Team Connects with Guatemalan Kids through VBS
Release No: 09-29
By Noel Hwande
 
Apr. 28— GUATEMALA: A group of volunteers from Campus Lutheran Church (CLC) in Columbia, Missouri, traveled to Guatemala earlier this year as part of Lutheran Hour Ministries short-term mission trip program. The Global Work & Witness team of seven was led by Pastor Kent Pierce, and comprised mostly of college students. All of whom took on a variety of projects that included organizing a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for underprivileged children in two different towns.
Initially, 150 children were expected to participate, but as news spread, close to 300 children attended. Working with local volunteers and LHM-Guatemala staff the team combined singing, dancing, skits, puppet shows, and crafts in sharing Christ's love with the families that attended. The children also received gifts of crayons, coloring sheets, and stickers.
The CLC volunteers also endured the hot Guatemala sun as they helped put a new roof on the local Lutheran church in Gualan. Some members of the church were also there to help with the task of removing the old metal sheets, and install the new ones.
After four days of working, the team spent the final two days visiting historical sites in Antigua. They had the chance to see everything from active volcanoes, ancient Mayan ruins, and even gigantic cathedrals.
But for all of the volunteers, it was the new friendships in Christ that they enjoyed most.
"The relationships that were formed during that short trip will stay with me for the rest of my life," commented Kristin Elhers, a graduate student at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Global Work & Witness offers unique short-term volunteer team opportunities for groups or individuals. Teams work alongside local LHM staff and volunteers in projects such as outreach events, ministry to children, construction, healthcare training, skills transfer, and more. Volunteer teams are signing up so call us today. For information on Global Work & Witness opportunities, please call 1 800-752-9636, ext. 4168 or visit www.lhm.org/globalmission.
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