"Quoting Guatemala"

      Last year I went to Guatemala for the first time and reflected on my experience by creating a list of the top reasons to go to Guatemala. Before I headed back again this year I was prepared to create a list of the top reasons to return to Guatemala. Except as I prepare to create that list 35,000 feet in the air, I'm realizing that it's going to be quite similar to that from last year - Guatemala is still beautiful, the people are still loving, and God's Holy Spirit is still found on every street corner. So instead I'll focus on all the incredible people I've had the privilege to travel with this week. I hope these quotes make it evident how much the presence of God in Guatemala (call it Godemala if you will) has taught us about our own calling in this world. So here, in no particular order, is this year's list:

The Top 13 Serious Quotes of Guatemala 2K15

1) "God really does exist! He has repaired us and uses us as a trophy of his grace."

2) "I feel very uncomfortable when someone says I'm a pastor because it's a lot of responsibility."

3) "The Kingdom of God is upside-down."

4) "The way you perceive Jesus is the way you will conduct ministry."

5) "An attitude of thankfulness is so transformative."

6) "Tears tell you what you feel most called to do."

7) "God whispers through our gifts."

8) "9 out of 10 times, our calling seems impossible because it would be without God."

9) "Hold hands when you cross the street." (Put this on a much bigger scale and it will make more sense)

10) "Your calling is something you feel, but it is affirmed through everyone else."

11) "Make the world smaller through relationships."

12) "There's church in that little room."

13) "You're all called to be followers of Christ, so be worthy of that call."

Thanks be to God. 

-James Compton

Back in our (un)comfort zone

      This week was my first time both out of the country and in Guatemala, but I don't think I properly prepared myself to be uncomfortable. I knew I would be in a whole knew world but had no idea how to even imagine what it would be like. Coming away from the trip, however, I can't stop thinking about the importance of being uncomfortable. 

      I first realized this when we read Mark 8:35, "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who want to lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it." Losing our life isn't just throwing away everything. Losing our life is opening our heart and mind to new ideas and not being afraid to let the old ones go. It's listening to God rather than our own knowledge. Often, God leaves the questions and not the answers. This can all be very uncomfortable.

      It's easy to feel uncomfortable in Guatemala while surrounded by foreign cultures, different languages, and poverty, but I don't think it stops there. Being uncomfortable from this alone is no indication of losing our life for the sake of the gospel. Opening ourselves to change requires a conscious choice to be uncomfortable no matter where we are. That being said, this trip doesn't end when we get home. If it does end for us, we've let down all of the people this week who have shared with us their story, vocation, and knowledge. 

      When we return, it is important that the memory of this trip doesn't seem like some dream in a foreign land. The greatest service we can give to the people we met this week is to continue to let what we've learned affect us. We must continue to make ourselves uncomfortable, for that's where we'll see growth.

-Drew "Pollito" Biddell

The Shoes of a Servant

All too quickly, our time in Guatemala comes to a close and it is time for us to return home.  But, not quite the same people that we were this time last week.  For we have walked with people his week whose lives we could never have imagined.  We have heard stories of courage and love - of people literally laying down their lives for others.  We have experienced gracious hospitality from desperately poor people and we have been at a loss as to how to say thank you.  We have listened carefully to each other as we have struggled with questions of how we are to continue to live comfortably at home now that we have seen the faces of so much suffering.  And we have asked questions about how we are to live now - how is God calling us to respond and how can we go home and live differently.

I have been challenged by the depth of the questions these young adults have asked and by their willingness to share their struggles.  My heart has been filled as I have watched them care for each other and for the people we have met.  Tonight, Susan and I gave them each a little leather sandal key chain - to remind them that they will need each other as they continue on this journey and that these sandals symbolize the shoes of a servant.  We have experienced many people serving us this week and we have witnessed people serving the least in our world.  We have experienced ourselves what it is to serve the poor and the least and in so doing, we have seen the face of Jesus.  We are called to continue to be servant people following in the way of our servant Jesus.  

