Guatemala Jewelry and Cake Fundraiser

Our family is preparing for our return missions trip to Guatemala this summer.  In just over two months, we will be departing for Xenacoj where we hope to make a real difference in the lives of widows and orphans.  Part of the trip will include building two houses for two widows.  Trips like this don’t happen by accident.  They require a lot of planning, plenty of prayer, and financial commitment, sacrifice, and partnership.  With this in mind, we are holding a special fundraiser this Saturday.

Come support the Stolpe Family mission trip to Guatemala. The event will feature handmade jewelry by Hannah Stolpe and cupcakes by Cake Art by Amy at her new location.

Hannah’s jewelry pieces have received rave reviews from past donors, and Amy’s cupcakes are beyond delicious.  You don’t want to miss this event.  Here are the details:

Sunday, May 18, 2014 12:00 – 3:00PM

at Cake Art by Amy located at 3rd Avenue and Chestnut Street in Collegeville, PA.

Let us know you are coming by responding to the Facebook Event Page (click here).

Don’t Stop Believing – Building Again in Guatemala

“I’m dreaming of making a big difference in a village in Guatemala. I dream of helping to build 100 homes for widows and orphans in this little village. So far, I’ve built one. 99 more to go!”

These were my words I shared in the comments in response to a recent blog post by Matt McWilliams.  In the post, titled How William McGirt Made $2.7 Million In 3 Years Doing What He Loves, Matt asked readers the following question:  What dream are you not willing to give up on? Whose dream can you support today?

Over the weekend, we were blessed with a visit from Dave Sgro, our missionary friend from Guatemala.  During his visit, we talked about our family’s plans for our return trip to Guatemala this summer.  We talked about helping with the feeding program for kids in and around Xenacoj.  And we talked about helping to start a jewelry project for the widows in Xenacoj.  Finally, we talked about building a house for a widow in the community.

Once we started talking about this, our daughter’s eyes lit up.  She was so excited about the prospect of building another house in Guatemala.  Apparently, she shares my dream.

The house we will be building costs $1,500.  It involves installing a concrete floor.  The walls start with 3 layers of concrete block on the base with wood on the upper parts of the walls.  The roof is made of corrugated metal.  This is a huge improvement over the dirt floors and cornstalk walls that make up many homes in Guatemala.

We hosted a fundraiser recital over the weekend.  The recital was a big success in helping us reach our goal of getting back to Guatemala and building a house.  We still have a little work to do to get back, but I’m confident we’ll get there.

Here’s the cool thing.

We are not going build a house in Guatemala this year.

It looks like we are going to build TWO houses in Guatemala this summer.

Yes, I said TWO houses.

Someone stepped up to donate funds to build a second house during our trip.

When I responded to Matt’s question in his post, I typed my answer of building 100 houses in Guatemala.  It’s a goal I’m not sure I completely grasp.  Honestly, I don’t know if it’s even possible.  But I know the goal can only happen by building one house at a time.  This summer we’ll have the chance to get two houses closer to the goal.  Don’t stop believing!

If you want to find out how you can help fund future homes or if you want to help us fund the rest of our trip (we need just $750 more), let me know.  Send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com, and I’ll get back to you with details.

What dream are you not willing to give up on? Whose dream can you support today?

Guatemala Fundraiser Recital

Preparing for a missions trip takes a lot of time, energy, and resources.  You have to lock in the date for the trip.  You have to coordinate details of the trip.  And you have to determine the resources required to make the trip possible.  Some of these resources include tools, supplies, and donations for those you are helping.  Finally, you have to consider the financial cost of going on a missions trip.  How will you pay for the trip?

Our family is heading back to Guatemala this summer to serve with GO! Ministries in and around Xenacoj (a small village an hour and a half outside of Guatemala City).  Our date recently made a minor modification.  We are now planning to go July 20th through July 27th.  We will be ministering to the orphans and widows of the village.  As we get closer, we will be able to share more about what we’ll be doing specifically and what we will need to bring.

We have intentionally put aside money to help pay for this trip, but we still need to do some fundraising to help cover the costs of this trip which will cost our family approximately $7,000.  (We need to raise approximately $3,000 to help close the gap.)  We are kicking off our fundraising efforts this year with a recital.  Isaac will be headlining the recital, and he will be joined by friends and relatives who have offered their musical talents to help us raise money for Guatemala.

You are invited!  Here are the details:

6 Reasons To Go To Guatemala With Me In 2014

This Saturday afternoon, our family will be hosting an informational meeting for those who might be interested in going to Guatemala with us in 2014.  We’d love to have you join us.  To find out more about the meeting, click here.

