Strides in Indigenous Education (Part One)

In 1990, a million-dollar endowment was established by Sam and Helen Walton, of Walmart fame, to advance education in Guatemala’s indigenous presbyteries. She had made a personal trip to Guatemala and was moved by the cultures and struggles of the indigenous people. Earnings from the Walton endowment helped support the training of indigenous pastors until 2006, when the funds were suspended by the Presbyterian Foundation over concerns about some of the ways that the money was handled. For the funding to be restored, a new accord has been needed between the IENPG and the PCUSA about the management of these funds.

Today an all-day meeting was held to reorganize the Bi-national Walton Funds Committee with representatives of the different indigenous presbyteries, the Presbyterian Seminary, the national church, and me as a representative of the PCUSA.  Over the course of 6-hours, the group discussed a “holistic plan” with proposals for future use and administration of the funds once they’re restored. A strong, positive spirit of determination and cooperation was evident throughout the discussions.

The Bi-national Committee already has revived a scholarship program for indigenous secondary students at the La Patria school in Cobán, and has facilitated with the seminary the creation of a pastoral training extension school for eight Q’eqchi’ presbyteries. The inauguration of courses will be in Cobán next Monday, so afterwards I’ll publish “part two” of this post with news about what happened.

     A new mission statement that the Bi-national Committee adopted reads: “With gratitude to God for inspiring the Walton family’s commitment to advancing the wellbeing of the Presbyterian mission in Guatemala, with emphasis on the needs of the indigenous, through the PC(USA}, we seek to utilize this resource according to the purposes defined in the original agreement, according to the PC(USA)’s  rules of financial accountability of the PCUSA, to help in the development of indigenous pastors and leaders of the IENPG so that they may serve more effectively in their churches and communities and be more fully integrated into the IENPG’s mission.”

Photo of Bi-national Walton Fund Committee: Pascual Vargas of the Q’anjob’al Presbytery; Philip Beisswenger of the PC(USA); Laurence Barrios of the Maya Quiche Biblical Institute; Israel Pérez of the Mam Center; Ranferí Marcos of the IENPG Executive Committee; Saul Pérez of the Kaqchiquel Seminary; Mateo Coc Coc for the Q’eqchi’ presbyteries; and German Gomez, Secretary. (Doesn’t appear: Jenner Miranda of the Presbyterian Evangelical Seminary)

New Temple Dedicated in Sayaxché

“Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”  —John 7:38

Tuesday, February 12, was Mardi Gras in Sayaxché, Petén, and costumed kids paraded through the town. These festivities seemed tame, however, compared to the excitement on the same day at the new Presbyterian Church. Hundreds of well-wishers rode in trucks from across the Petén Q’eqchi’ Presbytery (PQP) to attend the church’s dedication that afternoon.  A 13-member team from the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee (PMT) was on hand, representing the partnership that provided most of the funding for the land and construction materials.  The team included members from nine different churches, and three pastors.

The event started with a symbolic ribbon cutting. Once the doors opened up, the temple filled quickly for the four-hour worship service. Each of the presbytery’s eight churches, including Sayaxché’s new congregation (see photo), came forward to contribute songs and greetings. A band from one of the churches kept the service rocking. The moderator and permanent secretary of the IENPG drove from Guatemala City to offer their greetings and support. There were other musical performances, a wedding, several more songs by the PMT team (see photo of Rev. Andy Gay, Sally Slayden-Berry, and Barb Hall), and a sermon by Rev. Warner Durnell, Executive Presbyter for the PMT.  The IENPG Permanent Secretary, Pastor Isaías García, presented a certificate of appreciation to the PMT for its long-standing commitment to this partnership. After an announcement that the church was to be named “Rivers of Living Water Presbyterian Church,” the moderator, Miguel Ortega, pronounced a prayer of dedication. Following the service, a meal was served. A small steer was butchered for the occasion, and each of the churches contributed sacks of corn for tortillas.

During the week that the PMT team visited in the Petén, we met with the PQP’s executive committee to discuss the renewal of the partnership covenant. We also paid visits to every church, driving to remote villages that aren’t easy to get to, where the team was warmly welcomed and fed. Simple services were held with the local congregations, along with children’s crafts and games. Dialogues took place with pastors and church leaders to share about their church’s activities, goals and needs. (See photo of Pastor Miguel Putul and church women in the village of Zapotal II)

The image of living water is fitting for this presbytery-to-presbytery relationship. Just as Christ’s living water springs forth from a limitless source of grace in the hearts of believers, marvelous things keep flowing from this partnership of faith, offering new life to all who are part of it.

A Momentous Boost for the Guatemala Mission Network

The gathering of the Guatemala Mission Network in Guatemala City is now over, and it’s amazing how much energy and activity got crammed into 2 ½ days. A total of 56 registrants attended, including 19 representatives from 12 U.S. presbyteries and churches, 4 Central American mission co-workers, 27 registrants from 12 IENPG partner presbyteries, plus 11 national church officers.

