting type)...even from some of the guys.  The quintessential expression of how much you can love someone in such a short time.

Success? Oh, yes...in every definable way, yes!

Nicaragua, thanks for giving your heart to us and for taking ours.  We will see you soon!

We are just now taxing for take off. Family and friends, we will see you soon.

Love surpasses exhaustion

Throughout the week, campers have experienced what it means to go to camp.  The Americans brought the idea of camp and the Nicaraguans made it into their own.  I am grateful to be able to experience what this amazing country has to offer! We are now eating at Tip-Top (a local fast food restaurant) and we are preparing to heading to a volcano!  I have truly fallen in love with everything here! I can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead at camp for the next several years here in Nicaragua.

- Kendal F.

Just like the movies...

This place is literally amazing. I can't even put into words how grateful I am to be here with all of these wonderful people. It's a paradise here: sipping on coconuts with little umbrellas, relaxing in the pool with a beautiful view of mountains and nature, and cooling off on the sturdy hammocks. I would have never imagined being in a place this incredible, I have only seen this kind of atmosphere in the movies.

Con mucho amor, Alexa Espinosa

A Day in Paradise

Hola from the islands of Grenada! Today I have seen the most beautiful sights and had the best time of my life. We have been spending the day relaxing, swimming, kneeboarding, water skiing, playing volleyball, and now we're eating what looks like the most delicious food ever! When we first arrived to the island on boats we were greeted with fresh coconut water. This place is incredible and I never want to leave. The past week has been beyond amazing and I am not ready to go home. I have made friends for life even though we speak different languages and that is something I will cherish forever. I am so grateful for Mr. Jeff for allowing me to come on this trip. 

Adios!

Alena Nash 

I've said "wow" 327 times today.

After a short nights sleep at our host families' houses, we met at 7am (okay, 7:30--we were tired) and headed for Granada. While I could barely wrap my mind around how beautiful camp was, this is a whole new level. After a 1 hour drive that took 1.5 hours, we arrived and got in boats and sailed to an island. When we got off the boat, we were greeted with juice from a coconut with little umbrellas sticking out of the top. It is a literal resort! There's a pool, hammocks, a trampoline, kayaks, and a sick view. The backdrop is a huge volcano. We all came and just ran around and couldn't believe how beautiful this place is. We are currently waiting for food and then we will do some shopping and go out for dinner. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be doing this with so many people I love. 

I never want to come home.

-Emily Roberts, 21 as of yesterday 

Ps. Hi mom!!!!!!!

A Day in Granada Paradise

Hello everyone back home this is Donovan Stewart! For those who do not know me I am a eighteen year old from Las Vegas and let me tell you today we have entered paradise! We have adventured to a tropical island where the coconut water is sweet and the coconut is even sweeter! Our hideaway is shaded with the most magnificent trees and the water is the perfect temperature. The smiles, laughs, and cheers are a true sign of happiness and enjoyment. Currently I am typing this up in a hammock while I chill around coconuts and new friends. Life as you know it in the world is completely absent here. After an amazing time at camp we get to enjoy God through his beautiful nature and each other. I've never been more content! We haven't eaten yet but the food is coming soon and I can't wait to have fireworks go off when I taste it! I can't fathom what heaven will be like, but I have a feeling that it would be somewhat like this; fellowshipping with friends, enjoying God and his glory, and being in paradise! Love this chance to be here and have impact on not only others but also having a change of heart, mind, and perspective from all that we've done on this trip. 

A Real Experience

This trip has been amazing! Right now we are in Granada (pomegranate in Spanish) on a tropical paradise with coconuts and a view of the mountains. We were wondering if we had crossed the River Jordan and ventured into paradise. The week at camp was truely amazing. I have already made so many new friends; Nicuraguans and Americans alike. This trip had also helped me become closer in my relationship with God. This truely has been a Real experience.

