The members of a small Adventist church in San Luis, Guatemala, recieved an answer to two years of prayer when a group of Northwest teens and adults came to help build a new church in March 2019.
Members from the small group of believers joined forces with a 37-member mission team, sponsored by Upper Columbia Conference youth department, to build a new church at the base of a hill near the edge of San Luis.
Each day community members stopped by to watch as the walls grew higher and the rafters were hoisted into place. Missionary bands of teens visited the surrounding homes in the community to help where possible, pray with people and invite them to visit the new church.
Each weekday afternoon the teens took turns putting on a Vacation Bible School program for area school children with a Bible story about Noah and fun crafts to take home.
In addition to building the church, the mission team was able to provide a dental and vision clinic as well. Scott Johnson and Jeremy Beam were able to provide dental and vision health care to many people from the local community. Some days people showed up for care as early as 6 a.m.
The final Sabbath was a high day for the mission team as members told the story of how they had been praying for two years for a church of their own. Emotions overflowed as they talked and expressed their deep gratitude for helping make the new church a reality.
"It was exciting to be able to go on the trip and help out. This trip has changed me," said one student. "We left knowing we made a difference."
The Upper Columbia Conference youth mission team served the town of San Luis, Guatemala, by building a new Adventist church and holding Vacation Bible Schools and a dental and vision clinic.
Teens learned new skills as they helped build the walls of the new church.
Community school children enjoyed the daily Vacation Bible School programs the mission team provided.
Teens were able to learn new skills as they helped build the new church. The rafters were built by hand near the church.
Every weekday afternoon, young people from the mission team put on a Vacation Bible School for community children after school. Colorful crafts to take home were a big hit.
Northwest teens helped the doctors with patient counseling and translation in the dental and vision clinic.
The mission team and local members gathered to worship together for the first time in the nearly complete church.
Members gather outside for a group photo following the first worship service in the nearly complete church.
Members from the mission group put on the entire first church service in the new church building.
Block by block the walls grew higher each day.
Building the new church was a true team effort between the local church members and the UCC mission team.
A man receives new glasses and is able to finally see clearly to read.