My prayer is that each of these amazing young adults will continue to feel God's presence with them even as they listen to and live out God's call on their lives.  The journey has just begun.  Thanks be to God.

A Servant's Journey

     We just finished our final reflection and devotion time together.  As I looked around the circle, I saw exhaustion, fear, hope, joy, worry, wonder, and most of all gratitude on the faces that surrounded me.  We have experienced so much in this foreign land.  We have heard and seen, touched and sensed more than we could ever put into words through the Guatemalans, within our little band of travelers, and within ourselves.  We have laughed and cried, shouted and kept silent, hoped and feared, despaired and rejoiced...together.
     I can't imagine a better way to celebrate Pentecost than with this group in this amazing land.  There are some days in my life when I wonder just where God's Spirit is.  This week, there is no doubt that God's Spirit is blowing through Guatemala and through each of these young adults.
     For all of you who are reading this blog who raised these young people (parents, relatives, pastors, friends, teachers...all of you), you have given the world an incredible gift in the lives of these amazing people.  Their hearts are so big, so loving, so filled with generosity and a willingness to listen and learn, question and wonder.  Their faith has blessed me and challenged me and given me great hope for the future.
     As we concluded our reflection tonight, Kathy and I gave each student a little leather sandal to remind them that we are all walking this journey together.  We can't walk the road of Jesus' self-giving love by ourselves.  We chose the sandal because it it is not the shoe of the powerful.  It is the shoe of a servant.  Each one of us has experienced this week what it means to allow others to serve us, and God has cracked our hearts open just a bit to let us see how we, too, might be servants in our own lives.  My prayer is that we might grow more and more to understand what that might mean for our lives as we live into God's abundant life...together.
                                                                               ---written by Susan Verbrugge, Co-leader

Beloved

We spent our day today at ADISA, which is an organization in Santiago Atitlan that provides both a special education school for children and work programs for adults with intellectual or physical disabilities. This organization resonates deeply with me because I am very passionate about working with both children and adults with disabilities.

Society sends the message that people with disabilities are outcasts...inferior to those who don't have an apparent disability. Nothing could be further from the truth. People with disabilities are no different from seemingly "normal" people, whatever normal even means.

Jesus walked among those who were outcast by society because he saw them as they truly are: equally gifted, valuable, and beloved. ADISA exemplifies this love by supporting the incredible gifts their participants have and allowing them to be independent and take pride in their creations.

Jesus tells us that we are all his unconditionally loved children, and calls us to love each other likewise. I saw that love very clearly today.

Ginny

Living Uncomfortably

Everyone I have met so far from Guatemala on this trip, has been so happy and grateful, no matter where they have ended up in their life. I have especially seen that today, as we spent the day at ADISA. The people at ADISA have been through so much and yet don't seem to let anything phase their spirit and faith as they go through life. The work that they do they are so good at, what they did in one minute took me at least five to get the hang of.

One of the most important things that I have learned while being in Guatemala is that God doesn't call you to be comfortable.

"Call sometimes seems impossible, because it would be, without God." Once I heard this, everything made a little bit more sense. To me, call could be something that you may have a talent for, but you may not be able to see it in yourself. For so long after realizing that being a teacher was no longer for me, I have been searching for something more that I am passionate about and want to spend my life doing.. Something where I can make a difference in other people's lives. I have come to the conclusion recently, partly through things I have learned about and seen here in Guatemala, that I should stop searching for exactly what I think I should be doing, and instead try to understand and work with wherever God takes me in my life. I know that He has a plan for me and that He will call upon me at the right time. For now, I will just continue to try to live my life uncomfortably, helping others in any way that I can and continuing to learn. I am just going to jump into life, and meet God there.

