Mutual visits have been a critical part of
Crescent Hill’s decade-old partnership with Guatemala’s Q’eqchi’ Estoreño
Izabal Presbytery. Visiting each other has helped us to develop and sustain
close personal relationships, engage in shared prayer and Bible study, and
learn about each other’s languages, culture and faith practices. At a gathering
of CHPC’s Guatemalan Connection on November 11, we were excited to realize the
level of interest in several
opportunities in 2018. All of them will require prayer, volunteers, personal
sacrifices to travel or host guests, encouragement, and financial support
through the church budget and by travelers and others who value this CHPC
ministry. Here are ways we can all be engaged in some way:
-Sandi Thomson-Royer and Brian Thomson-Royer, Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.), mission co-workers who work with women’s groups and on
domestic violence issues, will visit from Guatemala on the Souper Bowl of
Caring/congregational meeting Sunday (February 4). This is expected to be their
last year before retirement. We hope that you will get to hear them speak and
learn all that has been accomplished through their ministry.
-For the second year in a row, we are planning for women
from CHPC to travel to Guatemala to participate in the annual gathering of
Estoreño Presbytery’s Presbyterian Women’s organization. This is tentatively scheduled
for April. Last year, Soni Castleberry and Megan McCarty went. It was a time of
growth for both of them as they went alone to represent CHPC. Ask either of
them about this experience and explore whether you would like to be part of
this exciting opportunity to strengthen your faith, alongside the Guatemalan
women in our partnership.
-In early August, we are looking toward the possibility of
an inter-generational CHPC group visiting Guatemala. The trip would include
traditional church visits and workshops, and perhaps a visit to Coban, the
cultural capital of Q’eqchi’ Guatemala. Begin thinking about how you can be
involved. In lieu of more "things" perhaps monetary gifts toward a
visit to Guatemala could make up your Christmas Wish List.
-A couple dozen North Americans involved in similar
Presbyterian Guatemalan-U.S. partnerships, along with a few Guatemalans, will
visit Kentuckiana during the week of Labor Day (September 5-8) for a PC(USA)
Guatemala Mission Network gathering at Cedar Ridge Camp. Mary Love and Soni
Castleberry are helping plan this gathering, along with our friend Ellen
Dozier, a former mission co-worker to Guatemala, and a team of other folks in
both of our countries. This will be an excellent chance for many of you to
learn more about Guatemala and the ministries that CHPC and many others are
engaged in. There will be lots of chances to volunteer too. Mary and Soni would
love to hear from you.
For more information on the Guatemala partnership, note our
next meeting on your calendar and plan to join us Saturday, January 13, 12:30 -
1:30 PM.
-Perry
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