Students from St. Peter’s Lutheran School and two high schools recently made connections with youths and families in Guatemala.
The week-long mission trip in September provided an opportunity for five eighth-graders and seven local high school students to connect with children attending Redeemer of the World Lutheran School in Santiago Zamora, Guatemala, said Scott Schumacher, St. Peter’s principal.
St. Peter’s formed a relationship with Redeemer of the World Lutheran School four years ago with local students traveling to Guatemala for the past three years, Schumacher said.
Lydia Hammons, a Columbus North High School senior, organized the trip as part of her senior project and went to Guatemala for the second time.
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Students from Columbus were involved in daily activities at the church, which involved leading a vacation Bible school program and playing games and sports with children, she said.
Cameron Kelly, a Columbus East High School senior, reconnected with people in Guatemala encountered on Kelly’s first trip there a year ago.
Students from Columbus worked with 60 children in kindergarten through sixth grade at the church and were assisted by three translators during the trip, Kelly said.
“That’s really important to us to build relationships,” Kelly said. “There’s something super genuine about loving Jesus together.”
Students also connected with families in Antigua, who were affected by an volcano eruption known as Volcàn de Fuego in June. The group from Columbus led a vacation community Bible school and played soccer with about 15 to 20 children in a refugee area that had been established, Kelly said.
Eighth-grader Claire Brooks said the trip granted her an opportunity to not only share her faith, but to help others.
“I kind of wanted to make my faith my own and do something,” she said.
Brooks’ sister, Avery Brooks, also participated on the mission trip, which allowed her to learn about a different culture. Many people she encountered were thankful for the group’s presence, she said.
“I think about the experience everyday,” Avery Brooks said. “I was so happy all week and nothing could bring me down.”
Jenna Abraham, a senior at Columbus East, said although individuals in Guatemala speak a different language, that didn’t necessarily matter since everyone was connected by their faith.
“The borders kind of disappear and it’s people I can interact with,” Abraham said.
Schumacher said the trip is intended to help students learn not only about a different culture, but to grow as individuals and inspire them to go back someday and continue making a difference. Part of the focus at St. Peter’s is having students who make a difference in the world, he said.
“I want them to grow spiritually and I want them to grow culturally,” Schumacher said. “I think we’re more appreciative of the blessings we have in our country.”
Hammons plans to attend Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, after she graduates and said she hopes to return to Guatemala someday.
“It was life-changing to spread the faith,” Hammons said.
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The mission trip in Santiago Zamora, Guatemala, led by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, has been occurring for three years after a partnership was developed by the church and Redeemer of the World Lutheran School four years ago.
Individuals who went on this year’s mission trip:
Eighth-grade: Avery Brooks, Claire Brooks, Chloe Krueger, Ben Sylva, Camera Trueblood
High school: Ruth Ann Mayer, Lydia Hammons, Cameron Kelly, Tyler Williams, Nathan Wettschurack, Julia-Wynne Foster, Jenna Abraham
Staff leaders: Mike Hinckfoot, executive director of ministries; Kelsey Spagnuolo, Spanish teacher at St. Peter’s; Mike Jessop, director of youth ministries; and Sarah Jessop, who is Mike Jessop’s wife.
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