Why would you want to go to Guatemala with me in 2014?

Great question!  While I think it would be an amazing and unique experience for anyone, I don’t think it’s just something COOL to do.  I think a trip to Guatemala is a great idea for many reasons.  Today’s post will give you something to chew on.  I’m hoping it will leave you curious to find out more information.

6 Reasons To Go To Guatemala With Me In 2014

1. Follow the Great Commission.  In Matthew 28:18-20, we are told to go into all the world.  Going to Guatemala with me will provide a great way for you to live this out.
2. Do something different.  You can spend a week at the beach or a week in the mountains any year.  Make this a year when you do something different.  Going to Guatemala with me will give you the opportunity to do something completely different.  You will eat different food.  You will hear different language and different music.  You will meet different people.  It will be different, and it will be good!
3. Broaden your view.  You live in a box.  I’m not sure how big it is, but you have your comfort levels and viewpoints based on what goes on in your “little” box.  Did you know there is much more in this world that happens outside your box?  My first trip to Guatemala in 2012 was an eye-opener for me.  I had never before seen the poverty that I saw in Guatemala.  I was introduced to a new culture and way of life as I walked the streets of Xenacoj and met the people.  Going to Guatemala with me will broaden your view and change many of your perspectives on life.
4. Get your feet wet.  When you approach a swimming pool, a lake, or the ocean to go for a swim, most of us stick a toe in the water before we jump in.  We want to see how the water feels.  Is it hot?  Is it cold?  We want to get our feet wet before we commit ourselves to getting completely wet.  Going to Guatemala with me will give you the opportunity to get your feet wet on missions.
5. Change someone’s life forever.  When people think of a short-term missions trip, they don’t often think about having a long-term impact.  My experience has shown me that a short-term trip can have a long-term impact.  Going to Guatemala with me will give you an opportunity to change someone’s life forever.
6. Change your life.  I don’t like change.  I like being in my “comfort zone.”  But I’ve realized how change can be healthy.  It STRETCHES you to new heights.  It transforms you into something better.  Going to Guatemala with me will change your life forever.  You will come home a different person.  I’m hoping you will come home with a new mindset – a mission mindset!

What are your travel plans for 2014?  What would a trip to Guatemala with me make possible in your life and in the lives of those around you?

Go To Guatemala With Me In 2014 – Informational Meeting

Do you want to do something incredible in 2014?

Here’s something for you to consider.

What:  Guatemala Missions Trip 2014 Informational Meeting

When:  January 18, 2014 at 1 PM  (We’re planning for this to last an hour to an hour and a half.  We’ll provide a little taste of Guatemala cuisine.)

Where:  My House in Schwenksville, PA (contact me for directions)

Why:  Our family is planning a return trip to Guatemala August 3, 2014 through August 10, 2014.  We believe you may be called to go with us this year, and we’d like to share with you about our previous trip and about what you might expect by joining us this summer.  We would also like to give you more details and answer your questions.

Who:  We’re not asking you to commit to going just yet.  If the idea of going on an adventure, getting out of your comfort zone, and doing something worthwhile is remotely interested, you should consider coming to this meeting.  (Maybe you don’t live near me.  Maybe you already have a commitment during this time slot.  If you can’t make it, but you want more information, e-mail me at jonstolpe@gmail.com so we can connect.)

RSVP:  We need to know how many to plan for.  Leave a comment or send me an e-mail to let us know you’re coming.

Guatemala (Clothing) – A Look Back

Over the next two weeks, I’ll be highlighting four or five of the top posts written in 2013 on The Stretched Blog. If you’ve been hanging around for a while, you know Guatemala was a major focus this year.  (As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, our family is starting to work on plans for returning to Guatemala in 2014.)  Today’s post is the fourth most popular post written this year.  Of all the posts about Guatemala, this post received the most traffic.  Check it out to learn more about Guatemala.

Guatemala – Clothing

Over the next several weeks and months, I will intersperse facts and figures about Guatemala through the blog.  As I share this information, it’s my hope to further understand this country that has captured my heart.  Today, I’ll share about the clothing in Guatemala.  Last week, I shared some information about education (click here).

Photo by Adam Flora

From my experience last summer in Guatemala, the men dress fairly plainly.  I observed that most men wore button down shirts or T-shirts.  I don’t recall seeing a single man wearing shorts.  They were wearing blue jeans or khaki pants.  Many of the men wore some type of hat.  These hats were often fitted with a wide brim which I assume was used to protect them from the sun.