-Lucy Gibson

Athens, GA

An Unbelievable Paradise

Nicaragua is SO beautiful. Everyone has been so welcoming and the churches here have taken great care of us. Today is the day after camp and it was really hard to say goodbye to everyone. We built great friendships over the week. But we are in Granada and it is AMAZING. We rode out to an island, were greeted with coconuts, and were treated like royalty. I have felt so welcomed and taken care of here. It's been great to experience a new country and culture with people who are so friendly. Thank you Nicaragua!

Mychaela Williams

REAL

This week the theme was Real. Mr. Jeff wanted us to see God throughout the week, and last night was the star light devo and I definitely saw how real God was. At the beginning of the devo I prayed that God would show me 3 shooting stars if he is actually real. So right after the prayer i saw one & i really felt close to God but then i started to doubt  because i didnt see another one for along time! As Mr. Jeff was saying the last prayer before we headed back to our cabins, two shootings stars appeared & I was in Awe! If that doesnt prove that God hears us & is real, then i dont know what does. Other than that I've had a blast in Nicaragua the people here are beautiful & not just a few of them ! EVERY SINGLE ONE! I've created friendships that will last a lifetime & even though it can at times be difficult to communicate, after this trip i can call many of the 

people i met my bestfriends. One last thing "Hi mom & dad."

Dillon Stewart (15)

Hi my name is Drew and im in girls 5. Starting the week i was really nervous because i don't speak any spanish but as the week has gone on ive been able to communicate better with the campers from Nicaragua. It amazes me how loving and compassionate the people are here. I can hardly speak the language yet the people still treat me and care for me like family. 

Drew Stewart (16)

Life Changing Experience

Being here in Nicaragua has been such a fun experience. Even though I don't speak very much Spanish I can still feel the love from everyone around me. The natives here are so happy to be here and I can tell that they are having a blast! Everyone loves to dance and so i'm excited to see how the dance party turns out as we mix our cultures together and dance tonight. Because it is so beautiful here, it is easy for this time to feel like a little mini vacation! Luckily, being camera lady, I get to stop, enjoy, and capture all that I see around me! I'm hoping that i'll be able to come back next year and see all of my new friends again, hopefully i'll know more spanish and be able to communicate better by then. I love it here and am sad that I will have to come back home in 3 days. But i'm soaking it all in while I still can! 

Ali Lynn (21) 

Having A Lot of Fun

This camp is a good experience and is very fun. But at the same you learn about God and making new friends is cool. I really hope I can come back next year.

Jorge Arriola (13) 

 

My first camp experience

My experience here has been fantastic, fun and encouraging. It has helped me a lot in my relationship with God. I made new friendships and strengthen the old ones I had. Definetly the best week of my life😊.

Allison Obando (13)

Cartas de amor y juegos galore

Things are heating up here at Swamp with cabin vs. cabin competitions (obstacle course and multiple dodgeball games) and we are learning how REAL God is through devotional sharing, worship and talking about taboo topics. Campers are learning more than just the Spanish language but also a touch of culture - we had some inspiring "love letters" shared last night between campers who lost a challenge 😍. Cant wait for the starlight devo tonight and talent show tomorrow evening ⭐️🎉🔭🎙! ¡Gracias a Dios todos estàn disfrutando el tiempo conjuntos!

- Chelsea Krieger (adult volunteer)

Time of my Life

So far camp has been amazing. I'm so glad I'm able to come to Nicaragua to help teach the Central Americans about god. They added a inflatble slide at the awesome pool. It will be a great next couple of days. 

Jonathan Lorbeer (11)

The Beautiful City of Managua

Managua is a beautiful city. The Swamp Camp here in Nicaragua is a very peaceful and welcoming place, and the people are so giving of themeselves. Every moment here has been well worth it. The Swamp camp never ceases to amaze me. They do an incredable job at teaching the truth and encouraging us to focus on being in the precence of God. I am looking forward to the many more adventures here and can't wait to grow in my relationships with everyone. Thank you beautiful Managua! 

-Chloe Graham (17)

Mi primera ves en el campamento/ My first time at camp

Me llamo Abril. Me gusto el campamento hicimos muchas actividades y las clases fueron muy lindas aprendi mucho cuando yegue a mi casa yegare mas enamorada de Dios quiero aprender a un mas en esta foto salimos mi concejera Alanis y yo!

