This past summer, senior Nikki Grossman took a mission trip to Guatemala for a week. In one week, Grossman visited a ghetto, an all-girls home, a dump, and a women’s prison.
Nikki went to Guatemala with her church, the Village Church of Gurnee, through Hope Renewed. There were 12 kids and five leaders who went on the trip. They traveled to Limonada, Mazatenango, and Guatemala City. In those cities, the group helped the surrounding communities by doing various activities like going to a bakery and preschool.
“I wanted to share my faith with others in a different place. I wanted to see and experience a different culture and how others perceive life,” she said.
While in Guatemala, Grossman stayed at a guesthouse in Guatemala City.
“At the end of the day when we came to the hotel, we would play in the pool and have dinner together and then reflect on what happened,” she said.
In Guatemela, Grossman visited a town located next to a dump. The town was made out of corrugated tins and concrete; there was no plumbing. At the time when she was there, the town was granted the ability to start plumbing. The community had to do the installation themselves.
“At some parts of the day, the whole community would stop what they were doing and
come dig at the ditch. There was a strong sense of community there,” she said.
Some people in the group worked on the ditch while others played with the children at a preschool. They participated in various activities including arts and crafts, singing songs and games.
At the dump, Grossman connected with a young boy named Oliver. He was three years old and full of energy.
“Oliver just had a smile on his face the whole time. He would just try to make you laugh; he was so excited. After playing soccer, Oliver ran home and came back with a bag of water. He offered me the bag, and I was so touched that he wanted to share something with me. I was just a person he just met, and he was willing to share with me. Everyone was really giving,” she said.
Because of the trip, Grossman’s views on life have completely changed. She appreciates what she has a lot more and is more aware of others as well. Grossman is hoping to go back to Guatemala with her church again next year.