Mission Guatemala Inc

My wife and I recently returned from a work team week in Guatemala on a Mission Guatemala (MG) project. The MG staff took good care of us. Food, lodging, transportation and work site organization was very good. Lodging was better than any lodging we have experienced on our 3rd world (African) work team mission trips. Interpreters assigned to the work team were very personable, helpful and worked with us and the Mayan villagers. Local shopping & sightseeing were interesting. MG shared their story and organizational needs. Good experience that we will tell others about.

I was a member of a team who traveled from the US to Panajachel Guatemala to work with Mission Guatemala building a soccer field / basketball court for a village that was displaced by hurricane Stan. Members of our team also worked with the children of the village. I felt that overall Mission Guatemala did an excellent job organizing prior to our arrival, and we had very few "issues" during the trip. Two translators stayed with our group at our hotel, and were very friendly and knowledgeable in both the language and the construction tasks we were performing. The arrangements that Tom had made with locals to cook both lunch near the job site, and breakfast / dinner near the hotel helped ensure we were eating nutritious and safe food, and helped reduce the cost of the trip, while providing much needed jobs in the area.

I just completed another week with Mission Guatemala on July 15, 2012. My first experience was last year and I was so impressed with the work of this organization that there was no doubt that I wanted to come back. The work that has been done and is being done by Tom, Dave and the staff and volunteers is amazing. We had seven of our 13 team members from last year that returned this year, along with eight new members. (The others from last yeat would have returned also, but were unable to due to other committments.) I was a team leader this year and felt very comfortable in that role after having worked with this organization last year. They are very organized, communicate well and take great care of their visiting teams. Between the two years - we have worked on a number of projects where we could see the physical results of what we did, but also felt that when we left - we left some hope for the people of Guatemala. The opportunities to interact with the people of Guatemala is one of the highlights of working with this organization. It is hard when it comes time to go home as this group feels like family and you feel that you are taking away more then you left. I made sure that our church was on the schedule for next year before we left.

I just returned from a mission trip to Guatemala and I believe it will change my life. The team at Mission Guatemala, including Tom, Dave, Vanessa, etc, were just awesome. We installed vented stoves in peoples homes to improve their air quality and also fuel efficiency. We installed a gutter system so rainwater can be used for children to wash their hands and brush their teeth at school. We took family pictures and gave them to the people, which could be their only family picture ever. There is no doubt that Mission Guatemala Inc is improving quality of life for the poor people of Guatemala. What an organization! Blessings to them all.

I am 16 years old and recently went on a mission trip with my mom with Mission Guatemala inc. It was an incredible experience. I did things I never thought I would be doing like mixing concrete, carrying heavy cinder blocks, assembling stoves (honestly!) and hanging gutters. I have never felt so good about myself in all my life. Mission Guatemala is an awesome organization doing an awesome amount of good for the poor people of Guatemala.

July 2011- I organized a team of 25 volunteers. I am the Indiana VIM team leader trainer. This mission site was the most organized mission site that I have been to. The team worked at 3 locations (not an easy task for the on site coordinators). One team provided medical care at various locations. This is my speciality as an RN. Tom Heaton and staff did a great job with everything. Everything from transportation in country, lodging, food, sight seeing and building relationships with local people was done with EXCELLENCE. I highly recommend this mission site for first time or experienced missioners. Penny Krug, RN, Deaconess UMC

Working with mission Guatemala and going to the beautiful country was a life changing experience. I would not take back a single thing that happened; both Tom and Dave were very nice and helped all of us on the trip feel safe and comfortable. The work that they are doing in Guatemala is amazing, the clinic they have is impressive and their effect on the communities in the area is fascinating. I am proud to say that I was apart of an amazing mission, that truley cares about the people of Guatemala. Like their mission statement says, "do all the good you can." God Bless.

Mission Guatemala INC is a great mission organization on the front life of poverty in that country. Tom Heaton has been a speaker at church camps that I have directed and he is a member of my home conference of the United Methodist Church. Work teams return with testimonies of the impact that mission has had on their lives.

My husband and I joined a mission trip from our church to help in a medical clinic, build a playground and offer VBS. It was a fabulous experience where God used each person's individual strengths to provide for the Mayan people who are so desperately needy. It was an eye opening opportunity to not only see the horrific conditions they live in but also the heroic efforts of the missionaries dedicating their lives to helping the people of the Mayan culture.

I'm unable to travel to serve these people myself...I am so grateful to be able to support a well managed and heart felt mission!

Mission Guatemala is making a difference in the lives of many of all ages, and is transparent and open in their needs, stewardship of funds, and overall activity. I recommend them highly.

