by elfaro | Feb 24, 2014 | Sin Categoría
A church from Illinois very near and dear to our hearts is Cornerstone. Every team they have brought down in the past has been diverse and unique and in January that was no exception as they came down with their youth group. The group in total had 17 and included youth, the youth leaders, and parents.
They hit the ground running on the first day by splitting up into two groups and walking through the village of Punta de Palma to bless selected families with Eco stoves, water filters, and moringa trees. Each time brought the stoves, set them up in the kitchen of the house, and educated on the importance of using these special stoves that require less wood and emit less smoke into the houses. In addition, these families were also given water filters for clean water and the youth group planted moringa trees in their gardens.
The Cornerstone youth group also had the opportunity to go to Livingston and do a dental clinic and photo booth. While the dentists and their Cornerstone assistants were working on patients inside Miguel and Laura’s house, missionaries to Livingston, another group was outside taking pictures of families and printing them out. Scott Orr, a leader who has brought down past teams, said, “It was truly special to watch the students jump right in and start to work with the people of Livingston. They were more open than most adults I have seen.”
Another day the team made homemade rice krispy treats in order to take them to the garbage dump for the kids and their families. Every Thursday a church in Puerto Barrios makes and donates meals to the families and on this Thruday were able to help by bringing a dessert and also minister to the children through coloring books and games. It was a eye-opening experience for the whole team to witness the families that live in the dump. Katrina Bruder, a youth on the team, commented, “My eyes have been opened to the poverty here and the fact that we don’t see that all that often in the States, or if we do we are too quick to turn a blind eye to it. God has been challenging me to be more aware and compassionate towards those in need and others around me.” We are so thankful for each person that came on this team and know that God continues to use them now back home in Illinois. We look forward to seeing them again in the future!
by elfaro | Feb 24, 2014 | Sin Categoría
What’s that you see up in the jungle up in the trees at El Faro? It is the new high ropes course that has only been opened since January, but already had huge success. It started with a dream to build something that could challenge individuals, help them face fears, and also build unity in the groups that come to visit El Faro from both Guatemala and the United States. God was able to put the right people together for this project including our missionary friend from Argentina, Marcelo Hanko, who has built these in the past as well as Alejandro Petersen who has worked at camps in the states on their high ropes courses.
Not only is the view from the top of the course incredible, you see the forests surrounding you, as well as the mountains and also a view of the ocean. I felt a great sense of peace standing at the top. The course was challenging but was extremely fun pushing myself to do things I didn’t know I could do. Throughout the course I felt a connection with the people I was participating with through encouragement and instruction. This is such a great addition to El Faro! I am in love with every inch of this place. Ryan Buck, Oklahoma
After the completion of the beautiful course, Alejandro stayed on as a missionary to serve as guide and liason for groups participating in the course during their time at El Faro.Alejandro was raised in Guatemala City but served for two years at the Doe River Gorge Christian Camp in Tennessee at their ropes course. The El Faro course includes the actual ropes course, low elements, and soon a zip line. It will enable El Faro the challenge and encourage local youth, missionaries, and visiting groups with activities geared towards building trust, overcoming fear, learning team work, and increase personal accountability. Alejandro says, “These activities also help to demonstrate individuals and teams how to walk by faith, not by sight. In addition, there is the element of just plain fun in a wonderful jungle setting!”.
When I first toured the ropes course, I was struck by it’s first-class construction and daunting challenges. When I strapped into the safety harness, I came to appreciate the support of outstanding staffers and cheering spectators. For me, the swinging tires were the hardest challenge, though I did not attempt the fearsome “x” challenge. I am determined to work out harder this year so that I physically master all of the existing challenges, including the “x”. As far as the “leap of faith” that’s now under construction, we’ll have to see….Steve Ephraim, Iowa
What makes the El Faro ropes course unique is that it was built by God’s grace and blessing through the donations to build it, the people he sent to draw it up and build it, and now how people are being affected by it. “We didn’t have any idea how to build it, but God has given us wisdom, grace, and blessings,” Alejandro adds with much pride.
