What is the political situation down there like? Is it stable?
The political model of goverment is a democracy much like the United States where candidates run for offices and the people vote. Much like America sometimes the person you want to win does and sometimes they do not. The goverment is quite stable.
Will you send your children to school?
Initially we sent our kids to a Guatemala school for them to learn Spanish through total emmersion. We have completed our formal Spanish learning and for the past year and a half Sarah has been homeschooling our kids.
What language do they speak?
The national language of Guatemala is Spanish and that is what we will learn and speak in. There are also 23 Mayan dialects that are spoken throughout the country.
Is Guatemala in Mexico?
Guatemala is in Central American and just south of Mexico, north of Honduras with Belize to its Northwest.
What is the food like?
The food in Guatemala is mostly soups and stews with some meals of fish if you are in an area where fish are present. A lot of the food is flavored with pumpkin seed. We will eat a lot of fruit and vegetables as the volcanic soil makes them much larger and much better tasting.
What will you be doing, exactly, when you get to Guatemala?
Initially our plan was to be working with pastors in the area of non formal education and discipleship. Gerald is doing this ministry but not in the manner he ever thought--in a local state prison. In a prison with close to 2000 men we are reaching maybe 10% through a three year Bible program established by a veteran missionary who has spent the past 17 years building relationships in this prison. We are also team teaching in a Women's shelter, sharing the Bible, praying, playing and living life with the ladies and children who have escaped a threatening situation.
What is non-formal education?
Teaching classes similar to those found in Bible Colleges or seminaries with the pastor or church leader not earning a degree.
Will you be "alone" or will their be other missionaries around?
We live near six other missionary couples.
When will you get to Guatemala?
WE ARE HERE!! This question was rather important as we spent five years raising our financial support. We have seen God work miracles in our efforts of support raising and thank all of our supporters for faithfully giving.
How much money do you need to raise?
We need $6,000 per month.
Why so much?
We have researched living expenses with current missionaries living in Guatemala to come up with these numbers. Our monthly support includes covers our salary, rent, car insurance, overseas medical insurance, children's education expense and ministry expenses. Ten percent goes to World Outreach Ministries for administrative support.
Can we already begin to support you?
Yes! The money that currently comes in monthly gets added to our one-time fund. We have devoted ourselves to full-time support raising to gain the rest of the support.
Of course, your gifts are all tax-deductible and it is even possible to set up an automatic withdrawal from your personal online banking. Simply put World Outreach as the "Pay to the Order of" and set Gerald and Sarah Lastrapes #407 in the memo. You should be able to set this as recurring or yearly depending on your giving preference.
If you would rather start supporting us when we get to the field, we would greatly appreciate a “pledge” so we have a better estimate of where we are. If you plan on "pledging" your support please email me at [email protected]
You can also visit the World Outreach donation page and use the drop down menu to find our name, which will take you to our personal donation page.
Thank You so much for your interest and encouragement as we follow this path God has lead us down to reach men and women of Guatemala!
The political model of goverment is a democracy much like the United States where candidates run for offices and the people vote. Much like America sometimes the person you want to win does and sometimes they do not. The goverment is quite stable.
Will you send your children to school?
Initially we sent our kids to a Guatemala school for them to learn Spanish through total emmersion. We have completed our formal Spanish learning and for the past year and a half Sarah has been homeschooling our kids.
What language do they speak?
The national language of Guatemala is Spanish and that is what we will learn and speak in. There are also 23 Mayan dialects that are spoken throughout the country.
Is Guatemala in Mexico?
Guatemala is in Central American and just south of Mexico, north of Honduras with Belize to its Northwest.
What is the food like?
The food in Guatemala is mostly soups and stews with some meals of fish if you are in an area where fish are present. A lot of the food is flavored with pumpkin seed. We will eat a lot of fruit and vegetables as the volcanic soil makes them much larger and much better tasting.
What will you be doing, exactly, when you get to Guatemala?
Initially our plan was to be working with pastors in the area of non formal education and discipleship. Gerald is doing this ministry but not in the manner he ever thought--in a local state prison. In a prison with close to 2000 men we are reaching maybe 10% through a three year Bible program established by a veteran missionary who has spent the past 17 years building relationships in this prison. We are also team teaching in a Women's shelter, sharing the Bible, praying, playing and living life with the ladies and children who have escaped a threatening situation.
What is non-formal education?
Teaching classes similar to those found in Bible Colleges or seminaries with the pastor or church leader not earning a degree.
Will you be "alone" or will their be other missionaries around?
We live near six other missionary couples.
When will you get to Guatemala?
WE ARE HERE!! This question was rather important as we spent five years raising our financial support. We have seen God work miracles in our efforts of support raising and thank all of our supporters for faithfully giving.
How much money do you need to raise?
We need $6,000 per month.
Why so much?
We have researched living expenses with current missionaries living in Guatemala to come up with these numbers. Our monthly support includes covers our salary, rent, car insurance, overseas medical insurance, children's education expense and ministry expenses. Ten percent goes to World Outreach Ministries for administrative support.
Can we already begin to support you?
Yes! The money that currently comes in monthly gets added to our one-time fund. We have devoted ourselves to full-time support raising to gain the rest of the support.
Of course, your gifts are all tax-deductible and it is even possible to set up an automatic withdrawal from your personal online banking. Simply put World Outreach as the "Pay to the Order of" and set Gerald and Sarah Lastrapes #407 in the memo. You should be able to set this as recurring or yearly depending on your giving preference.
If you would rather start supporting us when we get to the field, we would greatly appreciate a “pledge” so we have a better estimate of where we are. If you plan on "pledging" your support please email me at [email protected]
You can also visit the World Outreach donation page and use the drop down menu to find our name, which will take you to our personal donation page.
Thank You so much for your interest and encouragement as we follow this path God has lead us down to reach men and women of Guatemala!
