Democracy - weak and strong

According to the papers yesterday, Guatemala has a very weak democracy (that's not news for most people here!). According to the results of the 'Democracy Ranking Association' which takes into account politics, economics, gender equality, access to education and health services as well as care for the environment, Guatemala is 74th in the world.

Norway apparently has the most developed democracy in the world, followed by Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, New Zealand, Holland, Ireland, Germany and Great Britain. An almost entirely European top 10.

Other countries that caught my eye were
Canada (14)
United States of America (15)
Uruguay (21)
Chile (28)
Costa Rica (29)
Argentina (38)
Brasil (43)
El Salvador (45)
Ecuador (49)
México (51)
Colombia (55)
Paraguay (59)
Nicaragua (63)
Bolivia (64)
Honduras (70)
Guatemala (74)
Venezuela (76)

I was reading this in the local newspaper online - as I had had to cancel several meetings that I had planned in the city because there were road blocks on the main highways throughout the country - including the one I use to get to the city. It was a protest by ex - civil defense patrol (PAC) members demanding 'compensation' from the government. (The Civil Defense Patrol (para-militaries) was set up during the 36 year civil war, to help the military in protecting civilians against guerrilla fighters. In fact, the military, with the help of the PAC, were responsible for almost all of the 200,000 deaths and many other atrocities during the war. Since the signing of the peace, and depending on the government at the time, compensation has been periodically offered and sometimes paid to ex members of PAC. Interesting, compensation to indigenous people who saw family members and sometimes whole villages massacred during the war, has been much more difficult to secure.)

But back to yesterday, I was surprised to see that the roadblock near to where I live, was actually just a dozen men with a banner and a few small boulders in the road. They had started the blockade at 4am - and said they would stay until they had assurances of payment from the government. (Actually they began to let traffic past at about 2pm -without any news from the government.) Apparently the police are not allowed to move protesters or take action, unless they become violent, so they were left in peace, and the 8mile queue of traffic waited behind the blockade.

It makes a interesting comparison to the recent student protests and the police response to them in England (democracy number 10!). And what does democracy mean anyway?? I'm guessing that a big part of it is that every citizen has the right to have their voice heard. It seems that the recommended channels to express your opinion don't always work and people turn to direct action -- both in democratic country number 10 - and number 74........ But have either of them been successful??? And will the results be anything to do with the rights and wrongs of the issue -- or more to do with the economic (and other) impact of their direct action??
Surely there must be a better way.

T-shirts and shoes!! (Swim challenge Update)

Thanks for all your donations so far. I completed the Escape from Alcatraz swim in September - and now I'm in the process of passing on your donations to El Barrio 4 Christ. The money is going to be used for some job creation projects, which I was able to visit yesterday. About 6 months ago, El Barrio 4 Christ set up a sewing project. They were able to buy some professional sewing machines, rent a workshop space and with 6 ex gang members have started sewing t-shirts and simple clothes that they can sell. Even though nobody knew how to sew at the beginning, they have learnt, got themselves established and work happily in a little production line. It has given all of them a new start and a real opportunity to support themselves.

Now, El Barrio 4 Christ, is in the process of setting up a shoe workshop. They have 2 people (both ex-gang members) who already know how to make shoes. They've been able to buy some essential tools and start work in their own home. The next stage is looking for a workshop space to rent, so these 2 can teach other ex-gang members the trade, and hopefully have a shop front as well so they can sell shoes directly to the public and increase their profit margin. This is what your donations will be used for. Giving gang members a second chance.

You still have chance to give (to the end of December) at www.justgiving.com/suzanne-escapes-from-alcatraz.

Thanks for all your support.

