For the past two years, our Poptún campus has grown and flourished under Jervin and Jasmin’s leadership. After starting the school out of their house in 2023, they now have ten students and expect even more next year. But, as the school grows, so does its need for teachers. Next year, we will send three staff members to live in Poptún and work at our growing new campus.
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Goal: $150,000
“Let’s go to Poptún. I don’t care if we have to sleep on the floor—we’re going. Where God is working, great things happen.”
—Jenny Pelaez
JENNY
Earlier this year, Jenny had a dream in which Julianna, her mother and GSO executive director, told her that she and her husband, Alex, were moving to Poptún. Although initially reluctant, she eventually felt God calling her to step out of her comfort zone and move to Poptún with Alex and their two children.
These teachers are former students of our original school in Pastores and have grown up immersed in our culture. They are going to Poptún as missionaries to their own country. In Guatemala, it is uncommon for people to move like this, and these young people are taking a radical leap of faith and obedience.
“The kingdom of God is for the crazy and the daring. I told him—with all my heart, and all my love, I said, ‘Here I am; send me. I am ready to do your will.’”
—Alex Cali
Some time ago, Alex had a dream where he saw a land with many little mountains, and how God would build a new school there. Alex saw multitudes of people coming to be part of it. Without ever having been to this part of the country, Alex had already seen Poptún, and next year he will move there with his family.
ALEX
We believe these young people will be part of a greater movement of home-grown teachers and missionaries who will hear God’s call to go. We believe they will impact a generation of students and children to live lives of radical sacrifice and obedience.
“I saw how the purpose of God for the school was so great and I thought, ‘How am I not going to give my life to fulfill God’s vision?’”
—Johanna Alonzo
We desire that “the lamb receive the reward of his sacrifice”—an entire generation who live their whole lives as acts of worship. This culture of continual worship is God’s dream for Guatemala, and we want nothing more than to leave a legacy of faith, praise, and obedience in pursuit of that vision until the Lord returns.
JOHANNA
Johanna was at our staff retreat in January when, during our campfire session, she heard Pastor Jervin talking about everything God was doing in Poptún. Looking up at the stars, she remembered the story of Abraham and the promise that God had made and heard her own call to obedience.
"We believe that wherever we see God working is where he wants us to sow. God is working in Poptún. We invite you to participate in this work with us." —Julianna, GSO Executive Director
We are deeply invested in Poptún and are furthering that commitment by sending our people there. In addition to the over 300 students at our Pastores campus, your donations will directly support our Poptún staff members, including these three teachers. We will be able to purchase new classroom and kitchen supplies, sound equipment and computers, and upgrade their current school building with renovations that will allow us to keep expanding.
Our campaign goal of $150,000 will help us take the next step in establishing a lasting and transformative presence in the region. An investment sown in faith will see the fruit of changed lives, restored families, thriving communities, and a transformed nation—to the glory of God.
