About this Project

This project is a passion of Gilberto and Ruth and really is a culmination of their 16 or more years of working with Missionary Ventures and the Association of Christian schools. There is now approximately 5500 students in the various schools. It is a completely voluntary association. The reason that it is glued together so tightly and can act in unity is because of the leadership of Ruth and Gilberto. The directors, teachers, and associated churches have complete respect for them and are confident in the leadership that they bring to the table. These people know that Gilberto and Ruth are Guatemalan gems and that leaders like them do not come along everyday. The experience, guidance and wisdom that comes from G and R si something that they realize would be next to impossible to replace. So, in essence, Gilberto and Ruth are the glue that has held it all together and are the reason the association has grown to be what it is.

There are 11 churches from the Huehue area that are participating is the development of a camp/retreat site. It is of great need and in great demand in many church circles. As you may know, many kids want to attend one of these Christian schools for the chance go to the "Olympics." These Olympics are an event that Gilberto and Ruth have organized for years. They are big events. One extended long weekend is for the elementary kids and the other is for the youth. They are hoping to have over 600 at each event this year. It is a weekend filled with sports competition, singing competition, dramas, and spiritual challenge. It is a dynamic four days. Many students will tell you that it is the best four days of their whole year. But they have to qualify, so it puts an emphasis on having a student do their very best in school and their activity.

It has been very hard to find a place that can accommodate something such as this. The places that were used in the past are now becoming too expensive as these kids/schools do not have alot of money. The demand for these facilities by churches and other groups has allowed the present camp owners to raise their prices out of our range. Every year is was a struggle to raise money from North America just to pay the rent for the four days. Now it is much more difficult. Necessity being the mother of invention brought a new idea to bear. Why not build our own? Then we permanently have our spot. We will not have to pay rent. The 11 churches can have access at a reasonable rate for various other events and if the demand is so high we will also have a marketable product that can help us pay for the ongoing maintenance. So they got to work.

And work they have. They have done so much already on their own. But you know Gilberto and Ruth, so we should not be surprised. Every church/school has had work teams on the site doing some very hard physical labor. To say that participation is high is an understatement. And it is because the leaders, directors, teachers, pastors... are excited about the prospects. There is a main salon to be built and MVCanada has committed to working on that with their big November team. That really encouraged them as that team typically builds a school each year. On their own they have already moved huge amounts of dirt from the land that they have legally registered in the name of the board of directors. They have architectural designs. They have started construction on two of the cabins. They have done amazing amounts with resources that are few. This is a camp with a view as it is on the side of a mountain. A rather steep one. The view that you will eventually have out the front door of a dorm/cabin will be spectacular.

The construction will be of block as you know about from your past trips. There could be work doing plumbing and electrical as well as the cabins come together.

The place is near San Pedro Necta. This is a coffee town about 45 minutes the other side of Huehue. It is one of my favorite drives. No dirt roads. It is rugged country and very beautiful. From here, in vans like we used when you were just here, it would be about a 5 to 6 hour drive. Not bad.

I hope that this is helpful. It is a great project with unlimited potential. Especially when you have the leadership of Gilberto and Ruth. They have done a tremendous amount of work already with the limited resources that they have. The base of support here is good and bodes well for the support and maintenance of the facility after it is finished. God is good.

Greg Stewart

MV Guatemala