In 2014, we (Kali Van Dyk and Stephanie Parnicky here!) went to Nicaragua on a mission trip with our church from Michigan. Stephanie returned in 2015 for another mission trip. We helped an organization called SuNica, and have remained a part of their team ever since. Although I (Kali) am in grad school in Chicago and Stephanie is working at a hospital in Michigan, our hearts ache daily to be back in Nicaragua. We are honored and thankful to be able to help SuNica this December to fundraise for something that is so very close to our hearts. 

In short, SuNica (or "Your Nicaragua" in English) is all about giving the Nicaraguan people the ability to thrive through access to clean water, education and economic opportunities (Learn more here: http://sunica.org/our_story). 

Our friends at SuNica have been feeling particularly nostalgic this year. 

Remember that feeling when you were seven? The sound of wood crackling in the fireplace. Hot Chocolate stinging your tongue. The excitement of playing in the yard with your cousins and listening to Grandpa tell stories. And of course, your Christmas wish list — the possibility of receiving the things you want most in the whole world.

SuNica does too, so they wrote out a Christmas wish list of their own, and Stephanie and I are trying to make one of their wishes come true!!

Leadership is not something that people are born with. It's something that we work on, something that we learn as we go. Many formative moments in the journey throughout leadership come when we make a big mistake or get together with others to discuss past mistakes, challenges and successful strategies.

This is why SuNica is committed to having leadership retreats twice per year, and we want to see to it that they get the money to make this happen at least for one of those times!

Stephanie and I hope you'll give away a little bit of your treasure this Christmas to make one of SuNica's wish list items come true in 2016. It is our hope and prayer that the leaders of SuNica are equipped to do God's work in Nicaragua. Let's help equip their leaders!

Lots of Love,

Kali Van Dyk & Stephanie Parnicky

"His name will be the hope of all the world". // Matthew 12:21