Following Along: Our Journey with ODIM Guatemala

Wherever you are this week, we invite you to walk alongside our team in prayer.

Welcome

From July 16-24, 2026, six members of the Congregational Church of Topsfield are traveling to Guatemala to serve alongside our ministry partners at ODIM Guatemala.

Mission isn't about bringing God somewhere new. It's about joining God where God is already at work.

Throughout the week, this page will be updated with daily reflections, prayers, photos, and stories from our team.

Each day you'll find:

A brief update on the team's journey
A reflection inspired by the day's experiences
A prayer for the team and our partners
Photos and stories as they become available

Thank you for accompanying our team through your prayers.

"Responding to the needs of the world while being formed by the love of Jesus."

Today's Prayer

Prayer for a Safe Return Home - July 24

Dear Jesus, Our journey through life is long and hard. We cannot make this trip alone; we must walk together on the journey. You promised to send us a helper, your Spirit. Help us to see your Spirit in those you send to journey with us. In the refugee family, seeking safety from violence, Let us see your Spirit. In the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables, Let us see your Spirit. In the asylum--‐seeker, seeking justice for himself and his family, Let us see your

Want to pray more deeply?
Download the Prayer Partner Guide used by our mission team.

DOWNLOAD OUR PRAYER GUIDE

DAILY UPDATES

New reflections will be added each day throughout the journey.

Check back often to pray with us and follow the team's experiences.

RETURNING HOME TOGETHER

TODAY'S JOURNEY -T oday our team travels from Antigua to Guatemala City to begin their journey home to the United States. They return with new friendships, new experiences, and many stories to share with our congregation. Thank you for accompanying them throughout the week with your prayers.

Jul 24

PREPARING TO RETURN HOME

TODAY'S JOURNEY - Today the team says goodbye to their friends at Lake Atitlán and begins the journey back to Antigua. There they'll visit museums featuring Guatemalan painters and sculptors, explore local art galleries, and tour partially restored convents and monasteries before sharing a final meal together as they reflect on the week's experiences.

Jul 23

Reports Along the Way - Day 6

View from Joanna Dwyers home on Lake Atitlan. She is one of the founders of ODIM and had us for dinner tonight.

Jul 22

LEARNING FROM THE COMMUNITY

TODAY'S JOURNEY - Today the team will spend the day in San Juan La Laguna, where they will receive a blessing during a traditional Maya fire ceremony. They'll tour Clínica Sanjuanerita, meet members of ODIM's medical and financial staff, participate in an activity with youth in the Salud del Adolescente (Adolescent Health) program, and visit a weaving cooperative where women support their families through the creation of beautiful textiles on traditional backstrap looms.

Jul 22

What has this community been teaching you?

I found all the different ways I could communicate with the ODIM staff and the people we were building the stove for. I couldn't speak to them verbally... but we communicated anyway... I thought it was so special how just being human allows those connections—you don't need a shared language, just to be yourself and communicate however is possible." — Fletcher

Jul 21

Reports Along the Way - Day 5

What a great first work day at San Pablo de Laguna. We met the ODIM staff and were trained on how to build the stoves with the filter inserts. After our training, we had a delicious lunch together and got to know each other more. After lunch we were divided into groups of 4 including one ODIM representative in each group. We then set out to meet the designated families/recipients of the stoves. Each team worked so hard and we reflected after on what challenges we had and

Jul 21

WALKING ALONG SIDE OUR PARTNERS

TODAY'S JOURNEY - Today the team will complete the installation of Onil clean-burning stoves and Ecofilter water filtration systems in homes around San Pablo La Laguna. In the evening, they'll gather at the home of JoAna Dwyer, ODIM's founder, to learn how to make traditional tortillas and enjoy music shared by members of her caretaker family.

Jul 21

Reports Along the Way - Day 4

We are getting ready to head off to see a weaving presentation, tour some local murals, and watch a Mayan ball game. The weather is beautiful here. We are awoken by the sounds of local birds and local dogs barking good morning to us each day. Today was incredible. San Juan De Laguna was beaming in culture and heritage. San Juan is one of the poorest yet communities yet the most bountiful with culture and pride. We saw murals that not only showed us the history of San Juan

Jul 20

COMMUNITY HEALTH IN ACTION

TODAY'S JOURNEY - Today our team will meet the staff of ODIM Guatemala and learn about the organization's community health programs. They'll share lunch with members of the ODIM staff before learning how to install Onil clean-burning stoves and Ecofilter water filtration systems in homes in San Pablo La Laguna. Thanks to a generous donor, this year's team will help install ten stoves and water filters during their visit.

Jul 20

Following Along: Our Journey with ODIM Guatemala

Wherever you are this week, we invite you to walk alongside our team in prayer.

Welcome

Today's Prayer

Prayer for a Safe Return Home - July 24

Want to pray more deeply? Download the Prayer Partner Guide used by our mission team.

DAILY UPDATES

RETURNING HOME TOGETHER

PREPARING TO RETURN HOME

Reports Along the Way - Day 6

LEARNING FROM THE COMMUNITY

What has this community been teaching you?

Reports Along the Way - Day 5

WALKING ALONG SIDE OUR PARTNERS

Reports Along the Way - Day 4

COMMUNITY HEALTH IN ACTION

Want to pray more deeply?
Download the Prayer Partner Guide used by our mission team.