This Sabbatical is a twelve week course of study in Guatemala in order to accomplish the following:

1) Expand my tools for ministry as I begin to acquire a second language. Because of our congregation's work within the Guatemalan culture, it has become readily apparent that the time has come to learn Spanish and the best way to begin is by total immersion in the culture. I will study Spanish 5 hours a day with a personal trainer at a language school based in the same city as our mission partnership.

2) Deepen my relationship with Diaconia which is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Guatemala. This ministry primarily works with the social and physical needs of the poor in twelve different communities.

3) Grow in my cultural understanding as I live with a local family for 12 weeks and participate in the life of the church as opportunities arise.

4) Personal Growth as I leave behind the familiar and embrace the new opportunities that God has ordained for this journey. I also hope to learn more of the power of the Gospel from believers who have faced 36 years of civil war and still know ongoing poverty and oppression.