I traveled to Panaechele, Guatemala in June of 2012. We worked in the mountain community of Chuti Estancia. The people there are very poor and lovely. I found the community completly charming in every way. the county is like a beautiful garden with beautiful views everywhere you look. My group of teenagers, young adults and older adults built two water retention tanks for the local elementary school there. They had no water supply for washing hands and brushing thier teeth. We also did a Bible school each afternoon from 2:00 til 3:30. Between 150 to 190 children came each day. On sunny days not as many children attended because they were required to work in the feilds with thier families. I feel out group made an impact that will be felt in the years to come. The men we worked with from Mission Guatemala were a delight. They were always asking for feed back, kept us busy, well taken care of in a foreign country and at appropriate times entertained us. They also helped us to find interesting things to explore in our free time and were extremely helpful when a medical emergency presented itself.

I absolutely loved getting to work with Mission Guatemala. Not only were Tom and Dave excellent at making us feel welcome and useful, but just getting to spend time with the precious children of Chuti Estancia was also so rewarding. I will never forget the experience I had.

As I spent nine days in guatemala it was truly eye opening, all the people there greet you with arms wide open and make you feel so special!! I thank God for all he is letting Tom and Dave do for the people there! It truly is life changing to experience life from others points of view! I hope my church group decides to go back next year! I'd love to go back!!!!

I just returned from an amazing trip to Mission Guatemala. It was truly a life changing experience for me! We were a very large group and we were a great challange for Tom and Dave. But they were incredible! We were able to operate two differnt construction sites at once building water holding tanks at schools in Chuti Estancia and also do a Bible school with nearly 200 children each day. We had an incredible experience and it was a joy to be a part of such a great community outreach. Tom and Dave obviously have a heart for the people there and Mission Guatemala is definitely making a difference in the lives of the people there. I felt honored to be able to help in a small way.

I came with 37 adults and young adults from Madisonville, Ky. We were treated like family by all of the Mission Guatema staff. We had a wonderful experience doing a Bible School and building water containers. The staff were extremely supportive during a time of illness for one our members and stayed with us providing any help we needed. God met us there and stayed with us through out our visit in this land of paridise! I look forward to coming again for another experience either medical or building/Bible school! What a wonderful group!!

I recently retuned from 9 days in Panajachel working in a local community called Chuti Estancia. Tom and Dave were great people to be around and were very friendly to the entire team. They had great construction managers for on the job site. They also organized neat activities for the team during the weekend. This is a group I would undoubtedly volunteer for again.

Great team! This was a fun and adventurous group to work with. We left having much more insight into the people and culture of Guatemala, and with a deep appreciation for the country.

We were able to work side by side with the people of Guatemala. Even though the process might be different the end result of the hard work and the resourcefulness of the people in the little town is apparent every where. Plus the fantastic accommodations provided were an added surprise. It was the percect ending after the long work day. The meals at the firehouse were also good since we were trying to be emersed in real culture of those we served. The meals the activities helped all of us understand who we were helping while at the same time it was wonderful to be reminded of all our blessings and the power of sharing what we have with others. Over and over again we were reminded that these people had so much to offer us too.

Mission Guatemala serves the people in and around San Andres la Laguna, the community of Nueva Esperanza, and families in smaller villages, providing some jobs, medical/dental care along w/ appropriate pharmaceuticals, food, high efficiency, low smoke stoves.

This was an amazing trip for all of us. I was especially impressed at how organized the trip was. We had different opportunites to minister each day and were given choices, so we could specialize in different areas. The organization took good care of us and were watchful over us and our safety from where we stayed, to going to the market and also for the food that we ate. I also liked the details that we were given from their website about what to bring, packing suggestions, and also some tips on Guatemalan culture.

This mission is accomplishing great things for the people of this area. They not only feed children, but they also are serving the needs of the people through their stove project. At this time they have installed about 90 stoves in the homes of people who were cooking on open fires in very small huts. Our work while in Guatemala revolved around helping to install the stoves as well as construct a playground for a school that serves about 90 children. The only play area they had was an open clay area and a small rusted metal swing set and slide. When completed the playground will have 10 swings, 2 seesaws, a slide and a climbing structure with 6 poles for children to slide down. I feel I was blessed and humbled by this experience because of the relationships that were developed with the people and children we served. This group is truly doing God's work by healing the sick, feeding the hungry and meeting the needs of the people.