My name is April. I like this camp, we have done a lot of activities and the classes have been really great so far. I have learned so much. When I return to my house, i will be more in love with God. I want to learn even more. Here is a picture with me and my counselor Alanis! 

I STINKIN' LOVE THIS PLACE

I am in LOVE with Nicaragua! The hearts of the people are just as beautiful as the mountains and trees I get to look at every day. Today we had our worship service in front of the view of the mountains and it was so easy to get lost in the presence of the Lord. I'm counseling Girls 1 and I couldn't be more excited about spending the week with the sweetest girls I've ever met. Seriously, Nicaraguan children are some of the kindest and prettiest kids you'll ever meet. The girls I've met always talk to me, play with me, and love me even though I can barely make a whole sentence en Español. I'm so excited for the relationships I'm going to make this week. I want to live here some day. ¡Me encanta Nicaragua!

Julia Hagins

Nicaragua is amazing!!!

Hola! It's so beautiful here and I feel so lucky to be here. We just ate breakfast and are going to church. The view here is amazing, you can see the mountains and all of the trees are gorgeous. Super excited for the campers to come and can't wait for what the rest of the week has in store!:-)

-Helen Abernethy 

First time for everything

The first time I heard about the Nicaragua trip, I knew instantly I would be going. I think my parents were caught off gaurd when they picked me up and the first thing I said was "I HAVE to go to Nicaragua!". So far I have seen a lot more than I could've expected and my spiritual connection with God has been strengthened beyond what I could consider, and this is just day one.

First time for everything

The first time I heard about the Nicaragua trip, I knew instantly I would be going. I think my parents were caught off gaurd when they picked me up and the first thing I said was "I HAVE to go to Nicaragua!". So far I have seen a lot more than I could've expected and my spiritual connection with God has been strengthened beyond what I could consider, and this is just day one.

Swamp Corps or Ritz Carlton?

We are currently eating lunch and the food is amazing! Rice, chicken, vegetables, and plantain chips is my new favorite dish. Everywhere I look I see a view of the mountains and volcanoes. It is very hot but I'm very happy that it is windy. I know that this week is going to be great already. The people here in Nicaragua are so nice and just as excited as we are to start camp! We are sweaty, tired, and in need of a good shower but our spirits our high. The camp facility is so nice and the nature here is gorgeous. I feel like I am at a resort:) I am thankful to be on this trip and ready for the fun. I have to go eat lunch now so...bye:)

Katie Frantz

p.s.: Mrs. Jenny, Alena is alive and safe. 

We have arrived!!!!

Hola!

We landed safely and enjoyed staying with our gracious, host families. We are at the camp and I couldn't be more excited. We have surveyed the land and set up our bunks. The camp is beautiful! We have an amazing view of mountains and a volcano! Yo tengo mucho hambre. This means I am hungry. We are about to eat though, so it's not a problem. I am very excited to meet the Nicaraguan campers! 

Austa Lavista! 

Maggie Frantz (Camper age 15)

The Sorting

We made it through customs and are now at the church building learning who our host families are. The church have greeted us so well. We are very grateful.

There is such a buzz in the room.

A Thousand Gallons to go

Hola todos! (Hello all!)

The Nicaraguan Swamp Corps crew is on the plane awaiting to fly off! According to the pilot, we were supposed to take off a few minutes ago but they are still fueling up and there's "a thousand gallons to go" so that won't take long, right..? Well nonetheless we are super grateful for this opportunity and the waiting will be worth it! We speak Spanish and are so excited to be immersed in the Nicaraguan culture and learn some new dialect. This is a solid team that God has formed and I cannot wait to see what he does through us and for the people of Nicaragua! The lights have dimmed so that's probably a sign that takeoff is approaching. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts! Nos vemos pronto! (See ya soon!) :)

Much love,

Alanis Espinosa, Alexa Espinosa, and Cory Cole