World evangelicals in Guatemala

This morning I went to a Forum organised by the Guatemalan delegation for the Third Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization. The Congress was held in Cape Town, South Africa last month. Today the delegation shared their reflections and feedback with other leaders and pastors as we considered the implications for the church in Guatemala. It was really encouraging to hear Guatemalan pastors recognise the need to focus on discipleship, and in deepening the understanding and faith of Guatemalan Christians.
Another theme that many of the delegates mentioned was that of 'Integrality'. That's in terms of the local church understanding its' mission to reach those 'unreached' people in their own communities, not just in far off countries. And its in confronting the complete (spiritual, emotional, social, physical) needs of their own communities rather than preaching a limited (and weak) gospel of individual salvation.
Another issue was unity in the national church, which is a huge counter cultural challenge. In Guatemala the common style of leadership is one of 'strong' one man show, with no room for discussion or disagreement. For churches and leaders to work in real unity, requires leaving aside personal ambitions and agendas in order to work behind a common goal.
Although there are huge challenges in the church in Guatemala, it's really encouraging to see leaders recognising the issues, and working out ways to address them.

Hermit crabs and Surfers

Yesterday I came back from El Salvador where I spent a week learning to surf (and generally chilling out on the beach). It was great to have a real relaxing holiday with nothing to do except watch the sunrise from my bed, collect shells at low tide, lie in a hammock and watch the real surfers do their stuff.
So it got me thinking about a few things. A couple of times I was just sat on the beach enjoying the peace and quiet, when I noticed that there was all sorts of movement going on around me.

The hermit crabs were on the move!
Hermit crabs are those tiny crabs, who live under a shell, and then scuttle around going about their business (collecting something or other, going to the supermarket, visiting other hermit crabs maybe ??). But as soon as I moved even a tiny bit, they drop their shells and pretend they're just an empty shell ("nothing to see here"). It's like they think that they can only do anything or make progress if no-one else is watching, regardless if they are friend or foe.

Surfers on the other hand have a very different way of making progress. To even get out to the right place to catch a wave, they need to paddle out to sea. But on that journey, they are confronted by wave after wave of water that has the capacity to drive them backwards, or toss them about in the surf. But instead of trying to look inconspicuous like the hermit crabs, the surfers take all this in their stride (or stroke). When a wave is coming towards them, they dive directly under it and through it. As long as they are 'straight', with their purpose clear, then they won't be pushed off course or delayed in their journey.
Makes you think.

life without proof

I've just come back from Ecuador - where I spent a good weekend with the Latin Link team there. I was tempted to change teams -- as they held their annual conference at a centre with a swimming pool fed by hot spring water! A swim really is the best way to start the day -- but I don't often get chance to do that in Guatemala so it was a great luxury for me.

I then spent another week exploring a bit of Ecuador - but mostly Quito, the capital city. As it is Ecuador I took the opportunity to visit 'El Mitad del Mundo' (the middle of the world) where the line of the equator passes through. I did the tourist thing of standing with one foot in the Northern hemisphere and the other in the southern (although disappointingly I've since been told that the tourist site isn't actually on the real equator!).
Quito seems like a really nice city - with several large open parks (another luxury after Guatemala) and safe to walk around. I also climbed the 78m to the top of the tower of the Basilica (which is even more of an effort when you consider that Quito is at an altitude of 2800m above sea level to start with!)

But at the top of the tower, looking out at the amazing views over the city and the surrounding mountains, I got to thinking.....
As I was travelling alone and without a camera, does all this really exist?, have I really been here and experienced these things? I haven't got any photos to prove that I've been here. As I was looking at a view of the city framed by a stone look out from the top of the tower - I thought how great a photo it would make -- rather than just appreciating it for the beauty it holds for me in that moment. So much of our lives these days are only validated once we've uploaded photos onto facebook - or at least written a status about it. Somehow we have a need to provide proof of the life that we have lived. And most of the time, our photos don't chronicle great adventures or momentous experiences - but rather just us spending time with friends and family -- who all immediately want to review the photos taken, on the screen of the camera - like an instant nostalgia, rather than really capturing a moment for the future.

So being without a camera recently has been a bit of a revelation. An encouragement to just enjoy each moment, and each view, for what it is, the beauty that is always around us if we choose to see it -- and to be content to just be.