My volunteer time with Mission Guatemala was one of the best mission experiences that I've had. Tom Heaton and the project staff efficiently planned our time so that all members of our team, regardless of age or experience, could make meaningful contributions in multiple ways. We worked hard, played hard, and learned a great deal about the culture and the people of Guatemala. What most impressed me is the relationships that have been built with the local folks. They are treated as valued partners and stakeholders who take an active part in creating sustainable changes in their communities. It was a pleasure to be a part of such a caring, respectful, and organized group -- my thanks go to Tom, Dave, Noe, and all of those who made our team feel so welcomed!

I worked with Mission Guatemala installing stoves for needy families and working on a playground for a school. The organization has wonderful leaders who are very organized and working hard to improve Guatemala.

I have worked with many different nonprofits and Mission Guatemala has been my favorite one by far. Even though it is a young organization the trip went very smoothly and the staff was prefect. There was a wonderful mix of work and fun. I left there feeling completely changed and ready to go back again.

I was very impressed with how everything was planned and organized, but still maintained a healthy degree of flexibility. I was also amazed to see how many connections within the surrounding communities existed, especially considering the relative youth of this organization. Everybody was so nice and did a lot to make sure we were comfortable, working hard, and learning about the people and the culture. It was such a meaningful and transformative experience, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with ten again in the near future!

Mission Guatemala is a wonderful organization doing good work in places where it is desperately needed. Our group was there last week. Pastor Tom Heaton and his co-workers, especially Dave Burns, were wonderful hosts. Not only did they put us to work helping build a playground, installing stoves, and distributing food to feeding centers, they also gave us a taste of Guatemalan culture by introducing us to Guatemalans who served us wonderful food, sold us native handicrafts and cloths, played us indigenous music, and showed us the stunning scenery around Lake Atitlan. Heaton and his crew make a trip to Guatemala easy--everything ran as smooth as silk. Very professional and friendly, and fun to be with. My students are eager to return.

My church has been involved with Mission Guatemala since it's beginnings. We saw the dream and beloved in Tom Heaton as the executive director. His abilities to network, vision and resourcing is astounding. Our week this year working in Guatemala was well organized. We never had a need that wasn't fulfilled. Mission Guatemala has had an explosive year or growth. In 12 months they opened a medical clinic with a full time doctor seeing patients 5 days a week, a fully equipped dentist's office with a dentist seeing patients 3 days a week.thye opened a preschool serving 35 ofthe poorest children in the area giving them educational opportunities they never would have had. Four and five year old Mayan children who speak Cachique orsome other Mayan language are learning Spanish and English. This prepares them adequately to enter public school in Guatemala. In addition the mission has opened a feeding center in a nearby village serving up to 150 children a balanced meal once a day. Mision Guatemala's health ministry has moved into pre emotion with nutritious foods made available, hygiene resources and education and the installing of high efficiency wood burning stoves. The stoves eliminate breathing smoke as the families do over. An en fire on the dirt floor of ther kitchen. In addition less firewood is needed blessing the community.

I cannot say enough about the good Mission Guatemala is bringing to San Andre and Panajachel and the surrounding villages. They hire locals to lead projects and have 7 locals indigenous to Guatemala on their staff. Tom Heaton and Mission Guatemala are world changers.

Support this charity and make a world of difference to some of the poorest people in the western hemisphere.

You are never too young or old to go on a mission trip to help these people in Guatemala. I am living proof. As the youngest going on this trip (I'm not even 16), I had doubts that I would really be able to do anything. I was way wrong. I definitely felt like I was making a difference in those peoples' lives. I installed stoves for families. Many of whom had nothing but a campfire to cook over. It was truly amazing to see how legitimately grateful these people were for the little that they had. I think that that's a reality check anyone could use. You never realize how fortunate you are until you see the conditions in which others live.

This was an experience that helped strengthen my faith in Christ, reaffirm the direction that I am moving through Christ and helped me learn about a unique culture and environment I was not familiar with. Mission Guatemala helps the people in San Andres, Pana and surrounding communities with long-term and permant assistance. They provide a great understanding of the circumstance in which the Guatemalan people are currently living in and how their program assists them. They give volunteers an opportunity at hands on experiences in serving. You can get as involved as you like with a wide varieties choices for people of all skills and talents. Mission Guatemala also gives you some authentic opportunities to experience Mayan and Guatemalan culture and history. The Mission Guatemala team is made up of kind and compassionate individuals that truly live the mission of being the hands and feet of Christ. I found them to be genuine in their love for the people they help and those who come to assist.

I enjoyed working with this organization because they were so organized we always had somehthing to do from shopping, working and eating together. We could divide into two teams and still have plenty of work to do. The people were very friendly and helpful from Tom Heaton and David Burns to the cooks and the other Guatemalan workers: ElMer the driver, Angel the caretaker and Delia the assistant cook. They were all enjoyable to work with and talk to. I always knew what the agenda of each day was. Very helpful for me.

