Meet the Bethel Guatemala Mission Team

Jordan  

Age 16

John Handley High School

I joined the Guatemala Mission…“To go and build homes and go to school with other kids.”

I feel participation will help me…“To see how they live and see what we have and they don’t and make the kids happy.”

Gifts I bring…“I hope to give a child a school uniform.”

Connor   

Age 14 Admiral Byrd Middle School “I chose to join the Guatemala mission team because I have never left the country and because I want to help kids that are around my age.” “I feel like working with these kids will bring me closer to God.” “I (hopefully) bring enthusiasm, soccer skills, and generally being a teenage boy.”

Fun fact:  The Guatemalan National soccer team's first victory was also the teams biggest: a 10-1 win over Honduras.

Payton

Age 16

James Wood High School

“I chose to go on the mission so I could help those in need.”

“I feel going on this mission will help me understand those is need more and how to better help them.
”

Gifts I bring…“I'm good at reading so I could help tutor at the school.
”

Fun Fact:  Guatemala means the "land of Trees" in a Mayan tongue. It still has the largest protected tree reserves in all of Central America.


For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. _{Romans 6:23}

Hannah 

Age 17

Sherando High School

I joined the Guatemala Mission because…“I think it’s important to see different places and people, and this is a good opportunity to help people.”

I feel it will help me grow because…“I will get to experience a different culture and help other people.”

Gifts I bring…“I can help when we teach the kids about basic sports injury prevention.”

Fun Fact:  In Guatemala, they drive on the right side of the road.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. _{Hebrews 12:1}

Darby

Age 17

Sherando High School

“I chose to participate because I want to get out and experience all that the world has to offer, help those who have less than I have, to open my eyes to all that life is, and see how God works everywhere.”

“It will help me grow in my faith by showing me God's love around the world and how He uses us to help others.”

Gifts I bring…”I love working with children and playing with them, but I also like meeting new people and sitting down with them so we can both share our stories so that we can be enlightened by one another. I think because I have a background in sports, music, and the language I can put my best foot forward in getting to know the people of Escuela Integrada.”

Sophie

Age 13

Admiral Byrd Middle School

“I chose to go to Guatemala because I think that my first visit out of the country should be more meaningful and used to help.”

How participation will help me grow…“I cannot wait to see how different cultures worship the same God, and how worship will overcome language barriers.”

Gifts I bring…“I value my creativity and energy, and I hope I can use my talents to help.”

Fun Fact:  Antigua, also known as La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción, is the largest city in Central America.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. _{1 Peter 4:10} 

Clara

Age  16

Homeschool, Classical Cottage School

“I’m passionate about service work, the necessity of education in third world countries, and traveling. This trip allows me to combine these passions while being active in God’s work along with my fellow youth and mentors.”

“I think it may be a reality check to see the priorities and faith and joy of people who are living in a very different way than we do.”

“Having traveled with my family to countries similar to Guatemala I am pretty comfortable traveling and being outside of my comfort zone. My hope is to be able to use these past experiences to help the team.  I hope that at the school I can support the teachers and let the kids know that they are loved and valued.”

Not so Fun fact:  67% of children in Guatemala never get have the opportunity to attend school.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself. _{Philippians 2:3}

Emma 

Powell

Beth

“I wanted to attend the trip to be able to support a great organization and to be alongside my girls as we get the opportunity to help others and spread the Good News.”

“I am hoping that having the opportunity to be God's hands and feet will bring me and my girls in a closer relationship with God.”

“I am rapidly trying to re-learn Spanish and I am hoping that I can communicate (somewhat) with the children and be able to converse and listen to them.”

Fun Fact:  Antigua has very few mosquitoes due to the high elevation- Yeah!

I can do all things through Christ who brings me strength."_{Philippians 4:13}

(This has been my go to verse since high school and it is one that provides me support and strength; I am hoping it will soothe my nerves on our flight to Guatemala and encourage me to experience new things on our trip.) 

Bruce

I joined the Guatemala Mission…”Because I’ve had a positive experience in building mission partnerships and I want to help the youth of Bethel develop those same kind of partnerships.”

Why I feel participation will help me grow…“I’ve found that encountering Christians in diverse situations has helped me understand faith through different perspectives.”

Gifts I bring…”Mission experience, which I hope to use to help the mission team to communicate with Bethel on a regular basis throughout the trip.”

Fun Fact:  Guatemala has 29 active volcanoes.

Julie

Why I joined the Guatemala Mission…”Different cultures shake up our ideas of how we might live in our world.  I am excited to see how experiencing the Guatemalan culture and the lifestyle of the children at the school may affect all of us on the trip.” 

How I hope to grow…”This trip is so concrete: handing food to a family in their home, playing with and teaching children, praying with the school kids and teachers: these are the things that lift up our own spirit. I hope to learn about someone else’s life journey to grow in my own.” 

Gifts I bring…”An open mind and heart, a desire to mentor our Bethel youth, Central American travel experience…  I hope to offer friendships and guidance and support where it is needed, and to be an ambassador for Christ, serving others with respect and gratitude.”

Not so fun fact:  Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world.

The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel _{Isaiah 29:19}

Bryan

Why I joined the Guatemala Mission…“We heard Jesus say go and the rest is history...”

How I hope to grow…“Voy a hablar major espanol and encounter God's Spirit alive in a different culture.”

Gifts I bring  “…a doubt filled, wondering faith, listening ear, desire to walk gently alongside people, and openness to God's voice in the unexpected moments and experiences.”  

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.  Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  _{1 Corinithians 1:26-27}

Stephanie

Why I joined the Guatemala mission…“ I hope to help our youth discover how stepping outside their comfort zones and using their unique spiritual gifts might make a significant impact in the lives of others…and just as importantly, that we can learn so much from those who are seemingly less resourced.”

How I hope to grow…”God always surprises me.  I go to help change things, or places or circumstances.  And hopefully I do in some small way.  But, I always come back changed…”

Gifts I bring…

·      A passion for improved access to food, water, healthcare and education. 

·      I’m comfortable trying to communicate and connect with children and adults through language, gestures, movement, humor and actions.

·      I love to build, to create, to serve, to laugh and to explore.

Fun Fact:  The average high temperature in Antigua, Guatemala is in the mid 70’s year round!

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. _{Hebrews 13:2}