January 2024 Trip Archives - Page 2 of 3

Like a Beautiful Weaving and a Patchwork Quilt

January 30, 2024January 30, 2024Guatemala Partnership

This is the first trip to Guatemala for Kim and the second for Gloria.

Today we visited two groups, the Mam Association’s La Estancia group and Mujeres Virtuosas. Our first stop was to visit with artisan Mam women involved with the revolving funds project. They each borrowed money to buy materials to weave their traditional weavings with backstrap looms. The weavings were extremely intricate and beautiful. It may take them 2 or three months to finish a piece. People pick the design and colors before she makes it specifically for them. With the money from that weaving, they can use some to start another piece and have money for other things like another project, a stove, a garden, etc. Eventually, they pay off their revolving funds and continue working and making money.

Guatemala Partnership and Association Sign Third, 3-Year Agreement

January 28, 2024January 28, 2024Guatemala Partnership

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.

Just One Day…

January 27, 2024January 27, 2024Guatemala Partnership

Buenos días! Saludos desde Guatemala!

My name is Delfina Castro and I am the Program Director for YoungMoms in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. At YoungMoms I have the opportunity to work with young women between the ages of 13 and 21 who are pregnant or parenting and living in Southern Chester County. Most of them are from Guatemala. NCP generously invited me to join this wonderful group of people with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the culture, communities, challenges and living conditions in Guatemala. After my first full day in Guatemala City I feel like this goal has already been accomplished and we still have so many more things to come!!!!

Who Knew?

January 26, 2024January 25, 2024Guatemala Partnership

By Carrie Saathoff

Who knew that our very own Missional Presbyter Tracy Keenan, who served as a Presbyterian pastor for 31 years before arriving at New Castle Presbytery, is actually…..Pentacostal?! That’s right. We witnessed it with our very own eyes last night when she preached at Jesus es El Camino (Jesus is the Way), the church of our good friend, partner, and incredible interpreter Pastor Emerson Morales. Tracy may be Presbyterian on paper, but there is no doubt she is Pentecostal at heart.