Erin's UCC Guatemala Trip

Hope all is well with you! I am enjoying my time in Cincinnati, splitting my energy between design work and serving at my church. Both of these huge parts of my life continue to be incredibly fulfilling and stretching, and each day brings a new set of joys and challenges. I am continually learning to trust God in all of life’s twists and turns, and recently I have been challenged to step out of my comfort zone and experience new things.

I will be joining my church (University Christian Church) on their annual short-term mission trip to Guatemala. This is the first time I will have been out of the country since I was 19, and I am so excited. Being taken out of the normal day-to-day routine we all get stuck in and being placed in a completely different environment with a totally different way of living is something I have needed in my spiritual life for a while. It’s so easy to get used to all the blessings He has given to me, and not realize how much it is due to His generosity and grace, not of my own doing. I’m looking forward to serving Him and partnering with Him in what He is already up to there as well as serve the staff of Mission Impact, the people in the town we will be in, and the team I will be a part of. 

We will be working with Mission Impact (missionimpact.com), a group that the church has partnered with for several years. Mission Impact is dedicated to spreading the gospel and serving Guatemalans through development, and clean water and cooking initiatives. In the past, we have worked alongside local families to build water filters and fuel efficient stoves. We are still waiting to hear exactly what we will be doing, but we will be working with the same missionaries that we have grown to know and love. 

I know this is not something everyone gets to do. It is truly a gift to be able to experience new and different places, and I am so grateful the right doors have been opened for this trip to even be possible. I am a ball of nervousness and excitement all at once, and I know God has big things in store for me personally with this trip. I hope that you can be a part of this adventure with me. 

First and most importantly, you can share in this experience through prayer. Secondly, you can share through financial support. I need to raise $2000 in order to be able to go on this trip. This money goes towards plane tickets, project fees, supporting Mission Impact, and giving to the community there. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me in this process and experience? I would love to be able to share this experience with you!

However you are led, I want you to know that I am grateful for your presence in my life. Thanks so much for considering sharing this experience and trusting God with me! 

You're awesome. 

- Erin