My Nicaragua Journey

As I boarded the flight to head to Central America, I had a sense of unease in my mind. I had never flown such a long distance without my parents. However, these feelings vanished the moment we touched down in Managua, Nicaragua. I began the week with an attitude of determination. I was sure that I was there for a reason and I was going to change someone’s life. Nevertheless, it was me who benefitted from the trip, and I escaped the week with reinvigorated life lessons, adjusted perspectives on life, and a widened social circle.
Throughout my journey to Nicaragua, I acquired a plethora of valuable information about life that I will never let escape my mind. As citizens of a developed country, we often make ourselves oblivious to the conditions of less developed nations. Many times, we take things for granted and do not appreciate the simplicities of life. As I watched a young girl proudly show me her messy, mud-floored house, I realized that I should be thankful for everything I have and never allow my greed to get in the way of my humility. The people of Nicaragua were so grateful
for everything they possessed and were given. Not only were they appreciative of what they had, they were appreciative of the life they lived and wanted you to be just as content as they were. Their deference and acceptance was admirable and showed me how I should be living my life. While on my trip, I was playing soccer in the mud with a few teenagers that lived in the area. As one may expect, I got quite dirty. Right as we were finishing up the game, I was immediately wiped down and cleaned off by the younger ladies who were watching us play. Similar to the commonly told parable in the Bible, Jesus degraded himself and personally cleaned his disciple's feet. Much like these ladies, He did not think twice about doing it because he did not feel a sense of superiority in any way. I never truly understood the concept of humility until that moment. Their grateful minds and pure hearts inspired me to completely change how I viewed life and how I lived it.
The life lessons I received on my trip were essential factors in the alteration of my outlook on life. Prior to going on the trip, I felt very entitled to material objects that were insignificant in the big picture. However, I found that we do not need any material possessions to be content with our lives. The children in Nicaragua had no phones, computers, or televisions to distract them from life; therefore, they had to be content with what they had. Seeing the joy and satisfaction of these children awoke a sense of appreciation in me. After all, if they were happy with as little as they have, why am I even remotely dissatisfied with my life? Seeing these people happy taught me that I had no reason to complain or be discontent. I left the trip with a feeling of fulfillment and a completely different perspective on life.
Not only did the journey change my life, it allowed me to encounter people that I will never forget.
I found that an innocent young child can show me more than a wise elder. As I looked into the large, hazel eyes of a beautiful three-year-old girl named Juswali, I was saddened by the way she viewed herself. I explained to her how pretty she was and in response she said, “No, fea.” Which translates to, “No, ugly.” in English. I learned that many of the children in Nicaragua are neglected and verbally or physically abused by their parents. Witnessing the inconsideration of the parents of the dependent's first hand really opened my eyes to the struggle that the toddlers undergo every day. I will always keep in mind how blessed I am to have loving parents who care about me. After all, many of the people in Nicaragua have never been nurtured like most higher class
citizens.
In conclusion, Nicaragua was an amazing trip that revitalized my life in multiple ways. The journey revealed many important morals, made me more knowledgeable about life, and positioned me to meet new people. My hesitation to go on the trip was quickly covered by my eagerness to help the people that needed a new home. I am thankful for the opportunity to travel so far and explore the world; however, I am more appreciative of what I got out of the trip.