May, 2014 Mission Trip

Following the medical mission trip in May of 2014, thirteen people joined Dr. Doty and Peggy Gentry, Board Chairperson, for a general mission trip.  This enthusiastic group ranged in age from 19 to 75 years and included a recently retired fire chief; a psychiatrist; two breast cancer survivors; four employees of Coursetrends, an online marketing solutions company for all things golf; an environmental consultant; and a budget analyst.  What did these people, most of whom had never met each other, have in common?

Mixing plaster for building at Club Cristiano.

Each of them had a spirit of adventure and a desire to love and help, in some small way, those who struggle in poverty.  Walls were plastered at Club Cristiano, which runs a kindergarten, feeding program, and a grade-school mentoring program.  Vacation Bible School was provided at Colegio Cristiano Presbiteriano (CCP) and at Club Cristiano; Spanish Bibles were delivered to Club Cristiano, breast cancer patients were visited and given gift packets made by the Bosom Buddies cancer support group in Austin.   In addition, 15 lucky children from Club Cristiano made a trip to the zoo.  Each team member felt they had something to give and all received the satisfaction that comes from giving and serving.

Highlight of My Mission Trip

“For me, the most rewarding part is the people-to-people connections where we could lend a hand or a finger to make a difference.

Construction or repair projects are always fun and more meaningful when everyone gets involved.”

Steve Reed
First-time Austin Samaritans mission tripper, April, 2013
Matagalpa Nutritional Rehabilitation Center

Keith on the April 2013 Mission Trip

Why would someone go to Managua, Nicaragua just to paint a building?  Well – every time I go to Nicaragua I am overwhelmed by the poverty of the country, yet surprised by the joy that I see in the children I meet.  These children, mostly of grade school age, just ooze enthusiasm and are full of love, like children everywhere. However, I know that one day they will grow up, become teenagers, and then adults, and realize how limited their opportunities are.  This may cause them to fall into a life of despair and to begin developing destructive habits – taking drugs, engaging in prostitution, stealing.
That is why Austin Samaritans supports certain organizations in Nicaragua.  The support consists of providing grants to the organizations and bringing mission trip teams to do construction, facility maintenance, or provide relational activities for the children.   We work with these organizations to improve the children’s chances of having a wider range of opportunities when they grow older.

On our most recent mission trip we painted the interior of a facility that serves as a preschool and study center for children that live next to the Managua city dump.  I know this isn’t that much of an accomplishment, but it is rewarding to know that even our little contribution helps keep this oasis alive in an area of abject poverty.  It gives one hope that these children will have the chance of a better future.

Mission Trips

We invite you to experience the joy that only mission travel can offer: first-hand contribution to the advancement of health and well-being of poor and disadvantaged people in Nicaragua.

You will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with other team members and learn firsthand about the amazing things God is doing here. You will be meeting and supporting the missionaries who are working to further God’s purpose.  These trips are open to anyone with a heart for those caught in poverty, sexual abuse and exploitation, illness, and who have a desire to love these people in Christ’s name.

Austin Samaritans usually takes mission trips each year in April and October.

Interested in joining us? Click here to learn more…

Serving Through Mission Trips