The 5Ws

Many of you reading this have a general idea of what we are doing, but I hope there are also people who don't. Keep on reading for more information!

Who is Going?
Pat has been to Guatemala with AOJ numerous times. She owns her own business in Calgary and in her spare time likes being outdoors running and biking, enjoys photography, playing piano, singing and learning Spanish.
Len has been to Guatemala several times. He is our team leader once we get to Guatemala as he has vast knowledge about the houses we are building. In Calgary, he works as a home builder and designs, builds and problem solves through the building process. He is a golfer, enjoys fixing cars and studies Spanish.
Darryl has been to Guatemala twice previously. He is a strong leader and uses his energy to encourage and support other people. He works in supply chain management and enjoys wood working as a hobby.
Colleen went to Guatemala last spring and fell in love with the children there. She spends her time caring for and helping others. She loves wholeheartedly and is a blessing to everyone in her life. She is a wife, mother to three incredible daughters and volunteers in multiple ministries in the church.
Justine has not previously been to Guatemala. She lives in Lethbridge and works as an educational assistant in an elementary school and is also part time at a church coordinating children's ministry and young adults. She will be able to use her love for teaching and for children by leading a bible story at the school in Guatemala.
Leah: This is Leah's first trip. She works in Calgary as a Registered Nurse, and is hopefully going to get the chance to work with the nurse in Guatemala. She enjoys playing piano, crafting and playing soccer. She hopes to be able to expand her small Spanish vocabulary this trip.
Andrew has also never been to Guatemala but is going to be a great asset as he is a family home construction worker! When he isn't working, Andrew spends time with his two adorable little girls and likes skiing, playing sports and boating.
Kim is eager to return to Guatemala (she previously went in 2012). By day she is a rehabilitation therapy assistant and by night loves to play soccer, make jewelry, crochet, knit and read.
Jacqueline is excited about her first trip to Guatemala! She works in a care home as a physio and occupational therapy assistant. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing and aspires to become better at yoga.

What will we be doing?
A mission trip run in partnership with Bonavista Baptist Church (BBC) and Arms of Jesus (AOJ) mission in Guatemala. (To read more about AOJ, you can go here --> http://www.armsofjesus.org/guatemala or read a little in the Why section below). We will be building 12 houses in the week we are there. Most families live in houses build on a dirt floor with little protection from wind and rain. We will build them a small home made of drywall with a tin roof built on a concrete floor. We will also be visiting the school, and many of us will be visiting with our sponsor children. We are there to love the families and support and encourage the AOJ staff.

When are we gone?
 April 09-19, 2015

Where on earth are we going to be?
Antigua, Parramos and the surrounding areas. We will be building in Buena Vista which is about 20 minutes from the AOJ campus

Why do we think this is important?
We believe that God has called us to help others. We believe that God loves children, and they have the capabilities to do amazing things. AOJ in Guatemala recognized that the children have physical, emotional, material and spiritual needs that were not being met. They stepped into partnership with the Guatemalan community to support and encourage children. AOJ has also reached out to churches around the world, including BBC. By intervening and meeting the children's needs, AOJ strives to form Christian leaders and encourage them to become a positive change in the lives of their family and community.
Through AOJ, over 800 children have been sponsored. Sponsored children receive free education, they have access to medical care, clothing, food and other basic needs. The school in Parramos we will be visiting has 500 children registered from kindergarten - Grade 6. The trade school provides  hands-on-training for students to learn a skill that can be used in the marketplace.


The Families we are building for: 
1) Ingrid (40) is a single mom with three children - Shirley (22 with a 2 year old daughter, also named Shirley), Sharis (15), Anthony (13).
2) Juan (28) and Mayra (20) and their son Gregorio (2 months)
3) Marco Antonio (40) and Maria Olimpia (43). Maria suffers from chronic illness and takes care of their four children - Wendy (20), Wilder (18), Lesley (16), Dulce (10)
4) Danilo (34) and Veronica (35 and 6 months pregnant). Edith (13), Anahi (9), Abner (7)
5) Yonifer (24) and Heidy (30), Jeferson (8) and Dereck (1).
6) Ronald (27) and Ortencia (27, pregnant), Jose (9), Darlyn (6)
7) Juan (38) and Catarina (33) and their nine children - Carolina (17), Nelson (16), Heidy (14), Karina (11), Lesvia (9), Juan (8), Miguel (6), Evelyn (4), David (2)
8) Sandra (28) is a single mother with three children. Samanta (16), Brandon (14), Michael Daniel (9)
9) Elueterio (38) and Andrea (32). Esteven (9) has cerebral palsy, Abraham (5), and Daniel (3)
10) Jorge (29) and Yojana and their two children - Yojana (2) and Anderson (3 mon)
11) Luis (34) and Betzy (30), Edson (7), Dylan (4), Lisbeth (1)
12) Karina (36) is a single mother, Abner (18), Samanta (17), Nicole (14)


We would love if you could be supporting us in prayer as we are gone. Pray for the families that are going to be receiving the houses, and for the children at the school. Pray for health for our team members and safety at the job sites. Pray that we are able to use our specific talents/skills to bless the families and the staff.

Between myself (Leah) and Justine, we will try our best to keep you updated once we leave Calgary. 

-Leah