Donahue Students on Spring Break: An Unforgettable Mission Trip to Nicaragua

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Published on Monday, 12 March 2012 21:40

Two dozen students from the Rhodora Donahue Academy spent their spring break on a mission trip to Nicaragua. One of the students, senior Christine Lenardson, wrote an account of the trip for The Ave Herald. 
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By Christine Lenardson

Eye-opening. Amazing. Unforgettable.

Twenty four Donahue Academy students and five very brave chaperones put aside the usual spring break fare of relaxing at the beach, lounging in bed or by sitting by the pool for the experience of lifetime --  a one week mission trip to Nicaragua.

The trip began on Friday, March 2 as the students and chaperones flew into Managua, Nicaragua. We went immediately to the Ave Maria Latin American Campus (AMULAC), and had dinner. The campus provided meals, mass, vehicles and guides throughout the week. We stayed at a Carmelite Convent Retreat Center about ten minutes from the campus.

A lesson in Sacrifice. The first full day was spent building and painting a retreat center for Catholic missionaries. It was run by a man named Paul, who after becoming quite successful in the U.S., gave up everything to come to Nicaragua and be a missionary. Seeing his sacrifices and his perseverance really set the tone for the entire trip.

A lesson in love and joy. The second day was by far the most unforgettable. We arrived in a poverty stricken area, with almost no idea of what to expect. It's probably also important to point out that this poverty is almost inconceivable to those of us in the United States.   As soon as we exited the van, we were surrounded by the excited and energetic children. We spent the entire day playing with the kids. Carrying them on their shoulders, playing basketball, balloon-sword fighting, painting nails, playing duck, duck, goose and being truly amazed by the joy and the love from kids who had absolutely nothing. Above right, a Nicaraguan girl at an orphanage applies makeup to Donahue student Jenny Rivera while Sr. Catherine Thomas looks on. Left, Daniel Scanlan playing with children at the orphanage.

A lesson in giving. The next few days flew by as we continued our mission. We visited a home for abused girls, a school for deaf, blind and mute children, a school for special needs kids and teens, and a home for the elderly.  We spent the time singing, talking, playing and simply enjoying the opportunity to share in each of their lives.   The Donahue Academy seniors put on a retreat for a local high school and talked with them about prayer and confession.  Everywhere we went, we were met with gratitude, thanks and kindness.  I'm quite sure that the students of Donahue Academy received far more than we gave as the core part of our mission trip came to an end.

Appreciating God's beauty. Nicaragua is a truly beautiful county and we were fortunate enough to have a full day to enjoy it!  . We went to a volcano where we had a panoramic view of the city of Grenada. We ziplined through the forests of Nicaragua and ended the day with a boat ride around islands created by a volcanic eruption.  We even got spend a little time with the students at AMULAC.  The boys played with the AMULAC basketball team and the girls had a scrimmage with the AMULAC volleyball team

I know I speak for all of the students when I sincerely thank Sister Teresa Benedicta for shepherding this event from idea to reality and of course to the amazing chaperones, Dr. Guernsey, Mrs. Schneider, Mr. Cunningham and Sister Catherine Thomas who gave up a week of their lives so that we could have this experience. The students and chaperones forever benefit from the true joy that we saw and the amazing people we encountered. Right, Jake Schneider with a boy at a Nicraguan orphanage.

(Photos above by Luis Cunningham. Photos below by Ann Guernsey)

 

 

 

 

Above, the group at a coffee plantation.

Right, Michael Milhizer at a nursing home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left, Bailey Timmis has her hair worked on by a child at a Nicaraguan orphanage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right, Ann Guernsey and Annie Deliso at the orphanage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left, Andrew Guernsey at a training center for the handicapped.