I haven’t been able to look over evaluations yet, but my impression is the meeting was valuable in lots of ways. Contacts and relationships were formed and crucial information was shared. There was frank dialogue with denominational leaders about working better in covenant, and steps were made toward clarifying the network’s purpose and organization. I didn’t notice major glitches, except for one unfortunate U.S. participant whose suitcase arrived three days late. Meals were diverse and delicious. The Hotel Centenario provided a safe, convenient place to rest. Our hosts at Central Presbyterian Church showed tremendous hospitality. Not only did they open their doors for meetings, worship and meals, but they arranged for translators, musicians, sound technician, equipment, refreshments and nursery. In addition, the church prepared the closing service, which included a choir and Holy Communion.  (See photos from gathering)

Lot of others pitched in towards the gathering’s success. PRESGOV kindly shuttled folks from the airport and back, and took in stride the theft of the hubcaps from one of its vans in front of the church.  The IENPG International Relations Committee took charge of registration. Tracey King-Ortega facilitated discussions about mission and partnership, overcoming a sudden illness that sent her to the hospital. A host of presenters came from all over Guatemala to share about Presbyterian women and youth, plans for the nation’s first Presbyterian university, new theological training, and responses to natural disasters along with chronic social needs. Living Waters for the World gave resources about meeting needs for clean water in communities. Partners also spent time together to develop their own projects and relationships.

     Mil gracias (many thanks!) for the devotion of the planners, promoters, participants, presenters and patrons of this effort to strengthen and expand our partnerships on all levels. Special thanks to the PC(USA) partners that made special contributions to underwrite the costs of Guatemalan participants.

An ad hoc collection of PCUSA participants held talks apart from the schedule to start creating a network mission statement that will be refined during bi-monthly Skype conference calls that will be open for anyone in the network. Stay tuned for an announcement. Here’s the first draft of the statement:

We assume that our activities complement the Great Ends of the Church as defined by our denominational theology and described in our constitutions. We agree that we will “do mission in partnership” with our mission partner(s) in Guatemala.

The purpose of our network is to articulate, advocate and educate presbyteries, congregations and mission groups for effective and faithful partnerships, so that we clearly proclaim why we do it and that we can:

• Be a source of mutual support for one another,
• Be a witness to the unity of our faith shared across our multiple cultures,
• Be an instrument for more effective and meaningful mission in Guatemala,
• Be a medium for sharing acquired knowledge and best practices for successful partnerships, while allowing for self-correction,
• Share experiences we have with other mission agencies.

In order to accomplish our purpose, we will

• Organize biennial meetings between the IENPG and PC(USA),
• Organize gatherings for education among the English-speaking partners initially, and as we develop,
• Expand these to include our Spanish-speaking partners…

It was a full week for me, sandwiched between trips to the Mam Presbytery near Quetzaltenango and the Q’anjob’al Presbytery in northern Huehuetenango.  (See photos of Mam women with Jim Mosely of New Castle Presbytery and Q’anjobal leaders with Ron Cowgill of Cincinnati Presbytery.)  Now some financial issues have to be sorted out regarding PC(USA) costs and contributions which PRESGOV has been handling diligently. In all things, God’s Spirit is on the move in this network, and there’s no question but that God will provide what’s needed for our network to fulfill its mission.

Three-Way Partnership Supports Mission in Chajul

No doubt the Lord was pleased by the recent development of a new Christian partnership that stretches across three languages, three cultures and two nations. A covenant was formalized last week that joined the Williamsburg (Virginia) Presbyterian Church, Guatemala City’s Central Presbyterian Church, and the Presbyterian mission in Chajul, Kiché. Several representatives of the Williamsburg church, Rev. Karen Stanley and Rich Watkins, came for the signing ceremonies in both Guatemalan sites. (See photos) Each of the three ministries has pledged to worship, pray, and work together toward strengthening and expanding the mission in Chajul, a mountainous town where Ixil farmers cultivate corn and coffee.  In conjunction with the signing, meetings were held to confirm plans for pastoral training, youth service projects, the construction of a temple, and support for local indigenous craft and coffee industries.

While there, we also finalized arrangements for two bright Ixil teenagers to advance their studies with help from even more partners. One of the bright girls, Catalyn Laynez, will be studying pre-med, while the other, Kristina Pacheco, will be studying pre-law. They’ve both received full scholarships at the Presbyterian high school in Coban, where PC(USA) funds are providing their room and board. (See photo of them with grateful family members) Who else but the Holy Spirit could draw together so many enthusiastic partners with a common, long-range commitment to embrace God’s work in such meaningful, beautiful ways!

