Breaking news: Hurricane Agatha and Volcano Pacaya

CEDEPCA's newest program is "Ministry in Situations of Crisis", a program to help communities deal with natural disasters through education in both theology and practical solutions. The great need for this training is vividly apparent as Central American communities deal with two current natural disasters. Below is an exerpt from a May 29th email from CEDEPCA's Marcia Towers:

"We want to write to let you know that Tropical Storm Agatha has touched down today in Guatemala and is projected to cause more damage than Hurricane Stan or Hurricane Mitch. We've had three days of almost non-stop rain and the rain is supposed to last until this Tuesday.

"As of today there are several bridges swept away or nonfunctional, and most major highways are not passable because of numerous landslides. The hardest rain and strongest winds are supposed to happen tonight until tomorrow mid-day, so we expect more damage.

"This is in addition to the eruption of Pacaya Volcano that left many evacuated from their homes and Guatemala City covered in ash on Thursday. The airport has been closed since Thursday and is not expected to open for several days."

Donate now to help our Ministry in Situations of Crisis Program.

Medical Missions in Guatemala

CEDEPCA has been a great resource in the planning and implementation of short-term medical mission trips in Guatemala. They have been instrumental in providing logistical support, procuring certain medications and providing translators. For several years I have been taking medical groups through CEDEPCA to Guatemala. Through trial and error (and sometimes mostly error), I have arrived at some basic tenants that result in a greater chance of being a help rather than a “medical tourist”.

1. Understand the concept of “Standing with”. Be a partner and a friend rather than the fixer.
2. Acknowledge the culture, needs, and resources of a community.I once heard a doctor tell villagers to use ice on injuries when they didn’t have electricity, much less refrigeration.
3. Focus on education by providing talks on hygiene, pregnancy issues, self-examinations, etc.
4. Enlist Guatemalans to participate in your efforts. We have involved a Guatemalan dentist and psychologist.
5. Provide follow-up care. We use a local official with whom we entrust funds to provide transportation and follow up care in regional clinics.

If you are considering planning or participating in a medical mission trip or have questions regarding such endeavors, please feel free to contact me at vanfleetta@upmc.edu.

by Tim VanFleet

Women’s Cooperatives:
Changing Lives and Working Towards Ending Violence

Simulation Game ”In Her Shoes” A major emphasis of CEDEPCA’s women’s ministry is combating domestic violence. This year will mark the tenth year in which a group from the Washington state area has traveled to Guatemala to cooperate with CEDEPCA’s domestic violence program. These women have provided workshops, puppet shows, and role-playing activities. In addition, the visitors have learned first- hand how women are working towards ending domestic violence in their communities through small business development, education and activism. This year’s trip will be August 25-September 2, 2010. If interested in joining the group, contact Sandi Thompson-Royer at sandit@hotmail.com or call 509-863-7005.

Testimony from a participant in the Women’s Ministry My husband had me under lock and key, and I couldn’t leave for a year. I escaped and hid for a month. I didn’t get to see my children. Then I took CEDEPCA’s course “It’s Marvelous to Be a Woman” and was transformed. I will see my family restored because of God. A gift of $25 pays for the cost of one woman to particpate in a life-changing class, and $100 covers her cost for a year of classes.

CEDEPCA’s Impact on North America

Since 1992, I have brought people to meet with CEDEPCA and have learned what brilliant and committed people they are. In some ways, CEDEPCA is ahead of the people there– and not in a condescending way but rather than provide “aid,” they keep nudging through actions and theology in new ways that provides freedom and self worth to the people. This experience has ‘rearranged’ who I am.

Going to Central America was the first time I looked at our country and how what we do looked at our country and how what we do greatly influences Central America. I have changed the way I eat, dress, and how I make purchases. At home in Texas, each Saturday morning I stand in solidarity with the undocumented workers waiting in line for jobs across the street from my church. On the other side of the street stand those in opposition of undocumented men getting work.

Sharyl Davis, Houston, TX

2009 CEDEPCA Facts

1. Women’s Program in 2009 served 2,718 people through classes and events, surpassing their goals.
2. Theological Program in 2009 had 90 students attend classes (44 men, 46 women), with 20 receiving certificates for having completed 15 courses at a university level.
3. The PCUSA has appointed a new Mission Co-worker to be part of the Intercultural Exchange program. He will be introduced in future issues of this newsletter.
4. Intercultural Program in 2009 had 258 participants among 20 delegations—two seminaries, ten churches, six universities, and two presbyteries. There are 16 confirmed groups for 2010, and CEDEPCA hopes to run two workshops on interpreting for groups.