Behind the Scenes of Hosting a Team at Casa Bernabé
One of our favorite parts of life at Casa Bernabé is welcoming visiting mission teams. Many of you have come yourselves, and others have faithfully prayed for and supported those who do. These visits are a tremendous encouragement, not only for the teams, but for our children and staff as well.
What you may not always see, though, is the careful, behind-the-scenes work that makes each visit possible.
Hosting a team is truly a joy and a privilege. It’s also a very intentional process, led by our Onsite Missionary Coordinator, Marleigh Beaker, who serves as the bridge between visiting teams and daily life at Casa Bernabé. We're so thankful for Marleigh, her dedicated work ethic, her heart of service, and her calm demeanor when challenges arise.
Long before a team steps on a plane, preparations are already underway. Our stateside Teams Coordinator, Betza Hernández, reaches out to the team leaders to talk through all the information. There are practical details to sort through: paperwork, background checks, medical information, and travel logistics.
At the same time, Edgar and Marleigh are always assessing the current needs at Casa Bernabé. What supplies are most needed? What projects would best serve the children and staff? How can teams plug into the school, clinic, or homes in meaningful ways?
About two weeks before arrival, things shift into high gear. Marleigh connects with team leaders to finalize schedules, plan projects, and confirm travel details. She coordinates with staff across campus, from teachers to house parents to clinic workers, to ensure each part of the visit is thoughtful and well-integrated into the life of the ministry.
Behind the scenes, this means:
Gathering supplies for projects
Planning activities with the children
Coordinating meals with the kitchen staff (including navigating food allergies as much as possible)
Arranging transportation to and from the airport with our secretary, Camila (and around Guatemala’s often unpredictable traffic)
Working with the house moms to prepare dorm spaces, sometimes turning them over within hours between back-to-back teams
Connecting with Tony about any maintenance issues that arise
Making sure shared spaces, like the pergola, are ready to welcome guests
Many times these preparations are also being done for the next team while a previous team is still there, so Marleigh has to multitask with the best of them. By the day before arrival, every detail, from room assignments to printed schedules, is carefully checked and rechecked.
Once teams land in Guatemala, everything comes to life. Marleigh is there at the airport, ready to greet each group, load up all their bags for the drive to Casa Bernabé, and help them settle in. From the very beginning, she helps teams understand the heart of Casa Bernabé: who we are, why we exist, and how they can serve in ways that truly support the ongoing work here.
Each day is full:
Guiding teams through their work projects
Translating and communicating between teams and staff
Coordinating time with the children
Adjusting plans as needed with our Subdirector, Fabián
Ensuring practical needs are met—meals, lodging, transportation, and more
Leading a tour of Antigua on Fridays for each team
Translating for church and the despedidas (goodbye parties)
She also makes space for the most meaningful time, sitting down at meals, hearing stories, building relationships, and watching connections form between our kids and staff and those who have come to serve.
Throughout the week, Marleigh remains the steady point of connection, helping teams engage well, keeping communication clear, and ensuring that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Every detail, every schedule, every ride arranged, every meal prepared is ultimately about creating space for something greater.
It’s about allowing teams to step into what God is already doing at Casa Bernabé. It’s about our children experiencing the love of Christ through new relationships. It’s about the global church coming together, each part doing its work.
We are so grateful for the way God uses these visits, not just in the lives of those who come, but in the ongoing story He is writing here every day.
Thank you for being part of that story. Whether you’ve visited, prayed, given, or encouraged from afar, you are part of what makes this ministry possible. If you’re interested in bringing a team or learning more about how to get involved, we would love to connect with you!