Sister School

Coban's Colegio Evangelico Nazareno in Guatemala became the Sister School of Evergreen Christian School in 2002. The school offers classes from 1st Grade thru Junior High. The students begin each day with prayer and worship and have one-hour of bible class.

This year the students will be raising funds to help our Sister School to complete their computer class, home economic class and to upgrade old playground equipment. It is a definitive way for the ECS students to learn how giving of their coins and money really impacts the lives of others less fortunate than themselves.

We are also starting a pen-pal program with our Sister School this year. What an opportunity for the students to gain new friendships with other kids their own age in Guatemala. The children will be able to share about themselves and about their hopes and dreams with one another. The distance between the children will seem that much less and make a great impact on each others lives.

The rich history about how our Sister School came to be is so amazing, we wanted you to share it with you. In 1942 Harold and Ruth Hess accepted the opportunity to become missionaries to Guatemala where they would spend the next 23 years. At the time of their arrival in Coban, missionary Meva Lane was the director of the Colegio Nazareno, a Christian elementary school under the supervision of Reverend Robert Iingram. Meva retired in approximately 1945 and Reverend Harold Hess was put in charge of the school. It was at this time when he also started a new curriculum of theology for older students to become Christian pastors and established a dormitory for housing of these older students.

Harold came back to the United States in the summer of 1949 on furlough to request funds from the Nazarene church's headquarters located in Kansas City, Kansas. His dream was of building a true theology school. His request was approved with the first ever grant from the "Alabaster Offerings," a fund set up by the church of the Nazarene to provide need funds to meet the needs of missionaries serving in other countries. With this money, Harold was able to purchase a machine that made concrete blocks one block at a time. It was Harold's belief that his students needed to know more than just preaching, so they learned to build buildings one block at a time, make gardens one plant at a time, and win souls one soul at a time.

It was at this time the decision was made to discontinue the elementary school under missionary direction. Cristina de Najarro bought the rights to continue the elementary school. The school closed after a few short years.

The Nazarene church saw the great need for a Christian elementary school and reopened it six years later. Classes were held on the church grounds for the next 5 years. All the while Reverend Hess and his staff continued to build and teach at the new school of theology.

On September 20, 1999, Harold was honored on the 50th anniversary of the first "Alabaster Offering" with a plaque placed at the seminary school in his honor. In addition, the library in the Colegio Nazarenos’ school, now on their own grounds, was also named after him.

One of Harold Hess' favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11-14:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

In 2002 when Talia Hastie went with her mother to Guatemala to visit, and returned her grandparents ashes back to Guatemala, she went to see the school that was so much a part of her grandfather's life. The Lord put a burden in Talia's heart for the children of the school and so... Coban's Colegio Evangelico Nazareno became the Sister School of Evergreen Christian School.

The need is great and your support makes sure that young students hear the Word of God. Your donations have provided funds to build a fence around the grounds, new roofing, a fresh coat of paint for the buildings, and much more.

If you would like to give a donation to our Sister School, please contact us at: 360.357.5590

Thank you!