How Proyecto Fe Partnered with Colegio Evangelico Bethel School

What is now Proyecto Fe had its beginnings back in January 1996, when Joe LoMonaco of Anchorage, Alaska went to Guatemala to visit the poorest of schools and orphanages partnered by Compassion International, and children he sponsored through Compassion. One of Compassion’s projects was a small Christian school in San Pedro La Laguna, on the western shore of Lake Atilan.

There he met Emilio and Ester Battz. Emilio was the son of a businessman (Emilio, Sr.) who was also an evangelist, and who founded many churches in the mountains west of San Pedro. Emilio and Ester saw the need for Christian education in this village, and founded a school, Colegio Bethel. When Joe arrived with Sol de Lehnhoff, of Compassion’s Guatemala office, they discovered that Colegio Bethel had lost the building they were renting for the school, and were teaching in the basement of Emilio’s church. Emilio explained that the school could only remain there for approximately one year, when the church would be completed. By then they would need to relocate.

Even though Emilio had no outside sponsorship, he used his personal funds to lay the foundation for a school which he felt would be large enough to meet the needs of Christian education in San Pedro La Laguna (population 10,000 people). As he received or had a few extra dollars to spare he would buy a few blocks and lay them on the foundation. It was this foundation that he showed Joe, as he shared with him his vision. Joe questioned Emilio regarding available money, help, and the estimated cost of the construction, to which Emilio responded, “I don’t know these details for certain, but I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord will build this school!”

Joe returned to Alaska, but could not get over this man and his faith. For months, Joe prayed about what his part was to be in this work, if any. He became very frustrated, as he searched for answers, but none were forthcoming. Joe gave up more than once, but the Lord kept bringing back the memory of Emilio and Ester’s incredible faith. Finally, in August 1996, Joe was given the name of Forward Edge International, a short-term missions ministry in Washington state. With the help of Don Kassebaum of Forward Edge, Joe organized a team of men and women from Anchorage, Alaska, who went in December 1996, to help with the construction of the school. These team members also caught the vision of the work. On their return, they shared it with other people, who began contributing funds for the continuing construction effort.

In May 1997, they brought Emilio and Ester to the United States to visit supporters and share their vision with several churches in Alaska. This resulted in many groups traveling to Guatemala. Their efforts and contributions have resulted in a 3-story school building, which now serves over 400 students. The Battz home, still occupied by Ester and Emilio and their family, also serves as the administration offices. It is our hope that they will soon be able to build a new home in another location and that their current home will be used for the ongoing, increasing efforts of managing the school.

The work of Proyecto Fe was never limited to just the school project. Each team that went down to Guatemala also visited some of the mountain churches begun by Emilio, Sr. and which now are overseen by Emilio. Pastors and church members from churches too far away for the teams to visit often walked for days to come and see the Christians from North America who had come to help in the work. Team members caught the vision of this need also and sought a means of helping these churches grow.

In 1998, supporters in Anchorage, Alaska, spearheaded by Cornerstone Church, organized an auction to help raise funds for these mountain churches. The proceeds of this auction, which has been held each fall since that year, provide funds to assist in the purchase of land and/or construction of six churches each year. This auction also provides the funding for VBS (Vacation Bible School) teams that travel each November to these villages. In addition to sharing the gospel with children and young people, they also distribute clothing and other items provided by Proyecto Fe and also hold evangelistic services in the evenings. Hundreds of people have come to know Christ through the ministry of VBS.

But the impact of the auction goes beyond mere fundraising. People who came to the auction are introduced to the work and the needs of Colegio Bethel. Many people who attended the auction have then gone to Guatemala to help in the ministries there. Furthermore, people who were not Christians have attended the auction, drawn by the humanitarian needs, and have been exposed to the Gospel.  We are seeking ways to introduce small businesses and/or industry to San Pedro, to help the people of the school and churches become more self-sustaining.

We look forward to what God is going to do in the coming years through Proyecto Fe. Everything that has been done up to now has been only through His grace and providence. We know that “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:6