The experience I had with Mission Guatemala (MG) was amazing. Tom and his crew took great care to ensure we experienced and received from Guatemala as much as and possibly more than we were able to give. I loved the variety in the tasks we were able to complete and I loved how MG takes a special interest in building relationships. It is not "give, give, give" it is more like "give and build for the future". I especially like that MG uses women from the communities where the feeding centers are housed to help make the food, thus making it a learning experience for the whole community and hopefully in the future sustaining so that the full time cook provided by MG can be tasked to assist elsewhere.

Mission Guatemala has a working clinic with Doctors, a Dentist and a social worker. What they have accomplished in a year is amazing! The staff is accomplished, efficient and professional in every position. They have an eighteen year old Social Worker who is experienced beyond her years. The entire Mission Guatemala team is dedicated and will do what it take to accomplish their goals!

Mission Guatemala is mission in ACTION!! Our group of eleven did meaningful and powerful work all day every day! Tom and his staff were there every step of the way to ensure the success of all of our projects. It was obvious that Tom has spent many months building relationships within the community. We partnered with local resources and the respect and trust for Mission Guatemala was evident everywhere we went. We can't wait to go back!!!

I found that no matter how big or small the task you are given to do, each job is extremely important to the mission and to the people it helps. Everyone is so grateful for any little thing done to help them, it is truly humbling experience. Anyone that gets an opportunity to go help out at Mission Guatemala should jump at the chance. I know I'm ready to go back.

This was an incredible week. They took care of us and I was particularly happy because I brought my 14 year old daughter and I felt comfortable with her not needing to be right beside me at all times.

Just finished my week on a mission trip to Mission Guatemala. It has been a fantastic week! Our group of 11 was able to do many mnay things. We broke into smaller groups and installed stoves, weighed and measured children, delivered food to a village displaced by recent storms, painted a home, built furnitire and installed dental equipment.
The MG staff was fantastice! They gave us instruction and directionthen let us work. We had plenty of time to interact with the local people and learn we are all trulybrothers and sisters. What a blessed experience!

I spent a week with Mission Guatemala helping to install stoves that vent out the roof and use very little wood. In addition, I assisted in the building of a house for a single lady. In listening to what the mission is doing with the medical and dental clinic plus the feeding center for 100 kids, I feel that they are going about their work in an organized way. They are not trying to do everything at once. I feel that they are truly doing God's work.

Tom Heaton and his team are doing incredible things in Guatemala. The lasting gifts that are being shared are amazing. Mission Guatemala's medical clinic helps between 300-400 monthly that would not otherwise get medical care. The feeding program provides meals for 100 kids 5 days a week. The joy and love Tom and his team have for the people of Guatemala is something everyone feels when spending time there. I would 110% recommend Mission Guatemala in the future. I can't wait to return.

I was blessed with the opportunity to serve alongside the Mission Guatemala staff for 6 days this fall. It was an amazing opportunity to work alongside their team as they serve the people of the San Andres & Panajachel communities. The work that they are doing for families & children is amazing.

Participated with volunteer team to assist mission staff in installing efficient, properly-vented wood-burning stoves in the homes of poor residents of the area. Very good basic instruction in stove assembly on first day. It's too bad all of the stove components had to be stored in secure areas down a flight of stairs from where we loaded them onto the pickup truck for delivery and assembly, which made for some additional hand-toting each piece, some of which were very heavy. I suggest the mission purchase, or ask for donation of, a heavy-duty dolly.

The difference that Mission Guatemala has made in just one year of operation is amazing. The work - and the outpouring of support from so many congregations - speak to the power of being church in the world by working collaboratively in communities to assess and support basic needs. I believe that Misison Guatemala will serve as a model for how to assure that missional efforts really meet the needs of the persons they are meant to serve. My team left Guatemala knowing the impact we had on the persons served, and motivated to continue our support of the efforts of Mission Guatemala.

I went with a Methodist church group to help build more efficient cook-stoves for Mayan women living in villages near Panahachel, and to work on improving the fence and play ground equipment for villagers.
Organized materials other groups have sent or brought down. Entertqined the chileren one afternoon at La Nueva Esperanza.

I was amazed to discover how much Mission Guatemala has accomplished having been in existence for only one year. Compared to other missions I have volunteered for, one would have thought it had been established for ten or more years. It seems to have the ability to cut through red tape and address needs quickly and effectively. It is clear that it's priority is to serve the people rather than the organization. I would gladly volunteer to go back to help out with Mission Guatemala.