Dateline: Tapachula

Our family’s in Tapachula, Mexico for a few days to renew our Guatemalan visas. The kids are splashing around in the hotel pool, and didn’t even notice a 5.2 tremor that shook the ground this morning. It’s been a little while since I posted an update because our computer’s been on the blink, and it’s been hard to upload photographs. Oh, well, here’s some recent news:

• We look forward to the Guatemalan Mission Network meeting on Jan. 29-Feb. 1 in Guatemala City. It’s shaping up as an impressive cross-section of U.S. and Guatemalan Presbyterians, coming to celebrate and strengthen the mission ties that stretch across our different churches, cultures and nationalities. The heart of the meeting will involve our grappling with what it means to be a “Community of Mission Practice.” We’re so fortunate that Tracey King-Ortega, PC(USA) Regional Liaison for Central America will be on hand to lead us in this process. Also, we’ll have workshops about advances in education, clean water projects, protecting the environment, and coordinating disaster relief. Even though the deadline for registration has just passed, let me know if you’d like to attend, and we’ll squeeze you in.
• This coming week representatives from Williamsburg (VA) Presbyterian Church will be in Guatemala to formalize a covenant partnership between their church and the Ixil Presbyterian congregation in Chajul, Quiché. Recent mission work there has resulted in two congregations, a “preaching point” in another village, plus efforts to incorporate two more congregations within the “Ixil Triangle.”
•  The Guatemalan Presbyterian Church held an extraordinary plenary meeting on Jan. 7-9 to update its constitution for the first time in 46 years. This meeting was considered historic because of an article that approves the breaking up of the national Synod into multiple Synods in various regions that, in the future, will form a General Assembly. Each of the delegates from the presbyteries signed the official document, which now has to be approved by the Guatemalan government. The assembly also adopted a new provision for presbyteries to receive ministers of other Presbyterian bodies, like the PC(USA) as ”affiliate members.” (Photo: Delegates lining up to sign new statutes)
• Recently two more PC(USA) churches have committed to supporting our mission assignment in Guatemala—First PC in Kingsport, TN and Lake Square PC in Leesburg, FL. We’re so grateful for these connections and the key role that congregations like these two fill in God’s mission.
• For our familiy, the holidays were joyful and busy with plenty of church events in several other departments (see photo of angels from children’s cantata in Guatemala City). Bacilia’s sister Maricela came from Honduras, and made batches of delicious tamales and coconut bread (see photo). I was given a leather briefcase to replace the beat-up model I’ve lugged around for decades. Bacilia received a keyboard as a present, and is now taking piano lessons. We all rejoiced when Bacilia was elected as a deacon at the Central Presbyterian Church and ordained on Jan. 6. (See photo)

The “Mayan Apocalypse” of Baktún 13

The news is reporting panic in some parts of the world caused by predictions of the “Mayan apocalypse” on December 21. Baktún 13 falls on this date, the end of the 5,125-year “Long Count” Mayan calendar of 394-year periods called baktúns. In far-flung places like Russia, China, France and the U.S., Baktún 13 has provoked increased sales of survival shelters, food provisions, and emergency gear. Doomsday theories have surged too, along with monetary scams. Authorities as diverse as NASA and the Vatican have appealed for calm, concerned that frightened children might lose sleep, or that depressed teenagers might turn suicidal. Scholars have been busy debunking rumors about planetary collisions, giant solar storms, or a flipping of the Earth’s magnetic poles. Meanwhile, mystics and occult experts relish the focus on cosmic mysteries and a new era of enlightenment. One New Age campaign is Birth 2012, which has organized 40 events around the globe in the hope that Baktún 13 will launch a spiritual reset of international kindness and hope.

In Guatemala, the cradle of Mayan civilization, this occasion, which also coincides with the winter solstice, hasn’t generated much fear about the world’s end. Pracitioners of Mayan spirituality view Baktún 13 as a cycle of renewal and positive change, and have been igniting sacred flames on altars at well-known ruins. Neither Catholic nor Protestant churches seem to sense a need to challenge the religious basis of this event, which is widely regarded as a celebration of Mayan roots, a way to attract tourists and, perhaps, raise consciousnes about climate issues. Hotels have long been sold out for the later parts of December, and tourism reportedly has increased 12% over last year. However, the influx of foreign visitors hasn’t met expectations, and Guatemala is seen as having been out-maneuvered by Mexico. Guatemala’s Tourism Institute has organized concerts, astronomy conferences, and cultural and religious acts at archeological sites around the country. The most prominent events will take place at Tikal (seen in photo). On the evening of December 20, Tikal’s central plaza will be illuminated by hundreds of flood lights, and activities will be broadcast live by satellite around the globe. On December 21, when the dawn ushers in the new baktún, over 100 spiritual guides and ethnic leaders will participate in what’s billed as the “largest and most significant Mayan ceremony of the contemporary era.” Government officials in the Petén, where Tikal and other major Mayan temples are located, have declared a “yellow alert” to ensure public safety.

