Two years ago we took a big step and headed out on a new family adventure by taking four kids to Guatemala on a mission trip and worked with kids in schools around Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Our church has built long-standing relationships with several churches, missionaries, schools, and communities around the big volcanic lake that has many needs which we were able to help with.
Clean water at schools helps prevent sickness, allowing kids to stay in school, be healthier, and give them a chance to grow and take care of themselves. Training for local pastors helps give them encouragement and tools to learn how to take care of their community. Support for a local AA group gives encouragement in an impoverished community. A medical and dental clinic provide direct care for people who otherwise have no access to care. Water education teaches about microscopic "bugs" that can make you sick and how clean water can directly lead to healthier living.
This year marks the 20th anniversary for the Wooddale Church Guatemala Bridge Builders! Over the years we have provided direct immediate needs through local churches to build credibility in their community, partnership with training locals to care for themselves and their own people, and relationships that have both given encouragement and received blessings at the same time.
Our trip two years ago, while acting to love and give to the people we visited, also taught us many things about ourselves, world, and people. Fluent in Spanish, Pierce, Christopher, Rachel, and Minzi all could connect with the local children, giving even more depth to breaking down social, cultural, and personal barriers. An experience beyond what we could provide for ourselves, we are excited that the fire to serve away from home was sparked again and we are stepping forward in faith that we should again be part of these relationships and are planning to go to Guatemala in February 2014 to serve, grow, and give beyond ourselves and what we could do alone.
This visit to Central America is more than just a 10-day trip in February. The team starts training now, learning about the people we will visit, planning, praying, and preparing during this four month journey to continue our relationships. Join us here to follow our journey and share in this adventure!