We went to Escuela Entegrada where we were greeted with song, dancing, and love. We toured the facility which is new since the last Bethel Vision Trip in 2019. The new building has more space, and is better suited to the educational mission than the old one. The students are all energetic and excited to learn. They are also excited about the ongoing World Cup in Soccer.
After a hearty lunch at Escuela Entagrada, the team quickly loaded food stuffs, such as beans, rice, pasta, and cereal into large bags. Part of the school’s mission is to provide nutritional support to the families of students, since Guatemala is second only to Haiti in food insecurity in the Western Hemisphere.
The family's situations varied. Some lived in makeshift homes, high on steep mountain sides. Some lived in rented single rooms in more urban buildings. Some homes housed extended families. Some were occupied by single mothers and children. Many of the homes seemed incongruous with the active, engaged students we met at the school, even as we saw those same students in the homes. The commonalities in all the homes were the gratitude the families have for the school, and the opportunities a good education represented; Appreciation for support of sponsors that make attendance at Escuela Entegrada possible; Faith that God will guide and protect them and their children; Love for their families; Hope that their children were destined for a better life.
Our mission partners truly to do God’s work in Antigua. We are blessed to be a part of the project and look forward to the days ahead.
