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Reflections from Rev. Kathy Campbell,
Chaplain of Lees-McRae College
Guatemala
2007
We
started our mission trip as a group of eight Lees-McRae College students and 4
staff and we finished having experienced the Body of Christ in much deeper and
more global way. Three cultures
(North American, Middle Class Guatemalan, and Indigenous), three languages
(English, Spanish, and Kekchi), and three communities (Lees-McRae College,
Guatemalan Presbyterian young adults, and Chinatal) were woven together into one
family of faith. It was a glimpse
of the Kingdom of God and our shared language was one of love and respect for
everyone.
Upon our
arrival at Chinatal, a Mayan village in the Peten (2 1/2 hours drive one way
from our hotel), we were told that the roofing project had changed.
Instead of doing 20 roofs for some of the families, the Chinatal
Presbyterian congregation decided to share the laminate with every family in the
village. This made it possible for
50 familes to add on a porch (and eventually a room) onto their thatched homes.
There are three congregations in Chinatal--Presbyterian, Catholic, and
Evangelical--and they do not usually work together.
The Presbyterian congregation decided it was time to share their
resources with their brothers and sisters.
A Pentecost experience!
During
our time in Chinatal, the Lees-Mcrae mission team, the Guatemalan young adults,
and the village families worked together in extreme heat (100-105 degrees); we
worshipped in three languages; we finished 20 roofs with 80% of all the roofs
near completion; we held a Vacation Bible School for over 100 children; and with
the help of a Guatemalan medical team, we were able to treat around 160 infants,
children, and adults--most had never seen a doctor.
Our time
in Chinatal ended with a combined worship service in the Presbyterian church and
the whole village turned out. The
Lees-McRae group and the Guatemalan young adults sang "Open the Eyes of My
Heart, Lord" in both English and Spanish.
Tears flowed down the mayor's cheeks as he thanked us and said goodbye
and by the end of the service, there was hardly a dry eye in the place.
Jamie Petrik pulled together a last minute soccer game--Chinatal vs.
Lees-McRae--and Chinatal won 1-0.
We physically drove away on that last day but our hearts and spirits remain.
The final
few days of the trip were spent reflecting and relaxing at Lake Atitlan, a lake
surrounded by volcanoes and filled with beauty.
The joys
we experienced were countless: the
laughter and smiles from young and old alike (even some of the young mothers
played "pato, pato, ganza"--duck, duck, goose-- with the children); the hope
that a new roof/porch gave each family; the joy in the children's eyes as they
sang, played, made crafts, hugged their beanie babies, or painted hands on their
T-shirts; the compassion of the Guatemalan medical team who spent two days
caring for the least of these; the fellowship of builders working side by side
measuring, building frames, nailing down laminate; and the children running a
mile down the road each morning to welcome us.
The
sorrow was also very present in the devastation of the rain forest with miles
upon miles being burned down daily; the children with open sores and parasites
on their little bodies; the fathers and mothers who are not able to provide a
decent life for their children; and the starving animals who have to scavenge
for their food.
We left
feeling blessed beyond words having experienced God's presence in some profound
way and yet, filled with sadness and questions, too.
We will return to Chinatal in May 2008.
One of the many challenges we return with is to explore ways to share in
deeper service with families in Avery County.
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