In February 2009, Students International hosted the first ever Women’s Outreach! Women of all ages gathered in Guatemala to experience God work in and through them. Women from California, Texas, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Guatemala spent a week ministering in occupational ministry sites and sharing a home and their lives with Guatemalan families. There were many opportunities for corporate worship, sharing life stories, and testifying to God’s faithfulness!  The week was full of exciting adventures!  The women saw the first water purification system created by Matt MacIntire for the homes in El Gorrion and it was the first outreach with the new media site up and running!  Many members of the outreach also helped with the El Gorrion medical clinic where over 100 men, women and children from the community received much needed medical care.  The outreach was lead by Janice Hansen, with co-leaders Pam Christy and Shellie Bowman, and the Students International Guatemala staff.

See the photo Gallery here

Note from the President:

Early spring presents a unique opportunity for Students International as our field ministries have time to grow and develop before the “rush” of students over spring break and continuing over the summer. We have discovered that this is a great time for adults to go and work alongside our staff, to bless and to be blessed by them. Our adult outreach participants offer professional insights to our staff as well as build relationships among participants.

My wife, Janice, just returned from one of these trips to Guatemala. This happened to be the first “women only” SI trip! The women staff from Guatemala and Costa Rica was invited to participate in all aspects of the outreach. They were also joined by Maggie Slabach from the Dominican Republic. It was such a blessing to all 38 women who participated.

I will soon be leaving for the “men’s only” SI trip to Costa Rica. This has always proven to be a great blessing and adventure as we live and work in community while experiencing what God is doing in another culture. The invitation is always open for you to join us in the future!

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1 & 2