Fernando and Talia's Guatemala Mission Trip 2026
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Grace Fellowship - Global MissionsTraveling to San José Pinula to love on and serve children together with Grace Fellowship Missions
$550
raised by 6 people
$2,100 goal
in 8 days left
Talia's letter
I am Talia Mergil, and I am going on a mission trip to Guatemala this March with my father Fernando.
I had never truly thought about going on a mission trip until now, but one day at church, I could feel the Holy Spirit telling me to go on this trip with my dad. The past few months my relationship with God has strengthened and grown more than it ever has before, and by doing this, hopefully, I can help others to do the same.
Over the summer, I went on a backpacking trip with my dad, and he told me all about his mission trip days back when he was still living in Texas, and how him and his fellow trip-mates helped hundreds to either regain their bond with the Lord, or to pray over people and help them to realize the love that God has for them.
Going to Guatemala is a huge milestone in my walk with the Lord and I hope that I can go on this mission trip and help so many people, the way my dad did. I know that I am young, but I think that I can help many people that are in the midst of their walk with God.
Blessings,
Talia
To my beloved family and friends,
My daughter Talia and I will be embarking on a new journey for her, and a revived one for me, as we prepare to serve together in Guatemala this coming March.
A few months ago, Talia and I were at a church service and an announcement was made that there was an upcoming missions opportunity. The info meeting was after the service, and Talia said she wanted to attend. We did, and thought was the end of it. I was moved knowing that my 12-year-old daughter would want to serve in a mission trip, being that it was something close to my heart for many years. It had also been many years since my participation in a trip, 20 to be exact.
This trip seemed like a good fit, but the circumstances weren't quite right. So the idea was to one day figure it out. Then, only 10 days from this writing, I got a phone call asking to consider going, and participating by sharing Spanish worship songs with the community. After prayerful consideration, and walking through it with my wife and a few trusted friends, I decided to do what it takes to make it to Guatemala with my daughter and be a part of serving the people of Guatemala at CCJ and Brazos Abiertos.
During our trip, we will be doing exactly what we do at church together, sharing the love of Jesus with children. Talia and I have been doing that together for almost 3 years, and have taken other opportunities to serve together: from volunteering at her older brothers' football team concession stand, to working with refugees living here in the Capital Region of New York. To me, this trip is just a natural extension of what we already do together, including singing together, of which she is the better of the two of us!
CCJ and Brazos Abiertos (which translates to "open arms") is an outreach ministry in a town surrounded by mountains in the outskirts of Guatemala City, San José Pinula. The ministry serves the area children and families with nourishing meals and educational opportunities, as well as lovingly sharing the Gospel in word and deed.
Talia and I will be jumping in alongside the local ministry partners with our arms and hearts wide open and would love for you to be a part of it whether it be through prayers, or by donating through this website.
The donations go straight to funding the trip, which includes travel, food, lodging, and direct ministry support to Brazos Abiertos. We are looking to raise $2,600 total which would cover our expenses. The trip is from March 6th-13th, 2026, and is organized by Grace Fellowship Gobal Missions. A total of 16 people will be going.
I send you my deepest gratitude for reading this. Please be praying for us that our travels are safe, and that the Lord would use us in meaningful ways to make a difference in people's lives for good, to bring them closer to understanding and embracing the deep love of God. May the Lord do the same in our own hearts.
Fernie and Talia Mergil
*Please note that under all circumstances all donations received are nonrefundable and that in the event that we, the trip participants, have to withdraw from the trip or if for some unforeseen reason the entire mission trip is cancelled, your donated contribution(s) will be applied to specific projects designated for this mission trip, such as medical supplies, construction/building projects, trip preparation, ground costs or special projects. Extra money that comes into Grace Fellowship will go into the Guatemala March 2026 short-term mission trip fund or other mission trip funds and cannot be refunded to the donor or given to the team member for personal use.