When Lydia was baptized in Philippi, Acts 16:11-15, her entire household was baptized with her as the Holy Spirit made faith in her by opening her heart to hear the word of the Lord. One Thursday in May, we took a day trip to El Quiche. We (Padre Horacio, Esther and I) left about 4:30am and arrived at 8:30am. It is a trip that for me became a modern day Lydia story. When we arrived, Padre Horacio gave a short class on baptism and the church to those gathered. Teaching a bit about Lutherans, how we are Christian and how this baptism is valid regardless of what some might try to say, because it is the work of Christ. He taught about the benefits of baptism, how we receive forgiveness, are welcomed as children of God, etc. Then we had the worship service. After the sermon and before Holy Communion, the baptisms began. Each had been given a number when they had written the name of the child and the sponsors down and they arranged themselves in order from the altar around the house and into the garden… 69 waiting to be baptized… many held in the arms of parents, a few adults, and in one case a family of 8. One by one they were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they received the sign on of cross on their forehead and the light of Christ in their hands. Each called by name. It took over an hour just for the baptisms and each was beautiful as our family in Christ grew.
The sacrament of Holy Baptism was freely given that day. The faithful had come from four different, relatively close communities, but still some had to leave their homes at 6:30am to walk the nearly two hours to this particular house. There were even several Catholic catechists and their families present to have their children baptized because the priest has not had the time for the baptisms or the families could not pay (the Catholic church in much of Guatemala is charging for baptisms, and many cannot afford it). Parts of church can and unfortunately do at times try to control the sacraments but the sacraments are lavish outpourings of God’s love for us His children, and one way or another the gospel will get loose and will open hearts as it opened Lydia’s.
Women deliver life into the world through their wombs and are many times those who teach customs, language, and norms of life for their children and the community. This quarter I have come to work more with the women of the ILAG with Esther as we seek in various forms to give them Mary’s song from Luke 1:46ff as their own. While in Israel in the Northwest of Guatemala for the National Council Meeting and classes, Esther and I spent some time with the women of the church. They received a loan from a church in Colorado earlier this year to begin a store; we thought that it would be hard for them to have success with their store due to distance from any supplier and need to carry everything in to sell… not to mention the poverty of everyone in the community. But they have worked hard and with much faith and not only have a beautiful building but also have already made the money to repay the loan! We congratulated them on their success and hard work and talked about being women in the church. They have many roles and getting them to see that they are important takes time. Many started having children at 14, many cannot read or write… getting them to see the importance of their role as wife, mother, cook, but also teacher of their own children and the children in the church, and that they too are leaders is sacred ground for it threatens to knock down barriers and open horizons, it dares to breathe life into their daily routines. We also took time in the midst of our discussion to share that they can and should find time for themselves… whether just to bathe or to adorn their hair with a pretty ribbon or something more significant… as ways to satisfy themselves and communicate to themselves and others their value as individuals, as women and as daughters of our Lord.
Most of the week the men or boys had been playing soccer on the field outside of the wood slat church… the evening of our talk with the women, while the food was heating over the wood fires in huge smoke blackened kettles, they took to the field. In their skirts and sandals and with a small amount of skill they played basketball. Their 5 foot no inch bodies rounded by multiple pregnancies raced up and down the dirt court while their husbands and sons watched and occasionally exclaimed at a rough play. All enjoyed the break from soccer, the break the women had from caring for everyone and attending to everything. The women took time to play. When the black beans, eggs and tortillas were ready for dinner, the women wrapped up their game and fed all gathered… renewed.
In the heat of Israel, inside the Lutheran church building, underneath the sheet metal roof, seated on hard wood benches, we (Padre Horacio, Esther and I) held theology classes for four days for the leaders of the church who had come from their individual communities to receive more tools to lead and share the gospel.
It was my first time teaching the leaders. I had prepared a class on the liturgy of the worship service… where things are in the bible and what they mean for us. For example, what is confession and absolution and why is it important using Romans 6. I also had prepared a class on the church year. I had thought about an hour each…
Well, it turned out that the leaders were really interested in my class. Instead of teaching 2 classes for an hour each, I taught 5 classes from between 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours each. For many it was the first time that they had heard many of the texts that I used, the first time they had thought about the why behind the ritual. It was rewarding seeing how we worship explode with meaning for them. It was challenging as well because for many Spanish is not their primary language. At least two of the leaders present did not know how to read, but they still asked for my handout so that they could bring it back to their community and have someone who can read and write read the passages to the congregation so that they too could understand.
I have found my vocation… a fit and something that brings me great joy… and something that helps the members of the church and more than just in matters within the church for these ideas, these promises of Christ which we receive freely, extend into all areas of our lives.
In Israel during the National Council Meeting, I had yet another notable experience. While my dad and my uncles can sing beautifully… While I attended St. Olaf College where they harmonize happy birthday in the cafeteria, I was a non-singing Ole and while I can sing, by no means am I as talented as my father or trained for that matter.
