I have another awesome opportunity to serve back in Guatemala!! Spending my summer in San Raymundo this past year truly was the greatest experience of my life. Getting to fully submerge myself in the culture and form countless relationships within the community is something that truly changed my life and I just can't wait to go back! Over the summer I was interning at Morning Glory Christian Academy which is a school that was founded by an American women and has grown to impact and help San Ray as a community as well as the neighboring villages. Not only was I serving at the school, but on off days I got to work with the organization Casas Por Cristo whose mission is to build houses for families in need. I had previously worked with Casas my senior year of high school on a trip with my church, First Pres Church of Wheaton. Both of these organizations mean so much to me and I have truly found my passion for service by getting to spend so much time pouring into the families and children that are being served by Casas Por Cristo and Morning Glory.

Over my two month long winter break this year, I have been given the opportunity to head back down to Guatemala for a couple of weeks to directly work with the Casas Por Cristo organization and build houses! I will also spend time working at Morning Glory Christian Academy by helping the teachers get prepared for the upcoming school year. Since school is not in session during December- early January, I will be spending most of my time building with Casas but also will spend a good chunk of time aiding in administrative and preparation work directly with the teachers at Morning Glory. I also am just so excited to see and love on all of the kids and families that became so important to me over the summer.

I am currently hoping to be in Guatemala from Dec 27-January 9. I am looking to raise $1,500. The whole $1,500 that I am fundraising for goes directly to Casas Por Cristo, Morning Glory, as well as room/board. There is a $1,000 donation to build with Casas this winter and the money is used to buy supplies needed to build the houses. The other $500 goes to Morning Glory. The $500 that is being given to Morning Glory is a donation to help teachers get supplies for the upcoming school year. As well as money will be put into the scholarship fund for students. This summer I stayed in what is referred to as the “intern house” which is owned and provided by the Morning Glory Christian Academy organization. I will be staying in the same house again this winter!