What a blessing to go to Guatemala and work with this great team of people. It was a wonderful week with amazing opportunities to interact with the welcoming, but needy people in rural Guatemala. Tom and Dave are so dedicated to the cause and worked so very hard to make everything go smoothly while we were there. In the short time we were there, it seemed like we were able make a real difference. Even better, we could see the longer-term impact that Mission Guatemala is making, as we attended a special ceremony hosted by a small villiage that honored Mission Guatemala for it's work among them and officially opening a new kitchen & dining room that will enhance the feeding ministry.

I have known Mission Guatemala's director for over 10 years and have been honored through that connection to assist by obtaining a discount from a shipping company so that donations gathered via churches in the United States can be economically sent to the mission's location in the highlands of Guatemala. I have also made donations, and assisted by translating and by preparing documents for the mission's registration as a Guatemalan non-profit (which will be in addition to its US non-profit status). I have visited the mission on two occasions in the past year and have been amazed and impressed at the progress made in implementing new programs such as the nutritional center building and school-children feeding program in Nueva Esperanza, the opening of medical and dental clinics in San Andres Semetebaj, and an onsite pre-school there. This is one of the best organized and accountable non-profits operating in Guatemala and it is all done in a culturally appropriate way, with respect and love for the local residents that it serves

I led a team from Lafayette, Indiana: 20 people representing two congregations. The size of our group allowed us to break into three work crews that were each able to finish their projects (furniture for the feeding center, help weigh and measure kids at Nueva Esperanza, painting the mission site, and digging at the new home site) thanks to the diligence and encouragement of the Mission Guatemala staff. The size of our group challenged and sometimes stretched thin the Mission's staff, as they had to run many errands for paint, screws and shovels, but they were always helpful in getting us what we needed to be successful in our projects.

As a leader, this was an easy trip to plan and lead. Mission Guatemala was extremely gracious in hosting us. They had all of our meals, lodging and transportation lined up. All were excellent and exceeded my expectations.

Reflecting on the trip, Mission Guatemala did a superb job of fostering relationships. We were able to meet with the native peoples in the villages and get to know many of them by working onsite for several days. Those that worked on the furniture for the Feeding Center at Nueva Esperanza were able to foster relationships with the children of the village who often helped sand and enjoyed playing games with the team. The paint crew was able to interact with the doctor, dentist and preschool children as they went about their day. The "diggers" were able to befriend the contractor and helper who were hired by Mission Guatemala to instruct the work team.

If I had to summarize the trip, it would be blessings through relationships with the Mission staff and those we came into contact with. In all honesty, it was the relationships that made it hard to leave; and, it is the relationships that are calling me (and others from my group) back.

I was part of a church mission group that worked on three different projects. One was installing stoves in homes in remote locations that had no means to get safe cooking facilities. I worked on a project to build cabinets and desks for an elementary school and the third profect was helping to build a house for a displaced family.
Mission Guatemala has established a medical clinic with a doctor and a dentist, a pharmacy and a pre-school for 90+ children. All are clean, well managed and provide despirately needed services. They have also built a feeding building at the school which feeds all the children a daily meal and provides help to the families as well

I was able to be a part of a team that assembled stoves (wood burning) in some of the neediest homes in the Panajachel area. I also assisted with other work such as working on the foundation of a local home as well as sanding & varnishing tables for a feeding center. Our team worked hard not only getting the stoves assembled but also took time to interact with the families we were helping. It was exciting to see the homes & really feel like what we were doing was going to make a difference in their day to day lives. All of our accommodations (lodging, meals, transportation) was completely taken care of and always timely. The "fun day" was also well planned out and fantastic!

I went on my first mission not knowing what to expect. I was one of thirteen people from Johns Creek United Methodist Church trying to help the people of Guatemala and make a difference. I think they helped me more than i helped them? I was installing stoves in the mountains. The stoves were vented out through the roof to help the quality of air in the house. Most of the children & some of the adults had running noses and coughs. I was shocked to see a foot or more of smoke in the ceilings of the houses. The people were so grateful for the stoves. ( helping them use less wood & the health benefits.) I enjoyed seeing the excitement in their faces. The experience was incredible and look foward to coming back. Tom Heaton & Dave Burns were great host & have the passion it takes to make Mission Guatemala work. The whole week went smoothly & our group was lucky enough to see the opening of the food center. It was a good experience seeing the children sing & dance. Then we were served the first lunch in the new center. God Bless, Allan Chandler

This was an amazing trip and the best trip I have ever taken. Tom inspires me and he takes great care of his mission teams. Very well organized, great meals, very safe and a chance to help others and create new friendships. We also had translators.

