Miles of Smiles

About three years ago, Monroe Congregational Church (MCC) was seeking a special mission in which to participate. Rev. Gordon Rankin, Pastor of the Congregational Church of Naugatuck, told them of a very special children's home in Oaxaca, Mexico. He suggested they contact Bryan Nurnberger whose own mission in life is to help children in distress and with disabilities at Casa Hogar Benito Juarez. Mr. Nurnberger is President, of Simply Smiles, an organization that organizes mission trips to locations in Mexico and the Caribbean. One Sunday shortly there after, Mr. Nurnberger gave a presentation to the congregation about the needs of the 83 children, many of whom are disabled, at Casa Hogar Benito Juarez in Oaxaca, Mexico. He asked anyone interested in hearing more about the children and the school to stay after the service that day.

One of the members of the congregation that fortuitous Sunday was Lynn Levins. Like most of us, she had things to do after church and did not anticipate any delays in her plans. However, she was touched by what she heard about Casa Hogar and, most importantly, the children who reside there. Ms. Levins said, "We (MCC) had always supported a missionary but really, really never had much personal contact with them, so we were looking for a new mission. Bryan spoke from his heart about the Casa Hogar project which he has taken on as his own cause. He is an amazing young man." Lynn, a Special Education Teacher at Fawn Hollow School with a specialty in Braille, was touched by his "passion and enthusiasm" and desire to help children who have no means to help themselves; whose parents cannot afford care and often abandon them on Casa Hogar's doorstep. Lynn felt she "had to stay and hear what more he had to say." Others did the same.

The mission seemed simple enough and was embraced by the congregation. Through their generosity, funds were raised and goods were sent to help the children. A mission also evolved: A trip to Mexico to meet the children.

The church's newsletter stated, "The Outreach Board of the Mission Steering Committee is working with Bryan Nurnberger, President of Simply Smiles, to organize a mission trip that will provide our congregation with the opportunity to expand its Christian outreach work to a new level, while helping generate much needed revenue for Casa Hogar." Twelve members of MCC's congregation will fly to Mexico and bring with them many of the donated supplies and goods needed to help the children of Casa Hogar. More importantly, as their Vision and Missions Statement confirms, "We understand that in just seven days we don't have the time or the ability to empower the children to do anything in the traditional, tangible sense. Our "empowering" comes form the providing of hope...hope (that) will be created because our hugs will provide the knowledge that they are precious and worthy in the eyes of the world."

Plans for the trip have been ongoing for the past year, with many fund raisers held including a barbecue, profits from a home party donated by a member, a fresh wreath sale, and a Fiesta Silent Auction. More fundraising projects are planned before they leave. Mr. Nurnberger has been instrumental in guiding the missionaries throughout the entire process - from passports to plane rides to the Spartan conditions at the dorm-style residence in which they will stay for a week.

At a recent meeting for those going on the trip, greetings of "Hola" were heard. Joan O'Mara, who is fluent in Spanish, is giving the group some lessons in basic conversational Spanish. Mr. Nurnberger provided final details on the trip including what to expect when they arrive in Mexico's airports, proper dress code, the usual warning "do NOT drink the tap water," and the final total cost to each participant since they have to pay their own way there. Regarding the conditions the MCC members will confront at Casa Hogar, Debby Gran commented, "Everyone has to know his or her comfort level and what they can tolerate." It seems this group is more than ready, willing and able to take on any challenges of discomfort they may encounter in order to enjoy the trip and meet the kids.

Mr. Nurnberger also told the group, "You will be surrounded by children. You will be playing with them, talking to them, giving them hugs. Your presence is priceless to them. The kids love arts and crafts and a pat on the shoulder means the world to them. We will do whatever work the school director tells us needs to be done that particular week."

For Debby Gran, who has worked with the elderly on four previous missions, this is her first outside of the United States. She said, "I'm going because I will be working directly with children. Children have so much to teach adults. This will be a whole new experience for me. I am looking forward to this new experience with children who enjoy hugs as much as the activities we will be doing with them."

The Vision and Mission Statement concludes, "If upon boarding our return flight, we have left the children with a completed project or nothing more than memories and a longing for our return, then all involved will know and accept that we were successful in doing God's work."

During the planning process, Mrs. Levins became the group's Travel Coordinator. While talking about her par in the trip, her face lights up with joy as she proudly shoes photographs of the little blind girl she is supporting as well as her eagerness to meet the child in person.