On August 18, 2015, 10 of us left Arnold, Missouri and flew to Nicaragua for a medical and evangelistic mission in Somoto. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Here are some things I saw.

The hotel where I stayed my first night in Nicaragua...Hospedaje Solentiname, which we learned means lodging only.

The room that I stayed in my first night with John Zirpolo, from Richland Hills, Georgia

The first location of our clinic in a rural area outside Somoto.

At the clinic, we offered Bible studies to interested patients. Here, our brother Mario on the right, who preaches in Managua, prepares to study.

The Hotel Colonial, where we stayed until Thursday. Notice also the paver stone street, typical of Somoto.

Staying at the Hotel Colonial included breakfast and supper. This was a typical breakfast for us: rice and black beans, hard boiled eggs, toast with butter and passion fruit jelly, bologna slices, fresh bananas, and coffee or juice.

This was the dining room at the Hotel Colonial. It opened to a second dining room, to the right, that had large open windows to the outside.

Instead of having a back wall, the dining room of the Colonial opened to this courtyard area.

The room that I shared with Jason Powers from Arnold, Missouri, at the Hotel Colonial. It was just off of the dining room.

Inside our room at the Colonial. The window looked out into the dining room.

Our room came with a full bath, but the water would be shut off at about 8pm.

The meeting house of the Somoto iglesia de Cristo, the church of Christ, where a nightly gospel meeting was held.

One morning before our clinic opened at the church house, Josh Robinson from Arnold, Missouri gave a devo lesson. It was translated by brother Noel Morales.

The second location of our clinic, the meeting house of the Somoto church of Christ. Between the two palm trees on the right is the door to the church building.

Our clinic is on the left side of the street, and we conducted Bible studies on the right side. In between Bible studies, there was time to fellowship with our Spanish brethren. Here, Russell Irvan learns Spanish hymns from one of our brothers.

This was a house where we were served lunch in Somoto. Notice the bright colored exterior, the iron grating on the windows, and the plaque above the door.

This was the plaque above the door. It has the name of the family living there, and text that reads Dios bendiga este hogar, which means God bless this home.

This was a market next to the church building, where I had bought a soda. You see a variety of goods for sale, including fresh eggs.

Another corner market, where you did not go inside. You placed your order at the iron grate door, and received your goods through the grate after paying for them. Notice again the paver stone streets.

This was a restaurant across the street from the Hotel Colonial. On the outside wall is painted what is available at the restaurant: Desayunos (breakfasts), Almuerzos (lunches), Cenas (dinners). Notice the bright colors of the buildings, typical for Somoto.

Somoto is located in the mountains, and has beauty all around it. Here is a scene just past the corner market.

Mountains that were seen while doorknocking.

Door knocking in beautiful Somoto, with Russell Irvan and our Spanish brethren.

On Friday, we had an excursion day. A large group of us went to see an active volcano in another part of Nicaragua. This is the bus that we took to the volcano. Notice the detailing.

A panoramic view of the volcano.

Our bus.

This is another volcano that has gone dormant, and greenery is flourishing in the crater.

Travelling to Nicaragua was an amazing and wonderful time. We studied with many people, had five baptisms, and planted a congregation in Somoto. I made many new friends, and had many great experiences. I was told that I would be changed by it, and I am convinced that it is true. I am looking forward to going back.