Missions & Mission Trips

Guatemala 2020

Guatemala 2020

Several members of OSWLC, Cathy O'Meara, Bill Pfancuff, and Jean Hergenroeder (who is now in Texas), met with our missionaries, Derek and Mimi Ellis, to witness and bring supplies to families in the mountain villages around Zacapa and Antigua, Guatemala. Their activities included both home visits and participating in worship services. While the visits were focused primarily on outreach to women and families, there were also opportunities to share the gospel with men in the various communities.

Of significance was a group of teenage girls who are very focused on their future thanks to Mimi and Derek. These young women study hard, participate in sports, and are fully engaged in church. It is so important to get the girls to focus on staying in school and participating in activities to further their education and social circle in Guatemala. Without this guidance, many girls drop out of school and end up young mothers, some sadly in abusive situations. This group of young ladies are able to do this primarily through a program our missionaries started several years ago called KIS (Keep in School). Because of the high poverty rate, children are expected to help earn income for the family from an early age by harvesting crops. During the harvest seasons children are sent to the fields to work for about $30.00 per month and are not able to go to school. The KIS program locates sponsors to replace the child’s wages and parents sign a contract to ensure the children stay in school.

Thanks to Thrivent Financial we were able to bring two sewing machines, as well as sewing and other supplies. We also provided assistance to Mimi and Derek in administration and marketing of their mission outreaches. They rely almost entirely on churches in the United States like Our Savior’s Way for their financial support. Derek is able to find part-time employment while they are back home, however that will not happen for sometime due to the COVID-19 outbreak. You may write Mimi and Derek at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or find out more about their work on their website at Straightpathministries.org.

If you are interested in future mission trips to Guatemala or would like to know more about how to support them, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who is the OSWLC Mission Team contact point for Guatemala. Please keep the Ellis family and all our missionaries, both local and abroad, in your prayers.