Guatemala Partnership and Association Sign Third, 3-Year Agreement

By Scott Lester and Morgan Miller

Today we traveled from Guatemala City on a meandering 5-hour bus ride to the Western Highlands to visit the Association of Mam Christian Women. Along the way we took in the sights of the roadside markets and local communities, as well as the speeding chicken busses, distant volcanoes, and the beautiful landscape.

When we arrived, the Association leaders welcomed us with hugs and open arms, and gave a wonderful presentation on progress made in the year 2023. Their organization and mastery of technology was unexpected and impressive. Some highlights include:

• 85 stoves delivered.
• 103 sewing schools graduates.
• 15,000 trees planted.
• 233 active participants and 2 new groups in the revolving funds program.
• 1 group ‘graduated’ from the revolving funds program being completely self sufficient.

Reflecting on the 2023 highlights makes we wonder what the future may hold.

This was an important day for the Association and the Guatemala Partnership of New Castle Presbytery, as we renewed our 3-year covenant agreement, which is a formal commitment to work together to reaffirm our shared purpose of working together to address critical needs in Guatemala. This is the third time renewing the agreement, representing 7 years of formal partnership.

What made this moment that much more fulfilling was that we were in person. Our previous agreement signing in 2021 was facilitated virtually, and it’s quite hard to match the energy of so many people in one room. As my fellow traveler, Cathy Higgins, shared, “it’s exciting to see how much the Association has grown and expanded its impact in indigenous communities… and witnessing their personal development is a heartfelt gift.”

At the end, we sang the hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’, which reminded us of God’s greatness to both us and this community, and of His relentless pursuit of each of us. This is a joyous moment to celebrate, but much work remains.

Along the bus ride today, we saw many of what seemed to be partially-built buildings, with reinforcing bars sticking out above the top floor or roof of structure. We realized though, that this was to allow the structure to be extended vertically, when there was means available to build another floor. It may take years, but there is the hope that it will be done. Despite the difficult living conditions here, there is hope today in the people of Guatemala: their hope in a new president, their hope in each other, and most of all, their hope and faith in God.

Yesterday, a young man in the Utz Pan bakery project was introducing himself and explaining how he was going to the University to study to be a doctor, so he could help the people of Guatemala. At the end, he made an honest and straightforward statement that also holds true for his country, “it will take time, but I will bear fruit.”

Like the incomplete houses, and the path ahead for this young man, Guatemala is a work in progress, but one that, with time and persistence, can only lead to a promising future. It’s enriching to learn more about this partnership, its local leaders, and the important role we all play in advancing such a bold goal.