Mountains Will Move

Home
United States
Punxsutawney, PA
Mountains Will Move

Mountains Will Move is the page for the "Moving Mountains" mission team. Our loving God literally moves mountains to care for His people.

A Moving Mountains page already exists so we needed something a little different solely for Facebook purposes. A message from one of the Admins for this page: A long time ago, I used to worry about things...a lot. I know that some of you are thinking, "It wasn't so long ago, Lisa!" This was a time in my life when my faith was strong, but not nearly as strong as it is now. I began to cli

ng to one particular verse in the Bible, the verse about having faith the size of a mustard seed. I found so much comfort in the thoughts of being able to find just a tiny amount of faith in God, and that tiny bit being just enough for God. Throughout the past 8 years, I have spent a lot of time in the beautiful mountains of Guatemala. I have seen miracles unfold before my eyes, and the things that were thought to be impossible suddenly become reality. This is the driving force behind our mission to Guatemala: to place just a little of our faith in this great big God, and help him move mountains. Won't you come with us and move some mountains?

06/12/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Maureen Hughes ✨

Maureen Hughes may now call South Carolina home, but her roots are in southwestern Pennsylvania. A Registered Nurse by profession, Maureen enjoys reading, relaxing poolside, researching family history, and spending time with her beloved beagle, Ziggie. But for more than a decade, another place has held a special place in her heart: Santa María de Jesús, Guatemala.

Since first joining Moving Mountains in 2014, Maureen has faithfully returned year after year. Alongside her husband, Joe, she has also served with Harvesting Happiness, building relationships and supporting communities throughout Guatemala. Over the years, what began as a mission trip has become something much more personal.

“I can’t imagine not going back to see my family on the mountain at least one more time,” she says.

Although Maureen had always thought she might participate in a mission trip “someday,” it was a visit to Guatemala while her daughter Ashley was living there that truly changed everything. Inspired by Ashley and moved by the people she met, Maureen felt called to return—not only as a nurse, but as someone eager to serve however she could. To her surprise, construction projects quickly became one of her favorite parts of the experience.

This year, Maureen is most excited to reconnect with the people she has come to love over the years. She misses their hugs, laughter, and contagious joy, and looks forward to spending time with them once again. While she has been working hard to improve her Spanish through classes and Duolingo, she admits she still gets a little nervous about accidentally saying the wrong thing. But that willingness to learn and connect reflects the heart she brings to every trip.

One of the greatest lessons Maureen has learned from the people of Guatemala is how to be fully present in the moment with joy. Each trip serves as an annual reset, helping her return home with renewed gratitude and perspective.

She is excited to continue growing her Spanish skills and hopes to incorporate her nursing background whenever opportunities arise. Above all, Maureen hopes to show love—to the villagers, to her teammates, and to everyone she encounters along the way.

Her faith serves as the foundation for her service, guiding her actions through compassion, kindness, and a desire to care for others.

✝️ “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:35-40

Maureen encourages anyone considering serving to take the leap, describing it as a truly life-changing experience. She asks for prayers for strength, guidance, and that her actions would reflect the teachings of Jesus throughout the trip.

And she wants supporters to know that every contribution matters—whether it’s a prayer, a donation, or even a pair of socks or shoes. Every act of generosity makes a difference for the people of Santa María de Jesús and for the team serving alongside them. 🇬🇹

06/09/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Mark & Brendan Bettwy ✨

This year, Mark and Brendan Bettwy will be sharing a unique experience as they travel to Guatemala together as a father-son team for their first mission trip with Moving Mountains.

Mark, a retired administrator from Clarion, Pennsylvania, spent his career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania managing projects, documenting highway-related statistics, and helping implement regulations. His son, Brendan, recently graduated from Clarion Area High School and will soon begin an exciting new chapter at Bucknell University, where he plans to participate in the Army ROTC program. In his free time, Brendan enjoys soccer, working out, and spending time with friends.

For both Mark and Brendan, this trip is an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, experience a new culture, and serve others in a meaningful way. Mark was drawn to the trip as a chance to spend quality time with his son while giving back to others. Brendan became interested after hearing about the experience from his Spanish teacher, Mrs. Liz Reed, and saw it as an opportunity to meet new people, broaden his perspective, and learn more about life beyond his own community before starting college.

