Listening

At the end of January the ILAG held its first National Council Meeting of the year with leaders from the 14 churches and 4 missions of the ILAG in Guatemala City. We have four National Council Meetings and two leadership retreats each year in order to give reports on the ministry of each church but also to offer three days of seminary classes.

National Council Meetings are always enjoyable. The leaders have traveled long distances to get together and share life with one another. I have heard the men share with one another how to keep the number of fleas down in their homes; what kind of plants can help with health problems; even recipes. They also share with one another what they have learned working in the church.

Many of the communities are so isolated that the members have few chances to socialize with people outside of their own community. The other difference is that by being a church event there is a level of trust inherent to all conversations that does not necessarily exist in other meetings.

Horacio, Beatriz and I took time one afternoon to speak with each church that will be having a delegation in February and March. Three communities will have an extended visit for the first time… for one it will be their first delegation visit. Nueva Guatemala talked about their intention to build a guest house for the delegation. They took the initiative and responsibility for receiving their brothers and sisters in the best way they possibly could… and it will be difficult for them for they are one of our poorest community. However, to see to hope spark in their eyes that they would be receiving a visit was testimony to how important visits are.

With each group we met with, we took the time to listen. How are their crops? Do they have water available? How is the new corn grinder working? How many children are in their church? Having someone to listen, knowing that their lives are important is perhaps the only thing we have to offer but it is priceless.