At Good Shepherd, we believe in mission not as a one-time event, but as a living relationship: serving together, learning together, growing in faith together. That’s why in 2025, we embarked on a mission trip to Guatemala with Tree 4 Hope, a partner whose work aligns deeply with our values—and who have welcomed us into their community and shared vision.
Contact Pastor Josh Brecht or a member of the Mission Trip Team with any questions.
Tree 4 Hope is a U.S.-registered non-profit (501(c)(3)) committed to long-term hope for children, elders, and families in Guatemala—and beyond—through education, health, mental wellness, and community outreach.
Their flagship programs include:
- Hope Academy Guatemala: A STEAM-based, bilingual (Spanish / English), and indigenous language (Kaqchikel) inclusive school for girls (pre-K through Grade 6).
- Hogar Miguel Magone Orphanage: A home for vulnerable children, providing holistic care including psychological support, music, nutrition, and education.
- Outreach programs: food security (daily meals for children and families), monthly elder community meals, psychological care, music education, and more.
Before our trip, we learned:
- That Tree 4 Hope not only meets urgent needs—nutritional, educational, emotional—but does so in sustainably relational ways.
- That Hope Academy is equipping girls with academic tools and global citizenship, opening doors for future opportunity.
- That the orphanage works holistically: nurturing children, caring for their trauma, supporting whole families, and engaging the wider community.
We sensed that working with this organization would allow us to serve meaningfully—and to forge a long-term partnership.
Highlights from Our 2025 Mission Trip
Our team saw firsthand how Tree 4 Hope is making a difference—and how God’s love shows up in both big moments and quiet ones.
- We helped build and paint at the technical school the orphanage is opening; joined in children’s crafts, games, and lessons at Hope Academy; and shared meals and stories with elders and families in El Aguacate.
- The children, staff, and community welcomed us with remarkable warmth—and allowed us to see homes, lives, and landscapes very different from our own: steep hills, humble dwellings, dirt floors, and precious moments.
- We witnessed music education flourishing, celebrated Teacher’s Day, and learned how internships and bilingual learning at Hope Academy are transforming students’ confidence and futures.
- Perhaps most powerful: seeing the holistic model in action—how Hope Academy and Hogar Miguel are more than buildings and programs. They are places of belonging, healing, growth, and hope.
We see this as a long-term relationship with Tree 4 Hope—especially their work through Hope Academy and the Hogar Miguel orphanage.
Here are some of our ongoing aims:
- Support for the school through volunteers, donations, and educational resources.
- Continued involvement in the orphanage’s holistic care—nutrition, psychological wellness, music, community outreach.
- Raising awareness within our church community, sharing stories of what we saw and what God continues doing in Guatemala.
- Opportunities for future trips, exchanges, and sustained interaction so that our relationship is mutual, respectful, grounded in faith.
Future Opportunities:
- We plan to have a Leaders' Trip in 2026 for 4 people from Good Shepherd to visit our partners in Guatemala.
- We hope to offer a full service trip again in 2027.
How You Can Join In
- Pray for the children, staff, teachers, and families connected with Tree 4 Hope.
- Give financially — whether through child sponsorship, supporting meals, or contributing to general or specialized programs (e.g. psychological care, music education). Tree 4 Hope has clear channels for donating on their website.
- Stay connected — attend mission stories and presentations here at Good Shepherd, receive updates, consider joining future trips.
- Share this mission: tell friends, share on social media, help us build awareness so more can engage.
In Gratitude
We thank God for the doors opened, the hands we were able to serve with, the relationships formed we formed. We’re humbled by how much we received, not just in service, but in seeing faith in action. And we look forward to seeing where this partnership leads in the coming years.
If you’d like more information about Tree 4 Hope, Hope Academy, or Hogar Miguel, or want to explore ways to get involved, please contact Pastor Josh Brecht or a member of the Tree 4 Hope team.
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