As a wildfire threatened her home, Cynthia Muncey still decided to serve in Guatemala on a Vision Trip

Cynthia Muncey visited Guatemala with Northview Bible Church in August.

As a wildfire threatened her home, Cynthia Muncey still decided to serve in Guatemala on a Vision Trip

Cynthia Muncey was seven days from her departure date for a Vision Trip in Guatemala when several devastating fires broke out near her home in Spokane, Washington. She and her husband evacuated and remained evacuated for more than a week.

“We, along with thousands of others in Spokane, quickly gathered important items that we could fit in our cars and evacuated our home,” she said. “We truly thought when we left this would be the last time we saw our home.”

With uncertainty at her doorstep and a desire to serve with her church, Cynthia faced a difficult decision.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to leave my husband to deal with everything alone,” Cynthia shared. “He encouraged me to go and serve, reminding me that God is in control and He is good all the time, and that the details to sort out from our home situation would still be there when I returned.”

Cynthia arrived in Guatemala a day later than planned and a little weary from a 14-hour travel delay and the previous week’s events. Inspired by participants from previous trips, notably Sherry Brooten who encouraged her to go, experience and serve, Cynthia was grateful for the opportunity to travel with Northview Bible Church to meet her sponsored child.

“I loved talking with the students and teachers, and hearing about their life in Guatemala and learning as much as I could during our quick visit about their culture, and what it is like to live and work,” she said.

Cynthia visited the school, spent time learning about the culture in Guatemala and visited her sponsor child’s home. By the end of the home visit, she said, she knew she needed to sponsor another child. She called her husband that night and agreed they would sponsor another child at Escuela Integrada.

“We believe every child deserves the opportunity for an education, to learn about Jesus and the teachings of the Bible, to experience love and compassion at school, and to be equipped with the skills to aid their present and future self and family,” she said. “Sponsoring two students has been a blessing to our family, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for them.”

Cynthia’s trip concluded and she returned home where, thankfully, her home and those of her neighbors had been spared. They were deeply saddened, she said, for all the people she knew who lost their homes and the devastation that impacted their city.

GRACES Summer of Sponsorships concluded on August 15 with 10 new sponsorships fulfilled this summer! Fifteen students at Escuela Integrada are still without a sponsor. Do you know of someone who would make a great sponsor? Learn more and sign up today by visiting wearegraces.org/sponsor. 

Luis Moran, goalie for Antigua GFC, shares with students during Escuela Integrada career fair.

Career fair brings students, industry leaders and a professional soccer player together for students at Escuela Integrada

Last month, 60 students from Escuela Integrada attended an annual career fair to learn about different opportunities to pursue when they graduate. Hosted and organized by the local board of directors for Escuela Integrada, this event brought together industry experts in tourism, marketing, culinary, graphic design, education, mechanical repair, coffee production, business and more.

“This is important for many students who are unable to go to university after high school because of their economic situation,” said Hannah Nadeau Girón, executive director of GRACES. “It allows them to enter the workforce after high school with preparation.”

After 9th grade, students in Guatemala enter a vocational program where they can study to obtain a certification in a specific job.

This year, the students heard from two speakers. Luis Moran, the goalie for the Antigua Soccer team, encouraged students to follow their dreams and to follow Christ as they discern their careers. Local missionary Pier Benites also gave the students a message of hope for their future.

Spots still available for Supporters Gathering in November!

Save your spot for GRACES’ annual Supporters Gathering this November! Join us November 2-6 for a special opportunity to gather with other GRACES supporters, celebrate graduation and help us plan for the future.

The itinerary for this year’s weeklong gathering includes kindergarten and sixth grade graduation, ninth grade graduation, updates from GRACES’ staff, site visits, workshops, home visits and more.

All on ground transportation, meals and activities are included in the trip cost of $750, with a total cost estimated around $1300 including lodging.* We recommend arriving in Guatemala City by midday on Monday, November 2, and scheduling your departure after noon on Friday, November 6.

We hope you will consider joining us this November! Have questions? Reach out to us by email at info@wearegraces.org or complete the form linked below.

*Airfare is not included.

• Sept. 27-Oct. 3: Highlands Church Vision Trip
• Oct. 2: Dia del Niño (Day of the Child) celebration in Guatemala
• Oct. 9: Last day of school for Escuela Integrada
• Oct. 15-19: FMC Men’s Group Vision Trip
• November 2-6: Supporters Gathering in Guatemala!