One thing they are both looking forward to is seeing the impact of the projects firsthand and working alongside the people of Santa María de Jesús. Brendan is especially excited to play soccer with local kids and make new friendships, while Mark is eager to witness the difference the team's efforts can make in the community.

They also hope to learn from the people they meet along the way. Brendan admires the resilience of those who face challenges with determination and optimism, while Mark hopes the experience will provide valuable perspective and a reminder of how much we often take for granted.

As they prepare for the journey, both are looking forward to building connections, sharing fellowship, and helping make life a little better for others in whatever ways they can.

🩵 “The best way to help yourself is to help others.”

Mark and Brendan are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this year's team and appreciate the support and encouragement that make these projects possible. They ask for prayers for safe travels, good health, and a meaningful experience as they embark on this adventure together.

06/04/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Pastor Jeremy Pedersen ✨

Pastor Jeremy Pedersen may have grown up in rural Iowa, but today he serves as the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Seguin, Texas. He and his wife, Amy, will celebrate 14 years of marriage this August, and together they enjoy spending time with their shepherd-husky mix, Sammie. When he's not serving his congregation, Jeremy enjoys reading, cooking, taking long walks with Sammie, and being involved in church life.

While Jeremy has participated in mission trips before—including multiple trips to Toronto and other cities—this summer will be his first opportunity to serve in Guatemala. His connection to Moving Mountains began through Karla Johnson, a member of his congregation who invited others from the church to join the mission team. Jeremy answered that invitation because he wanted to experience firsthand the ministry his church has faithfully supported over the years.

As a pastor, Jeremy strongly believes that missions are built on relationships. While financial support is important, he values the opportunity to personally connect with people, learn their stories, and witness God's work up close. That desire to build meaningful relationships made this trip an easy "yes."

Jeremy is excited to see the ministry in action, travel to a part of the world he has never visited before, and meet the people whose lives have been impacted by the partnership between Moving Mountains and the community of Santa María de Jesús.

One of the things he hopes to learn most is how the people of Guatemala experience and share God's love. He is eager to see Christ through their eyes and gain a deeper understanding of faith expressed in a different culture.

For Jeremy, this trip is also an opportunity for personal growth. He looks forward to serving in a cross-cultural setting that stretches him beyond his comfort zone and broadens his perspective on God's work around the world.

His goal is simple: to serve the Lord, share His love with others, and receive the blessings of fellowship and friendship in return. He believes that faith calls us beyond our own communities and reminds us that God's family extends far beyond our own borders.

✝️ "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus..." (Philippians 2:5)

Jeremy shares that Philippians 2:5-12 has been a guiding passage throughout his ministry and continues to inspire his approach to service and missions.

When asked what he would say to someone considering supporting the trip, Jeremy emphasizes that missions are about long-term relationships and partnerships that help share the Good News of Jesus Christ in meaningful ways.

As he prepares for Guatemala, he asks for prayers for strength, wisdom, and humility as the team enters another culture and seeks to serve with open hearts and willing hands.

05/31/2026

Mission Projects 101: Episode 7! Each of the projects you’ve ve heard about has been selected for its long-term benefits to a family. This project, however, is different. It meets the immediate needs of those who are most vulnerable in the village - providing life-sustaining pantry staples. Tune in to this episode of our project videos to learn about one of the most impactful, and most beautiful acts of love: food pick-up. Thank you to each person who has donated to our mission to make these projects possible!

05/29/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Adalynn “Addy” & Carley Armagost ✨

This mother-daughter duo from Reynoldsville is preparing for a special adventure together as they join the Moving Mountains Mission team for the first time in Guatemala!

Adalynn, better known as Addy, will be entering 9th grade at DuBois Area High School this fall, where she plans to stay busy with cheerleading, track, and rifle team. She loves spending time at youth group, supporting friends at their sporting events, and capturing memories through photography.

Her mom, Carley, is a preschool teacher at Playhouse Children’s Center in Punxsutawney and will begin her 17th year teaching this fall. Outside of the classroom, Carley enjoys walking, camping with her family, shopping, and spending quality time with her daughters, Addy and Brynlee.

