Volunteers in Mission
Linworth United Methodist Church, Columbus, Ohio
San Jose Los Encuentros, Queztaltenango, Guatemala
February 2026
In partnership with Fundación Herencia Viva (The Living Heritage Foundation),
Linworth UMC members and friends work alongside Guatemalan professionals and school
volunteers
to begin construction of a new classroom for an elementary school that only had four classrooms.
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We began the morning removing the form boards from the columns, simple, sturdy reminders of the work that has taken shape before our eyes this week. From there, we set the form boards for the bond beams that now rest atop six courses of concrete block, and by God’s grace we were able to complete the concrete pour by noon. What began days ago as lines on the ground is now rising as a place where children will learn, grow, and dream.
After lunch, the community blessed us in a way that no schedule could have planned. They shared traditional Guatemalan music and dances, and before long we found ourselves joining in. Laughter filled the air. There was joy. There was gratitude. There was the unmistakable sense that something deeper than construction had taken place.
It has been a sacred privilege to serve in this community. The week seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Somewhere between mixing concrete and sharing meals, we made new friends, formed new relationships, and witnessed hope being strengthened for the education of their children.
We came to build a classroom, but God allowed us to build something more -- connection, encouragement, and shared purpose. What a blessing it has been for all of us.