Help Dave Get to GUA
Summer
2027
From Dave:
June of this year [2026], I completed my 6th build in San Raymundo, Guatemala. I told the team this year these very words on Monday or Tuesday during one of our nightly devotionals. Little did I know what the words would mean to me and the impact they would have on my life going forward.
During our build trip, we had the opportunity to complete a few service projects at Liberty Christian Academy (LCA). LCA is an all-girls school started by Molly and Heyson Martinez. All of the 80 girls at LCA have experienced some type of trauma in their lives. Molly and Heyson provide the girls with an education, safety, and a loving environment to reach their full potential and break the negative cycles many young women in Guatemala are stuck in. Even though I have attended several builds, this was my first visit to LCA. I knew about LCA but had never experienced it in person. The first thing you notice is the girls are happy, thriving, and want to be there. Truly amazing things are happening at LCA. The second thing I noticed was the small, cramped classrooms and the need for more classrooms. LCA can’t add more classrooms, girls, or more grade levels due to lack of space. In my opinion, this is a tragedy and simply wrong. This upset me so much that I had to excuse myself from the team and have a conversation with God. I told God my anger and frustrations with the situation at LCA. He responded with, “Fix it then.” Oh no… “You get out of Guatemala what you put into it.” My heart is in Guatemala so I guess the rest of my body needs to be there.
Here is the good news: LCA was able to purchase a large piece of property behind the school. This will enable them to expand and continue to serve the young girls of Guatemala. I am semi-retired and have the summer months off. So I will be obedient to God and do his work in Guatemala by helping to build new classrooms and other things LCA needs. I will also be helping at Dotsero Language School, helping Marlyn and her students with English. I will be serving in Guatemala from May 30 h through July 31st, 2027.
I went to Guatemala this year to build a house and serve the people of Guatemala. The other thing I tell teams is we aren’t there just to build a house. That is just how we get in the door. We are there to love like Jesus, make connections with people (many have become true friends), and serve those less fortunate. For me this trip was definitely a put up or shut up moment.
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”