Marmalades for Mission!

Actually it´s more like jam, and cupcakes but you have to be a bit creative when translating catchy signs!
This month, I´m supporting Miriam in her fundraising activities. Miriam is Guatemala and is due to go to Cuba to serve with the Baptist Seminary there from September. So she´s in the process of visiting different churches in order to present her project and ask for support.
Most churches in Guatemala are not accostumed to sending missionaries or supporting them, as many of them have a history of being the ones to receive help. But the conversation is beginning to change as more and more churches recognise their responsibility (and the privilege) of being involved in God´s mission all around the world. Also Guatemalans are often reluctant to make commitments over the long term because they have a spontaneous culture rather than one focussed on planning, and because employment in Guatemala is quite uncertain. All of that means that raising sustainable support for missions can be a challenge. But it´s been great to see the response to Miriam as people capture the vision and want to be a part of it. 

Alongside Miriam´s presentations, I´ve also been helping by making and selling jams and cupcakes, so my kitchen seems to be in constant activity at the moment.

 This weekend, I´m also hosting a clothes swap party to raise some more funds as well. All good fun!

Election season

On Sunday, Guatemalans go to the polls to elect a new President, Diputados (like MP´s) as well as local mayors and representatives. To be honest I have lost patience with politics recently both here and from the UK. I tend to read headlines and not much more as it´s all so depressing. In Guatemala, there are around 20 different parties, and the news stories have gone back and forth about which candidates are allowed to stand. The law prohibits anyone who was involved (or whose close relation was involved) in a military coup in the past. No president is able to stand for re-election, nor is his/her immediate family.... often leading to divorce (I´m not kidding!). Those parties with lots of money and power behind them, and who gain from corruption, have actively worked to prevent others from standing who would take a strong line against corruption. One fled the country to be safe from their threats. Others have travelled with confidence and been arrested in the USA on trafficking charges. There are a couple of new parties in the mix - with very different approaches to politics, but the odds are against them. All in all, it´s very unclear what will happen on Sunday. Usually no one party wins the majority (as the vote is split between 20-odd parties), so it often goes to a second round of votes between the 2 most popular.
But in practical terms, this is what election season looks like......

Earth Lodge

I recently spent a couple of days at a fantastic spot outside of Antigua. An avocado farm with cabins and treehouses built into the hillside, gives fantastic views across the valley towards 3 volcanoes.

The view from my bed in the morning. Volcán Fuego on the left, and Volcán Acatenango

 Volcán Agua to the left of the photo, and Fuego (active) and Acatenango on the right.