P.S. Then I climbed down the tower and bought a couple of postcards, just to prove that I'd been there! Maybe 'just being' takes a bit of getting used to!

Alcatraz Escape

So here's the photographic evidence that we did it!!!!!






With the Golden Gate bridge in the background!






we 'landed' on the rocks just below where I'm standing - so you can see how far we came!
View from the Golden Gate bridge -- Alcatraz is the island on the left, we swam from there to the far right of the photo.

choppy seas

Today I escaped from Alcatraz. It's the infamous prison island in the San Francisco Bay. It's surrounded by cold waters with strong currents and various 'wildlife' (that's open water swimmer code for sharks!) that might threaten any escape attempt. Today I succeeded in an escape, in spite of very choppy seas. Our guide was Gary - or Mr Alcatraz as he has become know as he has swam this stretch of water over 700 times. After the swim, he told us that the sea was very choppy and if this was any official swim event, then it would have been canceled due to the poor conditions, but because we were well used to the cold temperatures, and were looking strong and steady in the choppy waters, he let us continue.

And it occurs to me that that's a bit like life. I am often in 'choppy' situations, when every time I lift my head up to breath, the only thing I can see is another wave coming towards me. Or when I think it has passed, another one takes me by surprise. Occasionally I get a whole mouthful of water, that puts me off my stroke, and makes me wonder if the guy on the safety boat is even watching as I struggle to continue. But he is. Somehow he sees a strength in my stroke that I don't recognise, and he lets me continue to the finish line, which he sees so much clearer than me.

And recently it's seemed like my life has been more choppy waters than calm seas, but maybe by accepting that fact, we are calmer and stronger in facing the waves that inevitably come. Maybe acknowledging that life will be full of struggles and challenges is the first and biggest step in dealing with them. And knowing that the guy in the safety boat IS most definitely watching gives me a peace that means I don't need to be able to see the finish point all the time. Sometimes I only get glimpses of it, as a wave momentarily subsides, but it is always in his view. And I can trust him.

Independence Day

Here in Guatemala, they celebrate Independence Day on 15th Sept -- although generally they see it as an excuse to celebrate for a whole month!. Guatemalans are very patriotic.
Celebrations normally take various forms. School marching bands have been practicing for months for the parades and competitions between local schools. Many towns organise an 'Antorcha' - when participants take it in turns run through the streets with a flaming torch, often from one town to the next. This year because there's been so many landslides on the highways, the President put a stop to the antorchas for safety reasons - although it upset several Guatemalans when he then flew out of the country to enjoy the Mexican version of Independence celebrations instead.
Mexico celebrates the same day - and this year it's 200 years of Independence - but Guatemala has only reached 189 years!

Preparing to escape from Alcatraz

So as most of you know, I like swimming - especially in the sea or lakes! People tell me that it's too cold - but I don't usually notice!!! Well now I'm putting my craziness to a good cause.

Since I've been in Guatemala, the activity of gangs in the country has increased. Many communities around Guatemala City are under the control of gangs and young people and children are easily manipulated into getting involved. The gang lifestyle is marked by violence, crime, drugs and prison, and very few survive past their 25th birthday in the gangs. I have been in contact with a group called El Barrio 4 Christ (www.elbarrio4christ.org). They work with gang members, both in and out of prison, bringing God's love and acceptance to gang members and their families. (The gangs are often blamed for everything bad that happens in Guatemala and are hated by everyone - even other prisoners) El barrio 4 Christ works to see lives transformed by God's love so that the young people can live lives free of violence and aggression. They do this by prison visiting, helping in outreach centres (reaching and empowering young people in neighbourhoods affected by gangs), as well as helping gang members who want to make a new start, with discipleship, training and job opportunities.

So in September, I will be escaping from Alcatraz. Alcatraz was a maximum security prison located on an island in the bay of San Francisco. Even after it was closed as a prison, it has since held an iconic reputation (and appeal) as being inescapable due to being surrounded by cold water, which is effected by strong currents and humoured to be visited by sharks!. That will be my challenge in September. The swim is actually only 2 1/2 km - fairly short for an open water swim - but it's the other factors which add to the challenge.