Photo by Adam Flora

The boys in the community where I served (Xenacoj) wore blue jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, and sweatshirts.  Many of the T-shirts and sweatshirts were decorated with American images and logos.  And I’m assuming the community thrived on clothing passed down from the United States.

The woman in the Guatemala dress more formally.  They wear a skirt and a colorful, hand-made blouse called a huipil.  Each town or region is known for its own color scheme.  The women in Xenacoj wore a reddish, purplish top with colored patterns.  These blouses are quite expensive compared to the average pay in Guatemala and often become the most prized and fanciest attire for the women in the villages of Guatemala.

The girls wear a mix of formal clothing like the older women, but they also wear T-shirts and skirts.  Again, I would assume that many of the shirts and skirts come through the United States and more advanced countries (although I would guess that many of these items are made in China).

For more great information on Guatemala clothing, I would encourage you to check out this website.  There are some great pictures and proper names for the clothing that we saw in Guatemala.

On a side note, one of the sad things I saw when we were in Guatemala this summer related to the clothing we wear here in the United States.  In the town of Xenacoj, workers were working ten to twelve hours a day for a few bucks a day making Hollister jeans.  I don’t own any of these jeans, but I’ve been told that they sell for approximately $80 per pair in malls and shopping centers in the United States.  As I think about this, a passage from Matthew comes to mind:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”Matthew 25:31-46

 

Obviously, you and I don’t need to go to Guatemala to clothe the needy, feed the poor, and looking after the homeless, the sick, and the prisoners.  There are people all around us who could use a helping hand.  While our family is looking forward to helping the poor in Guatemala, we are also challenged to look to those around us right where we live.  Hopefully, learning a little bit about Guatemala will give us all a deeper appreciation for what we have an a better understanding of those around us and around the world who are needy.

What’s your favorite piece of clothing?  What’s your most expensive piece of clothing?  Are you willing to give up your favorite or most expensive piece of clothing to help someone in need?

Go To Guatemala With Me In 2014!

This is a time when people are setting goals and planning vacations for the new year.  I’m looking forward to new goals and new beginnings in 2014.  I want to challenge you to consider a goal/vacation trip.  Why not go to Guatemala with our family in 2014?

Our family is starting to plan a return to Guatemala.

Here are the rough details:

End of July or Beginning of August 2014

Fly into and Guatemala City from your city

Serve in and around Xenacoj (this could be a mix of feeding children, visiting widows, construction, or other forms of serving).  I can’t tell you exactly what we’ll be doing yet, but I’m sure it will be life changing for you and for those in Guatemala.

Approximate cost is $1,300 to $1,500 per person.  This includes your airfare, expenses in Guatemala (food, transportation, shelter), and travel insurance.  You’ll need a passport (which could add to the cost if you don’t have a current passport).

If you’re interested in hearing more, leave a comment.  I’ll touch base with you with more information.

Here are two highlight videos to wet your appetite.  The first video highlights our family’s trip in 2013.  The second video highlights my first trip to Guatemala in 2012.

A Letter To Me – Note From Guatemala (2012)

This week, I received a letter from me.  It’s a note I wrote to myself the day before I left Xenacoj, Guatemala for the first time (in 2012).  It’s interesting to read my thoughts in this letter.  The letter really only scratches the surface on the reflections I’ve had since leaving Xenacoj the first time and returning again last summer.  Here’s the letter:

Dear Jon,

When thinking back to all of the incredible things God did during my trip to Xenacoj, Guatemala with Adventures Youth (and RIOT Missions), I stand amazed.

What an experience it was!  I couldn’t stop laughing when Spencer (Ware) shared his funny stories.  And you’ll never believe me when I tell you about the time when we built a home for a family in just 2 1/2 days.

This experience wasn’t just new places and faces, God showed up in huge ways.  My favorite part about ministry was sharing and praying with locals and I will never forget the way their openness impacted me so much.  I especially loved the time we were able to bless Zuli’s family by building a home and giving her family paint for their new house.

This week, the rhythm of my life was interrupted.  I learned to connect with God by avoiding distractions.  The big groups and devotions helped me discover that I have a unique sound and story.  In the wavelength of my life’s experiences, my highs and lows, I can see how God is involved in my life.  During this trip, I saw God in key moments like the time we returned from dedicating Zuli’s house.

Being empowered to access the kingdom and hear God’s voice, I learned sharing our faith is simply a matter of offering prayer and a hand of help to those in need.

