Give

Guatemala Outreach Updates

—

by

admin
in , ,

Dear beloved community,

Sunburnt and paint splattered greetings!

I am home from Guatemala, reunited with Thule, and eager to share with you all the joy of this beautiful global community we are part of and the lives you all have touched. This Continuing Education trip focused on relationship building with our St. James outreach partners, Hope Academy, just outside the city of Antigua.

Hope Academy is bilingual STEAM school with a global focus on science, arts, engineering and business, blending Western and Latin American teaching methods for multi-cultural learning. Taught in a positive learning environment, the curriculum emphasizes women’s rights, global relationship-building, and self-esteem, cultivating these girls’ intellectual, social, and spiritual development. Because educated women are more likely to have fewer children and larger incomes, their graduates will change the entire economic outlook of their village.

While in Guatemala, I had the opportunity to deliver YOUR gifts of vitamins, books, letters, and school supplies and witness the work of St. James’ monetary gifts directly impacting the lives of children. I was also able to offer my own ministry gifts for art in creating 60 feet of murals on the school security wall. This educational trip included cultural and language training, pastoral care offerings, and ecumenical worship, as well as exploratory planning for a 2024 St. James’ mission trip!

Each morning the students sing, “We are an essential part of the global community! We are the light of the world making a brighter future!” May this be the song of OUR hearts as well, as members of the body of Christ and people of faith acting on our call to go out and serve. The students, teachers and staff of Hope Academy express their greetings and gratitude, and look forward to continued relationship, whether from home in Southbury or visiting in Guatemala!

Hasta mañana! (See you tomorrow!)

Peace,
Pastor Abby

The beautiful view from Hope Academy in Santa Lucia, overlooking 3 volcanos.
Two murals (60 ft total), inspired by the beauty of Guatemala. A jungle scene includes Tekal Mayan ruins, the legendary king Tecun Uman, the national flower and iconic jaguar. An ocean scene with indigenous fish and marine animals including octopus, shrimp and turtles, with Spanish and English translations. 

Global church relationship building with Hope Academy directors, Rev. Jennifer and Deacon David Hope-Tringali. Ecumenical worship and bible study with St. Albin’s Episcopal Mission of Antigua.

Vibrant cultural study, Spanish language practice, and public evangelism each day while out in the streets of Antigua

A field trip to the coffee farms of Chica Bean Coffee Co. – a female cultivated, processed and roasted by strong women of Guatemala. Chica Bean Coffee partners with Hope Academy for educational and internship opportunities for their students.

Thank You

In the last year alone, St. James has supported Hope Academy through various fundraising and donation drives!

  • 100+ books by Vacation Bible School
  • 40+ bottles of vitamins 
  • School supplies
  • 2022 Grounded Advent Devotionals, a partnership project of Hope Academy and Chica Bean Coffee
  • St. James Preschool penpal letters and art
  • $500+ in monetary gifts, including Mission Endowment Fund donations

How Can I Help?

There are continued ways that you can help Hope Academy 

  1. Build the School: You can donate to the 2nd floor building project as Hope Academy expands to include Grades 5 – 8.
  2. Sponsor a child: A personal connection with a student through a monthly commitment, ensuring she has access to education, health care, and healthy food. 
  3. Chica Bean Coffee Subscription: Skip the middleman, support strong women, and drink great coffee with a monthly subscription to Chica Bean,delivered to you! 10% goes to Hope Academy
  4. Mission Trip: If you are interested in traveling to Guatemala as part of a St. James mission trip in 2024, contact Pastor Abby.