So let me just take a second to brag about my spring break. I spent an entire week covered in dirt and sweat; I was constantly sun burnt and dehydrated; I got scrapes and bruises; I hauled cement blocks and wheelbarrows of dirt and rocks; I mixed concrete by hand and made rebar wires; I never got enough sleep and took cold showers in three minutes; and I spent the week in Nicaragua with children and people that changed my life. 

Two weeks ago, I spent a life-changing week doing mission work in Nicaragua. With 15 other students and faculty from AU, I built walls and floors of an orphanage for special needs children that stole my heart. Going into this trip, I didn’t get half of what I was expecting, but I’ve learned you never do. Was it hard? You bet. But did we notice? Not at all. The lack of sleep never affected us and the language barrier was almost nonexistent. We talked through smiles, eye contact, and the way any child can respond: through stickers and bubbles. 

The work was hard, and I won’t be lying if I say I was sore almost every day. But as we lugged buckets upon buckets of concrete through the sun, already covered in dirt, with hands that were bruised and tired, we would pass by faces of adorable children that offered nothing but smiles. They made it worth it. They didn’t care that we smelled of sweat and had a layer of dirt encasing our skin; they offered us love and smiles and each face warmed my heart all the way through.

And to top it off, we would return “home” to a different orphanage with different faces of children that were thrilled to see us. We barely spoke Spanish, but it didn’t matter. “Buenos Dias!” would ring out every morning and we would be greeted with smiles and hugs that would make anyone melt. They didn’t know our names and they somehow knew we wouldn’t be there forever; but they still let us into their lives for the short time we were there. They showed us their culture; they lead us through their Mass; they played with us; they took pictures; they showed us their daily lives and it is something none of will ever forget. 

It’s hard to put into words everything Nicaragua has meant to me. I learned Spanish (barely); I learned that Nicaraguans will still beat you at kick ball, even if you’re teaching them; I learned how to mix concrete; I learned a lot about 15 people I never would have meant otherwise; I learned about love; I learned about faith; I learned about myself. I gained 15 new friends; my heart grew more sizes than I can guess; I finally understood what it means to leave your heart in another place; I was inspired; I experienced; I grew. 

So, yes, Kim, Alyssa, Christopher, Zack, Hueston, Jesse, Patrice, Lauren, Meg, Tara, Brianna, Kori, Father Vince, Nate, and Austin – we are attempting to go back to life as it once was before we all created unforgettable memories and unbreakable bonds (and 22 hours in Houston). 

And yes, it will be hard. And although a part of us will always be in Nicaragua, Nicaragua will always be a part of us. We can do it. Why? Because we joined the servolution and we changed ourselves in an attempt to change the world.