A New Roof for Sisters in Nicaragua
September 2009

Debbie Blow, OP
Director, North Country Mission of Hope

The San Jose Sisters are one group of sisters the North Country Mission of Hope works with. They staff a very poor hospital in Diriamba as well as a home for abandoned elderly in Masaya, Nicaragua.
Left: Oscar confers with Sr. Ligia. Above: one of the broken windows.
Sr. Ligia is the superior and a sister with whom we have worked for years. Last year, she was elected to her congregational leadership but could not return to Mexico because of the onging threats from the Nicaraguan government to "take over" the hospital. Most of the rest of the sisters are very young and very intimidated by the government, so Ligia stays.

During our July mission, we were shown the home of the postulants and novices in Grenada. The photos show the simple lifestyle, including nothing but a tin roof, a very poor kitchen area, and a "one pot" cooking area.
Left: the postulants. Right: The hole in the roof of their bedroom.
To do the necessary roofing repairs, it was going to cost $4000 US funds. Obviously, the San Jose Sisters did not have any funding and so, I sent a request out to our sisters and associates, who, in a very short time, came up with the funds to support the project. During the most recent October Mission trip, the funds were brought to Sr. Ligia and her sisters and the repairs began immediately. Sr. Ligia said: "As our Sisters in Christ, you have empowered us to be able to continue God's work among the poorest of the poor. May your Sisters be blessed as you have blessed us, the Sisters of San Jose."
Mission of Hope volunteers inspect an unsafe area in a one-pot kitchen.
We were informed that the sisters housed there there came with nothing. They are in need of basics such as shoes, clothing, deodorants, shampoo, soaps, etc. We plan to use additional additional money received over and above the $4000 needed to repair the roof, and purchase needed supplies for the sisters.

We have also learned that the walls of the facility are constructed of asbestos. On our next mission, we will explore what, if anything, we can do to help in the removal. In Nicaragua, the walls are just torn down and discarded (no protection provided), whereupon other very poor folks take the remains and use them to try and construct a shelter for themselves. So, whatever the Mission does, we will try to protect and prevent others from being exposed to this deadly issue!

I think what inspires me so much about these sisters, and Sr. Ligia in particular, is their true commitment to living poverty while serving those most desperate due to poverty and illness and disease. Yet, they are incredibly happy and filled with joy.
Left: Another hole in the roof. Above: another kitchen greatly in need of repair.
Sr. Ligia and I have grown particularly close because of our efforts to minister with the poor in spite of the conditions, the lack of funds and the threats from the government. Sr. Ligia has personally been threatened and yet, she stays, committed to the poor and to her sisters.

While I say they are in need of material things, they are also filled with joy and with inner peace as well as a commitment to minister as Jesus did. Thus, they are genuine witnesses to all our Mission volunteers, and to us, as Dominican Sisters of Hope. Perhaps they are in "less need" than we are!!
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