“With our stove we are saving around $ 140.00 a year. That is a huge help to our economy, the look of our kitchen has improved a lot and also we don’t have the risk of our children falling into the fire.” Feliciano
Mission House where guests stay when in Barillas Mission House where guests stay when in Barillas
The Mission House is a modern facility that is home for Work Week visitors The Mission House is a modern facility that is home for Work Week visitors
When the Mission House was first purchased, it was in desperate need of repair. When the Mission House was first purchased, it was in desperate need of repair.
Another view of the original Mission House Another view of the original Mission House
View of Mission House before remodle View of Mission House before remodle
View of kitchen area of Mission House View of kitchen area of Mission House
Dinning area can accommodate up to 16 visitors at one time Dinning area can accommodate up to 16 visitors at one time
The Mission House has a variety of sleeping arrangements The Mission House has a variety of sleeping arrangements
A view of the upstairs kitchen A view of the upstairs kitchen
view gallery

Mission House

A base of operations and a home away from home

Shortly after the Allers began coming to the Barillas area, they realized that the fledgling organization would need a place for people to stay if they were to attract visitors to work with villagers. 

David and Helen Eckstrom were missionaries that had a dorm like facility called “The Mission House” in the town.  The Eckstroms wanted to move to Huehuetenango to continue their translation of the Bible to the local language.  The Allers were good friends of the Eckstroms so they worked out a purchase price and Hands For Peacemaking Foundation had its first facility in Barillas.

Several years went by and the termites had their way with the wood dorm portion of the second floor.  Fortunately, Rotary clubs from Snohomish County Washington took on the challenge of raising the money for the remodel and tearing off the second floor.  A team of Rotarians came to Barillas and removed the upper floor then took responsibility for the remodel. 

Instead of simply replacing the dorm portion of the building, the Rotarians added a second floor and remodeled the downstairs.  Since that time, they have added a carport and made many improvements to the building. 

Today, the Mission House houses up to 16 guests at one time and provides work teams with a comfortable place to stay while they are in the Barillas area.