For over 20 years RJC High School has been visiting Guatemala as part of its Alternative Learning & Service Opportunities (ALSO) program. Part of going to Guatemala includes receiving the gift of hospitality from partners, but this September RJC staff and students had the opportunity to offer that same hospitality to a longtime friend of the school, Karla Vásquez.
Karla works at SEMILLA, a theological seminary rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, serving Latin America and the Caribbean in Guatemala City. Karla’s journey with SEMILLA began in 2013 as the receptionist, “I was supposed to be here for only a couple of months,” she says. But what started as a short-term position led her to a meaningful 12-year career. “I quickly realized that SEMILLA is much more than just an educational institution. It’s a livingm community committed to the Kingdom of God—through justice, peace, and radical discipleship. It’s about creating just and peaceful communities; it’s about reaching out to others to share the Gospel.”
Over the years Karla transitioned into a leadership role, and now serves SEMILLA as Ambassador. In this capacity, she helps to build bridges between SEMILLA and its global partners. In this role, Karla became connected with RJC, who had already been connecting with SEMILLA for years prior during the school’s trips to Guatemala during ALSO week. “I have had the opportunity to connect with RJC staff and students in meaningful ways, sharing about Guatemala’s history, culture, resiliency, and beauty,” she says.
RJC principal, David Epp, who has visited Guatemala several times with students, observed that RJC’s relationship with SEMILLA has grown over the years. He noted that many SEMILLA staff have worked there for many years, which has provided them the chance to re-connect, pray for one another, and continue building a positive relationship. As they continue to collaborate as partner organizations, David believes it has come to the point of being a mutually supportive relationship. “This has enriched student experiences and also opened new doors to RJC,” says David.
Karla visited RJC’s campus on a recent trip to Canada in September, where she presented in chapel for the entire student body and then met with grade 11 and 12 students who were interested in participating in an ALSO Guatemala trip this coming spring. “There is also tremendous value in having international partners who help to broaden our awareness about how to be good educational partners ourselves,” says David, “this helps us to become more aware of how we might enter spaces as guests and be mindful about God’s presence which exists already in different communities.”
The visit to RJC was just one part of Karla’s trip to Canada. The intent of her visit was to begin developing a Witness Support Network in partnership with Mennonite Church Canada (MC Canada). Jeanette Hanson, director of International witness at MC Canada says that a Witness Support Network would function like a working board, helping to bridge a connection between SEMILLA and MC Canada. This group would be made up of individuals, church congregations, and partner organizations who have an interest in further growing a relationship with SEMILLA. “There have been many in our constituency, such as RJC, that already have deep relationships with SEMILLA,” says Jeanette, “I hope that the formation of a network of support will enable us to sustain and deepen this relationship, learning more about the gifts and resources of all involved, so that this relationship can be mutually transformative.”
In addition to visiting RJC, Karla met with interested partners at Rosthern Mennonite Church, University of Saskatchewan, Nutana Park Mennonite Church, Foothills Mennonite Church, and Canadian Mennonite University. On her visit to these various communities, Karla reflected that she felt both humbled and energized, “each encounter was a reminder of the relational depth and generosity within the Canadian Anabaptist community. [The visit] opened doors for future collaboration and mutual support. It wasn’t just a tour—it was a pilgrimage of connection.”
RJC hopes to continue their relationship with SEMILLA, and that the Witness Support Network can further strengthen the connection between school and church. To Karla, there continues to be value in working with RJC because of their shared Anabaptist identity and vision with, “RJC is forming the next generation of Anabaptist leaders, and SEMILLA provides a space where these leaders can engage with Latin American realities, deepen their understanding of peace and justice, and experience intercultural community.”
Written by Alex Tiessen, Director of Admissions & Development
Published in Fall 2025 CONNECT
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