Whether hugging a child at the dump school, visiting babies and children at the local orphanages or assisting laborers at Villa Esperanza (Village of Hope), there will be many opportunities for you and your team to demonstrate God's love to people in Managua. Better yet, you will share real-life adventures together as a team.

La Chureca, Managua city’s dump, is home to nearly 2,000 people, many of these children. Nearly 200 families live within the walls of the dump, scavenging among the garbage to make a living. Forward Edge teams assist families by offering food, clothing, health care, love and support. Colegio de Esperanza, a school within the dump, is like an oasis among the refuse. More than 300 children attend the school each day, receiving a high quality education and nutritious meals. Forward Edge teams visit this school and interact with these precious children.

Through the help of teams and individual donors, Forward Edge International is building Villa Esperanza (Village of Hope), a safe haven for many vulnerable children living in La Chureca. This village will be a place for new beginnings, where abused and distraught children will find safety, hope and love. At capacity, the Villa will house 72 children in foster homes. In each house, one foster parent will care for and tend to eight children. In 2008, Villa Esperanza will open its doors to the first 16 children. Forward Edge teams visit the Villa property and work alongside laborers.

By partnering with other ministries in Managua, Forward Edge volunteers make a lasting difference in the lives of children who are neglected or forgotten by their parents. Teams spend special one-on-one time with these children in a local baby orphanage and nutrition center, New Life (Vida Nueva).

Hurricane Felix ravaged through the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua on September 4, 2007, destroying everything in its path. When the rain and wind died down, families emerged from their hiding places to find their entire village decimated. More than 90 percent of crops were destroyed and more than 12,000 people were displaced. Today, a feeling of hopelessness continues to blanket the region.

And, serious health concerns mar the Atlantic coast. Unsuitable drinking water and primitive living conditions leave families struggling with preventable—and potentially life-threatening—illnesses.

Forward Edge teams are helping to repair, rebuild and re-roof the homes of Hurricane Felix survivors! Volunteers like you share Christ’s love by offering practical help and special love to these beautiful people.

Pastor Earl Bowie of the Verbo Church in Puerto Cabezas has a vision to see the entire city come to know God. Everyone in Puerto Cabezas knows Earl because of his caring and loving spirit. The Verbo Church has an orphanage and a school on the same property where more than 60 children live. Forward Edge teams interact with these children.

Medical volunteers travel to the Atlantic Coast each year to provide critical medical care and perform life-changing surgeries. Already, volunteers have changed more than 1,000 lives by offering proper medical care.

In 2008, Forward Edge volunteers will begin drilling new wells in many of the communities along the Atlantic Coast. Currently, every well holds contaminated water that is producing abnormalities and inflicting disease on the local people.

1. Wear your Forward Edge T-shirt on the day of travel! This will help our staff to identify all of you.
2. Pack light! Checked baggage can weigh no more than 50lbs.
3. Try to pack all of your clothing and personal items on a carry-on, so you don’t lose it.
4. You may take 2 carry-on bags—one bag and one personal item.
5. Carry-on bags may only have liquids in 3-oz containers or smaller.
6. Put all irreplaceable items, such as important medication or valuables, into your carry-ons.
7. On the plane you will be given immigration and custom forms before reaching Nicaragua. Your group leader will have the address where you will be staying.
8. You will need $5 USD to enter Nicaragua.
9. When you go through immigration you will receive a receipt that you must keep with you until your departure!

FEI Teams will stay in one of two locations:

1. Pastor Ricardo and Leyda Hernandez’s House—Teams become part of the family when they stay with the Hernandez family. Leyda and her sister, Lina, prepare all meals for the teams. You will sleep on twin beds; pillows, linens and towels are provided. Plan on sharing bathrooms with other team members.

2. Villa Esperanza Property—Teams stay in gender-specific team houses on the Villa Esperanza property. You will eat delicious meals at the Rancho, a large multi-purpose facility. Teams sleep on twin bunk beds; pillows, linens and towels are provided. Plan on sharing a bathroom with all those in your team house.

FEI teams will stay on Pastor Earl and Demaris Bowie’s property in team houses; Demaris and several others will prepare meals for you. Teams stay in gender-specific rooms and sleep on twin-size beds; pillows, linens and towels are provided. Plan to share bathrooms with many other people on your team.