Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, April 23, 2015, Page 1

Ringgold County resident Sue Buck recently paticipated in her second mission trip through St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL. to Nicaragua where she spent three weeks.

The church has been doing missions there for over 10 years and has build many of the churches that are still in the villages today.

Buck got her first opportunity to visit Nicaragua when her cousin was coming through the area to deliver books to a warehouse. With one spot left she jumped at the chance to go.

She spent her time in the village of Leon where she painted and helped maintain shcools in the village.

"On my way back from Kansas City, I see a lot of run down garages that look better than what they live in down there," she said.

In addition to maintenance work around the villages, they would build volleyball posts, hand out teaching supplies to teachers and improve their water supply.

"The children at the school would be washing their hands in the water that they drink," said Buck. "Most villages only have one water source and it doesn't reach the schools."

She also helped distribute food to the residents. The food was bought with donations from others and 92 of the 200 boxes purchased were from Buck with donations from local area residents.

They also visited orphanages around the villages and distributed toys and other items.

"I love the people and helping them out," said Buck.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2015