Managua, Nicaragua May 2019

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.”

-        Robert Fulghum

This May, I had the opportunity to travel all the way to Managua, Nicaragua for a mission trip with Triumph Lutheran Church. This was a completely unexpected opportunity thrown my way; so unexpected that I had to get my passport last minute so that I would be able to go!

Nicaragua has been in a state of civil unrest for the last year. Due to the severity of the situation it has been a difficult and terrifying time for all of it’s citizens. Our mission going to Managua was to provide comfort, necessary items, and human connection.

I had many reservations about going on this mission. Mainly because I had never been out of the country and had no idea what to expect or even if I would be safe (I was very safe). My biggest reservation however was whether I had a purpose there. What does a 22-year-old pageant girl have to offer individuals who have just lived through civil unrest?

So, I sat down and really thought about my purpose. My purpose here in North Dakota and the United States is to bring hope to those who need it most. My mission has always been to provide resources, raise awareness for suicide prevention, and promote The Peyton Heart Project but the basis for all of that is providing hope.

I realized that wherever I go my purpose remains the same: Bring hope to those who need it! So I began making plans, prepping hearts, and prepared Hearts for Hope to go all the way to Nicaragua.

I held two events while I was there. For my first event I discussed the power of hope. I shared the poem “The Journey” by Mary Oliver (if you have looked closely you may have seen “Journey” tattooed on my arm) I talked about how hope comes in many forms and how it can be a guiding light in our lives. That despite the situation or circumstances, as long as you have hope, there will be a path ahead of you with an extraordinary destination.

After speaking, it was time for heart making!

This event was a complete success! All of the kids, women and even the men made tons of hearts. So many hearts that I ran out of supplies by the end of the trip! Let me tell you, they made some of the most beautiful hearts that I have ever seen! Some of the women even made them into pendants and wore them as jewelry.

The event was so successful that they all wanted to make hearts the next day. I gathered all of the children and we sat on the floor of the church making “corazones” for hours. Even though there was a language barrier we still managed to connect and have the time of our lives. It’s a true testament to the fact that kindness and love is a universal language.

The best part about this mission is no one had any idea that Jessie and I were queens. We spent the week incognito in our caps and no makeup, sitting on the floor and running around outside playing with the children, and covered in sweat serving the community. It’s not the crown that gives us purpose, it’s the woman in the crown. Being a true queen and servant is about how you fulfill your purpose when the crown is off rather than when the crown is on.

At the end of the week when it was time to say goodbye, our mission trip leader, Keith, brought Jessie and I onto the stage in the church. He then began to speak and said “You all have seen these two ladies working hard this week but we have been keeping a secret from you. These ladies have secret identities just like superheroes.” He then had Jessie and I hold up our Miss and Mrs. North Dakota International autograph cards to show to everyone in the church and they all went wild. It was an overwhelming moment full of so many emotions. Jessie and I both agreed that it was a moment up there with our crowning moment.

Just as I state in almost all of my blogs, it’s not what you do when the crown is on, it’s what you do when the crown is off. This was a week full of hard work, hardships, and tears but it was also a week full of joy and hope. The people that I met in Nicaragua were the most joyous and hopeful people I have ever met.  They taught me that as long as you have hope you have all that you need. They also taught me that joy is a choice you have to make. Choose to find joy in all circumstances, even when it seems like an impossibility. There is always joy and there is always hope; you just have to be strong enough and brave enough to find it.

This was truly a week that I will never forget and I cannot wait to go back soon!

Thank all of my team members on this trip: Keith, James, Claire, Jessie, Mama Sue and our incredible interpreters Karla and Jerry.  

Ava Hill

Miss North Dakota International 2019

Have courage and always be kind.