Site 1: Guatemala

Carolyn, also known as "Carolina" (said in a very strong Spanish accent) has traveled to many places but when not traveling around the world, she calls Winnipeg, Manitoba home. As a child, Carolyn was very active and energetic, so her loving parents channeled that energy into playing a variety of sports. She played soccer, ringette, hockey, volleyball and basketball. Carolyn also enjoys being outdoors and sees God in nature.  She loves hiking up mountains and relaxing at the summit, while sharing God’s landscape with others. She enjoys canoeing placid sunset lakes, snowboarding down a fresh sugaring of snow and running along old abandoned railway tracks. Carolyn recently received her BA in International Development Studies at CMU. Before graduating she took a year off to volunteer with Mennonite Central Committee. She went to Bangladesh where she taught English and helped create annual reports for handicraft organizations. It was a life changing experience where she learned a lot about different cultures, religions and was exposed to extreme poverty and women’s inequality but most importantly, she grew personally and spiritually with God. This is Carolyn’s first year as a Site Leader.  She is excited to experience a new country and culture and is eager to travel on a journey alongside students with similar interests. She is excited for the year and knows it will be filled with many adventures and life changing experiences.

Justin Krushel, born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba, has recently completed his first year working with Outtatown and is excited to return to the Guatemala program for a second year. At age 18 Justin was a student on the Outtatown Guatemala program, had an amazing life-changing year, and is now fulfilling his dream to return as a Site Leader.

Some of Justin’s interests are the outdoors, canoeing, hiking, camping, biking, a good campfire, reading a good book, drawing, carving or writing. Above all Justin loves to travel and fulfill boyhood dreams of visiting far-off places. He has been blessed with some great experiences in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America and this summer, the Middle East.

An underlining passion of Justin’s life is his desire to wrestle with what it means to be a human/Christian in a world of great wealth and poverty, joy and suffering. He loves one on one conversations that question deep heart issues, and loves to walk along side those striving to know God more.

Justin is excited and ready for Outtatown to start again, to meet all the new students and to embark on another year of adventure and seeking the Lord on Outtatown.

Jumping in with both feet, Heidi is ready and excited for her second year with Outtatown.  Heidi calls Abbotsford, BC home; conditioned for moist, mild, marine weather she comes equipped for the snow with her fancy red toque. 

Prior to working with Outtatown, Heidi was a student of the Guatemala program.  She then completed a degree in physics and mathematics.  Heidi loves her family and home, but the little travel bug within continuously drives her to visit and serve in a variety of countries such as Haiti, Guatemala, and Europe. 

Heidi treasures quality time with God and is learning about His faithfulness in a world where the only certainty in life is uncertainty.  She is excited to spend this next year traveling and experiencing God’s world with some amazing young people.

Heidi is really energized by snowboarding or curling up with a good book.  She also enjoys traveling, camping, swimming, card/board games, country music, and chocolate.

Stephen is eagerly anticipating another great year with the Outtatown Guatemala program!  Before joining Outtatown staff last year, Stephen completed a BA in History at Brock University in St. Catharines, near his hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

Exploring new and exciting places while serving the Lord in a variety of ways is a strong passion in his life.  Experiencing life within a community seeking to serve and discover anew God's love and character displayed through different cultures and relationships are what Stephen loves about the Outtatown discipleship school.  He has previously been involved in volunteer projects throughout various locations in Canada, U.S.A., Cuba, Uruguay, Kazakhstan, South Africa and Namibia. 

Photography, hiking, flying, and great foods are among his other interests, all of which are incorporated into his job with Outtatown.  He trusts God will continue to reveal Himself as we humbly seek Him in this beautiful but broken world.