The school quickly outgrew their orginial building. (eduguate.org photo)
Guatemala (MNN) ― Worldwide Christian Schools is pushing its borders into Guatemala.
WCS' Steve Geurink met with a team of missionaries who had a dream of starting a school to minister to the Quiche Indians, who are of Mayan descent. They retired after starting the school, but when they came back a decade later, the school was thriving. The first school operated out of Sunday School rooms, next to a church.
Their mission: to educate men and women to be well-balanced citizens contributing Biblical values to the social, economic and religious life of the country.
Now called the Colegio Juan Wesley, the student body has grown to 300 students. It became obvious what the most critical need was: to find a way to accommodate the growth. Worldwide Christian Schools is sending both funds and people to help build a new three-story facility.
On Steve Geurink's recent trip there, the mayor personally thanked them for their work. "Essentially, the school is now connecting with the local government. This is a high profile project, and there are a lot of people that are curious as to why we are developing this school and why this community."
Geurink says staff are ready with answers. "They testify that this is to introduce the children to the Gospel, to an understanding of Jesus Christ that may follow Him. The education is something they feel is important to help that community, the Quiche Indians, have a better life, so it's a combination of reasons when they answer."
The goal for completion of the new building is February 2009. The first floor has been stuccoed, and the roof is on, but they still have plumbing and electrical needs. Guerink says they're still in need of construction teams and building funds. Click here if you can help.