Yet, in Israel the children asked. Will you sing us something in English? And I agreed, but first I taught them the same song in Spanish, Jesus loves me/ Cristo me ama, which they did not know. We practiced several times, and with each repetition more children crowded around me straining to hear and adding their delicate innocent voices to the song. The adults were paying attention but still going about their business, it was after all the evening of the churches anniversary. Finally, it was my turn. The minute I started singing in English, everyone and I do mean everyone, went silent and I sang Jesus Loves Me for all to hear that night.
Each evening after that first night, the children approached again wanting to practice their new song. We practiced and I taught them a few other songs and “treated” them each night to one song in English. Maybe four years of Olaf and four at Luther Seminary, also a place filled with people who can sing, sunk in a bit. Regardless, I left Israel with a promise to learn more songs because the children want to learn and asked me to help them. Together we can learn how to praise God through song, Psalm 100. When I returned over a month later in August with the delegation from St. Paul Area Synod, the children remembered Criso me ama and sang it to me. They also asked for the new song that I promised. As promised I taught them another children’s bible song and on the next pastoral visit I will bring yet another song.
I am currently preparing for the up coming National Council Meeting at the end of September. Padre Horacio and I discussed topics that I could teach and decided that I could start teaching the articles of the Augsburg Confession. I continue to teach English in El Mirador school and confirmation classes on Saturday evenings to the members of El Mirador church. I no longer, due to personal safety concerns, teach in La Isla. In July the situation in La Isla exploded and there are people with a lot of power, money and ill will currently opposed to our presence in La Isla. I have decided that it is best for my life and future to not enter and to pray that God sends a preacher that they will hear. Meanwhile, I will continue to invite the youth from La Isla to youth events.
The ILAG had a great need to begin outreach to the youth of our church and communities. Especially in light of the fact that in late July and early August we were going to have, for the first time, two groups of youth from Minnesotan churches visiting the ILAG. We were excited to introduce another younger generation to the Guatemala Lutheran Church and our members. However, we did not have a youth group… so with the approval of Padre Horacio and the help of Horacio Darynel and two young adult members of El Mirador, I started a youth group.
The age of youth in Guatemala extends from 8 to 35 years old! Very few of which have really had a chance to be children, especially in the City but in a different way in the countryside, considering the harsh conditions of the City, the presence of gangs, and needing to help raise younger siblings. In the country challenges exist as well for example the girls at times get married at 14.
The first Sunday in July, we invited to the office the youth of four of the churches of the City: El Mirador, Porvenir, La Isla and El Tuerto. Youth from all but El Tuerto were able to attend. We picked a time between the services of each so that it would not interfere and 20 youth showed up for the first time event. We played some icebreakers, sang songs, had a bible study competition, planned the up-coming activities, and then several played soccer for an hour or so.
When they came, each group sat with members of their specific community with body language communicating loud and clear that they were unsure. I played a game with them which forced them to move seats after which, when they were all inter-mixed, I told them that while we have our individual communities we also are a National church here to support and get to know each other. It is my, our, hope to extend the youth program to all of churches of the ILAG and we hope to have a National Youth Gathering in the coming years.
It is also my hope that they will make this their own, taking leadership and initiative… but I also know that they will need guidance and help in seeing the possibilities and indeed what they are capable of and what role the church can have in their presents and in their futures.
It is exciting! Please keep this new group in your prayers. They decided at the first meeting to present a play to the group from Minnesota when they came to visit. They did present a play of the good Samaritan, complete with one of the mothers making a piñata donkey head for one boy to wear. When Easter Lutheran Church was here in July we had a Saturday Youth afternoon, they presented the play, did a traditional dance, shared songs in both languages, played games together, shared pictures and asked each other questions about what church and life is like for the others. It was a very successful afternoon. I hope that we can keep this momentum going, we are planning another youth day in the beginning of October.
The members of the ILAG churches are recognizing me as a member of the Pastoral Team and therefore one of the leaders of the ILAG. I have been able to preach at least once a month in El Mirador. Horacio Darynel and I are the two who lead the church council meetings in El Mirador each Tuesday. The congregation also threw a surprise birthday party for me in August. Even outside of Guatemala City, I have been surprised by some of the respect and recognition that I am already receiving after only a year. The Minister of the Word in one community shared with me that many in the community are thinking about going to the States for work; he also shared some of the conflicts that his particular church is facing. In Israel, when I returned with the St. Paul Area Synod delegation, the elders greeted me by name and the night before we left also sought me out to wish me safe travel. In la Libertad, I spoke with three men while waiting for the delegation to finish eating lunch (we had been split up in 6 different homes as this community is too poor to be able to provide for more than one mouth extra per household). We talked about the nature of our partnership with the two Synods (the ILAG has new Companion Synod relationships with Southeastern Synod and St. Paul Area Synod) and I also talked to them about what hope is and that we have a God who loves us and will provide for us. I preached using Matthew 6:24-34 under the shade of a huge tree as we waited and they listened. While those in the country are not ready for a female in the pulpit that does not mean they are not ready to hear the gospel preached from the mouth of a woman. I have learned this year too that a pulpit is not necessary to be a preacher. I am called to deliver the gospel… where, to who, and how are full of possibilities.
