written by Karen Anderson
Ten volunteers from Central United Methodist Church in Rogers recently returned from an unforgettable week in Guatemala, where they served alongside GRACES (wearegraces.org). This trip is part of an ongoing partnership between Central UMC and GRACES, a nonprofit that supports children and families living in poverty near Antigua through education, food assistance, and other vital services.
GRACES works through Escuela Integrada and Ahava Ministries to help break the cycle of generational poverty—something that’s especially challenging in a country where the minimum wage is just $350 a month and where about 70% of workers don’t even earn that due to informal employment. For families who are struggling to make ends meet, sending a child to school instead of work is a bold and hopeful step toward a better future.
One of the most powerful parts of the trip was installing eco stoves in several homes. Many Guatemalan families still cook over open fires or expensive gas stoves, which can be both dangerous and unhealthy. Eco stoves are a safer, more efficient option—they use less wood, reduce indoor smoke, and even open the door for small business opportunities like selling tortillas. At around $150 each, eco stoves are a major expense for families. Getting the stoves into homes was no small feat either—volunteers carried heavy concrete blocks up rugged, narrow hillsides, sometimes using wheelbarrows that had to be pulled with ropes and pushed at the same time.
The team also delivered several suitcases full of school supplies, books, sneakers, soccer cleats, clothing, and soccer balls for students at Escuela Integrada. They planted a garden at Ahava Ministries, hosted a family night filled with laughter and community, and distributed much-needed food bags. For many families, these food bags are essential as they help bridge the gap each month while children stay in school instead of working.
This ongoing partnership between Central UMC and GRACES is about more than a one-week mission trip. It’s about long-term relationships, walking alongside families, and investing in the kind of change that can last for generations. The team returned home deeply inspired by the strength and spirit of the people they met, and is excited to keep supporting the incredible work happening in Guatemala.
