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