About Nicaragua

Nicaragua is the second most "economically challenged" country in the Western Hemisphere.  Only Haiti has a higher poverty level.

Approximatively one-third of the residents of Nicaragua live in it's capitol city, Managua.  The remaining live in the numerous small villages and in the mountains and jungle areas of Nicaragua.

There is no real middle class in Nicaragua.  A few are wealthy, but the vast majority of Nicaragua live below the poverty level.  According to many estimates, about one-half of Nicaraguans live on less than one dollar per day. Some studies put the unemployment rate of Nicaragua at around fifty per cent.

The country itself is beautiful.  Having two seasons: dry and rainy, the landscape is lush and vibrant in its colors.  It has a tropical climate, with the days in the dry season consistently running in the 80s and 90s.  Quite often there is a tropical breeze blowing, which brings a pleasant dry atmosphere to the land.

The mountainous areas are stunning in their beauty.  While travel can be difficult, particularly during the rainy season when roads can be washed away, it is well worth it.  In the remote mountain areas one feels as if one has headed back into nature as it first was.  It has a virgin feel to it, in its rough yet inviting aura.

Managua itself is a study in contrast.  One can find modern city buildings, next to the most poor of conditions. The city is bustling with overcrowded buses (often "retired" yellow school buses from the United States), multitudes of motorcycles, bicycles, and horse or ox drawn carts.

The people of Nicaragua are amazing.  While the vast majority have little, their joy is overwhelming.  They are content with what God has blessed.  They love their country and their culture.  There is a pride in Nicaraguan heritage.  Smiles come easily upon their faces.  Their attitude is one of acceptance, contentment, hospitality, ease, and happiness ... even when by "our" standards, they don't possess what we too often mistakenly believe would make one happy.

Christianity is strong in Nicaragua, to a degree.  Mostly either Catholic or a mixture of non-denominational Protestants, there is little individual denominational breakdown as in the United States.  The Protestant churches band together and operate largely as one.  Their worship services are more lively and vibrant than are most in the United States.  And their faith is strong.  They give high importance to their ministers, and treat them with the greatest respect.  And their ministers love their people.

It is hard to put into words the "spirit of Nicaragua".  One has to experience it.  Imagine the joy of children, spread through all the people.  THAT is Nicaragua!