Most of the IV sprockets that had been stored at Carlos’ were delivered to Bertha Calderone Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Managua and the optical supplies and the rest of the sprockets and lancets were taken to MINSA’s Central Ophthlamological Center in Managua. Our Lady of Guadalupe received the balance of their donations and we returned the rented van to the airport.

Did you know that Nicaragua is a disaster prone country and has been the epicenter of 8 of the last 28 major disasters hitting Latin America and the Caribbean?

Furthermore, in the last 23 years, Nica has been impacted by 190 earthquakes and tremors, 153 volcanic eruptions and 174 weather related disasters, making it very difficult for the people to develop.

As always, we had our BBB crew on duty, too: Anthony Garami, David LaTulipe, Meg Ryan and Andrea Maynard. All was complete before heading on to other tasks.

Our morning meeting began and ended with prayer: Marty Mannix initiated it while Monica Smith concluded it. This is our last group meeting until Monday morning due to our schedule for tonight and tomorrow (Sunday). It was mostly logistics about today and tomorrow in order to assure that all are "on the same page."

On a day-long trip to El Crucero Orphanage, San Jose Hospital in Diriamba and San Antonio Nursing Home in Masaya were: Anthony Garami, Monica Smith, Amanda Lyon, Laura DiGrigoli, Ashley Goyette, Abby Fordham, Nancy LaTulipe, Aubrin Breyette, Gerald Marks, David LaTulipe, Sister Ann, Jared Stanley, Catlin Furnia, Liz Dukette and Gabrielle Springer. Their first stop was the orphanage where they received a tour including the current renovations and building of new classrooms through a Chevron Corporation grant. They were introduced to each of the classes and presented gifts to the Kindergarten and first grade classes. Anthony then offered to attend to any emergent medical needs and he saw what we have seen before: low fevers, cough and varied symptoms of congestion/headache. Again, at this time of year, colds are the norm (like our winter season, too). It was apparent to our medical team that these children receive sporadic medical attention. Everyone received many hugs and gave away all of their stickers, bubbles and little gifts.

Returning to Nicasa from the airport, we learned that the market which had the devastating fire was not the one we regularly visit; it was the Mercado Oriental – much larger than Mercado Huembes (it is the largest in Central America). There were approximately 1500 business consumed and it is thought to have been electrical in nature. We were told by a local that the wiring throughout the market was haphazard and that the taxis in the narrow streets blocked access to the market in the congested area barring the fire department from getting in to fight the fire in a timely manner. The other problem was with the fire hydrants as the fire department couldn’t easily find functioning units as people have stolen the various parts to sell as scrap metal. All of these elements combined allowing the fire to take hold. There are many in the city of Managua who no longer have a means to provide for their families now.

We had many loaves of bread leftover, so this morning Jim Dumont and Bill Calmbacher took them over to CFC and they were used immediately! We have also completed the boxes for giveaway sneakers, clothes and toiletries to those who so desperately need them. A few of the boxes we took directly to the convent yesterday afternoon so that the very poor we saw on Monday will soon have some clothes, soap and shampoo.

This morning at our daily meeting, we listened to Celtic Women's "One World." After a week here, the refrain rang true in our minds and our hearts.

So, we were off to complete the rest of the tasks left for Mission #27.

A lot of interesting things unfolded today as we are now through our complete second day on the ground. What has set in is a wonderful tone and work ethic among everyone here and all have a sense of being here for a while already. The people of Nicaragua are so welcoming and appreciative of what we do…there is great satisfaction for each of us with a dose of humility.