Deep in the mountains of the municipality of Unión Cantinil, Guatemala, in communities like Las Lomas and Villa Linda, more than just classes are being lost. At stake is the dignity of childhood, struggling to learn under conditions no one should accept as normal.Children arrive at school hungry and tired. Parents, though giving their all, often cannot help with homework because they themselves had limited educational opportunities. Overcrowded classrooms, too few teachers, and a system that struggles to respond make learning an uphill battle.

High in the mountains of Unión Cantinil, Guatemala, lie the villages of Las Lomas, La Nueva Independencia, and El Triunfo. Here, families have long lived on the edge of survival—sometimes with just enough, often with less.In these communities, more than half of the population lives in poverty. One in six families cannot even afford the minimum cost of food. Jobs are scarce. Women are often left behind. And perhaps most painful of all, many people have come to believe that their situation is permanent. That they were born to survive, not to thrive.But hopelessness is not the end of the story.

Across the hills and valleys of rural Guatemala, you’ll find classrooms filled with potential. Children eager to learn. Teachers devoted to their calling. Communities that believe in the power of education to transform lives.But too often, what you won’t find are the basic materials needed to make education truly effective.

This February, a team of staff members from Guatemala, the United States, and the Dominican Republic gathered for a memorable Trips Summit. Our mission? To prepare the Dominican Republic to host mission teams, grow stronger as a unified team, and brainstorm ways to make each mission trip a truly transformational experience—for both the communities we serve and the teams that visit.

In the quiet village of Las Lomas, Guatemala, a story of resilience, faith, and transformation unfolds. Enma Rosa Jiménez López, a 29-year-old mother, has turned her dreams into reality, not just for herself but for her entire family. Her journey is one of perseverance, love, and an unshakable hope that has carried her through every challenge.

Over the course of more than forty missionary trips in Guatemala, we shared God’s Word and experienced deeply emotional moments where His presence was undeniable. The hearts of missionary groups, community leaders, translators, and even our team were touched as we worked together to uplift these communities. It has truly been a year of transformation.

In the heart of Las Lomas, Huehuetenango, Filogonio Figueroa, a devoted father of three, once found himself at a crossroads. Economic hardships and a lack of employment weighed heavily on his family, leading him to consider a difficult decision—migrating to the United States in search of a better life. But just as Filogonio began planning his journey, a new opportunity appeared in his community that would change the course of his life.