November gathering notes

Visits: formerly had visits with a lot of folks – more recently we’ve sent and received smaller groups – Perry updated us on the recent visits – maybe we can send someone to the Women’s gathering again this year – the Guatemala Network will be meeting this year at Cedar Ridge in September – the women’s meeting that Soni and Megan went to focused on their training of women (high school education) and the domestic violence workshops they are having

Might want to send a couple of women to the women’s meeting in the late winter/early spring – might want to send a delegation from here to Guatemala in 2018 – for Doug, it would be easier to go in August than late June/early July – Molly and Eva might be able to go at that time – want to keep our delegation to one van load – when we talk with them today, we could tell them about the September meeting here

They now have a synod and GA structure – there are 5 synods, 2 of which are Q’eqchi’.

When we call them, need to ask them if the presbytery actually got the money, and if they did, what is it being used for – ask about schedule for the Women’s meeting – congratulate them for their Reformation Day celebration – how are the organizational relationships working out

Gave Elisa a lot of background on the political and economic situation including the nickle mine – Russian influence is supreme – pollution is terrible – agribusiness has exploded and has had extremely negative impacts

Calling Ramiro: Elisa introduced herself – Espiritu Santo has been participating in the presbytery and talking about purchasing a ranch outside of town – 11 churches participated in the parade on Reformation Sunday (15 vehicles in the parade) – they hope to send 6 (3 of whom will be women) to Coban for theological education

[Note: Doug talked with Helen Walton in the 90’s about providing funding for indigenous theological education, and she set up a fund with the Presbyterian Foundation – but there were problems with it that led to the money being cut off – it is now working and the money is now flowing]

We have encouraged them to be sure to include more women – Ramiro still struggles with his diabetes – Gerardo has been sick – Ramiro’s grandson is doing well – he’ll be 40 days old on Sunday and will be acknowledged at church tomorrow – the Women’s meeting will be in late April – travel between El Estor and Coban is very treacherous – bandits are plentiful on that road – the BOO is attractive for them because it is a book of law in a country that has no laws

They DID get the money we sent – Ramiro will send a report to Doug as to how the money is being spent

Sandy and Brian are scheduled to be here on Super Bowl Sunday – we’re asking the adult SS class to give up their time for a mission co-worker coffee discussion – they’re also invited to preach/give a Minute for Mission

Jane had been sending a Guatemalan bookmark to the new members as they join – Soni will do it for a little while and would be glad to have someone else help as well

Set a date for next meetings: 2^nd Saturday in the month through April at least

Bananas: Chiquita bananas have been doing terrible things in Guatemala – can get “non-oppressive” ones at Whole Foods

Pastor Elisa closed with prayer

-Mary