Sharing the love, from Loyal to Guatemala
Donations in honor of Diane Meyer help build homes for the poor
Nine individuals from Wisconsin traveled to Guatemala March 13-17 to participate in a mission trip with Food for the Poor. Based out of Coconut Creek, Fla., Food for the Poor (foodforthepoor. org) works to share God’s unconditional love with those in need, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America. Those participating included Danny Meyer of Loyal and Danny’s son Damon and his family, including Arlaina, James and Elliot Meyer, along with Jeanne Seftar and Lisa, Mindy and Levi Barta, all from Rice Lake.
The people of Guatemala have held a special place in the Meyer family’s heart for many years, with Danny’s grandson James being adopted from the country when he was 1. This recent trip was the second mission trip there for Damon, Arlaina and James, with the first being in 2016. After that trip, 10-year-old James started talking to groups asking for help in raising funds for homes for families in need. A “Champions for the Poor” fundraising webpage was soon established. Family, friends and community leaders came together with the goal of sharing love and funding homes. Since 2016, 12 homes have been funded, with 10 already built!
Five years ago, James talked to students at St. Anthony Catholic School and Loyal Public Schools, and at his grandmother Diane Meyer’s funeral at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Enough funds were raised to build a home in her memory. In addition, four of the homes were funded by the Rice Lake Rotary Club. One of the homes was funded by the staff, students, families and supporters of St. Joseph Catholic School in Rice Lake.
James has a goal of collecting enough donations to fund the 13th double-unit home by the end of this year. Visit championsforthepoor. org/participant/JamesRonaldo to help James reach his goal.
Furthermore, through support from family, friends and a $12,000 grant through the Mary Alphonse Bradley Fund, partners at Cáritas Arquidiocesana de Guatemala have helped to establish the “Guernseys for Guatemala” program. Relationships are being built between the nearly two dozen farmers enrolled in the program with access to quality Guernsey genetics and educational opportunities. A total of 450 straws of semen are involved in this project. Their high feed efficiency and ability to tolerate a variety of climates make Guernseys an ideal type of cattle to raise in Guatemala. Guernsey cows are also known for efficiently producing milk high in beta carotene and A2 protein, an easier-to-digest protein. This milk is especially valuable in a country with many malnourished children.
The most recent trip not only provided a unique opportunity for the Meyers to witness firsthand the impact of their fundraising efforts, but it also offered them
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the chance to build relationships and be blessed by experiencing hospitality from faraway friends.
“The families (who received houses) felt very honored that the team had traveled from so far away to be guests in their houses. Many shared the exact date their home was received and how grateful they were for the comfort and protection that the homes provided their families. They prayed over the team and asked for God’s blessings for all those who had come together to help them from such distant places. It was amazing to hear stories about how the homeowners were using their houses to share hospitality and help others in their community too!” Arlaina wrote in a press release.
The trip provided tangible opportunities to serve others as well. The team helped the Sisters of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Antigua provide meals to the homeless and others in need of food. At the Fatima Home, the group was able to spend quality time playing with children and holding babies. This is a home for little ones whose parents are working to hopefully reunite, but are currently unable to provide safe care for them. The home provides a loving environment and is working for positive change in families through support, therapy, educational resources and more. Individuals and families can sponsor one of these children through the Angels of Hope program (foodforthepoor.org/angels-ofhope- program/). Furthermore, the team visited the San Lucas Women’s Training Center. At the center, women are developing skills in sewing to provide them with opportunities to support their families.
The trip highlighted the many ministries working to serve the “least of these” in Guatemala and many ways to get involved.
Interested in being part of a Food for the Poor mission trip? Food for the Poor is currently putting together groups to travel to Guatemala and Jamaica yet this year. For more information, check out information at foodforthepoor. org/mission-trips/. If you would like to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Danny at 608-397-2354.
“It has become very clear that when people come together to share God’s love, amazing things can happen!” wrote Arlaina.
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