Why do we feel called to Guatemala?

Why would I like to go to Guatemala? To me it is an opportunity to do something for someone else. We talk about helping others and this is a chance to put that into practice. Why not here at home? We do that too, I am told that going to a third world country is a real eye-opener to the way we live here and gives us a better idea to how much we are blessed living in a country where we enjoy freedom of speech and religion. I would have a hard time imagining what it is like without what we call necessities. Outside of helping there I would like to find out how I can be of better use to God.
Thank you for helping us to do His will.
Bert Berends

I am the team secretary. Serving on a mission trip has been a desire of mine for a long time and when Elizabeth, my daughter, went on a service trip to Honduras that desire was strengthened. I am excited about this opportunity to serve my God and hopefully be of service to others. It will also be a unique opportunity to experience what it is like to live in a developing nation. John and I have been at Bethel since 1985. Along with Elizabeth we are involved in many aspects of life at Bethel. We enjoy being involved in the music ministry and I am also involved in the visual presentations as well as part of the children’s message team. Please pray for the team as we spend time together preparing for this service project.
Janet deWinter

I have been blessed to have been part of the Bethel family for twenty years. During that time, my daughter Stacie has gone on a number of service projects and it’s been rewarding to see her faith grow through those experiences. For quite some time I have yearned to go to some far flung location to demonstrate Christ’s love in a ‘hands on’ way. As years have gone by a string of commitments, timing, feelings of financial insecurity and who knows what else have always stood in the way of going on a service project. I am finally starting to clue in that there are times when you need to dive in with both feet and its okay to not always know how deep the water is nor be prepared for every big wave. I am healthy. I have a talent for building things. Somehow the finances always work out. What have I been waiting for? There is a need and I can help fill it. The time is now. So having jumped in I can’t wait to get there. I hope to contribute in a concrete way while also getting to know Christians in a completely different culture and environment. Most importantly I have a desire to grow another notch in my faith. I want to be stretched, to be reminded that “it’s not about me”. I look forward to an enriching experience and ask for the support of my Bethel family.
Raymond Drost

I’m excited to be a part of the team representing Bethel in Guatemala. All my life I’ve tried to seek God’s direction and feel that he has called me to be a part of this mission project. Many of my siblings have a heart for missions and either have been on the mission field or are currently serving the Lord in this way – its neat to get a chance to now go myself. One exciting part of this trip for me is that we’re building a Christian school. Christian education always has and continues to hold a special place in my heart. We have been blessed by the pioneering parents of the reformed faith who worked hard and sacrificed much to start the first Christian schools in the 40’s and beyond, of which Holland Marsh is a result – actually, it’s the oldest one in Canada (1943). What a blessing to see, 60+ years later, many other Christians from different faith backgrounds embracing it here - and what a blessing to be able to go to another country and share that gift with the people living there. It is my prayer that the people of Colegio Juan Wesley school may see Jesus through the hands of our team. Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you… In His Service, Wilma Drost.

I was involved in missions since since 1987. I believe that the supreme task of the church is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. I grew up in an Church environment where Church was just confined to the boundaries of our local Church. We were a very ingrown Church. In 1987 the Lord open my eyes for the needs of the world. The need to hear the Gospel but also the need of basic things that we normally take for granted; education, medical care, food, clean water a place to stay and to worship. It became very clear that the local Church doesn't exist for itself but to address the spiritual and physical needs of the world. Therefore Jesus' last words to His disciples was: “You will receive Power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria to the ends of the earth.” (Acts. 1:8) The HANDS trip to Guatemala is for me a fulfillment of that command: to be Jesus’ witnesses to people in Guatemala. Pastor Kobie

Why do I want to go on a mission trip? Going on a mission trip has been something I wanted to do ever since Arlene and I went to Romania in 1990 to adopt our son, Nic. During my time in Romania, I saw the need for help in developing countries was great. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and experience there. Both Arlene and I found it very evident that God was leading us to Romania and He was right beside us every step of the way. I always knew and have said to Arlene, "This is not the end, God has something more planned." The time and opportunity in my life was never really quite right until now. Until Guatemala. Just as God was leading me to Romania, He is now leading me to Guatemala.
As a third-generation supporter and firm believer of Christian education, building a Christian school for someone else is a perfect fit. This project is a wonderful opportunity to share with those less fortunate. I am looking forward to God's using me to touch someone else's life and bring them closer to God. Please pray for and help support our church project that together we may bring God the glory. In His Service,
Phil Hielema