Nighty poo, don't poo in you're nighty. - Steve (our trip facilitator)

-Sarah Pierce

The universal language

This afternoon after our visit to ADISA we were given about 3 hours before dinner for free time to rest, reflect, or explore the city. Following the precedent set by James last year, a group of 6 of us immediately walked over to a level patch of dirt and gravel sitting in the shadow of a volcano across the lake, with cinder blocks goal posts. This patch of ground served as the pickup soccer field for the local children; today a group of four somewhere around the age of 7 were playing with a miniature ball. Our guide (James) talked if over with them and joined their team against the other 5 of us. Over the course of the next 90 minutes we experienced the joy that futbol brings regardless of language or age. A man who seemed liked one of their fathers called at the "Gringo" and threw us a full size ball and a couple of other kids joined in. By the time we left there was a crowd for these kids and us, cheering along and laughing whenever one of the kids beat us. One of the best parts about this whole game was that it didnt really matter that we didn't know hardly any Spanish, let alone anything relevant to a futbol match, but afterwards we all agreed how we wish we did. There will be a rematch tomorrow at approximately 3pm, and all are welcomed to attend!

-Josh

Volcanic Lakes & Parks of Peace

This morning we travelled across the breath-takingly beautiful Lake Atitlan, to reach the town of Santiago Atitlan.  The lake is completely surrounded by mountains and 3 volcanoes, and reaches unknown depths, making it easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  The beauty of the landscape was nothing however, compared to the beauty of the people we met and learned about on the other side of the lake.

We went first to Parque de la Paz (Peace Park), where the holiness of the ground was tangible.  The park, surrounded by half-constructed cinder block buildings and shanty shacks, is a memorial built on the site of a massacre.  On December 2nd 1990 (during the violent conflict of the civil war), a group of local men decided that it was time for the violence to stop, at least in their town.  They marched from the Catholic Church to the military base, asking for peace, and when they arrived, the military opened fire on them, killing 13 and injuring 22 of the marchers.  The memorial stones honoring the dead show that the marchers were in their 60's, 40's, 20's, and even as young as 10.  The government responded by banning the military from the town, but the reparations they promised never arrived.  I felt and hope I don't ever stop feeling humbly grateful, that I cannot fathom what life must have been like here (just a couple years before I was born), to make 13 year olds march to their death, asking for peace.

After Parque de la Paz, we went to La Iglesia de Santiago Apostol.  During the civil war, the Catholic Church stood in solidarity with the poor, which automatically made them an enemy of the state.  Padre Fransisco Stanley Apla's Rother was a Catholic missionary from Oklahoma, who came to Santiago Atitlan during that time, learned Tzutujil (the indigenous Mayan language), and devoted himself to the needs of the people.  He worked passionately to improve access to, and the quality of education, and although he received many death threats, he stayed with his people.  His dedication and love-filled work resulted in his martyrdom, assassinated by a death squad.

In our evening reflection time we talked about Moses' call (Exodus 3:1-12), and what makes ground holy.  I found today that ground can be made holy through God's presence, and who else has stood there in the past.  The level of not only faith, but conviction evident in the peace marchers and the Catholic priest from Oklahoma challenges my imagination, and inspires me to humility.

- Rebecca Coryell

Te Amo Guatemala

Today began like any other day; in fact, if I am going to be blunt— I thought this was going to be one of the more “lax” days in Guatemala. That idea stemmed from the morning activity, which was meeting with CEDEPCA’s Seminary students. The evening activity struck my interest especially because we were traveling to a women’s weaving cooperative in Chimaltenango. But today was all sorts of wonderful—not only did I experience something externally so incredibly beautiful (the drive to Panajachel) but I also experienced something internally beyond any imaginable words.

