I was lucky enough to have participated in my first mission trip with my grandparents and cousin when I was only 14 years old. People may think this is too young, but the knowledge gained from this experience is something each individual should learn. We stayed at CICRIN Orphanage in Nicaragua, where the children loved to play soccer, make arts and crafts, and dance to music. I created bonds with children who lived differently, but had the same heart and taste for fun on the inside. If you asked the children of CICRIN, they might say we were doing all the teaching and bringing them new things, but what they don’t know is that I was learning too. They gave me more than I could ever ask for: vital lessons of friendship, to be humble, and even how to do laundry on a rock.
The highlight of my trip was spending the week teaching children how to make their own customized bracelet to add lots of color and smiles to their lives. When I think back to Nicaragua, there are many things that come to mind, but most importantly love, community, and rainbow loom bracelets.
Hannah Mansfield is from North Berwick and went to Noble High School. She went on her first mission trip in 8th grade and is thankful for the support of her grandparents who provided the opportunity.