So far every US team that has come has come to El Faro this year has gone through the ropes course and it has quickly become a highlight of their trip. We are excited to see how God will continue to transform lives here at El Faro and in now in this unique and adventurous way!
by elfaro | Feb 24, 2014 | Sin Categoría
In January we had Wheaton Academy back for their third year but this time with a very different kind of group than years past. Instead of Spanish students traveling down to put their Spanish into action with Bible Clubs, we got a group of music students with the emphasis of sharing God’s love through interactive music performances throughout villages and also bigger cities.
The first two days included a trip to the village of Baltimore where the students were able to go to the houses of the villagers to hand out bags of food and personal items, pray for the families, and also invite them to a music concert for the next day. It was a great opportunity not only to witness how people live in our area of Guatemala, but also to talk with the people and hear about their families and their needs. Many times after praying there was not a dry eye left in the room and the Guatemalan families were so grateful that someone was taking the time to hear their problems and pray with them. Nate Urban, a junior, says, “In Guatemala as we were walking through Baltimore, seeing their houses, and their, what appeared to me as, lack of possessions. I was contemplating what it meant that Jesus gives “Life to the full.” Does it mean to have a shiny car and a tv? God showed me that “Life to the full?” has nothing to do with possessions; it is about the relationships that we have with the people around us and with God”.
The third day the team traveled to Livingston where they had a performance right in the middle of town for the public to hear and see. We were able to partner with our dear missionary friends Miguel and Laura and they invited a man from the church named Quique who is a famous singer there. He is now a Christian and sings Christian reggae music and also gave a concert. It was a wonderful ministry opportunity to reach the people of Livingston and also for the Wheaton team to see the unique culture of Livingston.
Another day the group traveled to Puerto Barrios where they visited the only music school run by one man who has dedicated his life to teaching kids how to read and play music. The Wheaton team had a chance to listen to the teacher explain how he teaches his students to read music and the struggle he faces of keeping kids involved in a city where there are many distractions. In addition, his students were able to perform for us and after we had a chance to then perform for them. The morning ended with a jazz improv session that with both Guatemalan and Wheaton students playing side-by-side. Steve Willemssen, the music teacher at Wheaton and leader of the team, said, “It was so fun teaching them American blues music through a translator, then having all of us play the same music all together. Long-term connections with that school and possible in-roads for the Gospel through that relationship are really neat to think about.” Our day in Barrios ended at the orphanage which is always a blast being able to play with the children.
We are so thankful for Wheaton Academy and the teams they bring down. They have such a heart of serving and we are honored that they choose El Faro to share God’s love whether it is through Bible Clubs, house visits, or music concerts.
by elfaro | Feb 24, 2014 | Sin Categoría
Meet Moringa. Also known as the “miracle tree” Moringa is popping up all over the world to fight malnutrition in the neediest of places. Now meet Montserrat Gonzalez. She is a missionary form Mexico who has been serving here at El Faro for the past three years and is involved with various projects at El Faro. When you mix these two things together something beautiful and exciting is made that is impacting the communities that we work in.
The Moringa plant contains seven times the Vitamin C than oranges, four times the calcium in milk, four times the vitamin A in carrots, two times the protein in milk, and three times the potassium in bananas. Is there any question what this tree is a miracle? Moringa originated in northern India and has been used in Indian medicine for over 5,000 years. Over time over thirteen distinct species of Moringa developed and was used by different societies around the world, each finding great value in it.
The leaves of the Moringa tree are extremely nutritious and the tree is very easy to grow. What is so incredible that it even seems to grow better in the places where malnutrition is highest. There are many ways of preparing the leaves including using the fresh leaves in salads, drying the leaves and sprinkle them over food, or even blending them in drinks or smooties . It does not have a strong taste and adds so much nutrition to any meal.