It began around 9am when we had a conversation with the students at CEDEPCA’s Seminary. It was roughly 15 students ranging in ages 25-50, whom were all involved in some sort of ministry. We sat at a huge round table where we could all see one another, and the Seminary students were already on one side of tables in the middle of a lesson. We filled in on the other sides and listened to the wrap up of their lesson. It didn’t take long, but soon they began to introduce themselves to us. Steve translated, per usual, and we went around the table, attempting to put together broken Spanish to introduce ourselves to the students and CEDEPCA members. We went through our introductions, which was a rather normal exchange, with no life-changing encounters… yet. Then we began discussing testimonies, to which we had 3 of the CEDEPCA Seminary students presented their personal testimonies. Slowly, the language barrier began to fall, and the message was clear. We were all feeling similar emotions, similar calls, and similar vocations—and I couldn’t help but notice how slowly the cultural differences began to taper. Then it was our turn, they opened up the room for our testimonies, to which Jessie (with a little push) decided to share her own experience yesterday with Shorty. This is where everything changed for me—Jessie began her testimony saying: “Te amo Guatemala” to which Herbert responded with “I am Guatemala.” Everyone laughed, the whole room, English, Guatemalan, didn’t matter, the room was roaring. I too, was laughing, but then I stopped because I was no longer laughing… I was crying. I was watching two different cultures, two different languages, and two completely different types of people, united under something so pure, so beautiful: laughter. I had goose bumps everywhere and tears were uncontrollably streaming down my face. Immediately, I was embarrassed—I hate crying in front of people. I gathered myself, confused, and nervously rubbed my arms. I wasn’t completely sure why I started crying, but I understood the gist.

After listening to Jessie’s testimony, we were prompted with an extremely moving question that then sparked a whole other mental glitch. “So the majority of Guatemala recognizes the United States as the ‘best’ place to be, and after taking my son there (who is 8 years old) twice now, he still believes it to be the very best place, what are your thoughts on that? What do you think of that stigma?” Hmm… Ok. I understand. James summarized it very well; the United States is a place of fortune. We are so privileged to have a nation that not only provides opportunity (for most) but also basic necessities for living comfortably. Although as a nation we are often glutinous. I could not have put it better myself. But something struck me and my heart began racing and I couldn’t help but feel enraged. I wanted to share how lucky they were to have such a beautiful culture. I would never call the United States the “best” place to be—yes I recognize the fortune, and I recognize how privileged we are, but we lack something that is so fundamentally important to me: soul. So I spoke. And in this moment that I spoke, reflecting back upon that moment now, I know that God was with me. He was standing right beside me saying “preach sister, preach!” and so I did. First I began speaking very quickly, trying to express that I understand why people immigrate to the states, and that I lived in San Diego all my life, and I have seen it first hand. Which I forgot Steve had to translate, which was very embarrassing, but I think my brain was moving way too quickly for me. Then I moved on, expressing how rich their culture is, how beautiful and tangible their community is—so much so that it is infectious—addicting. Saying this aloud, let alone watching Steve translate and watching their reactions, moved me to more tears than before. It was uncontrollable though, I told them that already, in roughly 24 hours, I was moved beyond words by their countries beauty, and for that I am so grateful. Which, clearly, made me cry more. And right there, I felt God squeeze my shoulder and tell me “you did good kid, you did good.” I knew I was in the right place, I knew I was meant to be here, with the CEDEPCA Seminary, sitting as one with new friends and old family. The sense of community, the love for one another, united under God’s love was so present, so tangible, for the first time in my life, I could physically see it everywhere I looked.

So as I sat in the car, and I reflected upon God’s whispers to me during our morning activity, I remembered a conversation we had at Cooper House about tears. Sometimes tears are God’s way of giving you a push or a sign to pay attention. Yes, today was exactly that, but more than that. Today I felt God’s presence in my heart, but also in the room. He was present, he was standing right beside me and he was telling me I was going in the right direction. This—was a call.

