A team of 11 from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland traveled to their partner village of Luz del Manaña in Nicaragua from May 19-26.

Luz del Mañana is one of 40 villages in Central America developed by Agros International, a Seattle-based, nonprofit organization that works with poor, landless farmers in Central America and Mexico. Agros has extended loans to purchase farmland and partners with farmers in applying sustainable agricultural practices, all in the goal of enabling these families to create, develop and eventually own their own sustainable village.

The purpose of this trip was to establish relationships with the 25 village families and to learn from each other. The team met with every family and heard their personal stories. Team members were struck by the fact that the hopes and dreams of the villagers were similar to their own hopes and dreams. The villagers told the team they wanted better housing, the opportunity to make a profitable living, and a better life and good education for their children.

The team helped two families plant new plantains on their plots of land. In addition to growing plantains, a large tropical plant resembling the banana tree and bearing similar fruit, the villagers grow watermelons, corn and peppers. Other activities included craft projects with the women and children, games, dances and serving a meal to the villagers.

The last day at the village proved to be very emotional as more than 100 villagers shook hands, hugged and waved goodbye to the church team. Although the communication was difficult with the language barrier, the heartfelt emotion was evident.

One team member said, “While it’s difficult to leave, I feel that we are leaving these villagers in a very good place. They are very happy people who are working hard and have a strong community to support them in creating hope for their future.”