Guatemala

Edgerton United Methodist Church -- Mission & Ministries
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)

Guatemala Project

2006 Mission Guatemala—
‘The Boca Costa de Solola’

On our March 25th, 2006 trip Guatemala we had both medical and construction projects. On the medical side we worked with VIM missionaries, Jim and Dianne Thompson, through the Methodist Church of Guatemala. The base clinic, in the village of Paquila, is about 1 ½ hours south of Quezaltenango and about 2 ½ hours west of Guatemala City. The construction team worked at a Methodist church in Paquila.

The population is Indigenous Mayan. The primary language is Quiche although some Spanish is also spoken. The area, Boca Costa de Solola, is one of the poorest areas of Guatemala. It has the 3^rd highest infant death rate and one of the highest mother mortality rates. Thank you for the many ways you have supported our team, financially, prayerfully, and most recently with valentines!

Jill Beam, Pastor Lennie Maxwell, Richard Miller Jill Marie McCumby, Pastor Robin Smith, Carolyn Maxwell, Dorothy Miller, Kathy Vaughn,

Georgia Hale, Andrea Maxwell, Mary Pritchard, Jon May, Dwayne Glisson, Bailey Warren, Bob Knabe, Pastor Bill Nelson, Dr. Randall Suttor,

Dr. Laura Moeller, Dianne Thompson, Bonnie Suttor, Dr. Keith Swanson, & Jim Thompson.

2002 Mission Guatemala
Pucohil Project

Georgia Hale wrote about her experience:

Our journey began very early on March 15,2002. We left for Pucohil, Guatemala with our hearts filled with joy and anticipation. On our drive in the dark to Chichicastenango we could see a strong light way off on the mountain. That was the church we were going to be working on. I thought about how God’s light was shining the brightest and how we were taking the lights within us given to us by Christ to assist in keeping that light as a vision of hope for the entire community.

While we made our first mile walk up the green and dusty hills to our work site, our eyes were filled with the glorious work. Men, women and children were carrying up the supplies that were just delivered. On their heads, backs and any way they could imagine all the supplies were carried up so the roof could be completed on the church. We worked side by side all each day except March 17^th when we had vacation bible school. That day we had 64 children come and make crosses, hear bible stories, color, and sing praises. When we left Pucohil the church gave us all a hat which was made by the people of the church. Our hearts were heavy as we came down the mountain that day, filled with love for God’s people and wishing we could be there again tomorrow. Our prayers our now with them that God will provide what is needed to complete the church, other teams to help, and that the children will receive the money needed so that they can attend school. Soon we will be planning another mission trip. Our prayers will be for that future team as they consider how Christ would like them to be the hands, ears, mouth, and most of all the heart of his ministry.

Praise God!

Georgia N. Hale gnhale@sprintmail.com