I have the privilege of leading the HANDS team going to Guatemala. I have been a member of Bethel CRC for four years and am involved in GEMS and one of the musicians in our worship services. So why am I going?? In the early 1990’s, I served with World Missions in the Dominican Republic as a teacher trainer. When I left, part of my heart stayed, the part that longs to give all children an education. Worldwide Christian Schools took up the challenge of building schools for as many children around the world as possible. I was excited to become part of their board four years ago and dreamed of taking a team from our church. That dream will come true in March. I hope it is the first of many teams our congregation sends in the coming years. Pray for us as we continue to prepare for this trip. Having lived in the third world for several years, I know that there will be many challenges, some we don’t even realize yet! Pray for me as I work on improving my Spanish which I haven’t used much since I left the mission field.
Trudy Jager

I’m Cathy Lubbers and I’m excited about being a HANDS team member this coming March. I am a grade seven/eight teacher at Alliston Community Christian School and became aware of Worldwide Christian Schools through our school’s sponsorship of this organization. Our school sponsors a school in the Dominican Republic and its been heartwarming to see how our support has been appreciated. I am looking forward to being involved in the construction of a school in another part of the world that so badly needs Christian education accessible to its people. Before coming to Bethel, George and I were members of Lucknow Christian Reformed Church and were part of a mission trip in 1990 to the Dominican Republic in which we built two churches and a parsonage. It was an experience that truly enriched my life and made me realize how truly blessed we are to live in a country where we have ready access to so many resources, including educational ones. I hope to be a blessing to those I serve in Guatemala but am also looking forward to learning from them, being blessed by them and most of all experiencing God in a meaningful way.

I am Pastor George, one of the spiritual leaders on the team providing encouragement and personal devotions for the team along with Pastor Kobie. I am also a licensed carpenter and have 27 years of construction experience so it will be fun to get my hands dirty again for a little while. Blisters may become a problem though so I may need Bruce’s doctoring skills. I am looking forward to traveling to Guatemala with Cathy to see a new culture, taste new foods. These projects allow us to see Third World countries, not the resort life which is often very North American, but as it really is. These trips often open the eyes of team members and mine too, and help us to find perspective on what we need and do not need and what it means to be joyful in all circumstances. It teaches humility, which I always can use. Thank You for allowing me opportunity to serve God in this way!

Hi everyone! My name is Andrea Mount and i'm 22 years of age. I am really looking forward to this particular missions trip because I want to see the world God created, in reality. Don't get me wrong, the 5 star hotels are nice and comfy beds are a treat, but when reality kicks in these children that we are going to be helping, really need us and I'm excited to see a new country and a new way of living. I've been on one other missions trip in 1999 and that was to Red Deer, Alberta. It was fun and I met a ton of new people, and if you know me, I'm a people person! When i first heard about Guatemala, I hadn't been in church for a couple of weeks, but that particular Sunday that I went, Trudy came up to the pulpit to mention about this trip, and I leaned over to my mom and said, "I'm going to sign up!" And, well, here I am getting ready to go in three months! I can't wait to see the country and meet the people there. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, and all the support from the church has been a blessing! I can't wait to come home and tell everyone about it!

There is a very good reason for me being apart of this mission trip. I believe the Lord is definitely calling me to help out where ever that may be. I have been a member of Bethel for the past 33 years. I have spent my whole life here and now I am raising my family up here in a Christian surrounding. My reason for wanting to go is quite simple! Each one of us has been created with talents; I believe my talents include working with my hands and the passion for building things. In my line of work I love building retailing walls, so what better opportunity is there! We have the opportunity to build walls for a Christian school. In my family’s situation now, it is not feasible for my children to attend Christian school but we raise them in a Christian setting. By doing this I am able to help other families have that opportunity to learn in a Christian school, in a Christian environment. If that isn't getting out there and helping to spread the good news of the Lord and what He has and is doing for us I don't know what is. I may not be spreading His word directly but I am helping by providing the location. Some may say why aren't you doing something closer to home. I answer with this 'an opportunity presented itself and we can't always pick the location, and leave it to faith!'
Derek Tensen

I’m Bruce Thompson and I’m the teams Medic, I’ve been attending Bethel for 12 years. When I heard about the HANDS team I thought that it would be an excellent experience to do God’s work. I felt a strong urge to join the team. I enjoy working with my hands and learning new things so the ability to go to a different country and take on a task that I haven’t done before was so appealing to me. I’m so looking forward to going to Guatemala to be with the team and the people. It will be exciting to see how God works through this ministry!

Hi everyone! I'm Mike Van Leeuwen. I'm really excited to go with our HANDS team to Guatemala and March 9th is coming up quickly! When I first heard that Bethel was sending a team to build a school in Guatemala I jumped at the chance to go. This is a opportunity to serve God in a way that not many people get the chance to and also to get a glimpse at how the other half of the world lives. Guatemala needs schools so badly and to have the opportunity to help them get a Christian education will be a blessing for both them and our team. This trip is going to be a learning experience for all of us and bring us closer to God. Thank you to our sending team for your support, without you this trip would have been impossible.