I came to Guatemala thinking I was going to help others and in tern this experience has helped me. We not only worked for the people but we worked with the people. The people from the regions we visited were friendly, willing to help and work along with us and we were able to make true accomplishments along the way. We showed God's love through doing not just telling. In the short time we were there, we were able to work on foundation of a home for a family who main provider was diagnosed with Arthritis and we were able to dig a 8 foot latreen with just shovels. We helped paint parts of the clinic, and childrens school, build benches and table, put up wood buring stoves, and interact with the community to show love and caring. We even had time in the evening to shop in the stores and eat different variety of foods. This in turn was helping their economy out and providing food on tables for the merchants selling. I am thankful and have been thanked by many in the community and surrounding communites. The children were so interested in learning from us they picked up carpentry skills just by us allowing to participate in te work with us; giving all of us a sense of accomplishments. Thanks to all that went with me and my daughter. We are excited to see the changes that have occured on our next trip back.

I spent a week in Guatemala with Mission Guatemala. Even though a week is such a short time I feel that our group was able to make a lasting impact on the futures of San Andres and Nueva Esperanza. Tom and Dave do an excellent job of working in and with the community to identify real needs that can be met by Mission Guatemala and the teams. They also involve the community in some of these projects empowering people to help each other.

I have done many years of volunteer and mission work and can honestly say this is one of the best experiences I have had. David and Tom are not simply there to give the people what they think they need but instead to listen to the voices of the community to find out what the community thinks they need. Their relationship with the community far exceeded my expectations and I felt the work we did was not just busy work but a critical part of a larger picture. Everyone on staff was helpful, kind and considerate both towards us and towards the people of Guatemala. I would recommend this mission to anyone.

My experience with Mission Guatemala was nothing short of glorious! As a volunteer I was able to bring my entire family so each of us was able to help the people of San Andres and Nueva Esperansa according to our individual talents, and experience special private moments to carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
The flexible schedule enabled us to "roll" with the weather, their needs etc. and still achieve our goals of painting the clinic, digging a foundation, and building furniture with the local people. It was this type of local interaction that was the "magic" of the trip. We worked hard and were rewarded with sincere heartfelt emotion and smiles of appreciation. We were sad when it came time to leave our new friends.
I have a fresh understanding of "do all the good you can" and will continue "as long as I can" because of Mission Guatemala.

Mission Guatemala is a fabulous ministry. In less than a year they have started a medical clinic, dental clinic, pre-school and feeding center that are really making an impact on the in and around San Andreas.

Tom and his team have a real passion for helping the people of the area and work tirelessly. They work to understand the needs of the community and look for ways solutions that engage the people being helped.

Twenty of us served from Lafayette, Indiana for one week. The first day was a little slow as we tried to match our skills and abilities with the work that needed to be done. During the week we built tables and benches for a feeding center, cleaned and painted buildings for a medical and dental clinic, leveled and prepared a home site for construction.
I was impressed with how Mission Guatemala works in partnership with the local people. The most rewarding part of the experience was the contact we had with local people. Because our last two work days were school holidays school children helped with the benches and tables for their feeding center. Now whenever they eat there they will be able to say, "I helped build these tables and benches."

Our group returned just over 24 hours ago and I could not wait to share what a wonderful mission this is. I am on fire about all of the service that Mission Guatemala is bringing to the communities of San Andres and Nueva Esperanza. I highly recommend this organization and encourage you to go and "do all the good you can". It makes a tremendous difference in the lives of people who really need help and are incredibly gracious and proud.

Everything we did there was wonderful. It was a great experience to do all the things we were able to do. Even though they said they didn't feel like they were not very organized I thought Tom did a great job in keeping us all informed on what was happening and what we were going to be doing for the day.

Tom and Dave do a great job at providing work for volunteers, even as Mission Guatemala is a new organization. Their work there is also providing for the needs of so many people in San Andres, and now, Nueva Esperanza, a town across the street from San Andres. I had the awesome opportunity to watch and help the feeding of the students in that town. Too cool! Every weekday, Mission Guatemala's food clinic provides lunch for 100 kids right after school. It was such a blessing to be a part of that!

The clinic is led by some guys that are truly working out of their genuine love for the people of San Andres, and it's definitely made me rethink what it means to "give." It's been an awesome learning experience and I hope to come back soon.

Mission Guatemala is doing fantastic work in the area of San Andreas. In addition to providing medical assistance, physical care, and nutrition, Mission Guatemala is uniting and embracing many United Methodist congregations in Indiana, USA, which are sending vital medical supplies and volunteers. More recently, Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg, IN packed over one ton of medical supplies for MG. Mission Guatemala is a great work of God that is providing hands-on help to those in need.

