Guatemala Mission Trip 2025
Dear Graceview Family,
For the past seven years, the Presbytery of West Toronto has organized a mission trip to Guatemala, and it has proven to be a deeply transformative experience for all who have participated. This mission offers opportunities to engage in discipleship, serve in ministry, and build meaningful relationships with our Guatemalan partners. I sincerely invite you to consider joining the 2025 trip, which will take place from March 6th to 14th. I am planning to take study leave to be part of this mission, and I would love for you to join us.
This mission is open to adults, youth (Grade 7-12), as well as mature adults and seniors who are physically healthy and ready to serve. It’s a chance to grow in faith while making a real difference in the lives of others.
If you’d like to learn more before committing, we will be holding a preparation session this Sunday at 4 p.m. at SGK. I encourage you to attend and find out more about this worthwhile journey.
Further details are Below: Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to participate in a deeply impactful mission
PLANS FOR GUATEMALA MARCH 6
TH – 14
TH TRIP 2025
Name: Christian Mission and Discipleship – short term project
Aims:
1) Discipleship – Christian training for team members
2) Serve – seek to assist our friends in fulfilling ministry work
3) Relationship – deepen respect & unity with Guatemalan partners in ministry
4) Education – understanding another culture & their approach to faith & life
Leaders: Tim Bruneau & Julio Miranda
Participants: Adults & Youth (grade 7 to 12) – up to 16 members
Guatemalan Partner/Guide – primary partner is Central Presbyterian Church in
Guatemala city [Iglesia Evangelica Presbiteriana] – Pastor Stuarto, Elder Eddy
Preparation:
1) Starting June 2024 – promote, recruit, begin forming itinerary
2) September: finalize the members of the team
3) September → March – monthly meetings focus on prep, prayer, Bible,
intercultural education, fundraising planning, presentation practice
- key fundraisers in November 2024 & in January 2025
Notes: focus on:
1) Antigua (Elder Eddy & Walter) [Guatemala City on March 6 & 14 –
arrival & departure]
Meals – members share in preparation, serving, cleaning up (pairs on schedule)
- sort out basic allergies or strong dislikes before arrival
- bring good empty water bottle to use for whole time
Gifts – we don’t give out toys, gifts, or treats as individuals – we bring all gifts with us in large cases – also, the $ tips & large donations are worked into cost of trip, but members may give freely/discreetly to the ministry’s we partner with.
Devotion – Daily Quiet time: 7:00-7:10 – group check in, opening prayer; 7:10-
7:35– Quiet time alone; 7:35-8:00 – group worship, discussion, prayer – youth
take turns leading devotion (in pairs)
~8:00pm – reflection, sharing of days experiences
Faith story – members may create a 3 minute faith story ready to share in visits
Drama – team will put together a couple skits based on Biblical themes
Music – team prepares several songs to share on visits (& sing in devotion times)
Cost breakdown: $2,200/member (~$800/flight – covered by the PWT grant of
$15,000); remaining $1,400/member – each gives $300 in November, then $300
in February (total $600); the remaining $800 we will fundraise as a group together
Packing List, Use of Technology & Code of Conduct Covenant – extra documents
Bring – large suitcase for each member that we will leave down there (filled with
necessary items for the people we go to serve & partner with)
You can bring ~ $50 US for personal snacks [+ $50 US if you wish to make donations at
Churches & Ministries + $50 US if you wish to buy some gifts/coffee to take home]