news update

The political drama continues. The latest controversy is around Harold Cabelleros, the ex-pastor and founder of one of Guatemalas mega churches. Inspite of handing in his paperwork in order to stand for election in May, the electoral court waited til this week, just before the deadline for candidates, to assess this application. They decided that he was not eligible to stand for election because the law states that no minister of religion is able to stand. They say that him resigning from his role as pastor of the church in order to stand for election amounts to electoral fraud. That seems logical - except for the fact that he resigned from being pastor 4 years ago, before the last election. This part of the law also seems to have been ignored during the last election because Alvaro Colom, the actual President is a practicing Mayan priest. The appeals from Harold Cabelleros continue, as for Sandra Torres, the newly divorced first lady (again acused of electoral fraud).

The challenge to govern Guatemala is huge. In the midst of a heavy rainy season, with several roads washed out, this is a difficult situation to run a campaign. Another Presidencial candidate died this week when his helicopter crashed in a mountainous region, where he was visiting remote areas.

In other news, the bodyguard of Otto Perez (another candidate) daughter shot an unarmed car park attendant who asked him to move his car as it was blocking an entrance. The bodyguard fled, but the candidates party doesn't seem to feel the need to make a statement about it.

I wonder how the average Guatemalan sees all of this - how do you ever unravel all the stories and work out the truth from the lies?. And this is before you even get to party policies or election promises.

But what's interesting is that this week it wasn´t the death of a politician but the death of an Argentine in Guatemala, that has seen the biggest response and outpouring of grief. Facundo Cabral was an iconic folk singer, famous throughout Latin America. He had been in Guatemala to give 2 concerts, before he was shot dead when a group of armed men opened fire on his car as he was being driven to the airport. A mass of floral tributes have been left at the spot, and artists throughout the continent, as well as presidential candidates here have expressed their sorrow.

Amongst my friends, there´s an embarrassment of what Guatemala has become. People see how the violent situation has worsened recently and over the last 4 years, and long for something different. But who knows who or which party is likely to bring that difference.

Elections

It's election season in Guatemala, leading up to the Presidential elections in October. There are political posters everywhere. There's very little that attempts to explain policies or real plans for government. Mostly they are simply a photo of the candidate, occasionally with a slogan. If the focus isn't on policies or promises, it has been on the attempts of the candidates themselves just to get to this stage. The big controversy surrounds Alvaro Colom (the present President's) wife. The Guatemalan constitution does not permit the same person - or any close family member- to stand for Presidency for more than one term. Throughout his term in power, there has been ongoing criticism that it was Sandra Torres de Colom, the President's wife, who really had the power. Earlier this year, she declared that she wished to stand in this election. In order to do that she has got divorced! (Only slightly extreme in a country like Guatemala).

But the Supreme Electoral Court has refused to accept her candidacy, despite several appeals. The final list of Presidential candidates will be clear at the end of this week. There's likely to be 15 or so candidates. Amongst them is the winner of a Noble Prize for peace, an ex military general, and an ex pastor of one of Guatemalas mega churches. Another is promising to legalise drugs, in an attempt to regain power from the gangs. Whether any of them will offer a change to the worsening situation of violence in Guatemala remains to be seen.

Of course it's not an easy decision to even stand for public office in Guatemala, and it takes real courage. At the same time as the Presidential elections, Guatemalans will also be voting for Mayors, and departmental 'deputados'. In one area, 3 mayoral candidates have already been shot dead, and another candidate arrested in connection with these deaths. Another candidate is offering 200 CCTV cameras for the town, and showed off 50 of them during his campaign.

Whatever happens, there's a huge challenge for the church in Guatemala to work out a Christian response, and to stand for justice and truth in the midst of the controversy and corruption.

From Anywhere to Anywhere

I'm back in Guatemala, and the last couple of days, I've been to a missions conference. It was aimed at Guatemalan pastors, inspiring and helping them to make missions a priority in their churches. Guatemalan Christians have a real passion for mission, and the organisers of the conference are helping churches to think through all the practicalities of sending missionaries.

On one day, we were joined by a missions team from a Korean church in New York. Their Halelujah youth football team had spend the previous evening playing a match against one of Guatemala City's football team in front of an audience of 15,000 children, in a free evangelistic event. They also doubled up as a choir - complete with dance routine! - accompanied by a Delirious song in Korean. After visiting us, the team were on their way to Honduras.

An example of missions now and in the future ..... from anywhere to anywhere......

Family

In the last few months, I've gained 3 new nieces and nephews - so it's been fantastic timing to be around and get to know them a bit.

Birthday cakes!

Wales

Next came a few days in Barmouth, Wales. Staying in a B&B, I took advantage of eating Full English Breakfasts every day (the Guatemalan equivalent is just not nearly as good- however much I try to convince myself!), as well as time to just relax on a beach and read a few good books.

Catching up with ex-Striders who are working out their next move after leaving Guatemala
Counting dead jelly fish!
What struck me in Barmouth, was the number of church buildings that were no longer used as churches. In the small town, I counted at least 5 that were now used as bargain shops, and cafes. Is that the legacy of the Wales revival??? or any revival - where conversions lead to quick church growth -- but which perhaps can't be sustained in the following generations?? Warnings to the wise maybe.

Keswick

Next came a retreat week in Keswick.

Amazing place to relax and get some perspective on things - and have a few chilly swims.

The week was led by various people, all with great experiences in mission, but also with experience of the hardship and stress and burnout that can come with it. It was a good time to reflect on what I do in my ministry and how God leads us and uses all the situations we've experienced in order to shape us and develop us in new ways.
(Chilly picnic by a lake - just before I went for a swim.)

Catch Up

So it's been a while since I last blogged. (I hate blogs that start like that!) - so here comes several in quick succession to get up to date!

My excuse is that I've been back in England for a couple of months and been fairly busy.

It was really good to spend a month with Restore church; to catch up with old friends, and make some new ones.

I was also really encouraged to see our Guatemalan Strider, Alex, settled into the church, with good friends, and really growing in his gifts and ministry. This is a part of my job that I really love - having seen potential in someone and having found an opportunity where I thought they could grow, it was fantastic to see him step into his gifting and be confident in who God has made him to be. That sounds very vague and wishy washy - but I hope you know what I mean.