Jenna Yordy’s Lumos Experience in Guatemala

The impact of Yordy’s seven-month service trip across three cities

Recently, alumna Jenna Yordy (‘23) returned from a seven-month service trip in Guatemala as a Lumos Scholar. While abroad, she worked with three organizations that exist to serve the people of Guatemala and was eager to immerse herself in the country’s language, history and culture. 

Yordy studied global leadership and English as a second language at Belmont, naturally taking many Spanish classes along the way. To refresh her Spanish knowledge and instill some additional confidence, Yordy’s trip began with two weeks of intensive Spanish lessons in Antigua, Guatemala.

Casa Gloria 

After spending two weeks in Antigua, Yordy moved to Santa Cruz where she worked for three months with Casa Gloria, a children’s home that provides a loving home and family for orphaned, abandoned or abused children. Casa Gloria also houses a dog ministry for strays in need of food and medical treatment. 

Yordy assisted the organization’s founder, Jenna Haynes, on day-to-day basis by teaching English classes, helping children with their homework and taking them to medical appointments. 

She was struck by the organization's emphasis on routine and creating a genuine sense of love and belonging for the children, many of whom were recovering from traumatic pasts. Highlighting this sentiment was a celebratory quinceañera thrown for one of the girls on her 15th birthday, a moment Yordy described as watching that girl outwardly accept Casa Gloria as her family. 

"It showed that joy does not occur in material things," she explained. "Living in a place where material things do not come in abundance, but everyone is still so joyful, was an amazing thing to see." 

Those experiences were never in short supply at Casa Gloria, and according to Yordy, underscored words of wisdom she had heard time and time again since childhood. 

Monte Cristo 

Before she knew it, her three months in Santa Cruz with Casa Gloria concluded and the next leg of her trip commenced in the city of Chimaltenango. There, she worked at Centro Educativo Monte Cristo, a school serving a private education to eighth- through 12th grade students who otherwise could not afford one. 

At Monte Cristo, Yordy taught English three days a week, music once a week and assisted the school’s chef during cooking class once a week. 

“English classes are my favorite because it gives me an opportunity to demonstrate to the students that though I do not speak Spanish perfectly, I still do my best and they are still able to understand me,” Yordy detailed while abroad. “Likewise, if they mess up in English, it’s not a big deal and I can still understand them. This allows us to have a more comfortable atmosphere where we recognize that we are all learning and making mistakes only helps us improve.”

Embracing the Culture 

Outside of work, Yordy immersed herself in the culture and complex history of Guatemala. She learned about the 36-year civil war that devastated many Mayan villages, leaving deep scars that the country is still working to heal. 

She embraced the local cuisine at her host home and in the Monte Cristo kitchen, savoring staples like hand-made tortillas, rice, beans and fresh tropical fruits. Jenna also participated in Guatemalan traditions and holiday celebrations. 

The natural beauty of Guatemala captured Yordy’s attention as well. She often found herself marveling at the lush, volcanic landscapes and the country's designation as the "Land of Eternal Spring." 

She built deep connections with the host families who welcomed her warmly and became an integral part of her experience. Not only did they share their culture with her, but Yordy was also able to share her American upbringing with them. She described how certain social situations would be navigated in the United States, taught them English and introduced one host family to Joanna Gaines’ famous chocolate chip cookies.

Lessons Learned 

Reflecting on her time in Guatemala, Yordy highlighted several valuable lessons she learned, one of which showcased the immense power of love and connection. 

"I saw so many children come into Casa Gloria and saw them open up to the other kids,” she said. “They would start to get along, lose their fear and became comfortable with their environment. It was one of the most beautiful things that I could have ever witnessed." 

Additionally, Yordy learned how to say goodbye and let go, as she formed close bonds with people she knew she may never see again. 

Yordy’s Lumos experience in Guatemala was profoundly impactful, both personally and professionally. "I had so much fun and learned so much, and even though I was going to serve in those communities, I feel like I learned so much more than I could have ever taught anyone in an English class. It truly was a life changing experience." 

Photos from her travels and bi-weekly journal entries can be found on her Lumos blog.