THE STORY BEHIND THE MISSION
Helping Hands International began it's partnership with ASELSI in 2023 when we sent a scout trip to see their ministry first hand. We immediately knew it was a perfect fit. ASELSI loves short term trips and Helping Hands is extremely supportive and is blessed to be a small part of what they are doing in Guatemala. ASELSI provides non-denominational Bible education and ministry leadership training tailored to the unique needs of indigenous, rural pastors, and church leaders. They also run Father’s Heart Medical Clinic serving people who would not otherwise be able to receive medical care and medicine. Evangelism, personal ministry, and miracles happen every week in the clinic. This clinic is made available through the generous donations of funds for the medicine, staff, and programs that provide over 10,000 patient visits annually.
Visit https://aselsi.org/ to learn more
OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES:
This service trip focuses on supporting ASELSI through yearly mission trips and taking part in one of their many ministry opportunities such as those listed below. In 2025, we built a house for a local family in need. We will built a house for Maria. She is the mother of a 10 year old son and was abandoned by her husband. She now lives in her brand new home. The other options for ministry include the following and will be catered to your group:
- Help in the clinic: Drs, nurses, count pills in pharmacy, pray with patients. We have a portable dental set up for cleaning, extracting and filling teeth. Therapists and teachers can work in our programs for special needs children.
- Construction Project: At ASELSI campus or in the community. Our social services and projects director has a list of people requesting new tin roofs, simple houses, latrines, etc. The projects are based on the team’s funding and abilities.
- Home visits: bringing a basket of food to a family in need. Praying with them.
- English or hygiene teaching at a local school.
- Training of local pastors and leaders
- Training for the local health care personnel
- Sports programs with local youth
- Evening youth group activities with a local church
- VBS if during the fall months (School is in session from January through mid October)
- Some teams choose to go to a village a few hours away, sleep on camping cots in a church and do medical clinics or construction projects.
- Any other activities. We have had some firemen train the local firemen in rescue. Some have sponsored conferences for pastors and leaders. Some have trained teachers.
We will also have the opportunity to:
- Tour the local area
- Tour Guatemala City or Antigua
- Zipline at Lake Atitlán
What To Expect
Where We Stay & What We Eat
Lodging consists of an extremely nice heated dormitory style building separated into a Men's and Woman's rooms with a central kitchen and living room. They come with a pretty comfy mattress but don't forget your pillow and sleeping bag. The food is prepared by the mission base staff. It’s a variety of all sorts of delicious food. There is clean purified drinking water in a couple different locations on the base.
What to Bring
Light weight jacket, sweatshirt, good shoes & rain gear are must haves
(shorts ONLY to be worn for soccer—long shorts-- or in your room)
Hat for the sun.
Men:
Jeans for working, slacks for church and other activities, depending on your
schedule.
Casual shirts
Collared shirt and a tie if you will be preaching in church
Work boots for construction
Swim trunks if staying at a hotel with a pool
Warm nightwear
Women:
Skirts or dresses below the knee (for church, and other ministry activities)
Pants/Slacks /sweats (no shorts)
Comfortable tops (no tank tops or sleeveless tops)
Swimsuit, one-piece please, if staying at a hotel with a pool
Jeans for working
Work boots for construction
Modest (and warm) nightwear
Personal Items
Your Bible – (can be on your phone)
A copy of the main page of your passport - carry separately from your original
Prescription meds or over-the-counter meds that you use or might need.
Toiletries (small shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc)
Refillable water bottle
Phone charger
Insect repellent
Sunscreen – you will be closer to the sun and will burn easier
Sunglasses
Eye care supplies for contact lenses
Spending money - most good shoppers can spend $100 or more without too
much effort! (No Travelers Checks. We’ve had problems cashing them here.)
Photos from home to share
Extra batteries for anything battery-operated
Female Toiletries (e.g. tampons are difficult to find here)
Favorite snacks, if you have dietary restrictions
Hairdryer (current is the same as the States)
Antibacterial hand cleanser to carry with you
Dramamine (This is not available in Guatemala and can be helpful if you get car sick)
Flashlight
Small notebook to keep a journal
Leave your good jewelry at home!