Their connection to Moving Mountains began through Addy’s grandpa and Carley’s dad, Monty Kunes, who has faithfully served on the mission team for many years. Through his stories and photos from Guatemala, Addy always knew she wanted to experience the mission field for herself once she was old enough. Now, she and her mom are excited to finally join him in serving the people of Santa María de Jesús together.

Although this will be Carley’s first mission trip to Guatemala, Addy already has some experience serving through a youth mission trip in Ohio, where she helped with projects like building wheelchair ramps, painting decks, and assisting families in the community. Both are eager to step outside their comfort zones and share God’s love in a hands-on way.

What excites them most is the opportunity to remind the people of Santa María de Jesús that they are deeply loved by God and never forgotten. While they admit they are a little nervous about not speaking much Spanish, they are trusting that kindness, compassion, and faith can bridge any language barrier.

Together, they hope to build lasting relationships and learn firsthand that despite differences in language or culture, people are far more alike than different.

Please keep Addy and Carley in your prayers as they prepare for this meaningful journey together! 🩵🤍🩵

05/25/2026

Mission Projects 101: Episode 6! Do you ever wonder why Lisa is always collecting something? Or why she is in the checkout with 50 packs of socks? Tune in to this episode of our project videos to learn about one of the most important projects for our team: ensuring that hundreds of children have the clothes and shoes they need for school and for daily life. (Please forgive the bloopers and poor editing here. This video gave us such a tough time posting!)

05/20/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Monty Kunes ✨

Monty Kunes, originally from DuBois, Pennsylvania, has spent much of his life serving others through leadership, faith, and community involvement. A graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Business, Monty recently retired after more than 31 years with Kurtz Bros. Inc., where he served as Chairman, CEO, and President.

Retirement hasn’t slowed him down one bit. Monty remains deeply involved in his church, serving as Lay Leader and Financial Secretary while helping with many other ministries and activities. He and his wife, Tena, also enjoy camping and traveling in their RV, spending time outdoors, and cheering on their six grandchildren at their many activities and sporting events. In addition, they devote time each week caring for both of their mothers, who are now in their 90s.

Monty’s connection to Guatemala began in 2011 when a friend challenged him to “enlist” on a mission trip. Since then, he has faithfully returned year after year and became part of the very first Moving Mountains Mission team in 2014. This summer will be especially meaningful as his daughter and granddaughter join him for their very first international mission experience.

For Monty, missions continue to be spiritually uplifting, rewarding, and life-changing in ways he never fully expects. He looks forward to watching his family experience the impact of serving in Guatemala while reconnecting with teammates and the people of Santa María de Jesús once again.

While international travel always brings a few nerves, Monty says what he learns from the people of Guatemala far outweighs any uncertainty. Their humility, gratitude, and trust in God through every circumstance have deeply shaped his own faith and perspective over the years.

Monty hopes to continue serving simply as the hands and feet of Jesus—meeting needs however God leads and showing Christ’s love in practical ways.

His faith is the driving force behind every trip, and one verse has continually guided him throughout his mission journey:

🩵 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” – Isaiah 6:8

Monty encourages others to remember that while not everyone is called to physically go into the mission field, everyone can play a part through prayer and support. Every donation, prayer, and act of encouragement helps make the work possible.

He asks for prayers that plans continue to fall into place, that clothing donations and resources remain plentiful, and that all participants stay healthy and safe throughout the mission.

05/17/2026

Mission Projects 101: Episode Five! Tune in with our leadership team to learn why our water tank project is so important to our families in Santa Maria. Yes, it’s a long one, but worth the time to listen and learn! Thank you to Monty Kunes for leading this project every year, and for your heart for serving the children and their families!

05/13/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Holly McCausland ✨

Holly McCausland, from western Pennsylvania, is a 4th grade teacher in Punxsutawney with a heart for serving others and encouraging faith wherever she goes. Outside the classroom, Holly enjoys reading, kayaking, exercising with friends, crafting with resin and crushed glass, and creating mustard seed faith jewelry that reflects the message she lives by every day.

Holly has participated in several mission trips to Guatemala, both with Moving Mountains and with other teams before joining the organization. Over the years, she has served in a wide variety of projects—from roofing and flooring crews to food distribution, clothing ministry, and Vacation Bible School. What continues to impact her most is the opportunity to build relationships with the people of Santa María de Jesús and to witness the love, generosity, and faithfulness that shine through the community.

