As we move into the Fall, a highlight this past summer was helping faculty engage their faith in both gospel service and gospel proclamation.

Working with Filter of Hope Guatemala, our team of 15 faculty, PhD students, spouses and kids, and Cru staff served alongside two local churches working to meet the physical and spiritual needs of their communities. 

Access to clean drinking water is a huge issue throughout much of the developing world, and we had the opportunity to both install portable water filters and to share the gospel at over 40 homes. 

Marisela and her family were just one of the many homes we visited. She is a believer and had been praying for years for her two older daughters, who were not yet Christians. With limited access to clean drinking water, Marisela was excited to receive a filter. More importantly, she wanted her daughters to hear the gospel. After an hour or so installing and demonstrating how the filter works, we took time to share what we called the “second gift” — God’s free gift of salvation. 

The filter is an incredible illustration of the gospel: our lives representing the dirty water, and that only through Christ – God’s “filter” or mediator – can our lives become clean. What a privilege – and an answer to a mother’s prayer – to see both of these young women indicate a decision to place their faith Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. 

We love this feedback from Professor Yan Whisler:

“This trip provided a great entry to families with a physical need for clean water and a natural way to transition into conversation about faith in Jesus Christ … This trip has been life-transforming and has unleashed them for God’s Kingdom work.

“On a personal note, as a believer from China, a country that has been on the receiving end of the gospel message, I made a commitment to God four years ago that I would share the gospel with people groups other than my own. God used this trip to show me a glimpse of what that might look like. This trip is my first international mission trip and I consider it a milestone of my participation in God’s global Mission. I look forward to the day as described in Psalm 86:9. “All the nations you have made will come and worship before You, Lord; they will bring glory to Your Name.”

A unique part of this trip was that fully half of our team were fluent in Spanish. It was incredible having faculty and PhD students originally from Colombia, Peru, and Chile serving families and being able to communicate in their heart language. It was such a reminder of the global impact of the gospel.

Claudia, originally from Chile, shared “I learned how to share the gospel in a simple way…trusting in how God will act in each person. The trip was a necessary step to practice my faith and know more about who God is.”

Ericka, originally from Peru, shared “this mission trip was an eye opening for me. I can see how the Lord has been preparing me through all my previous experiences to be an instrument of His word. He has made me a living testimony of what He can do in people’s lives. Seeing this people struggling badly with things I enjoy at home, touched my heart and made me realized He wants me to do His work in unknown places for me with unknown people, because He is everywhere.”

Here’s a link to a short video from Filter of Hope and an overview of their ministry. 

A similar trip – with faculty serving alongside a team of Cal Poly students – is tentatively planned during Spring Break 2024. Please let us know if you’d like more information about this opportunity. 

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