The success of this organization beyond this first year will depend entirely on which Mission Statement Tom decides to follow. Outsiders coming in to start projects that someone else is expected to complete usually enjoy the time they are in Country but nothing ever gets completed. It ends up being a trip for the sake of taking a trip. If however Tom focuses on facilitating medical trips and is able to connect usable physicians with patients in need, then I would expect the efforts of Mission Guatemala to bear fruit. - jim r.

Our church congregation in Nashville, Indiana has been amazed by the transformation Mission Guatemala has made in the last year under the leadership of Rev. Tom Heaton. What began as prayer for a small Mayan village in San Andres has developed into a site with a medical clinic served by a multi-lingual doctor and a facility for preschool. Strong support is allowing a dental clinic and a nearby Feeding Center to take shape. Rev. Heaton has a gift for skillfully matching needs with resources. Dave Burns has the energy and know-how to get projects done.

Mission Guatemala provides realistic opportunities for churches and individuals to make a difference in this poor area. In a few short months, donations have helped to hire local workers, and volunteer mission teams have been inspired to work on projects that will improve health, nutrition, education, and housing. Mission Guatemala reminds us that all of us are empowered to make a difference though our gestures of love.

Jeff and I had an incredible experience. The people of Guatemala are wonderful. We kept pinching ourselves "this is more like a vacation, than a mission trip!" Then it dawned on us.....We are the ones learning the lesson here!" The mission continues with us at home. "WE" are to spread the information! And we plan to do just that! Great time, great food, great leaders and great fellowship......who could ask for anything more?! First mission trip for us, will not be the last! Tom and Dave are on the "ball". They know what to do to get the most out of their volunteers! "Big Dave" and Tom are the best, between the both of them, you have your planner, your gatherer, your executer and all around good guys! A good time was had by all! I'll be back! Hasta la vesta.......Batman! The Boleys, Rhea Ellen and Jeff

I spent a week in Panajachel, Guatemala, working with Tom Heaton and the Mission Guatemala staff. I found the work to be both challenging and rewarding, and left with a true sense of accomplishment. After working for, and with, the local residents, I was truly impressed with their pride, work ethic, and open acceptance of the volunteers and their efforts. Tom and his staff have built an amazing relationship with the local population, based on trust and mutual respect, in a very short time and their progress has exceeded all expectations.

The local Mayan people were there working with us to improve their pre-school and Clinic. This was not a unique event. The same was happening with the building of a new school cafeteria at a different site up the road. There is huge potential for these people because of their desire to better themselves. There is no poverty of spirit, only a poverty of opportunity and basic living essentials. I look forward to watching the future progress of this Mission, still in it's infancy, and look forward to continuing to support it. My hope is that the many other missions currently in Guatemala will reach out to one another to synergize their efforts. My fear is that ego and self importance from well intentioned support groups may create unnecessary duplication, confusion, and ultimately cast a divisive atmosphere where so much good can be accomplished.

I had the opportunity to lead a team of 12 adults from my church to Guatemala to work with Mission Guatemala. My entire team was impressed with the work MIssion Guatemala is doing in the region of San Andres, Guatemala and the nearly immediate impact their work is making in lives around the area. Through Mission Guatemala's medical clinic, soon to be operational dental clinic, preschool, feeding program, and countless other services it became apparent to my team that the opportunities for Mission Guatemala to grow in meeting the needs of individuals in the area are endless.

As the leader of this team I greatly appreciated the way in which Mission Guatemala used not only our team fees to be in country but the ways in which it uses its donations of supplies and money to engage the local community and meet as many needs as possible.

I would highly recommend Mission Guatemala as an non-profit organization that is making a difference in the lives of the people of Guatemala. I would not hesitate to take another team there and am actually planning another trip this fall.

The preparation materials for this mission were A+. We had all the pre-planning materials to make for such a successful trip!

We arrived in Antigua the first night and stayed at a hotel. We had that evening to explore the area. The hotel was nice and conveniently located to the square. The next day we were shuttled in reliable comfortable vans to Las Buenas Nuevas, the compound that we stayed at for the trip in Panajachel. There were 13 of us in 2 homes and we had plenty of room. The homes were very clean and comfortable. The location was wonderful...we looked out at Lake Aitlan with 2 active volcanoes on either side across the lake. The complex was gated and very safe. On the way to Panajachel we had the opportunity to stop at the Chichicastenango market. I enjoyed this time to explore and experience an open market in Guatemala.

I can't say enough good things about Mission Guatemala and the work they are doing in the community. Our hosts, Tom Heaton and Dave, re-enforced the fact that with any opportunity to interact with the children or people of the area, stop your work and just BE THERE! They are very down-to-earth and you feel like you know them from the beginning of the trip. They made this just the best mission experience! The food at the compound we were served was terrific!!! I had prepared myself for the type and amount of food that I might be served while I was in Guatemala, but I'd have to say it was worth 4 stars. Tom and Dave also took us to dinner one evening at a local restaurant with a marimba show.