Fast forward to later in the afternoon, as we drove a few hours to the women’s weaving cooperative, I spent the majority of the car ride looking out at the scenery. Now in one day, my emotions ran dry. From leaving Guatemala City and seeing 100+ miles of slums, and a bridge with a gate “so women would stop jumping off with their infants,” to seeing dead dogs on the side of the highway—my heart felt battered. Specifically I remember seeing a child, no more than 6 years old, with all of his belongings on the side of the highway begging for money. As I, a 20 year old, privileged, white, American, senior in college, sitting in an air-conditioned bus—excuse me? What? Why? I don’t understand. Why is that little boy, alone, no family in sight, underdressed, clearly underfed? Why am I here and why is he there? I was outraged. My hands in a fist, I couldn’t help but curse God. Why? Why are you doing this to me? Making me so sure you’re here, and then I see this? But then I understood. It was all clear to me, as my fingernails dug deep into my palms I realized that this was the fire. This morning God reminded me, this is what you love, this is what is important to you. But then he said wait—this is what is wrong, this is what needs to change. Later as I walked around Panajachel, and saw the raw beauty everywhere I looked—including in the stray dogs following at my skirts hem, I found myself. This was exactly what I never thought was going to happen—God put a fire under my butt and I recognized it. He presented himself to me, and in turn offered to me a calling: amar Guatemala.

All my love,
Bella

My Not So "Ah-ha" Moment

The running joke between my friends and I about my trip to Guatemala is that I'm here to "find myself". I am having a bit of a quarter life crisis, as I can no longer commit myself to even an idea of what I want to do after my fast approaching graduation. On top of this, my most recent conversation with a family member ended with the establishment of me being an active member of the entitiled generation. Both of these things put me in a rather difficult place with myself just in time to leave for this trip of intercultural encounters and vocational discernment. 

I was not ignorant of the state of Guatemala before coming here; I traveled to Nicaragua in 2010 and took a class on the indigenous population of Guatemala this past semester. However, 10th grade me did not fully understand what I was seeing and every country is different. As for my indigenous peoples's class, I was very struck by what I was reading about the genocide that took place during the civil war, but at the end of the day, a required reading is a required reading and it didn't make too much of an impact on how I viewed Guatemala. Today, we were fortunate enough to get to meet a group of civil war widows and women of families directly targeted in the genocide who now weave together. We were able to hear testimonies from the women about what they experienced during the civil war, and suddenly the stories I had read about in class came to life. The president of the group spoke about how her home was burnt to the ground and her family was separated in hopes that it would improve their chances of surviving. She told us that she had her newborn with her and that the group she was in refuge with told her to kill her baby or leave, so she left to hide on her own. It was incredibly moving to hear how selfless she was for her family. We were so blessed to be in the company of such strong women and I was so blessed to be able to put in to context the things I had studied for a semester. 

Afterward, we boarded the bus, anxious to travel to our next location, Panajachel. Immediately, I put in my headphones and was in bus ride mode. If you know me at all, you know my mind never stops, and I began looking at the scenery change and letting my mind do its thing. The first thought that came to mind was "Hm, should I move to Guatemala? Is this what God is telling me to do?" So naturally, I started looking for a house similar to one that I would live in if I were to come here, and naturally, they were all the big ones with bars over the windows. My mind then immediately went to the question of "How much less would it cost for me to live here?" which then reminded me about my current money situation and before I knew it I was going over figures in my head that had absolutely nothing to do with potentially living in Guatemala and trying to change the world. It wasn't until I saw another house that peaked my fancy that I realized how selfish I was being. It was also then that I realized all the shanty homes surrounding the big beautiful house. It was then that I had the opposite of an "ah-ha" moment, one that I have been calling an "oh crap" moment. I had just spent the afternoon hearing stories of survival during a genocide and all I could think about was how much money was in my bank account. Instead of trying to hear what God has in store for me, I was listening to a European pop band sing of luxuries. I didn't find myself, however; I found who I do not want to be. I do not want to be entitled. I cringe at the word, because I'm now realizing it's what I am. I don't believe I am a spoiled brat, but I'm realizing that I'm not much better. My heart is usually in the right place, but my head needs to join my heart there in that place instead of worrying about material things. I want to be a person who can make a difference in the world, as I have always been that person in my heart. I hope that by embracing the "oh crap"s, my head and heart will be clearer to hear God and bring me to an "ah-ha". 

