The stories in this book are the fruit of a vision that took root more than four decades ago. When Ron and Marianne Frase came to Whitworth College back in 1973, they had the dream that Whitworth students could travel to Latin America and learn many truths through deep experiential learning. This would take place through listening to, living among, and loving our Latino neighbors.The chapters are filled with stories of growth and change. Some are fun and comical. Others are painful encounters with difficult lessons. Time and time again, the resiliency and faith of Central Americans emerge and inspire.The vignettes are windows into discovering how lessons learned in Central America shaped students' lives years after their graduation. Additionally, Whitworth itself became a better academic institution, more willing to take on the tough academic, social, and political contemporary challenges so that its students could genuinely become well-equipped global citizens and servants of Christ.

Lindy Scott is professor of Spanish and Latin American studies at Whitworth University. He is the editor of theJournal of Latin American Theology: Christian Reflections from the Latino South and is the author of many books and articles on the relationship between Christianity and society in Latin America.



Kim Hernández has been a Spanish professor at Whitworth University since 2001. She is the coordinator of the Central America Study and Service Program at the university. She specializes in teaching Spanish for use in Christian ministry as well as intercultural competency training for study abroad in Latin America.