DBU students discover meaning of ‘pure and undefiled religion’

XELA, Guatemala—A 15-member team of students, faculty and staff from Dallas Baptist University learned what it meant to practice what the New Testament epistle of James called “pure and undefiled” religion when they ministered to 75 orphans in Guatemala.

The trip marked DBU’s seventh to Guatemala in partnership with Buckner International.

“It was amazing to spend time loving on these kids who don’t get very many hugs, touches, or words of encouragement,” explained trip leader Christy Gandy, DBU assistant director of spiritual life.

“To see their faces light up with joy when we walked in was always so special. It was amazing how quickly they would attach themselves to us.”

DBU students developed a Vacation Bible School program, using Bible stories, recreation and crafts to teach children about the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

In addition to the Vacation Bible School program, DBU students hosted a birthday celebration in which every child at the orphanage received a gift.

“The best thing about the trip was just loving on the kids,” DBU sophomore Elizabeth Lopez said.

Chrisy Gandy,DBU assistant director of spiritual life, enjoys time with three girls from the orphanage in Xena, Guatemala. (PHOTOS/Courtesy of Dallas Baptist University)

A special focus of this trip was the intentional inclusion of graduate-level students. Under the supervision of Shannon Wolf, DBU assistant professor of counseling, three graduate students shared basic counseling principles with the workers at the orphanage, such as dealing with neglect and active listening techniques.

The mission trip fit into DBU’s service-learning emphasis, where students are encouraged to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to real world settings.

“The service-learning trip to Guatemala has been a highlight in my counseling studies,” graduate student Erika Wiegand said. “All these conversations and experiences further advanced my understanding of multicultural perspectives in counseling in a way that could not have been achieved in only the classroom.”

Dallas Baptist University sophomore Elizabeth Mullins plays with a girl at the orphanage in Xena, Guatemala. (PHOTOS/Courtesy of Dallas Baptist University)

Another graduate student, Lori Ryan, added: “I truly believe I will be a better counselor because of my experience, and I will have a special tenderness and understanding of cultural differences and how the differences impact the counseling process.”

While the students made an impact on the lives of children in Guatemala, the mission volunteers “walked away changed, as well,” Gandy observed.

“It was a reminder to be thankful for all we’ve been given—for friends and parents who love us—and to remember how blessed we truly are,” she said.