A group of 10 from Canyon Springs raised funds to travel to Antiqua, Guatemala, and headed off last week- many for the third time! The team came armed with circus-themed fun for Family Night Celebration and soccer balls, jump ropes, and hula hoops for a Field Day full of fun!

When in Guatemala, Canyon Springs partners with the We Are Graces Ministry. Graces’ primary project is a school in Guatemala, Escuela Integrada de Ninos Trabajadores, which means “Integrated School for the Working Children. This school allows Graces to provide accessible education for children subjected to labor because of dire circumstances. The school currently serves around 170 students.

Learning and mastering English as a second language is a top priority at Grace’s. Our team participated in English lessons with the children and was impressed with their diligent efforts. Learning and mastering English is commerce in Guatemala. Individuals can earn up to about three times their income if bilingual. Grace recognizes this skill and provides ample opportunity for the kids to learn English and end the generational cycle of poverty for their families!

Our team experienced amazing moments with the families at Escuela Integrada as we installed much-needed stoves in homes, delivered food bags, and visited sponsored children. We immediately recognized that our intentional return to this ministry each year enabled the families to trust our intentions and understand how much we care for them. Our time with the families during home visits opened up moments of laughter and tears. We were blessed to hear more about the struggles and hardships these families endure due to extreme poverty levels and absentee fathers in many cases. The gift of listening to their stories, praying with them, and reminding them we are a team that prays for them in-country and once we are home was powerful.

Additional highlights from the trip are our Circus-Themed Family Night, where we share a meal, bring in treats, and have lots of fun activities with the families—face painting, photo booth, crafts, a bubble gum-blowing contest, and, yes, a piñata filled with goodies! Our Grace hosts shared with us that this night of celebration may be the only time these families experience this type of lighthearted laughter and joy a year!

Our competitive Field Day is always a favorite among the kids! 170 kids out on a soccer pitch ages 5 – 15 participating in races, feats of strength, and solid competitiveness! We ended the day with popsicles and hugs!

Canyon Springs is committed to our ministry partner, Graces, and will continue to lean into our Father for guidance for our future trips! And hold onto what the kiddos yelled on our last day, “See you next year!”

Thank you, Canyon Springs, for your prayers and your support!

~Guatemala 2025

Enjoy photos from our recent trip!