John "Gilligan" Kauderman

The FCO missionaries on Day 1

First plane ticket out of the country.

This was the first time for me leaving the country and my first mission trip. I wasn't really sure what to expect from the people of Nicaragua or from the missionary, but about the only thing I did know was that I was working with a great group of people in FCO. Over the course of a week I learned so much about being appreciative with the luxuries of my life. Now, I'm not a guy with a lot of money, so what I'm really talking about are those luxuries that we take for granted as necessities. Things like a working toilet, 4 solid walls and a roof over our head to call home. A light switch and the ability to buy food freely as I need it. These are things that are not afforded to a lot of the people that we saw. 

A dilated fundus exam on one of our patients.

However, I did find that the people of the surrounding towns of Managua have qualities that are a bit of a mystery in America. They open their hearts to everyone regardless of race or religion. They are a humble people that appreciate everything they have and are content in their lives without yachts or fancy cars. There weren't any elaborate brand name purses or high end jewelry. These people valued their family and their faith. These are two things I think we have in common.


I had a great time in Nicaragua! The culture was fantastic. I wanted to share a short story with anyone that gets to read this blog. 

Nelson and me in Managua.

I went on a truck ride with Nelson, one of the visionaries of the couple that started Corner of Love in Managua. Our group had misplaced a suitcase full of some really important eyeglasses that were frequently given out. So, on the way back up the mountain to the church we were working at that day Nelson and I were talking about a whole variety of things. I asked a lot of questions to try to better understand the culture from daily life struggles to politics. We talked about it all. Somehow, as usually is the case with me, we came across talking about sports and specifically baseball. This is where Nelson showed a different passion that I could see in his voice. He talked about how he grew up playing baseball and the impact that it had on his life. He was drafted to play and represent Managua in a professional league. He went on to tell me the story about how that opportunity led him to where he is today, but that's another story for another day. Anyways, so as we are driving up the mountain I spot a man on a porch with a large gauze bandage over his eye. How perfect? I am here in this remote part of Nicaragua to provide optometric care and this man on his porch obviously has something going on with his eye. So, I ask Nelson if we can go back and tell the man about our clinics that we are running. Up to the task, he has no problem turning around... of course. With little to no spanish speaking ability I let Nelson handle this one... I see him start talking to the gentlemen and the conversation soon turns to large smiles and hugs and a 3-5 minute conversation. Nelson comes back to the truck and tells me that the man had lost his eye to an infection and that he was concerned about the infection spreading to his other eye, so he told him to make sure to come see us in the next few days. But that wasn't all...  because it turns out that on this remote road in the middle of back country small town Nicaragua, that the man we came across that day was actually Nelson's old ball coach!! He had taught Nelson more than just baseball as I soon came to realize. This man taught Nelson many life lessons that allowed him to become the man he is today. He thanked me for the opportunity to see him and talk to him because he had thought he passed away. I was really overwhelmed with joy for Nelson and a new found understanding of what I was there to do. I did nothing, but ask Nelson to turn around to tell a man on a porch about our clinic and it turned into an endearing moment for both us of in which he thanked me. That's what I was taken back by. He thanked me for what, at the time, seemed like such a small thing. People don't even say thank you when I open the door.

I found a fellow Gator fan!

I am just thankful to God, my family, my girlfriend, FCO, Corner of Love Ministries and those who helped me raise money to go on this trip. This was just one small excerpt from a week full of stories similar to the heart filling experience I had, but I found a lot of value in my experiences.