Some indigenous groups complain that the event has been too commercialized, and that they’ve been sidelined in the planning by the government and tourism industry. Mayan political organizations have pointed out that, despite the renewed attention given to their culture and ancient religious worldviews, the government has refused this year to enact legislation that would protect their rights and develop their communities. Instead, 2012 has been marked by a massacre of indigenous protesters, evictions of peasants, and land grabs in indigenous areas by foreign mining companies.

Post-Apocalypse Update: The Baktún 13 celebration/apocalypse came and went. Special events took place at archeological sites around the country. Our family looked for some meaningful way to participate in this cultural event in the Guatemala City area, but we didn’t find one.  Although government employees got the day off, life carried on as normal for most of Guatemala. No one appears surprised or disappointed that the earth wasn’t destroyed. At dawn on Friday, over 7,000 people gathered at Tikal to watch Mayan priests mark the beginning of new cosmic era with ancestral dances and light ceremonies. Months ago it was hoped that movie stars like Mel Gibson and big-name musical acts, like Bono, Bruce Springsteen, and Guatemalan singer Ricardo Arjona, would made appearances. However, they were no-shows. Meanwhile, criticism was unabated about how events catered primarily to tourists caught up in the frenzy about “the end of the world.” Most of the indigenous, who are Catholic or Protestant, seemed disconnected. Finally, one of Tikal’s most famous structures, Temple 2, was irreparably damaged by crowds of tourists that ignored signs forbidding them to climb the ancient stairs, causing the stones to crumble under their feet.

2012 Christmas Newsletter

Grace to you, and Advent greetings from Guatemala!

For many in Guatemala, the holidays start with “La Quema del Diablo” (the burning of the devil). On Dec. 7, prior to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, people comb their homes looking for unwanted stuff they can pile into big bonfires. It’s burned along with effigies of Satan as a symbolic ridding of evil powers. The smoke and soot in the air, along with noise from firecrackers, is supposed to scare off wicked spirits. As a finale, men dress up in devil costumes and children gleefully chase them around.

As you’d expect, most Protestants tend to abstain from this Catholic-oriented tradition. For the past two years our family has done our own version. We’ve bought a red devil piñata in the market, having it signify the ungodly “stuff” that can interfere with our appreciation for Jesus’ birth. We’ve stuffed it with firecrackers and lit a match to it (to our kids’ delight) as a vivid and loud prelude to the tranquil Advent practices that point to the approaching “Light of the world.”

This year the Evangelical National Presbyterian Church of Guatemala (IENPG) celebrated 50 years of autonomy from U.S. Presbyterians. While the IENPG and the PCUSA enjoy historic ties, they strive to better fulfill partnership ideals. Two chronic challenges are paternalism and passivity. Paternalism occurs when we overpower the relationship with our resources and expectations, and passivity can appear when we allow our partnerships to be dysfunctional for fear of appearing paternalistic.

Philip has been busy with visits to presbyteries, accompanying groups, checking on projects, and also preaching and teaching around Guatemala. In mid-November, the South Alabama Presbytery signed a covenant with the Presbiterio Q’ eqchi ’ Chiséc. Several other new partnerships are in formation. Antigua’s first Presbyterian church was just chartered, and congregations are under development in Cobán and Sayaxché. An exciting new training program for Q’eqchi’ pastors is slated to start in January.

In Guatemala’s social arena, 2012 began with the inauguration of retired general Otto Perez as president. Concerns about a return of repression were heightened in early October when soldiers opened fire on indigenous protesters near Totonicapán, killing eight. This action was roundly condemned and led to a prohibition against soldiers at political demonstrations. As for weather, there were fears that the rainy season would bring destructive floods like in previous years. Instead of floods, however, we got a giant eruption at Volcán de Fuego in September that forced 17 villages to evacuate, and then a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in November that caused calamity in eight western departments.

As for our family, the past year has gone well. Matthew and Manny entered the 5th and 2nd grades, and Stefi began kindergarten. We moved to a new house that’s within walking distance of the school. Niece Jesy was baptized, and Bacilia is in deaconess training at our church. We’re especially thankful for two memorable family trips—one to Bacilia’s hometown in Honduras during Holy Week, and another to Denver, Colorado in August for the wedding of Philip’s son Daniel to his new wife Holli.

We send our deep gratitude for supporters like you that enable us to participate in God’s mission in Guatemala. May your Christmas be filled with joyful moments and godly gifts, and through the next year may you keep chasing away “the devil” and putting out the welcome mat for Christ.

The Beisswengers—Philip, Bacilia, Matthew, Manny, and Stefi