“ Living the Story”
2015 marks 10 years that our school,
CVC, has been given the opportunity to
join with Students International in missions in Guatemala. For those years, the
hearts and homes of the Guatemalan people have been graciously opened up to the
students here at Central Valley Christian High School. “They have become as
family to my family, and we have been able to bring our children each summer.”
All 3 of the Branderhorst children have been on the mission trip and continue
to go each year. One has been for 9
times, another from 3rd -11th grade, and plans to return
this summer as well. Students share
their experiences of trips they have taken over the years and how that pertains
to their “Living the Story”. Acts 4:20
“We cannot help but speak about what we have seen and heard.”
2007 and 2008 ~ In my first year, my eyes were opened to
missions work and the impact which the gospel has when coupled with caring
actions (like building chicken coops and inoculating animals), shared from one
person to another. (Praying for Mario!) In my second year, I saw firsthand how
God unites the body of Christ (that year we went with Immanuel High School) and
works through different members to encourage and build his kingdom. The
experiences are highlights in my life and I believe God used them to grow in me
a desire to continue sharing the gospel with others - at college, on another
mission trip, and in South Africa.
Mark Bennett
2013 ~ The people of Guatemala struck me by how happy they
were when they had so very little. I know life is not about material things but
they do make life easier, and life in Guatemala was definitely not easy. In the
United States, we take so much for granted while they live with the bare
minimum, if even that. My trip to Guatemala helped me appreciate the little
things in life, like food on the table and clean drinking water at my disposal.
Karianne Aukeman
2009 2011 2012 Guatemala opened my eyes to the world of
missions and how passionate I was for people of the world. I learned to rely on
Christ for my every need.
Hannah Dunn
2011 ~ Guatemala gave me the first good insight on what it's
like to live and work in a culture different than our own. Also not only did we
meet and make new friends in Guatemala, but after the trip we had stronger
relationships and some memorable times made with the friends and people who had
gone on the trip with us.
Tori Moons
2009 ~ it was incredible. As the first trip I made out of
the country, to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. However it opened
my eyes to the power of God through any who say yes to his call. It was the
beginning of many yes’es to his calling in my life.
Ashley Neal
2008 ~ Summer after my sophomore year at CVC. The two weeks
spent sharing the Gospel the best that I could with my broken Spanish and
showing the love of Christ through playing jump rope and painting a mural at
the local school were an unforgettable and joyous experience. I am very
thankful for the trip and all those who were there as well both physically and
spiritually through prayer.
Lacy Graff
2011 ~ Guatemala was a doorway to allowing me to see one of
the bigger parts of being a Christian through serving and it made the whole
trip worth it. Also it was really fun so that helped too!
Austin Moons
2012 2013 2014 ~ Joined our team in 2012, and 2013, became summer staff in 2014. Made Magdalena have a
permanent place in my heart, and gave me so many amazing experiences that
allowed me to see God outside of both the church and worship.
Alexa Blundell
2011, 2012, 2013 ~ CVC can really be a bubble. Though a tight
knit community is a great thing, such a small frame of the world can be
dangerous. My trips to Guatemala never failed to show me that God is so much
bigger than we can possibly fathom. He is constantly moving all over the world,
and yet he desires each of us personally. It is both humbling and empowering,
and I believe it is something that everybody should experience.
Taylor Boyle
2013, 2014 ~ Guatemala
is a life changing experience. This place builds you. I have never felt so
close to God and now I just wait till next year! Señora B is a wonderful
servant to God. I can't wait till round three.
Brian Fabrie
2007 ~ I came home from school one day and told my
mom that I was going to Guatemala. Not knowing why or what would come from the
trip. Little did I know, going to Guatemala when I was a sophomore in high
school changed my life. It was the most extreme poverty I had ever been exposed
to. I laughed, I explored, I cried from being home sick, I taught English in a
school and I made many new friends. The quiet times with God stick out to me
when we would sit on a hill or go to a quiet place in a house just to be alone
with God. Everything in Guatemala felt so real. The piece of my story that
changed my life forever was meeting a little boy named Jose Miguel. He had
fair-ish skin and light colored eyes. Miguel was special because had an
incurable disease. I had the opportunity to go to his families house for dinner
and meet them and hear their story. It was. (I still cry as I write this to
you). Jose Miguel's family hardly had anything yet they welcomed me into their
home and fed me a delicious meal. They were so genuinely happy and thankful for
me spending time in the school. Then one morning I heard we were able to
sponsor children in Guatemala and I immediately took the book that was passed
around and found Jose Miguel's name. I went back to my parents house and
remember being an extremely unemotional child before this trip...but I just sat
at the table and cried uncontrollably. I cried because I wanted to take Jose
Miguel home with me and help cure his disease or give him a life he never had.