The idea of starting the Moringa project at El Faro came from the necessity to improve the nutrition of the children in the villages. Time after time we have seen the poor health of the children and knew a quick response was needed. We got input from four different sources and as we began to follow God’s lead, many doors opened. One huge door was a partnership with the Perenco Oil company who donatd 3,000 Moringa trees to help kickstart the project.
The long-term plan of the project is to go to different villages, especially those that are alongside the Perenco oil line, giving presentations, educating the people, and giving families the trees to plant in their homes.
We are so excited for what God has in store for this project and how the lives of the villages will change for the best because of this miracle tree.
by elfaro | Dec 15, 2013 | Sin Categoría
Galatians 6:10-Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
This verse in the beginning of the book of Galatians has been heavy on my heart these past few days. After reading it several times, what is called to my attention is that the apostle at the time of writing this did not use the words ‘time’, ‘resources’, ‘strength’ or ‘desire,’ which commonly are the reasons that make us desist from doing good or collaborate with others.
The word He uses is the word opportunity, which speaks of a unique circumstance in a specific time to do something. Similarly, the Christmas season reminds us how God in His unique way at a specific time sent his only Son into the world so that the world might be saved through him.
I encourage you to benefit from this excellent opportunity to bless others. There is no better time to bless those who serve Him with their time, resources, strengths and desires so that others know to celebrate Jesus.
As an organization we are blessed by people who help us with their prayers and offerings. Thank you for the opportunity they give us to do good to others.
David Vasquez
Director of El Faro
To make a Christmas Donation, please click HERE
by elfaro | Dec 10, 2013 | Bitácora, Blog
El Faro hosted their eighth consecutive Vacation Bible School earlier this month and it was one of the best yet! Ten years ago Zita Vasquez had been living and working at El Faro for just a few months when she realized the great need the children had in the surrounding areas. She began a small Bible Club and at the end of the first year she had the first Vacation Bible School with volunteers from a high school in Guatemala City. Eight years later we have many of the same volunteers now in the University, but serving with the same heart and compassion.
The theme of the Bible School was ‘Always With Me’. It focused around Psalm 23 and three stories about David’s life and how they relate to different verses found in the Psalm. “I chose this theme and stories because I think it is important that the children learn to trust God from an early age and that they know that God will never leave them”, explained Zita Vasquez.
The program looked something like this: The first three days in the morning we had the Bible School at El Faro with children from five different communities. We had kids arriving by foot, by a boat that we sent out, and also a bus for those that lived further away. On the second day in the afternoon we traveled to the village of Las Pavas. On the third afternoon we traveled to Barrios where half of the team went to the garbage dump to work with kids and the other half went to a needy neighborhood called Mitch. “This year the new challenge was to do two activities in two new locations at the same time”, said Zita. “In Mitch you could see much distance with the people and we didn’t know what to expect. Once we started the youth program many people came including children, youth, and adults and it was a wonderful time.”
Each year crafts are carefully planned to fit the theme of the VBS. The craft this year for the VBS at El Faro in the morning consisted of two things. The first one was designing plates that incorporated the theme of Psalm 23. All of the kids put a verse from the Psalm and also decorated the plates with sheep, roads, shepards, and calm rivers. Because the VBS talked about David and finished with him becoming King, the kids also decorated their own crown with jewels and stickers. The craft in the villages was making sheep for the kids and “stained glass” crosses for the youth.
Our special guests this year were Tio Abner and Youth For Christ Guatemala. Tio Abner has a children’s ministry where he performs a show complete with singing, dancing, and puppetry. He was a great blessing to the kids using his amazing talents for the Lord. Youth for Christ put on an incredible drama for the youth that really touched their lives. We are so grateful for the time they took to come and help El Faro with the VBS.
The last day was entirely in Livingston where we partnered with our friends Miguel and Laura who have a beautiful ministry there. We had a children’s program in the morning and youth program in the afternoon. This was also a challenge because Livingston is an entirely different culture and the kids are difficult, but in the end we have a very successful day and many children and youth were changed.
