Guatemala Missions Trip
Last September (2006) ten disciples from Triangle traveled to Guatemala to work in a small community school. The school is located in a shanty town along an abandoned railroad corridor. About 1,500 people live in the “Linea Ferrea” and most families are headed by single moms. Typically the children work selling in the streets, or babysitting younger siblings along the tracks.
In 2003 HOPE Worldwide and Ericsson provided the initial funding to build a school for this community. Currently 230 children are enrolled in the school, from preschool through the 5th grade. Funding for the school is routinely short, and yet the teachers continue to provide a loving, supportive educational experience for these children.
The month before, the Fernandez family, Allyson Millis, Nancy and Kristin Winfrey visited the school and helped to paint a mural. The September trip included Mark and Anna Felsher, Kristi Maxwell, Vanessa Nash, Mary Hicks, Esther Bridger, Alexandra Philbrick, Brian Savage, Bill, Nancy and Calvin Winfrey.
Mark replaced a section of the roof and we did a lot of painting. We also delivered food to six families. Our hearts were touched by the interaction with the children at the school, but the biggest lessons we learned were from the disciples in Guatemala. We were challenged by their dependence on God- undistracted by the possessions that can choke our faith. Guatemala is a third world country economically, but they are “first world” spiritually.
During our trip we toured Antigua, the ancient capital of Central America, shopped in the open air market, climbed a volcano, toured a coffee farm and visited Mayan Ruins. Some of our favorite things: amazing steak, chocolate cookies, Antiguan coffee beans, beautiful Mayan fabric, greetings with a kiss, happy children with big brown eyes, Guatemalan ingenuity.
There is a service trip scheduled for August 11-18th this year. If you are interested please contact Nancy Winfrey. More information about the school can be found at www.friendsofguatemala.com .