Opened with sharing of highs/lows and prayer
Report on visit—
1. Followed
planned schedule for trip with Enrique as driver. First night was spent in Antigua at Carlos
Lara’s brother’s hotel (Hotel Carmen) and had dinner with Carlos David Lara
with his new wife, Irma, and son, Sebastian (11 years old).
2. Left
early for Rio Dulce (Bruno’s) and stayed for one night and dinner, were joined
by Marta an Obrera with a diploma in theology and her son Leonel at Bruno’s. They became traveling companions on the way
to La Guitarra.
3. Rosa
Marina, Pastor Benjamin, and 2 other women with children rode together in the
van with Soni, Sharon, Elisa, and Carrie.
4. The
road to La Guitarra was bad due to excessive rain. 2 ½ hours to get to La Guitarra. Enrique contracted with a driver from town to
bring everyone back. The contracted
driver had a more appropriate vehicle and was familiar with the road and
challenges.
5. Once
in La Guitarra everyone was greeted by Ana Coc Tuel (sp?) an officer in the
presbytery and Gerardo. Soni, Sharon, Carrie, and Elisa stayed in a home with 5
bedrooms.
6. 1st
night there, Wednesday, had an opening worship and dinner. Everyone was asked to sing. They sang “Go With Us, Lord” in the round.
7. Thursday—led
a bible study focusing on the story of Ruth, encouraging their friendship with
each other. Rosa Marina acted as
translator from Spanish to Q’eqechi (she is also now involved with the Looking
for Lilith group in Guatemala).
8. During
the meeting women were weeping because they were overwhelmed with what God had
done through them in the past year. Many
had been reluctant to become officers originally.
9. Men
present were Fidel as advisor, Ramiro, Gerardo, and Benjamin. Raul Contreras was unable to leave work for
the trip. At one point when the men were
discussing money, Gerardo had said it was the women’s meeting and got up and
went to the back of the building leaving the women alone. This was viewed positively as letting the
women have more autonomy.
10. Left
early the next morning and ate breakfast as Sarita’s.
11. When
they got back to the city they were able to meet up with Rubina and her fiancé,
Moses. They were escorted through town
with Rubina, Moses, and Enrique.
12. They
made two phone calls about the money that was sent to IENPG, but nothing was
resolved. Was told at one point that it
is tied up in customs because the wrong person signed for it.
IENPG Money Situation
1. Money
has still not been released to our partners. Our partners are aware that we
have sent the money and that IENPG is not releasing the money.
2. Phil
Beisswenger has offered to help, but it isn’t sure there is anything he can do.
3. Ben
has also called after our group called from Guatemala. Still nothing resolved.
4. Doug
proposed that we should contact Jose Luis Casal at PCUSA Presbyterian Mission
Agency to see if he can talk to IENPG.
Elisa said she would contact Jose Casal.
Doug thought we should ask for the 5% handling fee, that they usually
charge, be waived due to the delay in processing for our partners.
Planning for July Visit—Stuffed bulletins with pictures
of trip while discussing.
1. Soni
reviewed the cost of the April trip. The
total cost was $5,400 for 4 people and 2 nights staying with families.
a. $3,600
for airfare
b. $84
phone costs
c. $897
for driver and van
d. $15
transfer fees
e. $842
room and meals
2. Our
budget for Guatemala is negative $600.
We should have around $1,500 at the end of April.
a. Two
biggest and successful fundraisers so far are St. Joe’s parking which brings in
around $1,200 and Soup Sales which has been averaging around $300/month. We will resume soup in the fall. Some discussion of summer cold soups, but
nothing decided.
3. The
expected cost for 8 people to travel to Guatemala this July would be
approximately $10,000. People will need
to pay more or need to do more fund raising.
a. Possible
travelers: Sharon Kutz-Mellem, Bob Kutz-Mellem, Doug Yeager, Perry Chang, Soni
Castleberry, Ben Langley, Will Farrell, Molly Casteel, Madeline Wilding, Dalen
Payton, and Phil Lloyd-Sidle.
b. Proposed
purpose of trip-
i.
Church Visitation
ii.
Men’s Group dealing with domestic violence and
difficulties of being indigenous men in Guatemala. This could piggyback off of
what Brian and Sandy Thompson Royer are doing using the scripture based book Man
in the Mirror. (They are leaving in
September) (This has been broached with Raul Contreras) Our approach would be
more therapeutic based, less guilt, but a place to express frustrations and
what is a constructive outlet for frustrations.
iii.
Women/Youth groups would continue with church
visits, sharing our presence, VBS activities, and possible parallel women’s
group discussing what it is like to be a woman in Guatemala.
iv.
We should also contact them to see what they
want us to do.
v.
Possibly visiting Rosa Marina’s church.
PCUSA Guatemala Network Group
1. Ben
Langley and Shannon Bostrom attended last spring.
2. 2014
came to Louisville and held meeting at Cedar Ridge
3. This
year is going to be held September 4th-7th,
Tuesday-Friday. Mary Love, Soni Castleberry, and Perry Chang are on planning
committee. It is being held at PCUSA and a hotel downtown. Registration fee is $100 and includes meals.
It is a chance to hear from PCUSA, Mission Co-Workers, and other people who
have partnerships. We can share best practices,
IENPG issues, women and men’s groups.
Concluded with Prayer
Elisa, Doug, Soni, and Stephanie stayed for phone call.
1. Ana
Coc Tiel was a no answer, no message. Ramiro answered. He was on the way to Rosa Marina’s
church. We were able to again express
frustration with IENPG not releasing money and Shannon and Megan having their
baby before we lost the call
-Stephanie Gregory
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