So if you are able to make a donation that would be fantastic. As you help me escape from Alcatraz, you'll be helping young people in Guatemala escape from a life of violence.
If you'd like to make a donation please go to www.justgiving.com/suzanne-escapes-from-alcatraz.

Training mentors

On Sunday I led a training afternoon for mentors. The Latin Link Stride programme includes a mentor for each Stride volunteer - it's someone that they can talk to about how they are adapting to the culture, coping with living with a family, developing in their work situation, and in their relationship with God. I look for people who are mature, and have some experience of living and adapting to a new culture, so that they can help Striders through this process.

Sometimes it's hard to do, and it does involve investing time in meeting with the volunteer, but it's worth it in seeing Stride volunteers progress in different areas of their lives. Here in Guatemala, where we have a very small team of long term Latin Link members, we rely on the help of others - not just mentors but host families as well - to provide all the support that Stride volunteers need.
So this weekend it was great to be able to thank and encourage the mentors - both those who have done it before and those preparing for the role. We had a fantastic lunch, and then several dramas -thanks to the present Striders -- giving an idea of how not to do mentoring. Then we gave the mentors chance to practice doing it better. It was a really good afternoon, a lot of fun and from the feedback, it seems everyone found it helpful too.

rain, rain and more rain

It's been a rainy couple of weeks in Guatemala lately, and it has caused chaos -especially for the road network. There's been a lot more rain than usual this year, and the tropical storm at the end of May left most of the country saturated with water. So when we had another week of heavy rain, it caused a huge number of landslides. The worst affected was the Inter American highway which winds it's way up through the mountains towards Mexico. Many sections of the road are cut out of the mountains - and with the effect of the heavy rains (and deforestation) landslides made several sections completely unpassable. The emergency and rescue services were overrun, and weren't able to reach some sections of the road for a couple of days. In one incident a bus was virtually buried by a landslide. As rescue workers and locals tried to dig people out, many of them were also buried by a second mudslide. Another incident saw thousands of cars and buses trapped overnight on the highway between 2 landslides with emergency services unable to get to them.
The road is now passable again, but hundreds of people are still living in refuges across the country. The government is just beginning to organise collection points for emergency supplies and donations.
In a country so frequently affected by extreme weather and natural disasters, it's easy to see why it finds it difficult to move beyond emergency responses and asking for aid.

Toybox step team at Lake Atitlan

This weekend, I took the Toybox team to Lake Atitlan for their weekend off. It's a beautiful place - where they kept themselves entertained in the markets, in various cafes, and on the Zip wires over the forest, (but mainly in the markets!). We had lots of fun!

meeting needs

At this time of year, there always seems to be lots of goodbyes, as various Striders finish their placements and head home -- sometimes with desires to come back, other times with a clearer idea of what God is calling them to do back home, but always having learnt from the experience - the highs and the lows.
But it's always really encouraging for me to see the projects that they have worked with. This week I visited Kathrin in her placement, Fuerza de los Fragiles (Strength of the Weak), a group of young adults with special needs. I first went to visit the group before arranging the placement 9 months ago, and chatted with the young people. One girl has an amazing ability to remember people's birthdays -- and sure enough some months later several members of the group called me to wish me a happy birthday! I remember the excitement that they had thinking about Kathrin, a physiotherapist, working with them. In their proposal form, the coordinator wrote...

"I think that to receive Kathrin is an answer to the young people's prayers. They have prayed that God would send people who could work with the ministry. After 9 years, we only have 2 volunteers who can only give minimal time to help in the ministry. So to have Kathrin work with us is more than a great gift from God for a fragile community in Guatemala. The experience of this young woman is more than useful to the ministry, and I'm sure that she will open a new stage of the ministry. A stage of great and good harvest for the ministry with people with special needs in the church.
We are already grateful because we are sure that God heard the cry of the fragile young people of Guatemala and that Kathrin heard God's voice and was obedient to that call."

