A Different Kind of Mission Trip
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James is wearing a white t-shirt in the middle on the back row.
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This summer, James Latane, a young adult from Peaks Presbytery, participated in his first immersion experience with CEDEPCA. In his report, he shares these important insights,
"This was a mission trip, but maybe not in the traditional sense of the word. We did not go down to convert anyone. We did not have any physical project either. We didn't build any houses or school. These things are well and fine, but they are also somewhat one-sided. I mean this in the context of building relationships with the people in Guatemala....relationships that continue to benefit both sides long after the visitors have left.
"CEDEPCA is an inspiring group, and I am lucky to have met the people that help make it all possible. They are doing truly great work and are very deserving of our support and friendship. I encourage you to visit their website www.cedepca.org to find out more about them."
The Presbytery of Peaks has a long standing partnership with CEDEPCA, as does the Presbytery of New Covenant. This summer's visit was a joint venture with representatives from both presbyteries.
If you would like to plan a trip to Guatemala, contact Emerson Morales.
Two Women Multiply CEDEPCA's Transformation
 Miriam Pimental, serves as a pastor in the Pentecostal Prince of Peace Church in Chimaltenango. Studying with CEDEPCA has been an important process of growth and consciousness-raising both for her and her family. As a result, Miriam and another pastor, Elizabeth Andrade, have organized the 150 women pastors in their denomination into groups. In these groups, they are teaching CEDEPCA's courses, "It is Marvelous to be a Woman" and "Healthy Relationships" and multiplying what they learned at CEDEPCA. Most importantly, they are giving other women pastors the opportunity to discover a God of justice and life, which many have never encountered before. Comments from the women in their classes include:
- "My eyes have been opened.
- "I have learned that I am a person, not an object, I have value. Now I know that the kitchen is not the only place for a woman.
- "Before, I didn't take part. Now I am participating. I have tools, my preaching has improved and I am going to continue ahead.
- "Many women die without ever having this light".
Donate now to help the CEDEPCA Women's Program.
Petition Sent to the Justice Department
In the last 10 years, over 5,700 women were murdered in Guatemala, with the highest percentage occurring in Guatemala City. Guatemala has the highest murder rate in the world for women, but less than 4% end in successful conviction. Women in Guatemala are dying as a consequence of the state’s failure to protect them.
Recognizing that Guatemala must do more to stop the high numbers of women being killed across the country, CEDEPCA along with colleagues in the Project for Action Against Femicide and Impunity, presented a formal petition to the Public Ministry, mayors, the police, Government officials, representatives to the congress, pastors and priests. The petition demanded that leaders of the country:
- Continue efforts to develop and execute laws that promote life for women, men and children
- See that laws protecting women are observed and that criminals are prosecuted
- Listen to and believe violated women's stories
- Act with justice and equality so that no impunity exists
- Guarantee life, liberty, integrity, and equality to all women
- Promote preventative programs
- Train public functionaries to impart JUSTICIA without any discrimination.
Making this demand was a courageous and almost unique action on the part of women in Guatemala.
Our congratulations to CEDEPCA for their courage and commitment to justice for all.
Workshop Addresses the Spiritual Need in Disasters
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 In August, CEDEPCA held its first workshop on providing the spiritual attention that is an essential component in disaster response. Dealing with both conceptual and practical dimensions, the workshop focused on how a community could be prepared to provide psychological and spiritual assistance when a crisis occurred, as well as how to be better prepared beforehand.
A psychologist on Cedepca's staff, who has visited areas affected by recent disasters, led the workshop which was well attended by representatives from Presbyterian, Nazarene, Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal and Four Square churches, as well as by representatives from organizations such as World Vision, and by the chaplain for the army of Guatemala.
In addition, the Crisis Ministry program is buying and distributing water filters for every family in communities where CEDEPCA is working who have no source of potable water as a result of the recent disasters. Donate now to help CEDEPCA's Disaster Ministry Program. |
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Wish List for Theology Program
- $20 buys a book for our new library
- $35 buys a chair for our classroom
- $100 provides a scholarship for a student from outside the capital to attend an intensive course.
- $750 covers the cost of offering an eight-week Bible Institute course taught n a community outside of Guatemala City
There is also a need for donated Hebrew Bibles, Greek New Testaments, and related biblical study aids. |
CEDEPCA-USA is a 501(c)(3) organization that raises money to support CEDEPCA's programs. For more information on those programs or on how you can help, please visit our website at: www.cedepca.us. Donations can be made online or by sending a check to CEDEPCA-USA at 3101 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23221.
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