Elizabeth Erwin, Austin Samaritans Board Chair, reports on activity plans for two upcoming trips to Nicaragua. The two trips in October are each one week long, and occur back-to-back.

Austin Samaritans board members and our Executive Director, Dr. John Doty will be on hand both weeks to guide and oversee logistics. There is no obligation to participate both weeks -- in fact, we expect nearly all participants to sign up for just one week since each week has a different focus.

To sign up for one of these trips, fill out a travel application and send it to Austin Samaritans at the address that appears on the form.

Week One Oct 2 - 9

The first week, we will engage with school age children with a Vacation Bible School (VBS) presentation and associated activities at one of our mission schools. We will also visit new moms at the birthing center, visit children and cancer patients in the hospital, help with a construction project for those interested, and spend time visiting and encouraging our mission partners who are long term.

Some "sightseeing" is scheduled to help you understand the culture and the country and its rich history.

Each day begins and ends with a devotional and sharing time. We will stay in a mission compound where a medical clinic and hospital are located. We eat and sleep in a bunk house - there are real toilets and real showers but be forewarned -- they have cold water. Some think that is refreshing since it is a very hot and humid climate.

We travel around town in a school bus and/or minivan with drivers well known to us. It is an opportunity to live in missional community.

Week Two Oct 10 - 16

The second week will have a medical focus. The first two days will be training and the second two days will be screening and treating patients. There will be orienting to the community and evening visits from our mission partners for fellowship and prayer. The same fellowship and living situation at the mission compound will be in place for week two participants.

Trip Preparation For All Participants

There will be three team meetings before we go. At those meetings, we get to know each other, plan for the trip, and pack. We will each take one suitcase filled with things that we will leave in Nicaragua and we take our own personal belongings in a carry on.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Austin Samaritans. We'd appreciate hearing from you.