Students Return to Guatemala for Interterm 2012

Published: April 13, 2021

Dan Maurer '84 has traveled extensively and led dozens of mission trips worldwide. This Interterm, he led his first trip as Director of World Outreach and Missions. On January 9, 2012, Dan and a team of seven Greenville College students departed for Guatemala. They continued the work Greenville College students started last Interterm in the cities of Magdalena and El Gorrion.

Team members worked with the organization Students International to teach at the elementary school, work in a medical clinic and an art school, practice social work, and care for livestock. Maurer felt the organization provided valuable opportunities for students to serve alongside individuals engaged in full-time mission work. He said, Students International provides the perfect structure for exposing students to hands-on ministry. Students dont merely observe ministry, they are actually involved in practical ways. They are encouraged to make use of their knowledge and skills, all while being stretched through the inherent uncomfortableness of ministry.

Team members stayed with local host families. Maurer explains that for many students this was a highlight of the trip, Despite the obvious language barrier, we were blessed to develop relationships with like-minded people.

Maurer encouraged his students to explore issues of wealth and poverty and the realities they confronted as they served in a developing country. As a result of the trip, at least two students will return to Guatemala to serve this summer.

It is Maurers hope that every Greenville College student will take advantage of the opportunity to travel during college. He says, It is important that every GC student has a passport and uses it to explore and experience Gods work around the world. As followers of Christ, a good part of the adventure is to learn how to join God in what Hes doing in our world.