Written By: Ella Madison
Jinotega, Nicaragua was full of joy filled hearts. The gratefulness that we saw during this trip from the people living in Nicaragua deeply penetrated our hearts and changed our perspectives.
Partnering with OneChild, Bret Hyder (Vice President of Student Experience at UNW), and seven UNW students, including myself, took a mission trip to the unreached city of Jinotega, Nicaragua. Here, we got to serve others, make genuine friendships, put ourselves aside, and make joy filled memories during this Holy Spirit led trip.
As college students, coming from many different backgrounds, this trip affected us in different ways. I personally was convicted of over consumption, and complaining. Realizing how joyful people were when they seemingly had nothing besides their love for Jesus, was completely life altering for me.
For those children, being joyful looked like enjoying a meal set in front of them, a game of soccer with one of the team members, a game of Uno where instead of saying “Uno”, they said “One” because they wanted to show off their English skills to us! For these children, their joy didn’t depend on a good hair day, or their breakfast tasting just how they wanted, or their parents giving them what they asked for. These kids’ joy was seen consistently, despite whatever their circumstances were.
“We climbed the mountain on Sunday evening, and while at the top, Henry, the OneChild director for the Jinotega area, passionately encouraged us to thank God for the strength to climb the mountain. He said to remember to thank God for everything, because He gives us the strength to do all things. Even on the mountain when no one is looking, he wanted us to thank the Lord.” (Joel Amancharla, Biblical Theology Studies, ’27)
This advice rang true especially for me, I have Cystic Fibrosis and almost was not able to make it to the top of this very large mountain due to a lack of oxygen and struggles breathing. Because of the strength the Lord provided me with, and the joy he gave me through my amazing team members who were filled with joy, I made it to the top! Seeing the view after the journey I had just climbed made it all the more worth it! It truly showed me a raw, honest view on joy. I was not joyful because of something materialistic or silly, I had joy because I was surrounded by God’s people, God’s creation, and most importantly God’s blessings. This trip not only allowed me to see where I can find joy in everyday life, but it showed me how simple it is and how easy it is to be joyful! These kids have every excuse of why they could complain or be down, but instead, they radiate a pure, filled with God type of joy. One that can only be seen where Jesus clearly has his hand at work.
Next year, Spring break of 2026, I recommend if you feel called, go on the One Child Nicaragua trip, and experience this joy for yourself. Observe the joy that these people have, and learn to truly have it yourself! We do not have joy from things of this world, from circumstances going in our favor, we have joy for one reason. “…This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
