We believe that if done well, a short-term trip can mutually benefit both the host culture and the visiting team or individual.
Since 2004, Global Shore has worked in the same community in Guatemala, focusing our development and partnership efforts on one community. Since the beginning, short-term missions groups have come alongside our regular work to support our school, help build homes, train local businesspeople and learn more about the lived experience of Guatemalan community members.
Our goal is that visiting teams would encounter the Lord and His ministry here in Guatemala, and that they would return home with a greater appreciation for long-term development work. Teams can make a small, tangible difference in ten days, and we’re always looking for ways to align team skills with local need, but our greatest desire is that God would be working in the hearts of those who come.
What Teams Do
The School
Our school is the heart of our ministry—teams participate in school life through devotionals, recess and help in English classes.
Church Involvement
Teams partner with the “La Gloria Que Impacta” church network, working to encourage congregations and expand reach in local communities.
Spiritual Development
Our staff work with teams to guide reflection, discipleship and debrief.
Custom Elements
Specialization and team skills are put to good use, whether that be carpentry, teaching, landscaping, theatre, or something we haven’t heard of yet.
Outreach
In partnership with local pastors, teams visit homes to listen, encourage and pray for families.
Hands-on Service
Each team provides funds towards projects that benefit the local community, joining in as appropriate.
Sightseeing
El Tizate is 15 minutes away from the historic city of Antigua. Teams tour the city, shop in local markets, experience Guatemalan cuisine, drink good coffee, visit local ruins and may even hike a volcano.
Upcoming Opportunities
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed plans throughout the world. While the global situation continues to change week by week, we are happy to answer any questions you might have about future visits or trips. Email us to start a conversation.
Beyond the Classroom
With school organizers, we work to create an integrated experience that includes educational elements for students visiting from Canada and the United States. With flexible dates for teams and a BC-certified teacher on our Short-Term Opportunities staff, we offer focused activities that meet learning objectives in a variety of courses, like Social Studies, English Language Arts, Bible Study & Religion, Spanish, Home Economics and Religion.
School groups are invited to integrate their educational efforts with the work that God is doing here in Guatemala: to allow students to make a difference, and to come away changed as well. Contact us to start dreaming about curriculum integration and strategies to take your students’ learning beyond the classroom.
Location & Facilities
Our ministry is located in a beautiful, mountainous region, and our school sits atop the hill in our town, El Tizate. The climate is comparable to a mild Canadian summer.
Teams are housed in our private compound in town, equipped with washrooms, warm showers, an eating area, a kitchen, nine dorm-style bedrooms, beautifully terraced gardens and a large meeting room. Bedrooms are outfitted with bunk beds, some of which can accommodate couples. The facility is securely locked at all times. Meals are catered or billeted out to local families in the community.
Dollars & Cents
Our base cost for short-term opportunities is CAD $1400 + flights per person. Trips are usually ten days in length. Depending on the type of project or an extended stay, this cost may be adjusted. This cost covers a non-refundable $100 application fee, all accommodations, all in-country transportation, translators, tourist activities (ruins sites, a volcano or coffee tour) and funds for service projects.
This price does not cover: passport costs, travel/medical insurance, flight cancellation insurance, immunizations, travel and meals to and from the airport, personal spending money.
Book Your Team Now
We host adult teams, youth groups, high schools, elderly couples, bible study groups, campus groups, families and church groups.
Our preferred team size is 10-12 people; however, we can accommodate team sizes up to 25 people.