by Eli Sierra, Legacy Covenant Fellowship When God plants a seed in your heart, remarkable things can happen. For my wife, Leanne, and me, that seed came in the form of a mission trip to Guatemala with Nicolás Fund For Education (NFE)—a trip that deepened our faith, strengthened our marriage, and revealed God’s faithfulness in ways we never imagined. A Seed Planted Through Faith and Education For more than a decade, I had a front-row seat to my wife Leanne’s love for NFE, where she proudly served as an Administrative Assistant. My name is Eli Sierra, and I live in Dallas, Texas, where I teach Chemistry and also serve as the pastor of a small church. Faith and education have always been woven into the fabric of our lives, which is why Leanne’s work with NFE felt so deeply connected to our shared values. One evening last year, Leanne shared photos of a mission trip team working in the Ixil region of Guatemala. It was a casual moment, but something stirred in me as I looked at those faces and learned about this unique mission. Nicolas Christian School (NCS), part of the NFE organization, not only fosters education but also centers its mission on faith—two cornerstones of our lives. Before I knew it, Leanne and I were dreaming up a special way to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in 2025. We could have picked a beach vacation or dinner at a fancy restaurant, but God had something weightier in mind. We would travel to Guatemala together—leaning into a calling that combined service, learning, and faith. Preparing Our Hearts Before departing, our mission trip leader, Becky, organized regular virtual team meetings. …
Where the Grass is Greenest
I just returned from my second mission trip to Guatemala. And I hope that these reflections won’t come across as cliché or emotionally charged reactions to short-term missions abroad. Because the more I engage in missions, the more I realize what missions truly are. I used to think the goal of overseas missions was to bring God to places of physical or spiritual poverty. But the kids and teachers in the Ixil region of Guatemala keep teaching me something different: Missions isn’t about bringing God somewhere. It’s about recognizing how fully present He already is. Every time I go, I plan to bring my light, joy, and faith to share with these kids. But somehow, I always come back carrying theirs. It’s the strangest, most beautiful thing—something I think anyone who’s done missions overseas might understand. When I’m with the students at Nicolás Christian School, I feel like I have everything I could ever need. There’s something sacred about being with people who aren’t glued to their phones, who are curious without judgment, kind without trying to be, and playful as if the world were already whole. Many of these students live in shacks. Their families have walked through genocide. They face food insecurity, limited access to healthcare and education, and a lack of consistent electricity. And yet— They are some of the most joyful people I’ve ever met. That reality always stops me in my tracks, especially when I compare it to what I see back home. In the U.S., the youth I minister to live in comfort. They have everything they could ever want or need at their fingertips. But when we recently asked some 7th graders what …
Spiritual Milestones: A Day of Transformation and Joy
The June 2025 Nicolás Fund For Education (NFE) Mission Trip team experienced a day of profound spiritual importance, thanks to Pastor Eli Sierra’s participation. His presence made it possible for Nicolás Christian School (NCS) to hold its first-ever water baptisms on the new campus—a moment that will forever be etched in our hearts. The day began with a powerful student devotion led by Becci Merritt. She shared the story of the Pool at Bethesda (John 5:2-9), using a brief but impactful Spanish clip from The Chosen. The devotion emphasized a life-changing truth: our relationship with Christ is all we need. Becci encouraged students to avoid living an “as soon as” life—waiting for circumstances to change or people to arrive—and instead place their hope in Christ today. Following the devotion, Pastor Eli delivered a powerful message on the meaning and importance of baptism. His words touched everyone deeply, and when he invited people to the altar, a seventh-grade boy named Abdiel stood up shyly. The room erupted with cheers and applause as his classmates celebrated his decision to give his life to Christ. One by one, more students stood—each greeted with joyful cheers. By the end, five NCS students who had already finished baptism classes were joined by two girls from the community and five more students who responded to the altar call. In total, twelve students came forward to be baptized—a number that matched the prayer National Director Ivan España had journaled the night before. God had answered his prayer in a way that left everyone in awe. The baptismal certificate each student receives leaves the name of the church blank, enabling them to fill in the name of the …
Experiencing Faith and Transformation: Nicolás Fund for Education Mission Trips
