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Short Term Mission Trips
Food for the Hungry: Nabaj, Guatemala -- Food for the Hungry and Birchwood joined hands in partnership in 2003 by adopting the very small village of Kanaquil, consisting of about 100 families, located in the highlands of Guatemala. Our adoption agreement means that we are committed to sending a team from Birchwood each year for five years to provide practical help in the form of sponsorships for children, short-term building projects connected with the local school, and Bible school for children. In addition, we are in frequent communication with them, praying and encouraging them in their efforts to improve their lives and grow as Christians. Birchwood families currently sponsor over 35 children from Kanaquil and a neighboring village through Food for the Hungry.
Food for the Hungry’s goal is to train leaders, families and churches through their vision of community. Birchwood’s Guatemala teams consist of 12-14 people, with each team made up of equal numbers of repeaters and new members.
Missions Network International: Mt. of Olives Children's Village, Baja California, Mexico -- A group of Birchwood youth traveled to the Ensenada area during the summer of 2003 to collaborate with a local church there to provide a Vacation Bible School for children within the church’s neighborhood. In 2004 and 2005, multi-generational teams spent a week constructing a small medical clinic and several small houses. During both years the group also conducted Vacation Bible School for local children and a variety of outreach programs. Every year since Birchwood has sent multi-generational teams to Uruapan, Mexico to work on the Mount of Olives Children's Village, a ministry of Missions Network International.
Our 2008 Mexico Mission Trip was July 19-26. A team of 34 youth and adults held a Vacation Bible School for over 45 children and built a patio for one of the houses at Mount of Olives Children's Village. It was a great week and plans are already starting for our return trip in 2009!