Guatemala 2017

July 2017 Guatemala trip in photos & captions: 

I had the privilege of traveling with our pastor, Dr. Phillip McClure, and his daughter Elise (far right).  This is their third trip to Guatemala and are always an encouragement to the people and the mission there.  

The first order of business was to visit another missionary from our church (and close friend) Pierce Beachy. He's doing great work with a ministry there called CCCG and we couldn't be more proud of him.  

After seeing Pierce, we went to CECAM in Quetzaltenango.  CECAM is a missionary training center to equip and send out Latinos into the mission field.  We've been partnering with them since 2008.  

At CECAM, Phillip led the missionary candidates in various team building activities (his side business in the U.S.). He is uniquely gifted in facilitating dynamic exercises that help teams learn more about themselves and how to function more effectively.  

Elise teaching English, a skill that they will likely need to work with the missionary community wherever they go. Elise did great and is an example of stepping out in faith as a young adult! 

Learning English is fun! 

Phillip and Elise pictured here with Samuel, the acting director of CECAM.  The director and founder Jesuel is seriously ill and awaiting a liver transplant in Brazil.  Please pray for him and his family.  

With our good friends Adler and Emily Valásquez. 

Phillip and I left Elise at CECAM and headed on to Comitancillo, where our partner organization LAMP is headquartered. Pictured above is the LAMP team - (from left to right) Byron, Herminio, Eliceo, & Maria.

Herminio just started working with LAMP this year and is working with public schools in that area to implement LAMP's literacy materials and methodologies.  This is a huge accomplishment! 

Phillip led team building activities with the LAMP team.

We had several days of meetings and spent time worshipping, praying, and strategizing together.  

I shared with them LEI's global strategic initiatives and we worked on doing a similar type of SWOT analysis for LAMP.

I taught them how to play HORSE and things got crazy. 

Byron and Miriam treated us a nice meal at their house.  Such a lovely family. 

Pastor Samuel and Maria hosted Phillip and me during our stay there as they have so many times.  This year, I discovered one of Samuel's hidden talents.  

I'm here with Byron and Edgar, the owner of "Italian Restaurant" which we frequent during days of long meetings.  Always great food, though it's strangely never Italian or anything close.  

Procession in the street back in Guatemala city where we met up with Yovany & Esmeralda Hernandez. 

Yovany & Esmeralda organized literacy promotional events in Guatemala city to raise awareness among churches.  

This promo event was organized hosted by the church where Yovany preaches - Iglesia Eden. 

Phillip delivered a powerful sermon about the importance of the Bible in a Christian's life

I preached on missions as the purpose for the local church

The second promotional event was held in a church an hour outside of the capital. Esmeralda did a great job presenting the ministry and casting the vision.  

Esmeralda & Yovany giving out a book of Bible stories donated by one of their Guatemalan supporters.  

Our church donated books that we gave out at the promotional events.