Over the course of four days we saw a total of 474 kids and 125 youth. We are overwhelmed by what God did this year not only with the children, but with the volunteer leaders and guests. God continues to amaze us with how much He uses children to spread His love and we are so grateful to be part of His work.
by elfaro | Dec 10, 2013 | Sin Categoría
The first time Cornerstone came to El Faro three years ago it was somewhat of an accident. They had a whole trip planned to go to the other side of the country when suddenly a hurricane hit Guatemala City and a volcano began to erupt. Their trip was canceled, but theee desire to go still remained. Through a series of events that can only be explained as ‘miraculous’, the team got hooked up with our teams Director, Keith Brutout, and Cornerstone came down to serve at El Faro.
Three years later and our friendship and partnership with Cornerstone Church is going strong. Within just a week in Guatemala this small team of nine did and saw a little bit of everything. The first day we went to Livingston to help Miguel and Laura Gonzalez with their ministry. We asked them to find someone in their community that we could help out. Tita is a single mother and a neighbor of Miguel and Laura. She had never had her house painted before. Tita does not attend church at the Gonzalez house, but her daughter Jaydi and young son Robinho do and Miguel and Laura are giving Jaydi a scholarship for school. Once the team started to paint, Tita, Jaydi, and Robinho, began to paint also. It was truly amazing to see Tita’s face fill with joy and pride as she added color to her home. Many of her friends who were walking by stopped to ask her what was going on and also to say how lucky she was.
In the afternoon the team did house visits to pray for people in the community. At each place the team was able to visit with the different families, understand a little about the culture, and pray for the specific needs.
Cornerstone also had an entire day in Barrios. It was a rainy day and they started first at the elderly home. The residents from the home were thrilled to have guests visiting them and one woman cried with excitement. The team presented a drama that they had prepared about Queen Esther and afterwards had the people from the home dress up and take pictures to print out. After that the team traveled to the garbage dump to again present the drama and help a church with their feeding program.The day ended at the orphanage where the kids loved the drama and also had pictures taken all dressed up…complete with fake mustaches!
The day ended at the orphanage where the kids loved the drama and also had pictures taken all dressed up…complete with fake mustaches!
Something we admire about this team is the ability to step out of their comfort zones. It isn’t easy to come to El Faro where there is a different culture, language, and type of poverty. However, each team member let God work through them and touched the young and old alike. Thank you for your service and we can’t wait to have you back!
To see more photos click HERE
by elfaro | Dec 10, 2013 | Bitácora, Blog, Sin Categoría
The kids in the villages keep busy by going to school in the mornings and taking part in many of our programs at El Faro in the afternoons. Once school lets out for the year in October, many of the kids have little to do to occupy their time. El Faro had noticed this problem last year and responded by creating a Vacaction Summer School. This year we had our second school and again it was a huge success. Children came three times a week from 8am-11am and kept busy with games, a snack, an art project, and mental games to keep their minds active and challenged.
This year was different from last because instead of everyone working on one art project at the same time, they had stations where each day they would pick a different craft to do. The projects included learning how to braid hair and make a headband, making silly putty to take home, decorating rock turtles and creating a storybook about them, water painting, and kite building. The last week of vacation school they also made paper mache piggy banks. On the last day of Vacaction School all the kids had a chance to go to the soccer field and fly their kites that they had made.
Each day we had a total of 50 kids from three villages. The majority are kids that we work with on a weekly basis whether it is through Physical Education, Tutoring, Special Education, or Soccer. We have a strong bond with all of these kids and we care about their physical and mental development. This vacation school is a perfect opportunity for us to continue our relationship with them and also to challenge them creatively through the art projects and mentally through our different “mental games”. We know that these kids are becoming the change in their communities and we feel honored to be a part of it.
