GIVING TUESDAY SPOTLIGHT

Daniel Jachens, Co-founder of Daniel Builders, shares about a recent mission trip where the team partnered with Prince of Peace Church to assist Camp Mahanaim in Puerto San Jose, Guatemala.

1. How is Daniel Builders ministering in Guatemala? Daniel Builders has made one to two trips a year to foster a relationship with Prince of Peace Church and has headed up the construction portion of their Guatemala ministry for 8 years.
   

2. How did Daniel Builders choose Guatemala as the destination for generous giving and initially connect with Prince of Peace Church? We traveled to Guatemala about 8 years ago to explore several different ministry opportunities. We felt a strong need to serve Puerto San Jose and partner with Prince of Peace Church.  The church had a vision to build Camp Mahanaim and owned the property for about 15 years before our arrival.  At the time, they did not have the funds or resources to make it happen.  God worked to fulfill both their vision and our desire to help! 
   

3. How does Prince of Peace Church use Camp Mahanaim to serve the community? They have hosted several camps and use the facility to reach the young people for Christ.  They would also like to rent the facility to other church groups.

   

4. Can you tell us more about the specific project or projects your team worked on during the trip? Over the years, we have learned how to do many different things that we are not accustomed to in the States.  Being in another country where things are done much differently, we always tend to learn a lot! We have dug foundations, hand-mixed concrete for large areas, cut down trees with machetes, coated walls with stucco, and laid a lot of block!  We've also performed plumbing and electrical work. On our last trip, our main focus was painting.

   

5. What were the primary goals you aimed to achieve during this trip? Our goal on this last trip was to get the camp ready for the first real camp session.  This included painting, cleaning, and setting up beds for the campers.

   
   

6. What was the reaction of the local community to your team's efforts? The church and community are so welcoming and loving to us each time we visit.  It is a true pleasure to be able to go and serve. They have become family to several who go regularly.
   

7. How do you measure the success of this trip? Did it meet your expectations? It is hard to measure, but we did what we came to do.  Whenever you go on a trip like this, it is important to be flexible as far as schedule and daily tasks. As participants in what the community is already doing, we do not want to act like the boss or take control.
   

8. Can you share a story or moment from the trip that has stuck with you and why it’s meaningful? There are many, but one of the most memorable things from this last trip happened as we were getting ready for the camp to start.  I drove the 12-passenger van to pick up the kids to bring them to the camp.  We packed in way too many, and there was luggage everywhere! To see the excitement on their faces and learn that this was the first time that many of these 15 and 16-year-olds had been away from home...it was an amazing opportunity to impact these young people!  During that weekend, about a dozen of them gave their lives to Christ, and it was neat to see God work!
   

9. How can others in the construction industry contribute to similar charitable efforts? There are many opportunities to get involved in a ministry and so many places that need help.  I would encourage anyone to pick a spot or ministry and devote your resources to that cause!
   

10. How has this experience shaped your view of the construction industry's potential to make a difference globally? There have been so many benefits to employees and seeing relationships grow.  It is hard but worth it!  God has blessed our lives significantly through this ministry.  Though it's our desire to go and give, most often, it's actually us who receive the blessing. I think that God can use all our gifts and talents. If we were to really use the potential that God has given us, wow, it would be amazing to see the difference that could occur in our world!