Something I never knew about myself until this experience is kids (teenagers) actually look up to me (and not just because I’m tall).  The biggest thing I learned about God and His character is He speaks to me.  Because of Xenacoj, I will never live life the same way as before.

The world is waiting and it’s time I amplified the messages I hear from the Lord, time to proclaim my story.  And it’s not just enough to amplify.  After this week, I realize the need to reverberate; I must keep moving again and again, allowing the voice of God to echo through my own story.

Jon

A missions trip of this type is pretty powerful.  It stretches you in ways you could never fully imagine.  This initial trip which was spurred by a question from a friend and a leap of faith has led to significant life change.  My family has been forever changed.  And I’m convinced we can help other individuals and families to experience this same type of life change.  Xenacoj left a huge mark – a STRETCH mark – on me.

Our family is in the process of planning a return trip to Xenacoj in 2014.  We would love to have you join us.  I can’t promise it will be easy.  I can’t promise it will be comfortable.  I can’t promise you’ll have the exact same experience as I have had so far.  But I can promise this – you will be stretched.  You will be wrecked (in a good way).  And you will be forever changed.

How does that make you feel?  Scared?  Excited?  Inspired?  Encouraged?  Unaffected?  Really how does the thought of joining me and my family on a missions trip to Xenacoj, Guatemala make you feel?

What are you waiting for?  What will it take for you to go?

Seriously, if this is something you are interested in pursuing.  Please leave a comment or reach out to me.  Let’s talk!

Thank You – #23

Thank You No. 23

Today, I’m thankful for Guatemala.

Guatemala has left a distinct mark on me.  I love the people there.  I love the lessons I’ve learned so far through my experiences related to Guatemala.  And I’m grateful for a country so far away from my home where God works amazing miracles.  I can’t wait to go back again!

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.  I Peter 2:11

Why are you thankful today?

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5 Reasons The Church Should Engage In Short-Term Missions

The local church is God’s designed instrument for impacting the local community and for living out the Great Commission.  And I believe short-term missions is a key tool for pursuing this command.  If you’ve been reading for very long, you know that short-term missions has had a huge impact on me – an individual.  But I believe there is something greater to consider.  Short Term Missions can also have an amazing impact on churches.

In today’s post, I’d like to share some thoughts on short-term missions and the local church.  I’ll present five reasons the local church should engage in short-term missions.  I’d love to get your thoughts and feedback.  Do you agree with these reasons?  What other reasons would you add to this list?  And how have you seen short-term missions work (or not work) in your local church?

5 Reasons the local church should engage in short-term missions:

1. Short Term Missions provides a way to partner with full-time missionaries.  There are many full-time missionaries out there who depend on relationships built through the local church to provide financial and prayer support for their ministry.  Short Term Missions connects churches with missionaries to enable greater work.
2. Short Term Missions challenges individuals to take a leap of faith.  This is part of my story.  My church has made a practice of challenging church attenders to go on a short-term missions trip.  I’m assuming that most people are like me.  Most people have to take a leap of faith in order to go on this kind of trip.  These kinds of trips change lives.  My life was changed when I took a leap of faith to Guatemala in 2012, and I know many people who were dramatically changed when they decided to go on a short-term missions trip.
3. Short Term Missions encourages members of the church body to leave a legacy.  This is becoming my story.  My initial trip to Guatemala had a huge impact on me.  I knew when I came back the first time I wanted to go back again.  And I also knew I wanted to keep finding ways to make an eternal dent in the village of Xenacoj.  Even now, I am planning and praying about a return to Guatemala in 2014.  Maybe you’ll join me!
4. Short Term Missions is a way for the local church to make disciples of ALL people.  The Great Commission instructs Christ followers to go into ALL the world baptizing and teaching others to follow Christ.  I believe this starts in the local community, but I also believe the local church has a responsibility to go into ALL the world.  A great way for the local church to take an initial step toward this command is to pursue short-term missions.
5. Short Term Missions inspires the church body to pursue greater goals for the Kingdom.  Everybody likes a great story.  I know my stories from Guatemala have been an encouragement for others.  And I’ve seen the stories of others who have returned from a week away in Guatemala, Mexico, Haiti, India, and Kenya.  These stories have an amazing power to move people.  Call it the ripple effect.  Stories from short-term missions experiences multiply and even grow exponentially as other people jump on board to go on a trip of their own and as churches take bigger leaps and make intentional decisions to devote more of their focus and resources to helping people in far away lands.

Do you agree with these reasons?  What other reasons would you add to this list?  And how have you seen short-term missions work (or not work) in your local church?

Don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Stretched newsletter.  Check out this post to find out how to sign up.