I do not doubt that God is using me in my call in the ILAG. I hope and pray that one day I will be ordained and of course I hope that it is within my church, the ELCA. I have learned this year about our vocation within the Priesthood of all Believers. I do not doubt after this year that I am called to Word and Sacrament ministry; my call has once again been reaffirmed for which I thank God. It has been reaffirmed externally as well through the delegations that I work with, through the members and leaders of the ILAG, and through family, friends and congregations who know me and hear it in the way I share with them what our ministry is here. I have learned that my ministry will not quite take the form that I had once thought it would and that I need to trust that God will make available the means for me to survive in this call as well. And just as God adorns the flowers of the field and provides for the birds of the air, God is providing for my call but in a way that each month is lived by pray alone that God will (and he does) provide us our Daily Bread.
These are some of my experiences and thoughts of the last four months. This year has brought me much life, much joy and also some fear… as I learned Spanish and was limited and completely dependent on others and now again as the problem with La Isla has created tension and some personal danger. Throughout all this year, I have been blessed with many who have been and continue to pray for me and for the ministry of the ILAG and blessed with the opportunity to help others see their brothers and sisters sometimes for the first time.
My application for the Graduate Preaching Fellowship said that I wanted to come to Guatemala because I saw a need in the US in the coming years to have church leaders and pastors who can speak Spanish and at least have an introduction to this culture in order to simply be good neighbors if nothing more, but hoping for more. There are many congregations whose neighborhoods have changed outside of their doors but they have become a fortress to protect the way things used to be. There are congregations living in fear of what will happen if those people come through the doors of “our” church. I thought I was coming down to Guatemala for a year in order to apply what I learned to ministry in the States. Instead, I find that I have come down here to stay.
My work within the ILAG as a theology teacher, preacher and leader alone fulfills me and brings me life and great joy. Yet that is not all that my call is made up of here in Guatemala for I also help translate language, culture and ritual between Guatemalans and North Americans both when delegations come down to walk with us in person for a week at a time to build relationships or when I have the opportunity to return to the States and speak in congregations about the ministry here in the ILAG. In these ways I am able to serve the church in the United States as well through my ministry here of receiving and caring for individuals who come to experience first hand the ministry of the ILAG.
Through these relationships and through the sharing of our ministry we can all learn to see, truly see, our brothers and sisters as valuable members of the body of Christ. I believe that this can also teach us that we all have important vocations in our own contexts as well… as mothers, as business people, as committee members, as teachers, as fathers, as members of our churches, as... What we are doing here in Guatemala, walking with those who were indigenous refugees and now have returned or those who were internally displaced by a 36 year internal war, bringing the Gospel that Jesus loves them because they are His own and helping them receive the Daily Bread which we all pray for in the prayer that our Lord taught us, clearly is mission work. However, what all the people who visit or hear about our ministry do in their daily lives is ministry as well. Together we can learn to see our mission field both at home and in the homes of our brothers and sisters for we “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28ff.
One of the conditions of the Graduation Preaching Fellowship is that it be given to a graduating Master of Divinity student who intends on pursuing parish ministry. It is not a surprise that God through the Holy Spirit takes this opportunity, the sending out into a foreign country a leader of the church, and uses him or her in their calling. This is what happened to me this year and knowing the stories of others who have received this Fellowship I am not the only one who has been put to work by the Holy Spirit in surprising ways during my Fellowship year. It is with great joy that this has been the result as this is precisely what I feel called to be -- used up by God wherever I am planted, giving out the Word and Sacraments of our Lord as free and full gifts to my neighbor.
Guatemala is a land of mountains—some are beautifully vibrant covered in green—the color of life. Corn is often planted down the side regardless of how steep the mountain may be and in the early morning or after a hard rain the heavens touch the earth as the clouds caress the mountain peaks.
In the capital I have seen a mountain being eaten by men—one scoop at a time the earth was taken for construction until it was no more… men can move mountains, making room this time for a development in the ever-expanding Guatemala City.
While this mountain was being eaten another was and still is being formed. In a valley near La Isla dumptrucks and trailers bring construction waste to dump into the valley. They pass through a cemetery to dump their loads into the open mouth of the valley which I find is sadly fitting because this mountain does not bring life with its formation.
And we the people in Guatemala face mountains as well in our lives—some people make them, some try to simply find the mountain pass and head for the next and others are moving mountains both for the good and for the bad.
As the Priesthood of all Believers we are called to be messengers of the Gospel from the mountain peaks and from the valleys and as is the case in our City churches, while clinging to the side of the steepest of slopes… clinging to the Cross and the Word of our Lord which will hold us steadfast. We move mountains, we live in the midst of mountains and we trust that Christ is with us, for on the mount of Golgotha he conquered every mountain for us.
