Suzanne Potter

Central America Team Conference

2012-01-27T02:13:00.000Z

We've just had our Central America team conference here in Guatemala. It was great to see other team members from Costa Rica and Nicaragua again, as well as new Striders, and a few from Guatemala and El Salvador who are preparing to serve elsewhere with Latin Link. Lots of talking, eating, talking, eating!

2012-01-27T01:40:00.000Z

Over Christmas, I was reading a book about Mother Teresa, ´Come be my light´ - a collection of her private letters which have come to light since her death. It tells a very intersting story - sometimes quite different to what was known of her previously.

As was already well-known, she had a dramatic encounter with Jesus (and subsequently with Mary), which led to her founding the Missionary Sisters of Charity, and began her work with the poor and desperate in Calcutta. Although this venture involved leaving her previoous community, starting from scratch in a completely unchartered path (previous to this, all religious orders in India were focussed on the middle and upper classes), which gained her substantial opposition, yet she was obedient to Jesus´ call because some years earlier, she´d made a solemn vow never to refuse God anything. (Interestingly she never felt any doubt or confusion as to what God was actually asking of her.)

But after that encounter - and for the rest of her life, she felt a 'chasm of spiritual emptiness within her', never feeling God´s presence or comfort during times of prayer or adoration as she had done previously. Other writers have called this sort of thing as 'the dark night of the soul´ or a ´wilderness experience´ but what´s curious is Mother Teresa´s reaction to it. Initially (ie for a decade!), she felt that it was some sort of punishment from God and tried hard to identify her sin in order to confess it. Later she began to understand this distance from God as His answer to her own prayer - to share in Jesus´ sufferings. She recognised that Jesus had experienced abandonment and loneliness on the cross and felt that she was now ministering to him by sharing in that experience. That realisation enabled her to embrace it - inspite of it continuing to cause her great anguish.

The only time that she felt a respite from the 'darkness' inside her was when she ministered directly with the poor and desperate on the streets of Calcutta. There she felt the presence of Jesus -"whatever you did for of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt 25:40. I guess it´s not surprising that that became the theme and catchphrase of the Missionary Sisters.

And throughout all of this time of darkness and distance, she continued in her obedience to God, because she was completely certain of His calling on her life, and she could not refuse him.

You know you´re in Belize (and not Guatemala) when

2012-01-06T03:39:00.002Z

You know you´re in Belize (and not Guatemala) when .....

1.The sound track on the buses is definitely Reggae not classic 80's pop! (The favourite song seemed to be called 'Oh Lord, don´t let me cheat on my girlfriend')
2. You can buy Heinz Baked Beans in the supermarket.
3. Every meal comes with Coconut rice.
4. The night security guard at the hotel (in fact the only security guard I saw in 2 weeks) is armed with a torch and a stick, rather than a shot gun.
5. Wherever you go, you can hear Garifuna drumming
6. The bus driver asks you where you´re staying - and then drops you off at the door
7. The picture of the Queen on the Belize Dollar notes - is looking very young!
8. You wake up to the sound of the waves on the beach, rather than the buses sounding their horns.
9. Fish keep bumping into you in the sea
10. You´re confused about which language you´re supposed to be speaking (English, Spanish, Garifuna, a few Mayan languages...) and it appears that everyone is too.
11. Everything is 'all right'

And now for some photos

The view from my balcony in Dangriga

The posh end of Hopkins

My neighbours

Sunrise at Hopkins

Placencia

Christmas Coasters

2012-01-06T01:28:00.002Z

OK . so they're particularly Christmasy - I was just making them as Christmas presents for friends. All are made out of magazines and kept me busy for quite a few evenings!

2011-12-13T03:04:00.001Z

It´s funny how the things that people ask you, reveal more about them than it does about you.
During the in-between times in the prison, when I get chance to hang out with the girls, the most frequent topic of conversation is the fact that I´m single and don´t have children. To the extent that some of the girls repeat their questions several times in a row, in disbelief at the answer, reveals something of the culture here as well as their own limited expectations.

In the prison context, this always inspires me to pray - that the girls would realise that they have other options in life apart from how they are connected to others- either a partner or a child; that they would begin to know something more of God´s design for them.

In other situations, I react differently. At the weekend, I went to a retreat for Christian professionals. With a professional (married) woman, I had a similar conversation as with the girls in the prison. Having established that I´m single and don´t have children, her faced turned to a look of sheer pity and she asked if I´d got used to it yet (as if it´s some sort of punishment to be endured.) I have to admit that this caused anger to rise in me - although I´m hoping I didn´t show that. For teenage girls from marginal and poor communities to think that they have no other options in life is understandable (and often true). But for a Christian professional woman to look so pitifully towards singles, I find quite offensive. (At this point I could talk about different cultural expectations of gender roles etc etc - but that would negate the many similar conversations I´ve had with married women in England - so I´m not sure that culture is the defining factor here.)

