Guatemala

    The opportunity to take part in another adventure has come to my door. Although I've known about Kelly Shank’s plan to go to Guatemala for months I have swept it aside due to school and work and figuring that I probably wouldn't be able to get off for it anyway. But here I am: off work for that week, I’ll be finished school, and nothing standing in my way of going to Guatemala. I have never been to Guatemala so I am excited about the unknown and all that I have to learn before this trip. I took 4 years of Spanish so I’m going to brush up on my very very rough Spanish. Unlike my last trip to Brazil where I struggled to even read Portuguese out of my translation book, I am slightly familiar with Spanish. Because medical missions is something heavy on my heart, I have ideas swirling around as to how I can incorporate 1^st aid and medical education into this trip. I also can’t wait to explore all of the tools and resources out there to spread the Gospel in Spanish. There are tracks, bracelets, and books that are only a purchase away from going with me and being in the hands of the Guatemalans. We will be partnering with Forever Changed International and while there we will work in workshops for local woman, a preschool, a feeding center, and Dorie’s Promise.

     One thing that also strikes me as being especially exciting about this trip is that it is my first international missions trip with my home church. Recently I have been learning a lot about what it means to be a part of a local church and what community looks like. I have learned that we often do not live life together on a day-to-day bases and we only meet together to learn once or twice a week, but we do not serve our broader community together very often. I believe that this is where true community will come alive! Although meeting and talking about biblical truths is important, I feel closest to people when I serve with them for the cause of Christ. When I think about the women that are going on this trip I am so pumped! I have known many of these women for many years. Two of these women I baby sit for and I LOVE their kids, 2 ladies I have met with and grown with through encouragement and discipleship, and others I have recently gotten to know much better through book studies and serving locally together. I cannot wait to serve with these women and then come back home with a deeper spiritual bond as a body of believers with the same mission locally and globally: spreading the Word of God.

    If you’re interested in supporting me for this trip, Valley Grace Brethren Church is where my funds will be collected. Gifts are tax-deductible. You can send any financial support to 17310 Gay Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 with checks made out to Valley Grace Brethren Church and a memo of Elizabeth Draper-Guatemala. It will cost approximately $2000 for the entire trip (airline tickets haven’t been purchased yet). Plus I plan on buying things to use including first aid supplies, salvation story bracelets, tracks, and maybe books.
I am so excited! Please join me in prayer in preparation for this trip!