My parents reminded me thankfully that he has a very loving family in Guatemala
and we cannot just take him. However, they lovingly and willingly allowed me to
sponsor him and his brother. I also began praying for him. My little world and
bubble became so open after that trip. I truly believe that trip became a big part
of my story that impacted my life in so many ways. (I even remember coming back
and thinking how strange it was to feel carpet under my feet!) I now have my
masters in Social Work and this is just one of the pieces of my story that led
me into this field of work. I went to Guatemala thinking I would bless others,
but I left there feeling so blessed by the people in a way I never could have
even imagined.
Megan Greidanus
2008 ~ My trip with SI was the first time I truly
lived out my Christian beliefs in a real way because the ministry sites gave me
a tangible way to see Christ working in myself and also those around me by our
actions instead of reading about others who have walked the Christian walk.
Became summer staff in Nicaragua 2014.
Shelly
Leyendekker
2006, 2007 ~ Has is really been 10
years. That's crazy. Glad to have been there the first two years with you. I
went the first two years, 2006 and 2007. Hope to go again someday. Guatemala
isn't just part of my life, it is my life. I went there to help teach kids at
the school in Magdalena, but instead they taught me so much more. About how to
love and being grateful for every little thing. I still feel like a part of my
heart will forever be in Guatemala. And hope that one day I can return with my
family.
Margie Koetsier Lynch
2014, 2015 ~ My life was
forever changed going to Guatemala. I have never felt so much love from my God
and from my team. I have also never been challenged as much as was in
Guatemala. These trips have grown my relationship with God tremendously.
Shelby Laber
2013, 2014, and 2015 ~
I went to Guatemala to show Gods love to others but when you are surrounded by
people who have nothing and give everything, it's them that shared Gods love
with us. Guatemala changed my life. God is working through the people of
Magdalena and the teams that He sends. I'm so blessed to have had the
opportunity to go three times.
Ruby Koetsier
2014
- Guatemala
was a great experience for me! It's so heartwarming to be surrounded by a big
group of people who all love the Lord and want to make a difference even if
it's small. My favorite memory is from my junior year when everyone pitched in
to transport avocados to a truck. It was actually really difficult because they
were 15 pounds easily. But the best part was when it started raining. Sure,
there were groans and complaining, but we kept moving. Instead of giving up and
finding shelter, we fought through the uncomfortable circumstances and we
finished transporting all the avocados. This proves that Guatemala can change
and teach you. You learn how to be independent and content with what you have
and to me it was a really humbling experience.
Anna Leyendekker
2008 - For me, Guatemala
was the most beautiful place I had ever stepped foot. I experienced Christ in a
whole new, tangible way and a big part of that was the people there. My host
family and the art instructor left lasting impressions on me, simply due to the
way they soaked up every single thing they heard about God. Their thirst to
know and learn more was so childlike and pure and it taught me to strive to
have a faith like that.
Bailey Schmidt
2008 and 2009 - God
showed me that in order to spread his message we must intentionally and
continually pour into people's lives. I was really amazed to see Sra. B return
year after year. This really exemplifies Jesus' consistency and commitment in
discipling.
Inez Solis
Serving on summer staff in
both Guatemala (2013) and Costa Rica (2014) gave me a perspective on missions
and an appreciation for missionaries that I never had before. Its hard work
that they do, and its not the poverty tourism we unfortunately see a lot of
when folks from the states go on short term mission or humanitarian trips. Its
real life, hard work, spiritual warfare, trying to love people who are hungry,
lonely, abused and struggling. Our missionaries need our prayers. When they ask
us to pray for them, we shouldn't take it lightly because the work they are
doing is not just an international adventure vacation. Its kingdom work on a
rocky spiritual battlefield, standing eye-to-eye with our very broken world. My
three-week trips were 2008 and 2009
Kylee Rogers
2013 – the trip to
Guatemala taught me and strengthened me in so many things. It taught me about God
the Father and the impact that heavenly and earthly fathers have on our lives.
It strengthened my existing friendships and absolutely helped me forge new
ones. It opened my heart to missions and travel and helped me to refocus my
worldview. I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to serve in Guatemala
and I wish that I had gone earlier/more.
Tara
Zwart
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