of New Castle Presbytery
By Tracy Keenan, Missional Presbyter, New Castle Presbytery
What makes us human? What does it mean to be in community and to have meaning? This post is about our trip to Guatemala, but it is also about our churches, our nation, our world, our homes and neighborhoods. If I tug on one strand, the others vibrate.
Here are some of the virtual carry-ons I bring with me on this trip:
Read moreI am Marj Johnson, a member of Concord Presbyterian Church. This was my first immersion experience trip to Guatemala, but I was there before with a work group with my church in 2012 to build stoves. I learned so much this week about all the programs of CEDEPCA and the Association of Mam Christian Women.
On our last day in Guatemala, we were at Lake Atitlán, a volcanic caldera lake. The town of Panajachel, where we stayed, was a typical resort town with a nice beach, boating, seaside attractions, and people relaxing, enjoying themselves, buying souvenirs and eating ice cream.
We took a boat to the other side of the lake in the morning. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and the sky was blue. We were in a safe boat and we each had enough space and a life preserver. But I couldn’t help thinking about all the migrants who travel by boat around the world at huge cost in unsafe boats, no life preservers, and crowded beyond capacity—what it must be like for them as they travel to the unknown.
Hola! My name is Mary Hewes, and I work with YoungMoms, an organization that empowers pregnant and parenting young women in Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Most of our clients are immigrants from Guatemala who join our program between the ages of 13 and 21. I am honored to be a part of the group traveling this year as this is also my first visit to Guatemala.
By Cindy Dower
Sixty-three years ago in sixth grade, I made a friend with an extraordinary person who would lead me to this extraordinary and spiritual experience of expanding my world.
I have watched and listened to Cathy Higgins as she followed her calling to Guatemala. Hearing the stories and seeing the pictures have inspired me, entertained me, and brought me to tears.
