Beyond the Books: Spanish Major Kara Denton Helps Start a School in Guatemala

Published: April 13, 2021

Spanish major Kara Denton looked just like her fellow graduating classmates wearing a cap and gown, cutting ivy, and receiving her diploma from Greenville College in May. But unlike some, Karas future plans were already unfolding. During her junior and senior years, Kara helped start a Christian academy for children in Magdalena, Guatemala, and following graduation, she will pack her bags to move there and teach full time.

Kara Denton took her first mission trip to Guatemala during her freshman year May Term at Greenville College through the organization Students International. She was hooked. Kara visited two more times, and on her fourth trip, during her junior year, she and a Guatemalan pastor she had become well acquainted with talked about opening a Christian academy. Kara then spent the spring semester of her senior year in Guatemala helping start the Mount Sinai Preschool while earning internship credit to finish her degree at GC. "My professors were simply amazing and influential during my Greenville College career," explained Kara. "Without my professors I could not have excelled. I am so grateful for the guidance and encouragement I have received from all of them."

After graduation, Kara returned to Guatemala to direct the preschool and teach as well. "It takes a lot of faith; something I have been challenged with during my time at Greenville," explained Kara. "I believe with confidence that God will provide for every need we have personally and collectively with the preschool project. We are all still praying for God to bless us and enlarge this project to bring glory to His kingdom. It is so exciting and made for an incredible senior year!"

For more information contact media@greenville.edu.