What I'll be Doing

I thought I would tell everyone about what I will be doing while I am in Guatemala. I am currently a social work major at Spring Arbor University. Social work majors are required to do a 400 hour internship their last semester of school. For my internship, I will be working for Estrategia de Transformación (Strategy of Transformation).

Estrategia de Transformación (EdT) is an organization that works to mobilize a new generation of grassroots leaders to transform their communities and their countries. They work in several different countries including Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The organization works to empower and equip leaders who are working with marginalized and impoverished people. What a beautiful mission.

The Guatemala branch is located in Guatemala City, Guatemala. They work with several different programs in Guatemala. Some of these include a gang ministry, a ministry working with youth living on the streets, a program that works with people that live and work at a local dump, and numerous other programs.

I will working in Santa Catarina Pinula, a small town just outside of Guatemala City. I will be working for a small church called Iglesia Nueva Jerusalén (New Jerusalem Church). The church is linked with the neighborhood school and a community outreach center, both of which I will be working for. My mornings will be spent working in the school and I will work at the outreach center in the afternoons. I will also spend some time teaching English lessons to kids in the community and I hope to do some sort of research project while I am there as well. And of course, I will also be very involved in the church.

Other than those details, I still am not sure about what I will be doing. I know that I will be living with a family in the community and will have some time to explore other ministries as well. I will also get to do some site seeing, things like climbing volcanoes and hiking through rain forests. It seems like I know so little, but from what I have heard, I know much more than most interns do when they start. You go in somewhat blind and just go with the flow.

Although I don't know a whole lot, I am still very excited about this opportunity. I am really excited to improve my Spanish skills and learn about the Guatemalan culture. I will miss family and friends, but I know this will be an invaluable experience.

I will be sure to let you know more when I hear more!