That’s how members of the recent mission team to Guatemala felt about their rides up to the mountain villages of Los Achiotes and Suchiquer. “I’d seen the pictures and heard the stories about these roads but I still wasn’t prepared for how steep and primitive they were,” said one team member. The four wheel drive pickup could have been a time machine climbing and jostling the jolly team into another era where grass is cut by hand with a machete, corn is planted by making a hole with a stick and a 78 year old woman can still walk the 3-1/2 miles down the steep mountain road into town (without a drop of water!).
The team marveled at the barefooted children traversing the mountainside paths, the women climbing 3-4 miles of incredibly rough terrain carrying 40 lb. baskets of bread on their heads and
the men muscling a large awkward water tank up and across a treacherous mountain “cornfield”.
The Guatemalan men conveyed their community’s need for securing land, while the women wondered about the short haired “gringas” who wore pants. Peals of laughter revealed the location of Guatemalan children being introduced to “London Bridge” or
learning to say English phrases such as “I’m a cool dude.”
The community of Los Achiotes, where Israel Carias Ortiz and his sons were murdered in February, still suffers from fear and divisions between peasants who want to have their own land and those who’ve given up that dream and have gone to work for the wealthier landowners.
The people of Suchiquer continue to work against the elements, years of oppression and misunderstandings to secure even a small piece of land that can provide some food security. They asked for assistance in purchasing a (roughly two acre) piece of mountainside for $400 plus legal fees and they eagerly seek to produce products (such as woven mats) which can provide an income to their community.
During the week some homes were painted with whitewash to discourage bugs that would cause chagas disease. A large tank was installed and filled with the water that means the difference between life and death for many families. And a dozen people of privilege learned a little bit about what life is like for many of those with whom we share the planet.
The Mission committees of First Presbyterian and Grace Lutheran Churches have agreed to provide funding for the land in Suchiquer. This good news traveled swiftly to the pastor at ILUGUA who will facilitate the land purchase for the community.
To view additional mission trip photos visit this link.
You can read journal entries from previous mission trip participants in the Mission and Outreach News.
Current First Church opportunities for mission include:
D'Iberville, Mississippi, Disaster Assistance: First Pres teams have made four trips to Mississippi to assist the D'Iberville Volunteer Foundation with home rebuilding and repair necessary after Hurricane Katrina. The D'Iberville volunteer effort, which began as a Presbyterian Church USA Disaster Assistance mission, was the subject of a PBS short film before Christmas, 2007. Go to First Church mission team journal entries.
Energy & Environment Mission: The Energy & Environment Group educates the First Pres congregation about actions to collectively reduce our "carbon footprint." Go to updates on First Church energy and environment projects.
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen: On the first Monday of each month, volunteers prepare, deliver, and serve a meal at the Salvation Army soup kitchen.
Food Pantry Sunday: On the third Sunday of each month, the congregation is invited to donate canned goods and boxed foods to support the Friendly House food pantry.
Meal Service of Scott County: Meal Service delivers approximately 200 meals daily to elderly and disabled recipients in the city limits of Davenport and Bettendorf. The 135 volunteers also deliver sack lunches to those who need two meals per day. Meal Service, a mission of First Presbyterian, is housed in a church-donated building at 1709 Iowa Street.
Boys & Girls Clubs: In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley offers that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. The Boys and Girls Club, a mission of First Church, is housed in the gymnasium wing.
Boys & Girls Club Cafe
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Boys & Girls Cafe: Each summer, the outreach committee prepares and serves a nightly meal for members of the Boys and Girls Club which meets in its gym.
Angel Tree prison ministry: Each Christmas season, the outreach committee collects and distributes gifts for the children of prison inmates through the Angel Tree program.
Deacon's Blood Drive: Each spring and fall, the Outreach committee organizes a congregation-wide blood drive to support the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center.
Deacon's Closet: The Deacon's closet provides medical equipment, such as crutches and wheelchairs, for those with health problems.
Human Services and Financial Assistance: The Outreach committee is responsible for dispersing money received in the Deacon green envelopes on Communion Sundays. An annual budget allocates funds to local agencies. Special requests are considered by the Outreach Committee and require approval of the Deacon's Board.
Guatemala Mission Trip: In an effort to expand its mission beyond the local community, a First Presbyterian Church mission team once again traveled to Guatemala. Read journal entries about the trip in the Mission and Outreach News.
...with a much better view.
Colegio Davenport in Guatemala -- constructed with assistance of First Church Mission Teams