It is hard to put in to words what we are experiencing here, but I hope my little testimony gives light to the work God is doing in Guatemala and in us that are here experiencing it.

Xoxo,

Carly

Dear Maggie...

I commonly write notes, emails, or letters to my friend Maggie and this post is set up as a letter to her as my best friend and a constant source of guidance in my life. 

Dear Maggie,

Today has been one of the most powerful days of my life. Doubts, hopes, confusion, and inspiration have emanated throughout the events of the past few hours. Over the past semester I have been confronted with questions concerning my path in life and which way is the right way for me. My pursuit of a civil engineering degree fills my goals of working in teams, solving problems, and using my technical skills. However, lately I have been this whole other part of me that is intrigued by social issues and fulfilled by being a source of guidance for others. I love listening to people and being able to be there for them. 

Today we met with several people who are doing amazing things to be sources of guidance and hope for people in Guatemala. One of the women we met with, Betty, works with the women's ministry of CEDEPCA teaching that "being a woman is a wonderful thing" and that God made the, women because he wants them to be women. This validates these identity of these women as women and can be an extremely powerful idea in their life. I hear about the issues women face in the United States and feel a need for change but I hear about the struggles of women in Guatemala and know there must be change and justice. These women face all those of the women in the United States currently and in the past. I am inspired by the work Betty and those like her, I don't think I would have the strength to do what she does with such opposition from society. 

Later in the da we watched a film called "Reparando" featuring people on Limonade, a slum of Guatemala City, and specifically a man named Shorty who then came to speak with us after the movie. This ms shook all my judgements from me and puts a light of hope I a place of darkness with such ease. I was consumed as he spoke. Shorty's father and uncle were taken by them government when he was young, his mother was involved with drugs and then disappeared, he traveled to the United States illegally several times and was deported, he got involved with gangs in Guatemala City, he did drugs, stole, and alluded that there was more to his story than these things. Despite all this Shorty was one of the most tender hearted, Godly people I have ever met. This man does not force his beliefs on anyone in the slightest but brings God to them and changes their hearts anyway. I am so in awe of him and all the one working inGuatemala that we have met. They are grateful and giving despite their circumstances. In the film a man who works inthe sewers and has a home with only walls, no roof, amidst the trash of Guatemala City said that isheis so grateful for the things he has and is so happy. This man is an eye opener and a role model for me. I need to be grateful for the many things that I have every single day because no matter what I have more than many. As I bring all these things together I am empowered but also confused. I am not sure what these experiences will change in my life plan but I know I cannot ignore their impact. Part of me sees these people and thinks they are so much stronger and braver than I am, that I must proceed with my life plan as is but I also know that I cannot pretend these remarkable people did not affect me. The other part of me sees that these people are no innately different from myself. The boys that came with Shorty seemed s distant from me until they started giggling to each other when one of their phones went off and smiling. They are just kids just like me. Part of me wants to change my plan completely and find a calling of my own as a guide to those in need as these boys, Shorty, and all those of CEDECA have done but I do not know if this is what God is calling me to do. 

I could write for days about al of these events and thoughts from today but they will have to wait until I see you. Thanks for your everlasting support. 

Love,

Sarah Morris

Seeking in Hard Places

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future full with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord." Jeremiah 29: 11-14

This covenant from the Lord promises us welfare, hope, and the companionship of God. The language of this passage suggests that God knows that at some point in our lives, we will call upon the Lord and search for Him, but the language changes from "when" to "if" before the promise that if we seek the Lord, we will find Him. This verb "seek" requires a conscious decision to act fervently, as we both internally and externally seek God and discern our holy call. This verse left me wondering, what does "seeking" look like?

