Meet the 2010 group!

Meet this year’s group traveling on the 2010 trip to Guatemala from Westminster:

Guatos '10 gather in front of Pressly Hall. In their hands are toys for children in the community in Antigua.

Guatos ’10: Cammie Norsworthy, Danielle Daley, Debbie Shim, Eve Knapp, Lauren Dunlap, Sarah Cordle, Sarah Grady, Taylor Kaplan, Andrew Webb, Harrison Larkins, Joe Powers, John Egan, Jose Miguel Luna, Lucas Smith, Mitchell Tracy, Sam Bondurant, Bill McGahan, Carter Thomas, Julia Myrick, Daniel Searl

Please leave notes of encouragement for them (through the comment box below) as they work in community with the local families and schools there.

Guatos '10 upon arrival in Guatemala City, Guatemala on July 21

Some of the student’s thoughts as they prepared for this year’s trip:

“I want us to provide [the Guatemalans] with not only new houses , but also friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime… After this trip, I think we help people in our community know and understand that there are people who are struggling outside our bubble that deserve our attention.”

“While we help the families, I know I’m going to be amazed  at how my American friends will be open and incredibly loving to the families and kids. I’ve seen it happen in Inspira.”

“When we arrive, I feel like we will encounter a little bit of uncertainty and anxiety as a group coming to a place where most of us have never been before, but once we begin doing work and connecting with the people, we will become more comfortable. … I hope to bring back to the Westminster community meaningful stories and connections that I had during my trip to Guatemala, hopefully inspiring them to do the same work that we did.”

“I expect to have all of my expectations completely dominated when I get there.”

“We will be immersed into another culture and will experience a new type of environment. … I think we will also adopt a larger sense of gratitude.”

“The [Westminster] Refugee Project and Guatemala trip have given me an incredible opportunity to help those less fortunate, both in Atlanta and in foreign countries. The amount of suffering and lack of basic necessities  all around me, both near and far, has truly humbled me as a person.”

“It’s really important to me for people to learn to embrace all different cultures, despite the language barrier. I am so, so excited to be completely immersed in the different culture of Guatemala, make new friends, and provide love-filled homes for these families.”