Cristo el Salvador
offers a quality Christ-based education at an affordable cost to the people of Puerto Barrios and the surrounding area.

• English classes
• Computer lab
• Basketball and soccer
• Bible classes

Founded in 2002, the school opened its doors to 53 students in PreKindergarten through sixth grade. Though the local economic situation has been bleak, the school continues to grow during its third academic year.

An ever growing number of children from the congregation are attending the school. About one-third of its students are from the congregation. Students come all over the area, some of them from neighboring communities.

The school offers all the regular classes found in other schools, plus classes in Bible, English, and Computer.

Student basketball and soccer teams compete with other local schools. Students also help build and rid on the school float in the annual town parade. On Guatemala Independence Day, runners carry the "Liberty Torch" from the Maya archeological site of Quirigua to the school grounds.

The staff includes seven classroom teachers and three specialized teachers for English, Bible, computer, and physical education. The church pastor teaches the Bible classes using materials from Cristo Para Todos Las Naciones (the Lutheran Hour), the Bible, and other appropriate materials.

One-fourth of Cristo el Salvador students receive scholarships from the Children's Christian Concern Society, a Lutheran non-profit organization based in Kansas.

Beginnings

Cristo el Salvador Lutheran Church first began planning for a school in the year 2000. Until that year, another school had operated in buildings directly behind the church. The building was in bad shape. The roof leaked, rafters were riddled by termites, the classroom concrete walls were cracked, and the floors were so tilted it was difficult to walk. And so, the next year was one of intensive rebuilding. A team from Trinity Lutheran-Richmond, VA traveled to Puerto Barrios to help with the first stages of work. Church members pitched in and did as much as they were able. Local contractors and laborers did the rest and the school was ready for classes in January 2001.

Years Ahead

When classes begin January 2004, the school anticipates an enrollment of 150+ students and all indications are the school will continue to grow over the years. Current plans are to build an additional classroom on a new, second level for the coming school year (January 2004). The school also hopes to add more computers to provide a complete lab; to designate a section of the school for to a modern early childhood center; to add a kitchen "lab" for homemaking class. By 2005, Cristo el Salvador plans to open a middle school (known as Básico in Guatemala).

Photos
Before - 2001
Basketball court and classroom	Cracked floors	Removing roofing	Classroom with cracked walls	Bathroom/latrines (non-working)
Now - 2003
Basketball court	Classroom with happy students	View of remodeled school	Computer lab	Bathrooms with flush toilets

Director: Lic. Carlos Palencia
Secretary: Lourdes Romero
The Rev. Byron Paz, Pastor

Cristo el Salvador Lutheran Church is in the city of Puerto Barrios, located on Guatemala Caribbean coast. The church was established in the 1940's with the assistance of missionaries of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. In the beginning, Sunday morning worship was in English for the large number of English-speakers, including foreigners working in the prosperous banana business and Jamaican immigrants. As time passed, more Spanish-speaking people desired to be a part of the Lutheran church, so a Spanish-language service was added to the Sunday afternoon. Eventually the numbers of Spanish-speakers outnumbered the English and the two services traded worship hours. The day arrived when everyone spoke Spanish and so only one service was needed.

Cristo el Salvador is presently served by Pastor Byron Paz, who also serves as President of the Lutheran Church of Guatemala. Ministry continues in the Spanish language, with additional outreach to the Garífuna people.

For individuals, groups, and congregations wanting to volunteer their services to the church, opportunties abound in Puerto Barrios. They include short and long term service in teaching, tutoring, church music, youth ministry, medical, dental, optical, and construction.

The Lutheran Communtiy Center located in the Garífuna sector of Puerto Barrios is one example of service opportunities. Once a major gathering place for this unique cultural/linguistic people, it now sits quietly in a field of tall weeds.

Trinity Lutheran Church of Richmond, VA is sending a workteam to begin the task in June 2004. One day soon, it will reopen to serve the Garífuna community. For more information, please write to MISSIONconexión

	Lutheran Schools in Guatemala		CPTLN (Lutheran Hour of Guatemala)
	Lutheran Bible Translators		Children's Christian Concern Society

last updated: 13 Jan 04