Guatemala Team Reports

As the year nears its end, so does our little project for the two villages we worked in this year! About two weeks ago Hands for Peacemaking staff was able to deliver the white boards and teacher desks they built at the Aller Skills Center (ASC) in Barillas to the village of San Agustin, using funds raised by our 2025 team.

The other good news is that shortly after Marco and family returned to Guatemala from the United States, they took delivery on the foundation’s new Toyota Landcruiser pickup. The pickup will update the little fleet of vehicles they have at the ASC, some late 1990s vintage, that have been held together with elbow grease, spare parts, bailing wire and pure mechanical ingenuity. We appreciate all of our donors who made this purchase happen.

A final piece of good news is that Marco and Mimi’s 16-year-old son Alan, whom many of you have met and even worked with in Central America, had his U.S. Visa approved earlier this month too, which means he can start coursework at Edmonds Community College in January. Congratulations to Alan!

And, typing of donors, please don’t forget to sign up for Hands for Peacemaking’s Heart of Guatemala Dinner and Fundraiser event at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 in Everett. This is the major annual benefit for the organization that keeps us returning to Guatemala and handles all of the details while we are there. Attendance also gives you a chance to mingle with many others who have been on Hands for Peacemaking mission and humanitarian trips, as well as learn about what’s new with the organization. Our goal is to fill Floral Hall! We are also looking for business and individual sponsors at different levels: Table, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with escalating visibility and perks at each level. Marine View team volunteer Lynn Cruz is coordinating these event sponsorships, so feel free to reach out to her with questions.

I am also pleased to report that we already have more than a dozen people committed to going to Guatemala this spring with the Marine View team. But we do need to raise funds for our team too in order to purchase the 135 stoves and water filters we will need for the village of Montenegro. If you would like to help with this effort please contact me, or donate here (Give to Guatemala Mission in dropdown).

Wishing each and every one of you wonderous blessings this holiday season. May you have a very Merry Christmas and a productive, memorable and amazing New Year.

-Brian