Now - coming to the end of Kathrin's placement, it was touching to see how she has been accepted and become a part of this small and marginalised community in Guatemala. Through this time, she has not only been able to work directly with the young people, but 2 new local volunteers have come on board and she has also been able to use her experience to set up procedures which will help the ministry to continue some of her work.
It's just great to see someone doing work that they love, in a place that really needs it!

Student stuff

I've just come back from Costa Rica, where I was visiting a couple of projects and organising stride placements for September.
But I also got the chance to go to Enfol for the day. Enfol is a conference of the Christian student groups in Central America, Mexico and Panama. It was great to see a large group of student leaders get together and seek God and his direction as they reach out to their fellow students in creative and innovative ways.




There was also some amazing views from the plane on the way there too!

Core Team in Curitiba (Brazil)

I've just come back from Curitiba, in Brazil. Actually the word 'just' gives the impression that the journey was quick -- it wasn't -- 4 flights and 27 hours after leaving Curitiba, I got back to Guatemala!
But it was a good time. I went for a week long meeting of the Latin Link Core Team (which was meeting alongside the Latin Link Brazil team annual conference). We talked and prayed alot - about the different teams, about needs and concerns, and about future plans. (We also ate chocolate from Peru, England, Guatemala and Argentina!). We also managed to escape for a bit and explore the city of Curitiba.

Curitiba is famous in Brazil for it's bus system, construction regulations and everything being environmentally friendly. It was such a weird (and good) feeling to be in a place that actually takes recycling seriously! (Does that make me a geek!?? probably!)





Then I meet the Brazilian football team at the airport!! (And no I have no idea who they all are - but I guessed they were famous!

Curitiba has an iron opera house!
(just so you know!)


























And a replica of crystal palace in England.

And some funny birds on a stick at the 'Eye Museum' (apparently it's named after the shape rather than being full of old eyes!)

Step farewell service

This weekend I went to see the Step team for the last time in their second project. We had a debrief- hearing about all that they have learnt through this experience.
On Saturday the church held a farewell service for the team and had put in so much effort in decorating the church with English and Guatemalan flags and colours.
The church gave each of the team a gift as a reminder of their time there.
Josh and the youth group had been practicing a song with pan pipes.
The step team performed a few songs and a drama and several of them explained what they had learnt from being there and from the friendships that they have made.
Each group within the church (Children's choir, adolescent group, youth group, women's group etc) had prepared a song and thanked the team for their involvement in the life of the church.


It's always really interesting how perceptions are different. During the debrief with the team, some of them had expressed frustration that they hadn't had enough work to do and had felt that they hadn't contributed very much. But it was very clear from the presentations during the service that they had contributed much more than they realised. On top of the work that they did on the building site, people were touched that Josh and the boys had played football with the young people every afternoon or that Lucy and Abi had entertained the kids who turned up at the church every day, or that Bekah and Dave had gone to the local school and taught the children to count to 10 in English. All of this and more; just the normal stuff of getting to know people, is special and really significant in mission.
And I know that the Step team come away from this experience having received and learnt much more than they ever expected too. They have learnt from the churches faith in stepping out in the work that God has called them to do, regardless of the lack of resources, they've been impressed with the churches response to the disasters and tragedies that happened so close. The way the church has welcomed the team into their community, how they have sacrificed in order to make them comfortable, and gone out of their way to look out for them. During Storm Agatha, when the power had gone out, many church members turned up at the church in the pitch black and pouring rain, to give the team candles, to help them move stuff away from leaking roofs -and just generally make sure they were safe and OK. It touched their hearts.
And that is Step.

Stepness at Zaculeu

The church that the step team are working with, took them for a day out to Zaculeu - the ruins of the centre of the Mam mayan group. Some great pyramids -- and plenty of opportunities for posing!
After the mayan ball game, you're supposed to sacrifice the winning captain to the gods.