Leadership Training Day

While much of the grupo returned to pour another floor Tuesday morning -- Jane, Jerry, Perry, Ada, Eva, Soni and Sarah (our YAV) "conducted" leadership training for a group of 20 elders and deacons (all men) from half a dozen Presbyterian churches in the El Estor area. A fine time was had by all, despite language differences (we had three-way translation -- English, Spanish and Kek'chi), cultural differences, and very different ways of "being church." Still, we found an incredible degree of commonality and desire to serve Jesus Christ.
The morning got off to a slow start, as trying to engage the Kek'chi leaders in conversation about what they do as elders and deacons drew mostly blank stares. They seemed unable to talk conceptually about their responsibilities as church officers. It was only after we gave them markers, crayons and pencils and asked them to draw pictures of what they do that the morning took off. And it REALLY took off. As each participant described his picture, they all began to take increasing pride in what they do for their church and the conversations became very animated.
But the exercise was not without its revelations. From Ada (in Spanish) through Luis (in Kek'chi), I learned that the elder sitting next to me had NEVER before held a pencil or other writing instrument in his hand. Impossible for Norte Americanos to comprehend such a thing. But he proudly drew a rudimentary picture and was extremely articulate in telling us how he serves Christ and his church. It was certainly the highlight of my day.
After the four-hour workshop, we shared a meal together and the elders and deacons, who had taken part of the day off leisurely ate but then hightailed it out of there back to their communities.
Tuesday afternoon, Kate, Ian and our eight high-schoolers led a "workshop" for the youth of Arca de Noe (where all of our sessions are being held). Rachel and Natalie will tell you about that.
Before we came here, we kept telling ourselves that, no matter what "work" we do, this trip is all about building relationships with our Guatemalan partners. What we have learned in abundance is that no matter what activities we engage in with them, relationship-building is the primary focus for ALL of us, CHPCers and Guatemalans. It's a wonderful gift we're receiving every minute of every day.
May God continue to be with us here and may God continue to be with you there.

Jerry