The Children of Guatemala

From March 8 through March 15, 2006, Anne and I were fortunate to have an amazing experience in Antigua, Guatemala. This is our story – about one week that I believe just might change both of our lives forever.

We had decided some time ago to spend the spring break of her junior year in high school doing some sort of volunteer work somewhere in the world. After first looking seriously at programs in Peru and then Uganda, we ultimately settled on the God’s Child project in Antigua.

I was vaguely familiar with God’s Child, formed 15 years ago by Patrick Atkinson from Bismarck, North Dakota. Its website indicates that the program now serves over 2,000 Guatemalan children in severe poverty. Exactly how, I wasn’t sure, but I had met Patrick outside a Bismarck coffee shop years ago, and Earl speaks highly of him and the program, and so we decided to give it a go. Read More→