How Mission Teams Can Have An Impact

Providing a place for mission teams to serve at Cadanino is something we have embraced since the beginning.

Mission trips played a pivotal role in my journey to serve full-time in Guatemala, and providing ways for volunteers to effectively serve alongside us in the work we do with vulnerable children and families is something we want to enable.

While we realize there are many ways to serve on a mission trip, here are a few key areas in which we look for teams to partner with us in our mission.

Outreaches

Through targeted outreaches, ministry to the parents and relatives of our students goes a long way in reaching the entire family of our students and making them feel loved and appreciated.

We host outreaches on Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Christmas, and the end of the School Year. Our team of teachers is small and works full-time with the students, so we generally need outside help, assistance, and funding to make these events possible. Mission teams can be a great blessing and have a powerful impact.

Youth Retreats

Spending a day with other youth, in a fun outdoor environment, with games, activities, and teaching, makes it possible for the teenagers we serve, many of whom are old beyond their years, to let go of the worries, challenges, and fears of their daily life, and understand what it means to have fun.

It provides the opportunity to build relationships between the youth and the mission teams and amongst themselves, provides them with opportunities for spiritual growth, creates opportunities for cross-cultural understanding in an informal environment when people are more relaxed, and strengthens their sense of community and belonging.

Having mission teams work with us on this is vital as we often lack the staff and resources to accomplish this on our own.

Family Days

Creating opportunities for families to spend positive time together is a key aspect of our Family Strengthening Program.

Getting mission teams involved in family days of fun, games, activities, and devotions is a beautiful way for people to partner with us in serving the families of our students. It helps them develop meaningful relationships with vulnerable families as they enjoy a fun day of games, food, activities, and devotions. It allows them to engage, encourage, and minister to those who truly need it.

Field Trips

Field trips can be precious for the children we serve as they often have limited access to the resources necessary to explore the world beyond their immediate surroundings. Many of these children's lives are confined to the streets they can walk, with limited access to time, money, and transportation.

Taking them on field trips, such as climbing a mountain, visiting the zoo, visiting a children's museum, or playing at an amusement park, are transformative experiences. It expands their worldview through fun experiences and allows mission teams to spend quality time with them. By providing access to new experiences and environments, field trips can help to level the playing field for vulnerable children from the slums, giving them opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

Home Visits

Home visits with the families we serve to provide mission teams with a powerful way to understand the lives of those we work with, learn about their needs, and offer tangible support. It allows mission team members to connect with families personally so they can encourage and minister to them. Talking with them, blessing them with some food, and praying for them lets them know we care for them, that they matter to us, and that they matter to God.