Nicaragua - Loving God…Loving People

Watch the video

In August 2005, a team from World Challenge went to Nicaragua as part of a week-long medical outreach in the capital city Managua. The team included a doctor, nurse, and five volunteers. While in Managua the World Challenge team partnered with Clínica Amor en Acción (Love in Action Clinic). Many on the World Challenge team and even some of the clinic staff had no previous medical training. Despite inexperience, God is faithful in equipping those that He calls. All it takes is a willing heart.

In addition to the team doctor, World Challenge hired local medical staff: a general practitioner, a pediatrician and an additional nurse. Over the course of five days the small team was able to see over 850 patients. Many came from the surrounding areas, while others were bused in from poorer slum communities on the outskirts of town. One such group came from a local city dump called “Churreca.” This community lives in the landfill and makes their livelihood scavenging through trash. Despite the unclean living conditions most people were relatively healthy.

Many that attended the clinic were believers from local churches. They were so grateful to the Lord for His provision that they spent the entire 20 minute bus ride to the clinic singing songs of praise.

Clínica Amor en Acción
The clinic is operated by Noemi Caiazzo and her staff. They rent the space from Iglesia Hosanna (Hosanna Church). Noemi, her husband Robert, and their three daughters have been ministering in Nicaragua for over twelve years.

During normal operations the clinic serves as a pediatric center three days a week, offering free medical care for impoverished local children. When medical teams are visiting the clinic opens its doors to the entire local community, both adults and children. The building that houses the clinic was originally built to be a Teen Challenge center. A portion of the building is occupied by the clinic, while the remaining portion serves as a ministry training and bible school for Iglesia Hosanna.

The slogan for the clinic is “Amando a Dios…Amando a la Gente,” which means, “Loving God…Loving People”—a perfect summation of this trip. Since most of the team spoke little to no Spanish they were not able to evangelize verbally. However, God showed them how to evangelize in practical ways by challenging them to serve, feed the hungry, heal the sick, play with the children, and simply smile. By helping wherever help was needed, they were able to share God’s love by loving His people.

If you are a pastor or church leader interested in working alongside World Challenge Missions in Nicaragua, or any other needy area around the world, please fill out our online questionnaire.