Megan: April visit was really, really good—but brief. Had a
good visit with Brian and Sandy –stayed at their house for 2 nights – travelled
with two Guatemalan women – wife of a minister and one of the eight women
ministers in the country – they both live west of GC – their interpreter was
xx’s daughter – she doesn’t speak Spanish, so they weren’t able to
Soni: it’s different going with just 2 people, without
fluent Spanish speakers – It was exciting and scary for her – she did have some
fear about going on this trip – was she going to get overtired, was going with
different folks, things weren’t as “settled” as previous trips she’s been on – Be
Not Afraid (No Temos) was meaningful for her – the business meeting was the
most meaningful for her – here in the US, we have the slate o officers well
planned out ahead of time – but there, they sat for a long time waiting for the
Spirit to move someone to step up – it was a moving experience – Anna, who had
been the secretary, was moved to agree to be the president – the men were supportive
and encouraging the women to step up – she really wanted to see Macaria, who
had stayed with them on the first visit here – but there was not enough time
after the worship service – there are some issues with some of the churches –
the Espritus Santo Church has never sent anyone to the meetings – they made a
visit to the church, but the pastor met them at the door and wouldn’t let them
in at all – she doesn’t know what’s going on, but apparently there is something going on there – Arca de
Noe Church also didn’t send anyone – it is Sandra’s church – Soni wished that
she could have spent more time with the individual women from the churches that
we have visited on previous trips – the Diplomas – Raul seemed to have a very
good rapport with the women’s leadership – Fidel volunteered to take Raul’s
place for the coming year – the domestic violence training that is going on was
discussed at the meeting –
Total cost of the
trip is about $2900, including travel – Megan and Soni do want to contribute
$800 – they need to reimbursed roughly $700 – Ben: we need to reimburse you for
the total cost – Doug: we need to reimburse you for most of the cost of the
trip – Soni: I’ve paid some of my costs in the past and expect to do the same
this time – next year’s Synodica will be April 20, 2018 at La Guittara Church
(Pastor Gerardo’s church) – Soni and Megan will decide how much they will be
reimbursed –
Do we want to send
some of our money through PCUSA – need to make sure IENPG gets some money, too
– but each of those take a cut from what we send – but Shannon & Ben think
it would be better to send through IENPG – so how much do we send through IENPG
and how much through PCUSA for the Women’s Educational Training Fund – ask
Brian and Sandy how to set that up – and Amanda Craft might be able to help us,
too – how much do we want to send? – $1500 – uses: theological education, basic
education for women, money for women to make visits to other churches, and the
domestic violence training – half for theological education, half for women’s
education and church visits – Ben will reach out to Sandy and Brian to find out
the best way to make this happen – Soni will write a letter in English and Ben
will do a Spanish translation – plan a Food for Thought (Ben, Shannon, Megan,
and Soni) and do a M4M the Sunday before – dates: July 9th for Food
for Thought, July 2nd for Minute for Mission
Doug is donating
pictures of Guatemalan traditional clothing to be put up somewhere in the back
building (hall?) – Soni has put out on consignment several of the items that
did not sell at the yard sale and is donating the proceeds to the Guatemalan
Connection – maybe we could use this as a fundraising possibility –
-Mary
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