Global outreach team

guatemala 2024

February 26-March 5, 2024

The East Woods GO Team partnered with members of St John's Presbyterian Church of Camas to travel to Guatemala.


Our Mission

We learned about the needs of the Guatemalan people in context of their history and culture. And about CEDEPCA's ministry work in multiple communities. Most importantly, we learned what it means to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God in a broader context through friendships of people living in Guatemala. CEDEPCA is a long time ministry partner of PC(USA) and continues to help shape and expand our world view as justice focused Jesus following people. 


We served alongside CEDEPCA's Disaster Relief ministry as we delivered much needed clean water filters to rural communities who otherwise must drink contaminated water, which is a leading cause of disease and death to children under five years old.


Keep reading to see how you can partner with us in praying for the people who received these lifesaving water filters. 

How you can partner with us

Join us in prayer for our Guatemalan friends.


GO Team member Roberta Schlechter writes ...

I was privileged to travel to Guatemala and be witness to Mayan families receiving life changing  water filter kits. East Woods and St. John’s donated funds to purchase the water kits. For the recipient families, so many things can improve right away. No more cutting wood for fires to boil/purify the water. No more paying for monthly water delivery. Now their children can take pure water to school, rather than sugary soda pop.

 

CEDEPCA provides initial training and meets with the families monthly. 

 

But this isn’t the end of the story. During the next two years each family must gradually set aside the necessary funds to replace the filter itself, which costs $20 American. Overall about two-thirds of the recipient families accomplish this. 

 

Of course we desire every family to succeed in making the necessary decisions and life changes, to purchase a new filter every two years. We invite our East Woods community to join us as PRAYER WARRIORS on behalf of these beautiful families. 

 

Loving God, Thank you for the privilege of serving these beautiful families. Please strengthen them as they form the disciplines and make the changes that will bring success when it’s time to purchase a new water filter. Bless them with good health and lead them to thrive. Enrich their communities. In your holy name we pray, Amen.