Betty is a small Guatamalteca, who wears traditional clothing and who stands a bit under 5 feet tall. She has an infectious smile and always has something humorous to share. When she is having difficulty doing her exercises, she blames it on not having had her coffee that morning. Betty is also a woman of faith and so for some of her writing exercises I give her simple Bible verses to copy. If I can find some simply written Bible texts, I will bring those for her to practice her reading. Like many of the other people of faith that I have met here, there confidence in God is the source of their strength and encouragement.
"Murray" is a young man about 17 years old. He is in the senior high class that I have sometimes be in. Murray often brings Christian CD's to play while the students are doing their homework, and carries his Bible in his backpack. Murray was visibly upset the other day, when one of the other boys was playing a secular rap CD and later a popular secular radio station. He is actively involved in his church and sings in the choir. He can often be heard singing in the classroom or as he walks by outside. Please keep Murray and two of his friends in your prayers. Murray said that they are all going through some difficulties and has asked for prayers for family and the families of his friends. I asked him if it would be OK if I shared the request with my friends, and he greatly appreciated that others would be invited to pray for them. So please keep "Murray," "James," and "George" and their families in prayer that God would grant them deliverance from their current struggles.
I also ask for prayers for the many people who are on the streets of Antigua begging for food and money. It is so difficult to walk by them everyday-sometimes more than once a day, knowing that I don't have the resources with me to be able to give something to each one. It is an overwhelming sight, especially the mothers who are there with their very young children. Children who are able to walk and talk, are also at work along side their parents asking for food and money. Regrettably, one becomes somewhat accustomed to the fact that every day at the same spot will be the same blind fellow with no legs holding out his hand for some type of offering; or that the elderly woman with tattered clothing will always be in front of the ruins of one of the churches hoping that someone will respond to her pleas for assistance. I guess, I could use another street--most of the people are on 4a. Calle-one of the streets for tourists who want to shop. However, habit and a fear of getting loss keep me on 4a. Calle; but also to take another street would be to deny the reality that there are many in this tourist-ladened town who have no visible means of self-sufficiency.
And where is the church in the midst of the hunger, the spousal abuse, the poverty? Well, according to some of the Guatamaltecos with whom I've spoken, the church, in general, is not being very helpful. Many have of negative view for two reasons: 1. Some feel that the Roman Catholic Church is not doing enough to help the people, and in some cases, i.e. spousal abuse, the church through its rigid teachings often leaves people in dangerous situations. 2. In terms of the Protestant Church-the majority being evangelical churches, some people believe that in those churches the primary concern of he pastors is gaining more money and material possessions for themselves. Like the government and most other structures in Guatemala, some people eye the church with suspicion and see just as much corruption there that they see in other aspects of the society.
Here in Antigua, I have been hard pressed to find a Protestant church to attend. There is a large one in Guate, but it would require taking a bus and a cab to get there; and I have been advises over and over again not to travel alone into Guate (unfortunately, there is a serious problem with gangs, and just the other day a cab driver along with a police officer swindled approximately 280Q (about $35) out of some volunteers from the project.). A friend of my homestay attends an evangelical church, and if I can find out more about it, I will ask about attending with her. I have also received information about the Primitive Methodist Church here in Guatemala, and will be in touch with the contact to see if there is a church near to Antigua.
But all in all, the Church needs a more visible and more gospel-oriented presence here. By that I mean that people need to see the churches out and addressing the most pressing needs of the people. Here in Antigua there is one church that runs a medical facility and works with those with physical and mental disabilities. It also happens to be the church that provides space to the St. Mark's Ecumenical Fellowship. That is the worhip service that I attended last week. It consisted of 11 people and caters to english-speaking tourists. It is lead by a former RC nun-Elizabeth, using the Book of Common Prayer. There is no communion because there is no ordained person. I told Elizabeth that I am ordained in the UMC and would be willing to assist and also consecrate the sacraments if she would like. And rather than a sermon, it is a time of each sharing his/her reflection on the scriptures that have been read.
I think that is all for now.
Tonight, it's off to see "The Dark Knight." There is a place here that offers free movies with dinner. Last week I saw "Mama Mia," and had a great dinner for 42Q, a little over $5. If one does not have anything to eat or drink, the movie costs 15Q, a little less than $2.00. Can't beat that! (The exchange rate is $1=8Q.)
Hasta Luego
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