SETECA Seminary

For those of you planning to join one of the teams coming to Guatemala in the future...here is a little look at what SETECA Seminary looks like. You can also check out the website at http://seteca.edu/index.php/en/




A commons area with a small snack shop with Coke, Fanta, and much more in case you are craving a little taste of the U.S. while away from home.



One of the many styles of rooms found on campus.



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Location:Avenida Bolivar,Guatemala City,Guatemala

It's Time To Go Back!

It's that time of year again...high school students will be signing up to go on our trip in March/April 2012. We will begin the signups by letting the 11th and 12th graders sign up first. After a certain date, if there is enough space on the trip, we will begin letting sophomores sign up, and then freshmen if there are still spots remaining.

TO SIGN UP:
Grab a Guatemala registration packet in The Lodge and turn the 2 forms in along with a $50 non-refundable deposit. The total cost of this year's trip will be close to $1,500 per person.

Additional Insights on the Guatemala Family Mission Trip

One of the great opportunities we had was to install wood burning stoves in the houses in the landfill. They usually use open fires for their cooking. Below is an article taken from the Helps International website. They were the provider of the stoves. It is so easy to take running water and a clean cooking source for granted. The team was able to install multiple stoves throughout the homes of the families of El Camino church this week.

The Problem

In the late 1980's, HELPS International's medical teams reported an alarming number of children being treated for burns and numerous respiratory problems. Don O'Neal, an engineer with HELPS, investigated and found that the problem was the method of cooking that the indigenous Mayan women used in their homes, a centuries old tradition:  cooking meals using an open fire pit on the dirt floor of their one room homes known as a "three-stone fire" with no ventilation, so families were inhaling noxious fumes causing Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI).  More specifically, Mr. O'Neal found:

·         That the high instances of facial and hand burns were due to children falling into these open fires when they were playing or learning to walk. 

·         That excessive smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in Guatemalan children under the age of 5, according to the World Health Organization.   The deadly gas carbon monoxide was found to be twice the level considered to be dangerous. 

·         That inefficient burning of wood for three-stone fires required the women and children to gather huge amounts of wood daily, contributing to Guatemala's deforestation at a level of 2% per year. The time lost to long treks to get the wood combined with the effect of carrying heavy loads had a detrimental health impact on women and their families. 

The Solution

After consideration of the cultural as well as technological factors surrounding three-stone fires, Don O'Neal developed the "ONIL" Stove, a method of cooking that is compatible with traditional methods.

Today, thousands of rural Mayan families are using the ONIL Stove with the following benefits:  

·         The fire is contained in a clay-fired firebox in an insulated, durable stove that sits off the floor, thus minimizing the risk of burns to small children.

·         Vented by a galvanized steel chimney, the stove uses an efficient burning technology, and virtually eliminates smoke and deadly carbon monoxide in the home. Using the ONIL stove means longer life expectancy, safer child development, and more time and energy for families.   

·         The ONIL stove reduces wood consumption by 70%, resulting in a long-term benefit to the environment and a better quality of life for families. 

·         Women who use the ONIL stove gained the equivalent of two days a week in time saved from gathering wood, allowing them time for social and economic activities like cultivating a vegetable garden. 

·         Each ONIL stove uses only 15% of the equivalents of one tree per month per family, and, since there are over 40,000 stoves in use, Guatemalans are saving over 300,000 trees per year.

Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 6: Thursday, July 28, 2011

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44a

This morning, we awoke to the smells of fresh fruit and coffee served at our Hotel de Carmen.  We were greeted by sunny skies and a gorgeous view of the volcano from the rooftop of our hotel. We then loaded up our vans and took a short ride to Casa Shalom, an orphanage located 30 minutes outside of Antigua. We were met by boys and girls playing on an asphalt playground with old soccer balls and makeshift toys. It amazed me not only how happy the kids were to see us, but how independent they were as well. A few of them were working in their garden planting various fruits and vegetables. After a spirited game of soccer, where the "gringos" were soundly beaten by Team Casa Shalom, we gathered in a circle to read a story about Nicodemus and made bracelets. The Holy Spirit was upon us as six children accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What a great way to end our short visit!

From there we ate a quick lunch back in Antigua at the nicest McDonalds that I've ever seen. We then had some free time to walk around the square and do some shopping. We were treated to a great dinner at Hotel Antigua and enjoyed fellowship with Pastor Saul and his family. A great end to a wonderful day! Hard to believe that we only have one day left in Guatemala. I believe that although our limbs and minds are tired, our hearts and souls are overflowing with God's grace and a newfound sense of purpose in our lives.

Brian Willman

First time to Guatemala

Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 5: Wednesday, July 27, 2011

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Yesterday, we went to a special needs hospital. I had no idea what to expect, but I could not even imagine how many children were there. They are trapped in their own bodies. It was a temporary sadness for me and the team. We can leave them and our sadness behind, but that is their life. As I was thinking and taking everything in, I started rubbing a little girl’s hand. I felt led to start singing “Jesus Loves Me." I looked down and saw this little child, who was trapped in a cage, with the biggest smile across her face. Even though I was happy, I started crying and decided to take my sadness and spread joy to these children that have little joy in their lives. The rest of the time I was there I walked around and spent time with each individual child in our room. Before we left we prayed, and I felt changed. We still have two more days of ministry, and I am excited to see what else God has in store for us.

Regan Puckett

13 years old

When we went to the special needs hospital yesterday, I was nervous to say the least. There are many people who have special gifts for children with disabilities, but I do not consider myself one of those people, so I was a bit uncomfortable. Nevertheless, when we arrived I just began to walk around and pray for each child. It was both eye-opening and heartbreaking to see this different side of missions. There are people that simply aren't going to comprehend the words you are saying about Jesus and His love, so all you can do is your best to SHOW them His love. It was definitely one of the hardest things I have ever had to experience, but I left that hospital knowing that Jesus holds every one of those children in the palm of His hand and loves them unconditionally.

Anna Eades

17 years old