Church raises money to help in Nicaragua

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To assist in Victory Life Church's Nicaraguan ministries, checks can be sent to Victory Life Church, 590 Steubenville Pike, Paris, PA 15021. Write "Nicaragua" on the memo line.

PARIS, Pa. - Victory Life Church members are raising money to help build a home for a Nicaraguan woman, and members estimate $500,000 is needed.

A pancake breakfast was held Saturday as part of the fundraising efforts.

The Rev. Jason Romaine, Victory Life pastor, went on a mission trip to Nicaragua in September and October and shared stories of small children living in dumps and eating from those same dumps - even in places where the raw sewage from tourist hotels emptied.

Church members sent Romaine off with a suitcase full of underclothes and flip-flops for the children, $2,400 worth of rice and beans to distribute and 600 bags of chocolate lollipops. Chocolate is so expensive in Nicaragua, it is considered a luxury, according to church members.

Romaine brought back photographs of the children living in squalor, said Norma McAe, a member of the church, who wept as she spoke about the conditions.

The church has held several fundraisers to raise money both for the mission trip and for the rebuilding of the home.

"They don't have anything fancy, just dirt floors," said Freda Clayton.

Church members also hosted a Nicaraguan girl and her cousin, who spoke to church members two weeks ago about their experiences growing up in the Nicaraguan dumps.

Following their speaking to the church, they had a meal with church members, during which several said they felt a new appreciation for things they had formerly taken for granted.

"You just don't appreciate things, just don't stop and think," said Jane Raston.

Before they left, the young boy expressed admiration for Romaine's suit, so Romaine turned it over.

"He came out with his bare legs sticking out from under his long overcoat," said McAe.

"He literally gave him the clothes off his back," McAe added.

(Wallace-Minger can be contacted at swallace@pafocus.com)