of New Castle Presbytery
The second part of the week-long Utz Pan bakery youth retreat focused on nature, reflection and relaxation. On Wednesday, we hiked up Chicabal Volcano, and then down into the crater which holds a sacred lagoon. I was struck by the immense joy these kids had when seeing simple things like a butterfly, a fish jumping, an inchworm, or a beautiful flower. Especially the boys!
If you’ve had a rough week, read on. Pure and simple joy still exists.
Last week, I had the honor and privilege of adventuring with eight young teenagers from the Utz Pan bakery project of Jesus es El Camino Church in Guatemala city. Accompanied by Pastors Emerson and Mardoqueo and driver/church member Kevin, we traveled five hours west to Xela for a week of learning, fellowship, reflection, EATING, hiking, and swimming. There were too many moments of pure and simple joy to count.
For many of these kids, this was the first time they had traveled far from their neighborhood, hiked a mountain top, breathed in the fresh air of nature, seen back-of-house operations of a bakery and restaurant, and had time to just relax and enjoy each other. There were non-stop smiles and giggles (and lots of napping on the bus).
Carrie here again. We had an absolutely FABULOUS week with the youth from the Utz Pan bakery here in Xela and they headed back to Guatemala City yesterday. It was early mornings and late nights all week, so I am a bit behind with my updates for you. I have the weekend now to rest and work, so I’ll try to get a few more posts out in the coming days.
On Tuesday, while the kids were visiting their first bakery, I was invited out to the Association office to take part in the graduation ceremony for the first group of women who completed CEDEPCA’s six-session Introduction to the Bible class. What a celebration! This is the first of four courses taught by staff from CEDEPCA’s Biblical and Theological Education ministry. To learn more about this class and how the women are responding, read this previous article written by Jenny Garcia, Association staff member and class participant.
