Partnership/2016 visit info

Visit history - 10 years of partnership, and counting!

·   2007:  19 CHPC people went to Guatemala

·   2008:  1 CHPC person went to Guatemala

·   2009:  5 CHPC people went to Guatemala

·   2010:  6 CHPC people went to Guatemala

·   2011:  3 Estoreño people came here to Kentuckiana

·   2012:  12 CHPC people went to Guatemala

·   2013:  1 CHPC person went to Guatemala

·   2014:  3 Estoreño people came here to Kentuckiana

·   2016:  10 CHPC people went to Guatemala

 

What did the 2016 visit team members do?

·   Visited 10 churches, many of them remote and isolated

·   Held 10 short church services as an opportunity to experience worship and prayer together

·   Stayed in church member homes one night to get to know our partners better

·   Sponsored a VBS-like children’s workshop with children, youth & young adults from around the Izabal region. CHPC folk joined youth leadership from the Presbiterio Estoreño in planning and leading a community-wide VBS in El Estor, where over 100 children were in attendance.  A wonderful, nutritious lunch was prepared by the church and served to the children who attended. 

·   We had several key meetings (with the presbytery leaders, with female leaders, and with other pastors and leaders) to learn more about how the local churches are doing and to consider/discuss our partnership together.

·   A one-day excursion with Ramiro Quib and Pastor Raúl Contreras Tut to Livingston (home to the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture and with a growing Q’eqchi’ population), a part of Izabal that was new to CHPC folks, with eco-tourism, fishing culture and a beach visit

 

Why do Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church folks go?

·   Learn about and practice mission in partnership

·   Help members connect with the global church and see ourselves as part of the wider church, maybe even consider mission work.

·   Expand our vision and experience of God

·   Encourage brothers and sisters in Christ while they encourage our church and faith too!

 

 How much did the visit cost?

·   The total cost was $1800 per visit team member

     including: $900 airfare, $190 ground transportation, $190 hotels, $65 boat, $250 food 

·   Team members each paid $1200

·   Past and present fund-raising funded the remaining costs

·   Also Estoreño Presbytery folks contributed some food and lodging for team members

 

What do we do between visits?

·   Guatemala Partnership Team works with the congregation to…

•  Share news and prayer requests by phone, Facebook, and e-mail

·   Pray for each other

·   Financial support for theological education for Estoreño Presbytery leaders and for Estoreño Presbytery Presbyterian Women’s activities

·   Some shared/parallel Bible study

·   Learn more about each other’s language and culture

 

Let’s keep up that encouragement by continuing to think of creative ways to pray for and communicate with each other.  The Guatemalan women suggested that we could hold prayer vigils at the same time across the miles - let’s do it!