High School Missionaries Transformed in Guatemala

Twenty-six members of the Class of 2020 at Pinecrest Academy embarked on the 13th annual Senior Mission Trip on December 15. This year, students traveled to Guatemala and served in the village of El Carmen.

The project assigned to the Pinecrest missionaries was to build a wall that would enclose the property where a new church would be built. Due to seismic activity, the foundation of the existing church had been severely damaged, so this multi-year building project will provide a safe place to gather and worship. Missionaries hauled sand and gravel, mixed cement from scratch, and moved large rocks as part of the building process.

Older children from El Carmen helped with construction, while younger children played with students during water breaks. The missionaries also prepared a "posada" (Advent celebration) for the village. Students organized stations with games, coloring, chalk, bubbles, and dancing, and festivities concluded with a piñata and a meal.

While in El Carmen, groups of missionaries took turns visiting surrounding homes with Pinecrest chaplain, Fr. Terrance Allen. The simple faith of the people touched the students deeply, and they returned with many stories to share.

Each evening, missionaries would gather to reflect on their day and share in small groups. Often, they would take time to recognize a fellow missionary who impressed them during the day. Other times, they would share a moment that they had encountered God.

Here is what some had to say about their mission trip experience:

"I had to fundraise to be able to pay for this trip, but it was worth every penny."

"It made me so happy to see each of my classmates come out of their shell and really grow as people. We also got so close as a grade."

"After this experience, I am more seriously considering taking a gap year to do mission work."

"I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life."

Pinecrest Academy's mission is to form Christian leaders who will transform society, and at the end of the mission week in Guatemala, it was clear that these 26 seniors had become leaders ready to do just that!

This mission trip would not have been possible without the support of the following sponsors: Vein Institute of North Georgia, Mission Source Outdoor Gear, O'Rourke Family Dentistry, and Duluth Animal Hospital.