Guatemala FAQ
Planning to serve with Untether Life in Guatemala? This page answers the most common questions about our Guatemala mission trips, including who can participate, what to expect, trip preparation, safety, fundraising, and how you'll make an impact.
What is an Untether Life Guatemala mission trip?
An Untether Life Guatemala mission trip is a hands-on opportunity to serve alongside our trusted local ministry partners as they continue the work God has already called them to do. Rather than arriving with our own agenda, we come to support their ongoing ministries through practical service, relationship building, and encouragement.
Depending on the trip, projects may include helping build chicken coops, providing educational and biblical classes, leading Vacation Bible School, making home visits, participating in food distribution and community outreach, assisting with small construction projects, and sharing in fellowship with the communities we serve. Every trip is designed to create meaningful connections while supporting long-term ministry efforts that continue long after our team returns home.
Where in Guatemala does Untether Life serve?
Our teams fly into Guatemala City and make our home base in the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. From there, we serve alongside trusted local ministry partners, including Heart & Hope for Guatemala, supporting families and communities within approximately an hour of Antigua.
Depending on the trip, our outreach may include helping build chicken coops, providing educational and biblical classes, leading Vacation Bible School, making home visits, participating in food distribution, and supporting other community-based ministry projects. By partnering with established local ministries, we are able to invest in work that continues long after our teams return home, building lasting relationships and supporting the ongoing needs of the communities we serve.
Why are chicken coops important?
The chicken coop project is about much more than building a place to house chickens. It is part of a long-term vision led by our ministry partner, Heart & Hope for Guatemala, to help create sustainable economic opportunities for families in the village of Santa Domingo Xenacoj.
Each coop provides families with the opportunity to raise chickens for eggs and income while contributing to a larger community co-op designed to strengthen the local economy over time. Through education, ongoing support, and business development, the goal is to equip families with the tools they need to build lasting financial stability rather than creating dependence on outside assistance.
When Untether Life teams help build chicken coops, they are investing in a ministry that values dignity, sustainability, and long-term community transformation.
Will I interact with local families?
Yes! Relationship building is at the heart of every Untether Life mission trip. You'll have opportunities to visit homes, share meals, work alongside local families, and experience the culture in meaningful ways. While our teams participate in service projects, we believe the greatest impact often comes through the friendships, conversations, and shared experiences that happen along the way.
Who is Heart & Hope for Guatemala?
Heart & Hope for Guatemala is one of Untether Life's trusted local ministry partners, serving families in Santa Domingo Xenacoj, Guatemala, through practical, relationship-centered ministry. Founded by Rodrigo, whose calling is to faithfully invest in and build up the village of Santa Domingo Xenacoj for generations to come, Heart & Hope is committed to sharing the love of Christ while creating lasting change through discipleship, education, and compassionate service.
Together, we support their ongoing ministry through projects such as chicken coop construction, educational and biblical classes, Vacation Bible School, home visits, food distribution, community gatherings, and other initiatives that strengthen families and create opportunities for sustainable growth. Rather than creating our own programs, Untether Life comes alongside Heart & Hope for Guatemala to strengthen the work they are already doing year-round.
We believe lasting impact happens through long-term partnerships, and our relationship with Heart & Hope for Guatemala allows our mission teams to serve with humility, build meaningful relationships, and invest in work that continues long after each trip has ended.
What is the chicken coop project?
Untether Life partners with Heart & Hope for Guatemala to help families establish sustainable chicken coops that provide eggs, nutrition, and opportunities for supplemental income.
The project is designed to create long-term economic stability rather than temporary assistance. We are also developing educational resources and business training that families can access throughout the year to help them successfully grow their co-ops.
What are sustainable missions?
Sustainable missions focuses on creating lasting impact rather than short-term solutions.
Instead of simply meeting immediate needs, sustainable missions works alongside local leaders to equip families and communities with tools, education, encouragement, and ongoing relationships that continue producing fruit long after a mission team returns home.
What happens after the mission trip ends?
Our prayer is that your mission experience doesn't end when you board the plane home. We hope your time in Guatemala broadens your vision for how God can use you to serve others—not only around the world, but in your own neighborhood and community.
While international mission trips are a powerful experience, we believe local outreach is missions, too. The same heart that serves in Guatemala can serve a neighbor, a senior in a care facility, a struggling family, or someone in need of encouragement right where you live. Our hope is that you'll return home with a greater awareness of the opportunities God places in front of you every day.
