| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
A letter from David & Jeannene
Wiseman in Guatemala |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
April 20, 2006
Guatemala snapshots
Serving as mission co-workers places us squarely in touch with
an incredible array of people, experiences, and opportunities
for Christian service. What follows are a few visual and verbal
snapshots of this formative time for us and for the church. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Johana Tzut, PRESGOV’s bookkeeper. |
|
In March of this year, David officially began
his work with PRESGOV, a seven-year-old ministry of the Presbyterian
Church of Guatemala that coordinates mission trips and facilitates
partnerships between churches and presbyteries of the PC(USA) and
the Guatemalan church. Thanks to the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian
Church in Cary, North Carolina, PRESGOV has four new computers.
The Kirk of Kildaire will send their first mission team to Guatemala
in July. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Thousands of Presbyterians have
offered time and talents to Guatemala since the Reverend and Mrs.
John C. Hill were appointed in 1883 by the Board of Foreign Missions
to serve here as the first Presbyterian missionaries. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Joy and Jack Houston have continued
that tradition. They first came here to accompany Guatemalan church
leaders caught in the crossfire of conflict in church and society
during a volatile time after the civil war ended in 1996. Members
of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, they decided that instead
of taking life easy during retirement, they would rather take life
on through this ministry of presence. Living full-time in Antigua
now, they continue to provide gracious hospitality to mission co-workers
and other Presbyterians who journey here. The PC(USA) owes deep
gratitude to volunteers such as these. |
|
David with Joy and Jack Houston. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Cheryl Henry on retreat in Antigua. Photo by Josh Farmer. |
|
The Reverend Cheryl Henry, Presbyterian
Campus Minister at Duke University, helped coordinate a mission
trip to Guatemala this spring for university students. Instead of
immersing themselves in the ocean waters of Fort Lauderdale during
spring break, these Presbyterian students immersed themselves in
the social, political, and religious history of Guatemala. Their
mission experience concluded with a silent retreat led by Jeannene
among the eighteenth-century ruins of Las Capachinas Convent in
Antigua, a setting steeped in contemplative prayer by the nuns from
Madrid, Spain, who founded the convent in 1736. Whatever else a
mission trip to Guatemala offers, it provides a context for spiritual
transformation. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The students traveled to the community
of Pala, which was hit especially hard by Hurricane Stan in October.
Because of the devastation, the community may need to relocate
to another part of the country. Guatemala has weathered many storms
throughout its history and continues to do so: natural disasters,
political upheaval, economic instability. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
It’s often difficult for North Americans
visiting Guatemala to refrain from reading too much into the faces
of the people here, as if we have all the answers and solutions
to their life situations. They are entitled to their struggles,
and our best gift can often be to accompany them respectfully in
that sometimes arduous journey. |
|
Visitors talk with hildren in Pala, a community that may need to
be relocated due to hurricane destruction. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Kek’chi Presbyterians with their new glasses. |
|
With PRESGOV support, members
of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church in Tennessee traveled to
the northern Guatemala to expand their vision of ongoing partnership
with Sayaxche Presbytery. A central focus was providing eye examinations
in remote Kek’chi communities. By week’s end, hundreds
of adults proudly sported reading glasses: the gift of new eyes.
During Semana Santa (Holy Week), Antigua, Guatemala, is known
worldwide as a gathering place for pilgrims of faith at this sacred
time in the liturgical year. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Elaborately designed alfombras
(rugs) are carefully crafted on the streets and in the churches
using colored sand or sawdust, paving the way for solemn processions
of the faithful carrying images of the crucified Jesus on the shoulders.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Thousands gather on Good Friday
in the central park for a three-hour service centered on the seven
last words of Jesus. David was the only Protestant assisting in
the service, which typically has only Roman Catholic leadership.
Though ecumenism is not a broad-based part of Guatemala’s
religious landscape, every small opportunity is worthy of note.
With immigration regulations tightening and tensions running
high over border crossings, the role of the church throughout
Central America is more important than ever: to be an agent of
friendship, solidarity, and partnership in the name of Jesus Christ.
If you’re ready to explore opportunities for service and
transformation in Guatemala, please contact us. |
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
In this time of substantial budget
cuts throughout the denomination, we gratefully acknowledge all
those faith-full sponsoring congregations who help bring into
focus God’s grace at work in Guatemala.
Mil bendiciones,
David and Jeannene Wiseman |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
