Tanya Amador has been leading Christian missions through her organization Corner of Love to San Ramon, Nicaragua for a decade, but her most recent trip was one of the most memorable.

Tanya and her husband, Nelson Amador, are the founders of the Maple Valley-based Corner of Love and act as executive directors of the nonprofit organization.

Nelson Amador was raised in northern Nicaragua and his father Alberto Amador, was the mayor of San Ramon where Corner of Love is based.

The most recent mission in February and March involved two groups of medical/dental teams. The 130 volunteers from around the world, the largest group the Amadors have ever assembled, visited 23 villages in the northern Nicaragua.

The first team arrived in Nicaragua Feb. 12 and returned Feb. 20 and the second team arrived Feb. 26 and returned March 6.

The teams would spend all day providing medical and dental care and returned back to the compound in San Ramon by dark.

This mission had special meaning for Tanya Amador. Her dad and mother, Larry and Judi Mroczek, her sister Raina Mroczek and Grant and Gina Zahajko came on this mission.

Tanya Amador worked for her father’s business, Mroczek Brothers Auctioneers, before forming Corner of Love.

Amador said she knew her dad, a very successful businessman, may not have initially understood her dedication to the mission until he came on this trip.

“He told me, ‘I get it now. I understand,’” she said. “That was worth gold to me. It was extra special to have (my family) there.”

Tanya Amador said her family has always supported the mission and her dad offers his services as an auctioneer at the Corner of Love fundraising events.

The February mission also featured a visit from Robert Callahan, U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua. He came to commemorate the groundbreaking for the Corner of Love leadership and medical clinic school.

“It was one of the biggest things ever to happen to the Corner of Love,” Tanya Amador said.

Tanya Amador completed the deal for the site last year, and the plans are for a 10,600 square foot facility located on 2 acres near La Lima River close to San Ramon.

This mission also featured another first. Tanya Amador said 35 young adults, “under the age of 25 came on the trip. Our doctors were so kind to them. They were really nice.”

Tanya Amador said one of the youths, Thomas Reinhard, effectively used the Spanish he learned at Tahoma High, as did other young people.

“I was proud of all the youths,” Tanya Amador said.

What began 10 years ago as a single mission through the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Maple Valley to the help the people of San Ramon, has grown to six missions annually, and Tanya Amador is spending nearly six months a year in the Nicaragua.

Nelson Amador supports the family and the Corner of Love working as meat cutter at Safeway in Maple Valley.