Guatemala

Crescent Hill began connecting with folks in Guatemala in earnest a couple of years ago, when Pastor Jane Larsen-Wigger returned for a visit and Pastor Carlos Lara Gabb came to preach and pastor us for several months. Last summer a group of 19 Crescent Hill folks visited an Eastern Guatemala area on the shores of the country’s largest lake, Lago Izabal, where most folks speak an indigenous Mayan language, K’ekchi. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission folks helped connect us with folks in a group of six congregations that were part of the PC(USA)’s partner Evangelical Presbyterian denomination there. We helped build cement floors in houses and led youth, women’s children’s, and elders’ and deacons’ workshops. (A group of children who intereacted with us in connection with one of our construction projects is pictured above.

Guatemala is one of the poorer, more dangerous countries in Latin America, with water we couldn’t drink, machine gun-toting security guards, and a history of inequality, civil war, and military rule. The country also features a vibrant, growing Protestant culture, with hospitality, joyous worship, and a yearning for greater scriptural literacy and theological depth.

We left with an idea of building a longer-term partnership, but mediocre relationships between the PC(USA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian church in Guatemala, low budgets, and other pressing demands have us wondering whether it’s something that we can pursue. The PC(USA) Guatemala Mission Network next meets in Guatemala City in November, and we have considered sending some folks to that meeting with hopes that they can connect with Izabal area folks either in Guatemala City or back in El Estor.

Communication remains a serious challenge. Some of us speak Spanish but others don’t. None of us speak Kek’chi. The mail service we’re told is not trustworthy. Although everyone has cell phones there we haven’t established phone contact. And although we’ve gotten an e-mail address for one person, that person would have to go to the Internet café regularly (and be able to afford to do so)

These were a very hospitable group of people who I personally would love for us to build deeper relationships with. Guatemala is such a rich country and yet such a poor country, only five or so hours flying time away, and we have a chance to work with folks with growing congregations who don’t see North Americans all the time. In addition to consulting with Izabal Presbyterians (not an easy task), however, we would need more people interested, perhaps with more time and money, and/or some financial investment by the church as a whole in this.

-- Perry Chang