Mission 35 was off to a rocky start due to the complications caused by the weather but 40 Missioners are headed down to Nicaragua on Sunday, February 14, three days after their planned departure. In the meantime, the “A” (Advance) Team is already in Nicaragua and busy working to help prepare for the rest of the Missioners and more importantly, to start distributing needed medical and food supplies. Here are just a few pictures of the work already being done……stay tuned for more updates.

Missioners & students discussing planned projects
Sorting rice and beans for distribution


Picking up material to build home shelters

Sorting the Health Clinic inventory

Sorting cartons of donations for distribution to local villagers

It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for all those going on the Mission of Hope’s Mission 35 as the weather wreaked havoc with the plans for the trip. First, a main leg of the trip – the flight from Newark to Houston – was cancelled and then all flights were cancelled as the big storm slammed the East Coast. Many pivotal airports were closed and thousands of flights were cancelled. All seemed lost on Wednesday with the bad news being relayed to all 40 volunteers packed and ready to go.

But then the miracles started to happen, as passenger by passenger everyone was booked on numerous flights from a variety of different airports. All was coordinated and managed by Mission Director Sr. Debbie Blow and a very dedicated and determined group of volunteers helping with phones and computers.

The local Plattsburgh newspaper, The Press Republican kept up with the saga in a series of articles over the two day marathon. Visit these links for full details of the Miracle of Mission 35!

Wednesday – February 10 – Trip is cancelled due to storm

Thursday- February 11 – Mission Plans back on