To see more photos click HERE
by elfaro | Nov 20, 2013 | Bitácora, Blog
In 2011 the Baumann family, (Debbie, Naomi, and Lenny), traveled to El Faro with their church, Cornerstone, in Illinois. That week-long missions trip left the Baumann’s with an imprint on their hearts and a calling that they couldn’t avoid. In the summer of 2012 they spent a whole month at El Faro to discover and experience more about the calling. After going back home and praying, the Baumann’s knew what needed to be done and needed a confirmation from God in the form of selling their house by a certain date. One day before their personal deadline, they miraculous got a call from a buyer, sold their house, and began to plan their year abroad serving in El Faro.
They have been here in Guatemala since July learning Spanish, serving in many areas at El Faro, and growing in their faith as a family. Here are some testimonies from there time so far.
Debbie Baumann
It’s hard to believe that we have been in Guatemala for 4 months. We have been at El Faro for 3 months, and our friends here have truly made it home! We feel like one big family.The Lord continues to provide new experiences and opportunities to serve. Most of my day consists of teaching English. Rather than teach large classes, I teach one to four students at a time. This allows me to adjust the classes to students’ needs. It is so exciting for me to see their progress! On a few occasions, God has opened the door for me to share more than English. I have been able to talk about what Jesus has done for me and my family. My prayer is that these opportunities will occur more and more. In addition to teaching, we have the privilege of being part of the Bible club which meets every Friday at the public beach and Exploridores which meets every Sunday in a local village. I love seeing the children’s excitement when they see the El Faro truck pull up!
Naomi Baumann
My schedule changes depending on what day it is. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I do my schoolwork in the morning. After lunch, I help Wendy, the dentist, with her patients until about 4:00. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are a little busier. In the mornings I do some schoolwork until 8:30. Then, I go to help at the soccer practice with the younger kids. Gavin and Brittany are the coaches. I finish at 12:00. After lunch I do more schoolwork and help Wendy at 2:00 (except for Friday, because this is the day we have Bible club at the beach). Saturday is kind of a day off, until I help teach/learn sign language with Mayra and Evelyn at 3:00. There are 3 deaf children and their families who come to learn sign language. On Sunday mornings we also have sign language class for the workers of El Faro. Later at 2:30 we go to Santa Maria to help teach Exploridores. After dinner we have church in the chapel. My favorite part of the week is Exploradores.
Lenny Baumann
When we first started talking about coming to El Faro, I didn’t want to come. After we left and got here, it wasn’t such a hard thing to do. Right now the main thing I do is schoolwork. When David talked with us last year about coming, he said that would be my main priority. Until I finish all of my work, that’s what it’s going to be. Monday thru Friday, I wake up at 6:00 and do TRX, a strength training workout.. Then, after breakfast (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) I help with soccer practice. I spend the rest of the morning doing schoolwork. If I don’t finish before lunch, I finish in the afternoon. Most afternoons I study some Spanish and run. On Friday afternoons I help with Bible club at the beach. On Saturdays in the morning, I relax. After lunch I go to youth group from 3:00 to 5:00. On Sundays I help with Exploridores. My favorite thing is helping with soccer.
by elfaro | Oct 21, 2013 | Bitácora, Blog
Throughout the year El Faro has teams travel from the United States to serve in different villages that El Faro has an active presence in. One of the goals of hosting these teams is not only to help the villages and to meet their needs, but also to influence the team members to return home to influence their own communities.
A beautiful example of a person who has come to El Faro and went home changed to continue to impact people is Amanda Secor.