We also hope you'll continue the journey with us. Our vision is to send teams to Guatemala every other month to strengthen our partnerships, provide ongoing supplies and education, and encourage the communities we serve through long-term, consistent relationships. Whether you join us again abroad or serve alongside us locally, our desire is to help you live a life marked by compassion, service, and faithful obedience wherever God calls you.
Why is Untether Life creating educational videos for Guatemala?
We believe lasting impact happens through ongoing education, not just one-time projects. While providing a family with a chicken coop is an important first step, learning how to care for the chickens, manage the coop, and grow a sustainable source of income takes time, encouragement, and continued support.
That's why Untether Life is working alongside Heart & Hope for Guatemala to develop educational video resources that can be shared with families through WhatsApp. These videos are designed to provide practical instruction on chicken care, troubleshooting common challenges, and, eventually, basic business principles that will help families contribute to the long-term success of the village's cooperative.
By creating these resources from the United States, we are able to continue supporting our ministry partners between mission trips, helping bridge the gap between short-term outreach and long-term community development.
What business education will families receive?
This is an evolving project that we are developing in partnership with Heart & Hope for Guatemala as we identify the greatest needs within the community. Our goal is to provide practical, easy-to-understand educational resources that help families move beyond receiving a chicken coop to confidently managing and growing it as a sustainable source of income.
Our initial focus is on creating short educational videos covering chicken care, health, nutrition, and day-to-day management. As the program grows, we hope to expand into in-person business education, offering practical lessons in budgeting, basic bookkeeping, customer service, marketing, inventory management, and cooperative business principles to help families strengthen and grow the village's long-term co-op.
Our vision is not simply to provide resources, but to equip families with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to create lasting opportunities for future generations.
Do I need previous mission experience?
No! You don't need previous mission experience to join an Untether Life team. We welcome people with willing hearts, a teachable spirit, and a desire to serve others.
Because Untether Life is a Christ-centered ministry, we ask every team member to be willing to grow in their faith, serve with humility, and represent Jesus well throughout the trip. Our hope is that you'll come ready to learn, ready to give, and just as importantly, ready to receive all that God has for you through the people you'll meet and the experiences you'll share.
Can families participate?
Absolutely! In fact, we love seeing families serve together. We believe mission experiences can strengthen family relationships while helping children discover at an early age what it looks like to love and serve others in practical ways.
We welcome families with children ages 5 and older, and we intentionally include age-appropriate opportunities for everyone to participate. Whether it's helping with a project, playing games with local children, participating in Vacation Bible School, or simply building relationships, every family member has a meaningful role to play.
We also offer the option to curate family-focused mission trips for churches, homeschool groups, or multiple families who would like to serve together. We'd love to help create an experience that fits your group's unique goals and needs.
Can churches bring teams?
Absolutely! We'd love to partner with your church. Whether you're sending a youth group, adult ministry, prayer team, men's or women's ministry, or a multi-generational team, we'll work with you to create a meaningful mission experience that fits your church's goals.
We especially encourage churches to consider making Guatemala an ongoing partnership rather than a one-time trip. By returning year after year, your team has the opportunity to build lasting relationships with our ministry partners and the families they serve, allowing your church to witness the long-term impact of investing consistently in a community.
Whether your church is sending its first mission team or looking to establish an annual mission partnership, Untether Life would be honored to help you every step of the way.
What is included in the trip cost?
Our trip cost is designed to cover most of the expenses you'll incur while serving in Guatemala. This includes your accommodations, the majority of your meals, all in-country transportation, ministry project costs, and the logistical support needed throughout your mission experience.
Participants are responsible for purchasing their own round-trip airfare to Guatemala and travel insurance, which is required for all team members. We also recommend bringing personal spending money for souvenirs, snacks, or any optional activities during the trip.
Once you register, you'll receive a comprehensive trip information packet that includes payment deadlines, a packing list, travel details, cultural expectations, required forms, and everything you need to confidently prepare for your mission experience. Our goal is to make the planning process as simple and stress-free as possible so you can focus on preparing your heart to serve.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not at all! You don't need to speak Spanish to join an Untether Life mission team. We work alongside trusted local ministry partners and provide translators throughout the trip, so you'll be able to communicate, build relationships, and serve with confidence.