Today, I really felt God revealing to me what seeking God really looks like. It was most clearly revealed through God's disciple named "Shorty", a former drug addict, gang memeber, orphan, and deportee. Shorty's testimony of God's amazing grace and transformative relationship with Christ embodies what it looks like to truly seek God with passion, urgency, and perseverence, as well as what it looks like when God "lets [us] find [Him]".

Living out his faith and representing the hands, feet and sacrificial love of Jesus in the slums of La Limonada, one of the largest, most dangerous slums in Central America, Shorty showed us what it looks like to seek God in hard places. When asked what gives him the strength to walk into prisons, groups of gang members, and sewage filled slums full of people who want to kill him, he replied that we need a theology to sustain us in the hard places. His desire to seek God in the hardest places imaginable and his testimony that God truly does fulfill the covenant promised in Jeremiah 29: 11-14 gave me a better glimpse of grace than just about anything I've witnessed.

My prayer is that we will choose to seek God with the same faith as Shorty in our own hard places, whether in the slums, our families, or in our hearts. I thank God for the theology of Jesus to sustain us as we seek God's call in these hard places and God's promise to meet us face to face as we do. Amen.

~ Sarah Gobble

We Made It !

"We do not need people to come to Guatemala and build things or paint or fix things. We need relationships in Guatemala. We need friendships in Guatemala."

These words were spoken to us today (after being in Guatemala a mere two hours) quickly brought into perspective the amazing trip that was ahead of us.

Once arriving to Guatemala today around 12:30 (after being awake for already ten hours!), the group headed to a lunch. Briskly driving through the bustling city of Guatemala resulted in quite the culture shock for us Ukirkers who are used to the small town of Blacksburg, Virginia. As soon as our bus hit the crowded streets of Guatemala, the excitement we all felt for the week ahead was apparent. After our bellies were full after a deliciouso lunch, we headed over to CEDEPCA's main office. CEDEPCA stands for Centro Evangelico de Estudios Pastorales en Centro America and is the overall program we are doing our Cultural Encounters Mission Trip through.

This is when Emerson, an employee of CEDEPCA and last years trip leader, gave us the powerful statement above that I think summarized the mission of our trip: building relationships and friendships with the people in Guatemala.

After a quick orientation, a journalist that has created a reliable and accurate news source for the citizens of Guatemala came to give us a brief but jam-packed information session on the history of Guatemala and the current state the country is in. It was so powerful to see the passion he had for the country he loves and it was even more powerful to see him take this passion and create a career out of it that is helping thousands of people.

After this session we headed to the hotel we will be staying in for the next two nights and enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal.

Needless to say, the first twelve hours of our trip has already been so impactful. I really believe Emerson said it best we he declared that we are here to build relationships. The activities and events that are planned for the week ahead are ones that I belive will not only call us to build these relationships, but also encourage us to engage in difficult conversations, view a lifestyle different from our own and ultimately live out God's call for us to be here. As we explore through our daily reflections what it means to "hear Gods call" I am excited to see how the amazing people and places we are encountering in Guatemala will play into His plan.

That's it for today, but keep on the look out for two more blog posts each night as we have more Cultural Enounters!
Peace and blessins,
-Jessie Butler

Godspeed...

Before taking off for Guatemala today, a group of students and leaders spent months preparing their hearts and their minds for a transformational experience this week. They wrote letters to raise money and prayer support, reflected on the theology of mission, learned about the country of Guatemala and the organization CEDEPCA, and began to form a bond with one another that will ground them in a community of love as they travel. When their plane took off from the Roanoke airport early this morning, they left knowing that a great network of faithful supporters go too and that God's love and grace is behind, present with, and ever before them. 

This was the last planning meeting at Cooper House. 

Pictured from left to right: James, Susan, Jessie, Sarah, Josh, Bella, Carly, Becca, Sarah, and Ginny and Sarah in front. Not pictured: student Drew and leader Kathy