March 6 and March 7 events

The Guatemala mission partnership task force continues to plan one or two possible mission trips to Coban, a central Guatemala city five hours from the capital that is the metropolitan center of the Mayan Q’eqchi’ culture. Our church’s partners (from the Q’eqchi’ Estoreño, Izabal Presbytery) in the eastern part of the country are also from this indigenous culture.

The major trip is tentatively scheduled for July 10-17. We’d like to send 10-12 Crescent Hill folks on this trip to meet 10-12 Estoreño folks. The trip will be less arduous than trips to El Estor, our usual destination, and the accommodations (probably a church retreat center) less rugged. So it will be an ideal occasion for folks who have not been to Guatemala (including high school juniors and seniors and older adults) to try it out. We expect to spend several days in Coban, living and eating with our partners, engaging in Bible study, leadership development, and partnership planning, and visiting sites in Coban and the surrounding area (perhaps including a Presbyterian school, a beautiful waterfall area, and a coffee plantation). There may be opportunities to visit with Delia Leal, the Nazarene pastor who preached at Crescent Hill in September, and to worship with local Presbyterians.

Another event to plan advanced theological training for Q’eqchi’ pastors will take place April 20-27, and it is possible that one or two Crescent Hill people will go to that.

Before fund-raising, previous trips have cost about $1,500 per person. Folks interested in learning more about the July trip should be at an educational event about the trip after worship on Sunday, March 7, in the Education Building. You might also talk with folks active in the task force or check out the blog at http://guatemalacrescenthill.blogspot.com

Folks interested in the Guatemala mission partnership will gather at the home of Brad and Soni Castleberry at 209 Fairfax Avenue, Unit 1, in St. Matthews, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 6. Everyone interested in Guatemala mission should be there.

Some food will be provided at both events.