Last year’s trip was especially meaningful, as Holly was able to bring her son Nick and other young men from her church along to serve. Despite the challenges caused by earthquakes and landslides limiting travel on the mountain, Holly saw firsthand how God continued opening doors for the team to provide food and support to families in need. This year, she is especially excited to reconnect with the people she loves in the village and hopes to visit her sponsor child and family once again.

Holly first felt called to missions while still in high school after hearing a missionary speak at her church. Her very first mission trip took her all the way to Siberia, Russia, and years later, Guatemala became another place deeply rooted in her heart. She describes leaving the mountain each year as emotional—like leaving a piece of herself behind until returning again.

What excites Holly most is simply embracing the people of Santa María de Jesús with hugs and reassurance, knowing how difficult life can sometimes be for them. Yet one of her favorite memories came when the community expressed the very same concern for the team’s safety during last year’s dangerous road conditions after the landslides. For Holly, that mutual love and care is a powerful reflection of God’s heart.

Through each trip, Holly hopes to continue learning how to love others well—offering encouragement, hope, and reminders that every person is deeply valued by God. She also looks forward to improving her Spanish and growing in whatever ways God leads.

Her faith is what gives her courage to go, even when travel and uncertainty make her nervous. Holly believes wholeheartedly that “God does not call the qualified, but He qualifies the called,” and she continues stepping forward in faith, trusting Him every step of the way.

✝️ “Faith over fear.”

🌄 “Faith, even that of a mustard seed, can move mountains.” – Matthew 17:20

Holly encourages anyone considering supporting the mission to pray about it, learn about the stories behind the work, and know that every prayer, donation, and word of encouragement matters. She asks for prayers for safe travels, prepared hearts, wisdom, flexibility, and for the team to meet this year’s goals of serving hundreds of families and children in Guatemala.

And for anyone considering going on a future mission trip themselves, Holly offers this encouragement: you may be surprised by just how much it changes your life.

“To God be the glory!” ✨

05/06/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Nick McCausland II ✨

Nick McCausland II, from Rural Valley, Pennsylvania, brings energy, heart, and a willingness to serve wherever he’s needed. He works as a Calibration Technician at Curtiss-Wright, and in his free time, you’ll likely find him restoring old Ford cars and trucks or playing guitar—something he loves, even if he humbly admits singing isn’t his strong suit.

Nick has been to Guatemala twice before—first with his home church and later with Moving Mountains, where he helped deliver supplies after devastating earthquakes, even hiking food up the mountain to reach families in need. Those experiences left a lasting impact and sparked a deep desire to return.

What began as a simple decision to accompany his mom on a trip quickly turned into something much more. After witnessing the resilience and joy of the people—especially the children—Nick felt a clear calling to continue serving. Their smiles, even in the face of hardship, inspired him to do more and to share the love of Christ in any way he can.

Nick is especially excited to reconnect with the team, who he describes as a big family, and to spend time playing soccer with the kids in the village. For him, those moments of connection are just as meaningful as the work itself.

Through this mission, Nick hopes to grow in his faith by learning from the unwavering trust and joy of the Guatemalan people. Their ability to praise God through every circumstance has deeply impacted him, and it’s something he wants to carry into his own life.

Each trip has changed Nick’s perspective, reminding him not to take anything for granted and to trust that God is present in every moment. He returns home renewed, grateful, and already looking forward to going back.

Nick is ready to serve however he’s needed—whether that’s carrying supplies, lending a hand, or simply being there for someone who needs support. His goal is to be a willing and compassionate servant, following wherever God leads.

His faith drives everything he does. He believes that with even the smallest amount of faith, incredible things are possible—and that God equips those He calls.

⛰️ “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.’”

Nick wants others to know that supporting this mission goes far beyond finances—it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives. Every contribution helps provide essentials like food, clothing, and shelter, but just as importantly, it shows families that they are seen, valued, and cared for.

Nick asks for prayers for the team’s safe travel and for their time in Guatemala—that they would reflect Christ’s love in all they do and serve to the best of their abilities. 🩵🇬🇹

Address

500 Pine Street
Punxsutawney, PA
15767

Website

http://lisakllr6.wixsite.com/movingmountains

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mountains Will Move posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Mountains Will Move:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Punxsutawney?