On the last day we traveled to Guatemala City to a hostel. Four of us were in one small bedroom (it is a hostel so we were prepared), but the location was only 1 minute from the airport! The food was also very good. (The owner of the hostel was perhaps not the most organized, but he was personable and a great cook!)

Overall, I just couldn't have asked for a better trip!!! The people and children of Guatemala will always have a place in my heart. I learned so much from Mission Guatemala. Thank you!

I have nothing but good things to say about Mission Guatemala and the work that Tom Heaton and his team are doing there. I have done many US trips but this was my first international project. Even here in the states the accommidations can be bad, the job preparation and details can be poorly handled and you can leave a work site feeling like you didn't really get to show the face of Christ to anyone but your own team. At Mission Guatemala we had great accommidations and Tom had the details of travel etc. all worked out. We were free to do the work needed while interacting with the children in the schools and the people of the communities. I left knowing that our group would be remembered long after our week was over. We can't wait to go back and continue the work God is directing through this mission! Cindy

This is an amazing organization. Tom Heaton has a passion for helping the people of Guatemala and he puts his passion to work through projects that impact the people directly. While I was helping at the misison I sanded and varnished furniture that will go to the people now living in the tent city. I went to the tent city myself and saw the conditions and the need. I also wired metal supports for the feeding center in Nueva Esperanza. By the end of the week the supports were already up and surrounded by cement. Direct action and immediate results. I also went to a school in San Andres were the misison is donating $ for a school wide activity. The goodwill Tom is creating will have lasting affects.

We worked with Mission Guatemala serving the mission in the community of San Andres. During our time there, we helped to build a playground for the preschool/feeding program, worked on furniture for a displaced Mayan community, began digging a foundation for a food distribution center, and took and printed photos for families. Mission Guatemala was great about offering a variety of projects to keep our team active and interested.

Additionally, Tom Heaton, the director of Mission Guatemala, has worked with local lodging facilities to provide some of the best lodging we've had on any of our volunteer mission trips. It was a great place in a location that allowed us to walk out the front door into the heart of Guatemalan culture.

Bringing 20 people on our team, we were the largest group that Mission Guatemala had hosted to date. They did a great job at handling such a large number. Honestly, I've seen few who handled large groups nearly as well. Of particular note was the fact that Tom and Dave (another leader in Mission Guatemala) made it a point to join us for meals and interact with the team on a regular basis. All told, this was one of our favorite trips.

The ladies (on our small team of six) painted a mural on the side of the preschool building and then went on to paint the walls of the future dental clinic. The guys, under Dave's expert supervision and guidance, built monkey bars and an eagle's nest which were the first equipment on the playground. The kids were so fun to watch as they explored and discovered just how they could climb all over everything! (Although it did cause some small problem for one or two of the moms who came to retrieve their little ones - the kids wanted to stay and play!)

Tom and Dave took such care of us, providing cooks, a driver and a wonderful place to stay that we felt very pampered. Having said that, it was my husband's and my first mission trip.

We were so very touched by the people, their dignity and depth of poverty that we will be forever changed. As Christ's hands and feet in this world, we are moved to continue to do all the good we can for all the people we can.

Work was rewarding as our team completed or started various components of three different mission-specific programs that ranged from basic feeding programs for children to medical and dental clinic operations. Our team also worked to finish primitave furniture for a tent community adjacent to the community where the mission site is located.

I found our Mission trip to be a wonderful experience. I was impressed with how well Tom and Dave treated us and organized our time. I personally was inspired by the chance to contribute my talents to help those families in Guatemala that need help. I was touched deeply by everyone involved in our trip. To see the hope and determination in the people who have such a hard struggle for even the most basic needs was truly humbling. I thank God for the chance to give back and to honor him with our work. Look forward to the chance to do it again.

What an amazing experience my husband Victor and I had this past week in Guatamala. Meeting Tom and Dave- who by the way are two of the most terrific people I have ever met- was an honor. They are so humble but are doing so much for so many. They really went above and beyond as our hosts. Our work painting and building furniture was fun- we came to know everyone so well and all worked in harmony. What a joy!
As someone who struggled a bit with the decision to go-- would I be able to be of help?, would it be awkward?, would my family survive without me?, I can tell you from the bottom of my heart I have no regrets. It was one of the best most spiritually rewarding experiences of my life. I am forever changed. God Bless Tom and Dave and all of the people of Guatamala!