The Partnership Trip Experience
The primary goal of a partnership trip is to expose delegates to other cultures, other worship styles, the work of the Kingdom of God in other places, and strengthen bonds that increase peace and justice in the United States and abroad.  Unlike a typical mission trip, partnership trips do not revolve around labor-intensive projects.  Rather, the CEPAD Nehemiah program (the Nicaraguan organization which facilitates our partnership) believes that actually living in the home of a host from the community with whom we partner, sharing meals, and exchanging viewpoints with them can be a very valuable and eye-opening experience.  It is important for a partnership delegate to understand that relationship building and educational opportunities through homestays and community activities are the most essential components of the partnership trip.     

The Lake Michigan Presbytery’s partnership with CEPAD Nueva Guinea was established in 1994; however, delegates have been participating in trips to Nicaragua through CEPAD for nearly 20 years.  Through meetings about different issues, informal encounters with Nicaraguans, reflection, and brief homestays, the CEPAD Nehemiah program has assisted delegates with broadening their understanding of themselves and their relationship to the global problem of poverty.  It is CEPAD Nehemiah’s vision and focus to cultivate understanding between people from the north and Nicaraguans.  CEPAD strives to accomplish their mission by serving as a channel for educational experiences that create bonds of love, unity, and peace.

"I asked participants who claimed to be "strong followers of Jesus" whether Jesus spent time with the poor. Nearly 80 percent said yes. Later in the survey, I sneaked in another question, I asked this same group of strong followers whether they spent time with the poor, and less than two percent said they did. I learned a powerful lesson: We can admire and worship Jesus without doing what he did. We can applaud what he preached and stood for without caring about the same things. We can adore his cross without taking up ours. I had come to see that the great tragedy of the church is not that rich Christians do not care about the poor but that rich Christians do not know the poor."
                            Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution

1.What can I expect from a homestay experience?

You will be matched will another U.S. delegate for the homestay experience.  Most Nicaraguan homes are made of cement or wood.  The roofs are often a corrugated metal.  Some floors will be dirt and some will have tile.  You will have a bed to sleep in.  It is not uncommon to see mice, geckoes, cockroaches, and spiders in host homes.  Some families cook in a kitchen similar to ours, while others have more of a wood-burning stove.  You may have many family members, neighbors, and/or friends of the family living in your home with you.  Homes are much more open than they are here in the United States.

2.What’s the climate of Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has a hot and humid climate.  We generally travel during the dry season; however, some rain is possible.  Those who have problems with heat may need to carefully consider whether this is an appropriate trip for them.

3.Is Nicaragua safe?

Nicaragua is currently viewed as the safest country in Central America.  General street smarts apply in Nicaragua as they would in any U.S. city.  The U.S. delegates travel as a group throughout the country, and even during the homestays in Nueva Guinea, each delegate will be accompanied by another U.S. delegate and/or a community partner. 

4.What’s a typical schedule for the partnership trip?

Schedules vary from trip to trip based upon group objectives and partnership goals.  Nonetheless, every trip will include a homestay experience, worship experience, and relationship-building activities.  Typically delegates split their time between the CEPAD Nehemiah Guesthouse in Managua and our partnership community of Nueva Guinea.  Generally, a site-seeing day is also included.  Schedules are very fluid and flexibility is key!

5.What types of food will we eat in Nicaragua?

Nicaraguans eat a lot of beans and rice; this is the staple of most every meal.  You will also find a lot of chicken, eggs, and tortillas.  Contrary to popular belief, Nicaraguan food is quite bland; it is not spicy.

6.Will I be able to learn more specifics about the trip before leaving?

Absolutely!  Delegates will participate in at least one pre-trip meeting prior to departure.  This provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the specifics of the trip and the CEPAD organization while becoming better acquainted with fellow delegates.  You may also find it helpful to visit the CEPAD website at www.cepad.org.ni.

7.Will I have any responsibilities to the Nicaraguan Partnership when I return to the States?

We ask that delegates be willing to share their experience of Nicaragua with family, friends, church members, etc.  We pray that this will be such a wonderful and life-changing trip for you that you’ll have a hard time not talking about it.  Many delegates have become active in monthly partnership meetings and have even assumed leadership roles within the partnership after returning from a trip.