Introduction, Going to Guatemala

With great joy and a little trepidation, I am thrilled to share with you that I have been chosen by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to serve for one year as a Young Adult Volunteer in Guatemala, starting September 1. First and foremost, I ask for your prayers. I will need and request support in several ways, but your prayers will be of greatest value and be sustaining in this journey ahead. Please pray for God’s guidance, my preparations for this transition, my parents, and my future host family.

Through the Young Adult Volunteer Program (YAV) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I will be joining over 60 other young adults serving at 15 different sites both here in the United States and around the world. While I am still learning about my specific responsibilities, I will be living and working near Xela (Quetzaltenango), Guatemala. I will practice living simply with a host family, become engaged in their church – likely with women’s or children’s ministries, and work with a project to address community needs.

This year’s experience will be life changing for me. It will involve living outside of my comfort zone and what is familiar to me. It will involve focusing on the needs of others. It will involve journeying in faith and trusting God in new ways. I hope you will join me in this journey, through prayers, financial support, and interest in my year of service. I will be in touch throughout the year, sharing my experiences with three newsletters, an online journal, and other means as available.

As part of my commitment, I need to raise $9,000 in gifts and pledges for my year of service. In truth, this task seems more daunting than many others I will soon face in my travels. However, I am trusting in God to open doors and lead me here as well as there. The timing is critical as I need to raise $2,500 by July 15.

I will be sharing more information in the days, weeks, and months ahead about this journey in service of Christ. I look forward to speaking with you individually and thank you for your love, support, and especially prayers. To offer financial support now, you can donate online at www.pcusa.org/yav/support (scroll down and click on my name in the Guatemala section).

In hope, joy, and thankfulness,
Dana