Where we work
Facts about Guatemala
Area: 108,890km.sq
Climate: Tropical
Capital: Guatemala City
Currency: Quetzal
People: 56% Ladino (Mixed Race/Spanish) and European Descent, 42% Mayan, other indigenous 2%
Main Languages: Spanish plus 23 other Indigenous Languages
Religion: 97% Christian (38% Protestant/Evangelical), 3% Mayan
Geography and climate
Much of the population are affected by the uncertainties of agricultural production – as well as by the natural disasters that affect the country. Guatemala lies within an earthquake zone, and is hit by hurricanes annually causing destructive flooding and mudslides.
Politics and economics
Statistics vary, but it is alleged that more than 200,000 people – most of them innocent civilians – were killed or ‘disappeared’ in the civil war that ended in 1996. The bases of rebel activity were mainly in the poor, rural areas, and hundreds of villages were razed; most of their inhabitants massacred and often tortured.
Rigoberta Menchú Tum became widely known as a leading advocate of the rights of indigenous peoples, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992.
People and society
Religion and the church
Ancient Mayan beliefs and rituals (ancestor worship and animistic beliefs) are still prevalent in rural indigenous areas, sometimes alongside or mixed with Roman Catholicism.
Latin Link's work in Guatemala
Current and ongoing needs are for help with children’s projects and homes, medical personnel, youth and student workers, theological education with a focus on integral mission, discipleship and English teachers.
More challenging and difficult areas are prison chaplaincy, ministry with gang members, education and church planting projects in poor and dangerous areas of the capital, and pioneer student workers to extend Christian witness in regional university bases.
There is a need for community development in rural areas: people to train others in how the church can be an agent of change in the local community and society.
Meet our team in Guatemala
Murielle Beer began her two-year Stride placement at the beginning of September 2021. She is serving with the ministry Esperanza de Vida (Hope of Life) Association, which provides primary education
Sayda Ortiz is preparing to serve with Paseo de la Estación (Station Passage) Church in Salamanca, during 2022. As part of the church team, she ́ll be involved in a
Vicky Valladares is working alongside the Latin Link International Core Team in the development of communication resources and is coordinating the creation of an international communications team to increase Latin
Maddie Buchanan is the Short Term Coordinator for the team in Guatemala. She is responsible for the receiving of all Step and Stride members, both from within Guatemala itself and
Rose Wade continues to serve at AMI San Lucas, an NGO focusing on integral health and community development in indigenous towns and villages around Lake Atitlán, with her focus being
Geoff Baines and Cesia Pascual
Geoff Baines is married to Cesia Pascual. They live in Guatemala City with their baby (due December 2021). Geoff continues to serve in the Central American Theological Seminary, teaching biblical
Kate Moreno serves as a social worker at Kids Alive’s Oasis ministry, for girls who have suffered sexual violence. She promotes best practice by developing policies and procedures with a
Rodolfo Rodas, with daughters Ruth María and Anaeli, continues to serve training pastors in Guatemala City. He also directs the Educando para la Vida (Education for Life) Association, working with
Sadoc and Vivi Chongo, with Olivia and Sadoc Jr, are serving as youth and community workers at Dalry Trinity Church, North Ayrshire, Scotland. They run after-school clubs for primary and
Miriam Hernandez returns to Cuba in January to complete her second year of Stride by August. She works as a counsellor and teacher in a local church in central Cuba,
Mission opportunities in Guatemala
To find out more about mission in Guatemala, please browse our opportunities or contact us.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala (Guatemala City)
Work with male adults who are recovering from alcohol and drug addiction in a “Teen Challenge” home.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala
Work in a ministry with children and their mothers who live on the rubbish dump.
Guatemala (Zaragoza)
To work with Educando Para la Vida (Education for Life) in Zaragoza, a small rural town, supporting an after school education project, as well as teach English.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala
To work in a children’s home for children from various challenging backgrounds (sexual abuse, abandonment, living on the street, trafficking).
Teaching Assistant with children with Disabilities/Asistente de Maestro con niños con discapacidades
Care and Social Action
Guatemala
To work with a school for children with Down's Syndrome.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala
To work with Fuerza de los Fragiles – an organisation of young adults with special needs.
Education and Training
Guatemala
To provide biblical teaching and spiritual support to the young people in a college in Chimaltenango.
Evangelism
Guatemala
To support a local church in its local outreach.
Development
Guatemala
To work alongside community health projects in rural indigenous areas of Guatemala.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala (Guatemala City)
To work alongside a team of chaplains ministering to active gang members incarcerated in several different prisons.