By B.C. Manion
When Allison Fairbanks heard that her church was organizing a missionary youth trip to Nicaragua, she was eager to join the group.
The 16-year-old from Land O’ Lakes, said she wanted to go on the Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church mission trip because she’s thinking about becoming a missionary, and this would give her a taste of that life.
Her twin sister, Ashley, is also making the trip. “I just want to put smiles on the little kids’ faces,” the young woman said.
She also expects the experience to lead to personal growth. “I think I’m not as thankful as I should be, for the things I have. I think it will help me realize how fortunate we are,” Ashley Fairbanks said.
Other youths making the trip said they are motivated by the opportunity to see life in a different culture, to contribute their help to make a difference and to help the children living at Hogar Belen Managua, an orphanage for 30 children with various disabilities and health conditions, ranging from six months to 16 years old.
The orphanage is run by Mustard Seed Communities, an organization whose tagline is “Caring for the most vulnerable.”
The Our Lady of the Rosary group, which will be helping to build a kitchen at the orphanage, includes 16 youths and seven adults. Those making the trip represent Land O’ Lakes, Wiregrass Ranch, Sunlake and Bishop McLaughlin high schools, and Paideia School and Saint Leo University.
Each person making the trip has to raise $950 to give to Mustard Seed Communities and $829 to cover their airfare.
The group still needs to raise about $10,000, said Kathy DeSanto, who has been on previous mission trips and is leading this one for the group. She’s the coordinator of youth and young adult ministry at Our Lady of the Rosary, off Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.
Those traveling have been raising funds individually and have been hosting some group fundraisers, DeSanto said.
When they get to Nicaragua, part of the experience includes going to a city dump, where thousands of families live, DeSanto said.
They’ll be distributing provisions to those in need, DeSanto said. The group is also collecting donations of food, toiletries, over-the-counter medications and items that can be used for developmental play.
“We will be helping to distribute food, rice, clothing, whatever supplies we bring,” DeSanto said. “Every one of us is going to take a checked bag. Twenty-three people. It’s free to check a bag,” she said.
“Those traveling will also take a carry-on bag,” DeSanto, containing the bare necessities. To conserve space, they’ll be sharing some items, such as shampoo, sunscreen and a hair dryer, she said.
The youths know they’ll be encountering temperatures reaching 95 degrees a day and will be busy working, but they are eager to pitch in.
Adults making the trip are enthused, as well.
Shelly Kraning, who lives in the Connerton development of Land O’ Lakes, is making the trip with her daughter, Nikki.
She’s thrilled to be able to go, and thanks her company – Communications Concepts – for sponsoring her and enabling her to fulfill a lifelong dream.
Kraning said her parents adopted a teenager girl, who was a friend of hers, and she has never forgotten their selfless and kind act.
She and her daughter “want to directly help and positively touch the lives of those we encounter during our mission trip.”
The group is departing on June 28 and will return on July 6.
When the announcement went out about the trip, parents had many questions, DeSanto said.
“Parents were very concerned, but they are also very supportive,” DeSanto said. “They wanted to know the details. The specifics.”
Once they had their answers, they rolled up their sleeves and pitched in, she said.
At one fundraiser, she said, “the parents helped washed cars,” DeSanto said.
The trip helps dispel the stereotype that teenagers are self-centered, DeSanto said.
“I think often times people think that teenagers are spoiled brats, and they don’t give back, and they just want, want, want.
“But, I’ve been working in ministry with teenagers for a long time, and I don’t see that at all, especially this generation. They’re very global and they’re very service oriented and they really, really like giving back,” DeSanto said.
“I think we’d probably have 100 kids go, if it was free,” she said. “I think there would be a whole lot more that would want to participate. I think sometimes money does stand in the way.”
DeSanto also addressed a criticism she sometimes hears.
“A lot of people say, ‘Why aren’t you helping our country?’ The thing is that we do help our country. I think almost every kid that’s here has gone to food pantries, to homeless shelters, those kinds of things and helped our country.
“They feel connected to our country first, and they do help our country. So, people need to know that.
Reaching out to people in need, wherever they happen to be, is consistent with living out the message of Christ, DeSanto said.
“From our Christian perspective, we have to see Christ in everyone. Those marginalized kids that are over there need love, just like our kids need love.”
Extending oneself to help others is a rewarding experience, DeSanto said.
“Mission trips are life changing,” DeSanto said.
You can help
Items needed by Mustard Seed Communities to distribute in Nicaragua:
–Small medical items such as vitamins, Triple Antibiotic ointments, diaper rash cream, cotton balls, gauze, heating pads, massage oils, disinfectant spray and disinfecting wipes, hydrogen peroxide, disposable gloves
–Toiletries such as clippers, body lotion, shampoos, rubbing alcohol, toothbrush containers, bath soap, baby powder
–Food items such as protein or nutritional bars, baby formula and baby food, peanut butter, meal supplements, high protein powdered drink mix
–Over-the-counter pharmacy items such as flu and cold medications, antibiotic cream, stool softener, mosquito repellent, baby wipes, deodorant, adult diapers, plastic spoons, cups and bowls, underwear
–Miscellaneous items such as garbage bags, electric kettles, shower curtains and hooks, crib sheets, single bed sheets, disposable napkins
–Developmental play items such as glitter, markers, crayons, face paint, washable finger paints, footballs, balls and beads for jewelry making.
–Spiritual department items such as slow burning white candles, heavy-duty indoor/outdoor extension cord, CD player, 8-by-10 photo frames and a power strip