While learning a few simple Spanish greetings is always appreciated and a fun way to connect with the local community, it's certainly not a requirement. Our translators help bridge the language gap, allowing you to focus on serving, building relationships, and experiencing the culture.
Is Guatemala safe?
Like any international destination, Guatemala requires travelers to use good judgment and be aware of their surroundings. Untether Life takes the safety of our teams seriously by working with trusted local ministry partners who know the communities we serve, planning our itineraries carefully, and avoiding areas where travel is not recommended.
Our teams stay together, travel with experienced leaders, and receive guidance on cultural expectations and practical safety precautions before and throughout the trip. As with visiting any unfamiliar city, being aware of your surroundings and following your team leaders' guidance goes a long way toward ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
While no destination is without risk, thousands of people visit Guatemala each year for tourism and mission work, and we are committed to helping our teams travel wisely, serve confidently, and enjoy a meaningful mission experience.
What should I pack?
Don't worry—we've got you covered! Once you join the team, you'll receive a comprehensive packing guide with everything you'll need for your mission trip, including clothing recommendations, travel essentials, required documents, and helpful tips to prepare you for your time in Guatemala. We'll make sure you feel confident and ready before you go.
How physically demanding is the trip?
Most people find our Guatemala trips to be very manageable. You can expect some walking, time in the sun, higher elevation, uneven terrain, and occasional stairs. While you'll want to come prepared for an active week, you don't need to be in peak physical condition to participate.
If you have physical limitations or accessibility concerns, please let us know before the trip. We'll gladly talk through the itinerary with you and do our best to make accommodations so you can have a meaningful and enjoyable mission experience.
Will there be opportunities for sightseeing?
Yes! While the primary purpose of our trip is to serve alongside our ministry partners, we also believe it's important to experience the beauty and culture of Guatemala. Each trip includes a dedicated day for sightseeing, exploring, and shopping, giving our team the opportunity to enjoy the country's rich history, breathtaking scenery, and local artisans.
We believe taking time to experience the culture helps deepen your appreciation for the people, the country, and the relationships you build throughout the week. It's a meaningful way to celebrate all that God is doing while creating memories you'll carry home with you.
Can I fundraise for my trip?
Absolutely! We never want finances to be the reason someone doesn't step into what God may be calling them to do. That's why we provide practical fundraising ideas, helpful resources, and personal coaching to help you confidently invite others to become part of your mission journey.
Every participant receives a personalized Givebutter fundraising page that can be easily shared through email, text messages, and social media, making it simple for friends and family to support your trip with secure online donations. We'll also provide fundraising tips, sample communications, and creative ideas to help you reach your goal.
Throughout the process, we're here to encourage and support you. Time and again, we've watched God provide through the generosity of family, friends, churches, and individuals who are excited to invest in what He's doing through mission work.
How do I apply?
Getting started is easy! Simply reach out through our Contact Us page, and Ginny will personally get in touch with you to schedule an initial Zoom meeting. This is a chance for us to get to know one another, answer your questions, share more about the mission experience, and help you discern whether an Untether Life trip is the right fit.
We believe every mission journey begins with a conversation, and we'd love the opportunity to hear your story and help you take your next step.
When is the next Guatemala mission trip?
We regularly schedule Guatemala mission trips throughout the year. Visit our Mission Trips page for our current calendar, upcoming trip dates, and availability, or contact us to learn about future opportunities.
How can I support the Guatemala ministry if I can't travel?
There are many meaningful ways to support our Guatemala ministry, even if you're unable to join a mission team in person. Throughout the year, our teams collect requested supplies for our ministry partners, and we often have opportunities for individuals, families, churches, and businesses to donate items that will be hand-delivered to Guatemala.
You can also make a financial gift through our Guatemala Mission Fund, helping provide ministry supplies, educational resources, project materials, and other needs identified by our local ministry partners. Every gift helps our teams continue supporting long-term ministry efforts and investing in the communities we serve.
If you'd like to donate supplies or learn about our current needs, simply reach out through our Contact Us page. We'd be happy to share our most up-to-date wish list and help you find a meaningful way to partner with the work God is doing in Guatemala.
Email: partnership@untetherlife.org
Phone: (757) 289-9930
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Untether Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We are a collective of people with like-minded hearts who want to see the gospel advance through the loving of our neighbor.
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