My name is Amanda Secor. I am 24 years old. I grew up in Valparaiso, IN around cornfields & straight roads… boring! I’ve lived here all my life. I grew up in church, accepted Jesus when I was 9, but have felt a life change and spiritual growth mature the most over the last year. I went on my first out-of-country mission trip (to the Dominican Republic) my Sophomore year in high school where God broke my heart for people living in poverty & began to stir a love within me for Central America. Since then I graduated college within a minor in missions & a heart to reach the nations. I am married to my college best friend, Tyler, & have been for 2 years. You can find me as a special needs assistant during the day & a blogger at night. My blog is called “my love for Lyla” and can be found at www.myloveforLyla.blogspot.com
My mom went on several trips to Guatemala and I sat home envious that I wasn’t going as well. After going to the Dominican Republic in 2006 & Honduras in 2009 my heart ached to be back on the foreign mission field. She came home from one of her trips and told us all about this beautiful country and how it was impacting her heart. I knew that I too needed to experience this place. God called Tyler & I on a trip in June 2012. I immediately fell in love with the people, culture, El Faro, & ministry. I knew it was a place I would return over & over. It’s easy to come home from a mission trip & hurt for a few days but quickly fall back into that similar way of living. I came home from Guatemala in 2012 with a broken heart & a renewed spirit for missions and helping the less fortunate. Unfortunately I fell back into my comfort zone, but God rocked my spirit again when He called me back to Guatemala this past July. I came home changed, renewed, & broken.
As our group in June 2012 rode away on the boat my heart was broken. I longed for the day I would return again. When God called me back in July I was absolutely ecstatic and couldn’t wait to return. After returning it felt like I was coming home. Riding in on that same boat was overwhelming and brought me to tears. God was finally bringing me back to the place He had branded on my heart 13 months before. The missionaries, kitchen crew, grounds people, & staff of El Faro welcomed me with open arms and cheerful smiles. The work of the missionaries is beautiful and challenging. Each of them are answering God’s call on their lives & it has challenged me to search for my call and live it out. And that is exactly what I’ve been doing since returning to the states 3 months ago.
On my trip in July we visited the dump in Puerto Barrios. I had heard about it before & seen several pictures, but those things didn’t do justice to what I would experience for myself. I will never forget what it was like pulling into the dump & seeing mounds of garbage surrounding me. Amidst the garbage were beautiful children running without shoes & strong adults sifting through trash to find treasures to mend and sell. In those first moments my heart broke & was shattered for life. I had never seen anything like what I was seeing before me. I had the most incredible, heart & life-changing experience. I met a beautiful little girl named Mirna who will forever be imbedded on my heart & mind. Her joyful spirit and infectious smile warmed my heart and changed my heart. Upon leaving the dump my heart broke over and over. I felt like no matter how long I stayed it would never be enough time. I came back to the states and KNEW I had to do something about what I had seen. There was no way for me to see what I saw & do nothing. To me, that would be like looking at the face of God & saying no to His Voice. I had seen paper beads before and thought they were beautiful but didn’t feel a need to learn to make them. That was until I watched a video & realized that something as small as a bead made of paper can change the life of someone who is living in poverty and brokenness. I told my husband about the idea to start making jewelry & selling it to make money for the people in the dump. A few days later I watched a how-to video & began rolling beads. I haven’t looked back since.
When I decided to start making beads & had the idea to make jewelry I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But it’s a beautiful concept really. God is using these beads to mend my broken spirit & bring hope to my life. I’m so excited to see what they do for others.. both here & abroad. I am in the process of turning this idea into a small business & then into a non-profit. I want these beads to bring hope, healing, & love. I have a name picked out, based upon a beautiful verse in the Bible, & a piece of Scripture lined up to support my vision. Eventually I want to raise enough money to go to Guatemala and teach the women in the dump & whoever is willing to learn, how to make paper beads & jewelry and use the resources they have (cereal boxes, juice cartons, magazines, etc) to make a living. My vision is to see the people of the dump live prosperous, purposeful lives that involve hope & healing; because Jesus sees them where they are & desires for them to know His love for them. I also intend to use the raised money as a means to support those who are adopting abroad as well as other mission fields God places in my path. I am SO EXCITED to see where God takes this ministry and look forward to sharing more as it unfolds.
To see all about what Amanda is doing and learn more about her beads, follow her on her blog at: www.myloveforLyla.blogspot.com
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