Nicolás Fund for Education (NFE) Mission Trips offer a deeply impactful and life-changing experience for participants while serving to empower the Mayan youth in Guatemala’s Ixil region. Through Christ-centered education, NFE helps to break the generational cycle of poverty, bringing hope to an area that has faced immense challenges. For mission participants, these trips are an opportunity to grow spiritually, connect with the communities served, and witness the powerful impact of education. A Journey Through Guatemala’s Rich History and Culture Each mission trip begins with a warm introduction to Guatemala, allowing participants to acclimate while appreciating the region’s breathtaking beauty and cultural vibrancy. Spending a day in Antigua, a historically rich city, participants explore cobblestone streets, volcano-studded landscapes, and vibrant markets. A stop at the ancient Mayan ruins on the way to Nebaj is a fascinating reminder of the Mayan people’s deep-rooted history and traditions. Exploring these ruins offers a meaningful pause, connecting participants to the cultural heritage of the communities they will soon serve. Serving the Ixil Region The heart of the mission lies in the Ixil region of Guatemala, where the focus is on building relationships and offering support through various activities: Prayer Walks and Community Visits One of the most touching aspects of the trip involves visiting NFE villages, where participants engage in prayer walks. These moments are powerful and intimate connections, allowing mission team members to meet students and their families, listen to their stories, and pray with them. These communities’ resilience and hope for a brighter future through education are incredibly moving. Supporting Nicolás Christian School Nicolás Christian School (NCS) is a beacon of hope and opportunity for the Ixil community. Mission trip participants enjoy …
An Inspiring Ten-Day Journey in Guatemala with Nicolás Fund for Education: A Team Member’s Unforgettable Experience of the First Two Days
By Carrie Nordberg, NFE Board Secretary & February Mission Team Leader We’ve officially arrived! Our 10-day Nicolás Fund for Education mission trip began early Friday morning. Although our flights from Seattle and Dallas were delayed, we eventually touched down in Guatemala City at 12:30 am on Saturday. Thanks to our wonderful interpreter, Clarita, who coordinated all our local arrangements, we made it to our hotel (just five minutes from the airport) and finally settled in for the night around 1:30 am. True to form, Seth Nordberg slept through without a hitch and woke up energized. I wasn’t quite as lucky, but after a good breakfast and strong coffee, we were ready for the next leg of our adventure to Panajachel, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Heavy traffic delayed us, but by 2:00 p.m., we were ziplining at the Atitlan Nature Reserve—an exhilarating start to our trip! Seth and I opted for the Extreme zip lines (with eight runs, some impressively long), while others embraced the Super Extreme. The views of the lake were breathtaking, and we finished our day with monkeys and wildlife on the trails, our first tuk-tuk ride, ice cream in town, and a lakeside dinner before collapsing, exhausted and happy. The next morning (Sunday), we started with a hotel breakfast before admiring Lake Atitlan’s natural beauty. Although clouds hid the volcanoes, the landscape was still stunning. We soon boarded our bus for a short drive to Chichicastenango, famous for its vibrant markets. The energy, colors, and aromas were incredible! After exploring, we traveled on to the Ixil region. To give context, it took us 3.5 hours to cover just 60 miles due to the winding mountain …
Empowering the Future in Ixil: Nicolás Fund For Education is Transforming Guatemalan Youth
Phenomenal change is happening in the Ixil, and I have witnessed that change firsthand. In 2002, I traveled to the Ixil on an AGROS trip to work alongside the village of La Esperanza. My husband Dave and I continued to work with Villa Hortensia Uno (VH1). Now, as a veteran traveler to Guatemala, I have made twelve working trips to the Ixil. I attended the Nicolas Christian School graduation ceremony for Villa Hortensia Uno in 2018. These were the first students ever to complete ninth grade in this village. It was a thrill to see their joy and accomplishments celebrated. Some had waited years to have the opportunity to learn past the sixth grade. It was a dream of a lifetime to earn a ninth-grade education. Two of the students were twenty and twenty-one years of age. Thank you to Nicolàs Fund for Education for extending education to this remote village. I had the joy and excitement of meeting the three teachers and one tutor employed at the school. I knew these teachers from elementary age. These teachers graduated from the very first graduating class in 2018. They worked hard to overcome adversity to complete high school and continued their education beyond high school to become teachers. This is their village. They were born and raised and educated here. And now they have chosen to pass on the blessing of education to their brothers and sisters, cousins, and friends, who would not otherwise have an open path for the future. They are thirsty to learn. Two of the teachers in VH1 are pursuing university degrees using online learning. Eliseo is studying theology, and Juan is studying English. By investing in …
