Treasures at Agua Viva
Every year, short-term mission teams travel to Guatemala to serve alongside the staff and students of Agua Viva. Their work—whether painting walls, repairing plumbing, or completing other projects—is a tremendous blessing to our school. But some of the greatest blessings come through the relationships formed along the way: conversations around the dinner table, moments of laughter, and opportunities to serve together.
Recently, Donna, a member of a visiting mission team from North Carolina, shared how her time at Agua Viva transformed the way she viewed the ministry. What had once been names and faces in photographs became personal relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ. We are grateful that she has allowed us to share her reflections.
A Reflection by Donna, North Carolina
It’s hard work, but it’s good work. There were 19 of us from our church who went to Agua Viva this year. We had a lot of projects planned: demolition, electrical work, plumbing, tile work, organizing files, and many painting projects. Our pastor also gave encouraging devotionals to the staff and our team. It was indeed a lot of hard work, but we rejoiced at the end of the week when we saw that God’s grace had enabled us to finish each project!
Our team also enjoyed many fun experiences. On our designated tour day, we hiked up Pacaya Volcano together, then enjoyed lunch and purchased souvenirs in Antigua. But there were other experiences I enjoyed much more than these.
One evening, a family from Agua Viva gave us a class on how to make tortillas the traditional way. Another evening, we divided into small groups and had dinner with different members of the staff and their families. What a privilege to visit and get to know individual families in a more personal way!
We also made pinewood derby cars with the teachers and staff, and then raced them. It was a very fun and exciting time for all of us! Some of us played games with the elementary and middle school students and volleyball with the high school students. At the end of the week, we were blessed with a special presentation by the middle schoolers, who performed a traditional dance. Then they sang a new version of the school song for us—in English! This brought tears to many eyes.
These things were the most precious to me because they helped me to see more clearly the people of Guatemala, especially those at Agua Viva. My husband and I, along with our church, have prayed for and supported Agua Viva for many years. Our hearts were with them. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Our treasure is not just monetary; it is whatever the Lord has given us—time, strength, and abilities. We had the opportunity to invest in these ways by being there personally.
But I also wanted to see with my own eyes the work at Agua Viva and the staff and students there. Being there in person was very valuable because it changed me. No longer were the people there just names or the faces of strangers in photos. They were real people, each with a personal story and testimony of how the Lord has worked in their lives.
Agua Viva and its important work of making disciples became more real, more tangible. I understood better the culture of Guatemala and the struggles of its people, both throughout their history and today.
My husband also sees the great value of being there in person, saying that he would not trade his week there for anything in the world. Now we have growing relationships there. I feel that my heart is more involved in my prayers and in all the ways we support them.
Thinking about Matthew 6:21, perhaps the opposite is also true: where your heart is, there your treasure will be also. That treasure is stored up in heaven!
May the Lord continue to do mighty things at Agua Viva!
We thank God for Donna and the many individuals and churches who faithfully invest their time, strength, and resources in the ministry of Agua Viva. Their willingness to serve reminds us that mission trips are about much more than completing projects. They are opportunities to build lasting relationships, encourage fellow believers, and participate personally in the work God is doing through Christian education.
Perhaps God is calling you or your church to experience Agua Viva in person. We would love to welcome you to Guatemala and give you the opportunity to serve alongside our students and staff.
To learn more about bringing a mission team, visit www.aguavivaschool.org/teams/ or email us at hosts@aguavivaschool.org.
Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to make disciples of Jesus through education, mentorship, and strengthening families.
