I am so excited to announce that after six years, we’re finally returning to serve at Casa Bernabe, an orphanage just outside Guatemala City, Guatemala!
Here’s the basics you need to know:
- Where: Casa Bernabe, Guatemala
- When: August 5-12, 2012
- How Much: Probably between $1000-1200 (too early to reliably know how much airfare will cost, so stay tuned)
- What are we doing: Caring for orphaned and abandoned kids, Landscaping, Construction, and other random things that they’ll need done (and playing lots and lots and lots of soccer/futbol).
Let me share two stories I’ll never forget about the kids at Casa Bernabe in 2006:
- Our team was there for a little over a week. While there, at least six kids were dropped off to live at CB (I don’t remember the exact numbers, but it was at least six). These are kids who were either living on the streets in nearby Guatemala City, or they’re kids who have been abandoned by their families. Most of them are not, technically, “orphans” whose parents have died. Many of these kids have been given up because their family was unable to care for them – due to drugs or because they couldn’t afford to feed all their kids. In Guatemala, children are “unadoptable” unless they are legally reliquished by their parents, so most of the kids at CB are not able to be adopted and are literally stuck.
- Juanita. I wanted to bring her home. She didn’t speak any English, and I hadn’t taken my Spanish classes very seriously in school, so my Spanish was very limited. But I could communicate enough. There was something about her that just grabbed my heart, and I still pray for her every time I see the picture of the two of us that’s in my office. Your heart will be grabbed and changed… you will be changed.
Team Expectations: Since this is an international trip, the following expectations raise the bar. We do not want to add “one more thing to do” to your plate, but want to encourage you to reconsider what’s most important to you. If you come on this trip and you’re already busy, I’d encourage you to ask, “What am I going to drop so I can serve on the Guatemala Team?”
- Active participation in at least half Youth Group events (Sunday School, Youth Group, Bible Study, Retreats, Service Projects, etc.).
- Active participation in Guatemala Mission Team Meetings (dates TBD, usually Saturdays 9-12 once a month for the 4-5 months leading up to the trip).
- Involvement in Fundraising Efforts to an estimated $1000-1200/person to cover costs. (note: Much of the expenses will hopefully be met through fundraising and support letters, if you choose to pay the total cost yourself please make note of that on your application).
- Complete the Guatemala Mission Team Application & Release Forms and submit $150 by Jan. 29th (youth should contribute towards the deposit from their own money).
- Following the Casa Bernabe Dress Code.
- Respect must be shown at all time to one’s teammates and Team Leaders must be obeyed. There may be times when circumstances call for immediate action and complete explanations cannot be given.
- Possession of or acquiring illegal drugs, involvement in sexual or violent activity will be grounds for immediate dismissal. You will be responsible for reimbursing Emmanuel Baptist Church for airfare and other related expenses incurred.
The '06 Guatemala Team on our "Tourest Day" in Antigua
Casa Bernabe is on a hill, so get ready to climb a LOT of stairs!
The '06 team around the dinner table. CB cooks all the food in their kitchen... if you don't like the food there's always peanut butter sandwiches available!
The guys' dorm at Casa Bernabe. Nothing fancy, but it's a bed to sleep in.