But anyway back to the conversation at the weekend..... that all the things that she (or I) might have acheived professionally, or the character and personality that God has made her (or me) to be; that all of that counts for nothing unless you have a man is both completely illogical and unbiblical. And I guess that´s what makes my prayer for the girls in the prison so huge. When even other women in their own society don´t think that they can acheive anything worthwhile apart from find a man and have children, no wonder they don´t let themselves dream of other achievements.

For those readers who know me, you´ll have heard this rant before from me. And for those who don´t know me, please don´t misunderstand. I´m not devaluing the role of women as wifes and as mothers. I believe that they are important roles. But they are not the only option, and it´s not mutually exclusive of doing other things and achieving other goals.

I really want women to know the design God has planted in them -- and by that I don´t mean all the girly/ princess talk of so many Christian women´s ministries (which in my mind simply buys into the celebrity /beauty business which takes advantage of women´s insecurities in order to sell products of one sort or another.) Instead I mean that I want women to know that God has created them with value and dignity in their own right, each one unique, with distinct gifts and talents, which he means for us to use and excel in - not simply to wait for a man to notice them.

OK. Rant over.

Hopes and Dreams

2011-12-09T22:19:00.001Z

On Monday in the prison, we talked about Mary´s story - how even though the society had expectations of her (get married and have children), God had plans that were much bigger. I asked the girls what dreams they had -- putting aside what society expected of them, what did they want to acheive. There was a real silence, as they began to consider this. Perhaps many of them had never even thought of what they wanted to acheive in life - just for themselves. Reading their responses later, I was touched by what they had written. Some said ´to get out of this place´, others 'to be a better person´, others ´to see my family again' or 'to bring up my child to have a better life than me'. Others dreamt of being an arquitect or a lawyer. Still others, wrote something down, and kept it - perhaps something so personal that they couldn´t share it, even anonomously. My prayer this week has been that God awakens dreams in their hearts - and gives them a seed of hope that they can actually acheive them.

Security (and other false hopes)

2011-12-09T01:50:00.001Z

In Guatemala, there are 3 private security guards for every police officer. Every bank, shopping centre, delivery truck and local official has security guards. I´ve often thought that it must be a really boring job as they always seem to end up doing something else at the same time... security guards in shopping centres become armed car park attendants, security guards in banks become armed doormen and so on and so on.

But a recent article in the paper here, also explained the training the security guards receive. According to the law, security guards should recieve 18 months of training in issues like human rights, the law, conflict resolution. However the average training recieved by security guards in registered companies is 3 days. (And that´s in the legal companies!) The training includes how to clean a gun, but few agencies give any training in how to use it safely or in how to diffuse difficult situations without violence. And there´s many incidences that demonstrate this lack of training - security guards who have shot (and sometimes killed) people by accident simply moving or dropping their gun. Another private security guard shot a carpark attendant when he simply asked for his ticket. Others are involved in criminal activity. There´s very little accountability for the licenced security agencies - let alone for the illegal ones.

That they exist at all is worrying in the first place. I guess it started from a lack of police presence in the face of growing violence, so local businesses sought out other means to 'guarantee' their safety. At the same time, there´s been a huge growth in the number of private shopping centres in Guatemala, (in the style of American Malls), of course each with their own security officers. For those who can afford it, shopping centres provide a ´privatised´ shopping experience as people increasingly see the truly public spaces, such as the street, as unsafe, and the official protectors of society (the police) as untrustworthy or simply absent. Unfortunately when normal upstanding citizens leave the public spaces, this does not make them safer - in many ways it´s an sign of defeat, giving up on any previous attempt to stand up for what is right in the face of violence and threats of violence. By leaving, the violence, and those who use it, win. Does it need to be explained that the rise of private security services has not diminished the violence in any way. In fact it has worsened.

In the face of a similar situation, neighbouring Honduras, has recently decided to assign the Army to support the police in their regular duties on the streets. They have reported that the initial affect has been positive. The Guatemalan President-elect, who is due to take office in January, is considering similar measures, but I´m not sure that they will be received in quite the same way. Honduras has never had a civil war, in contrast to Guatemala, where the army fought a 36 year war against guerillas in the highlands, and managed to massacre 200,000 indigenous people in the process. Understandably the army doesn´t enjoy a huge amount of respect from the general society.

Even so, the President-elect might follow in Honduras´ footsteps anyway. He is an ex army general after all! He´s also considering involving the army in the countries war on drug trafficking, following Mexico´s example. Many Mexican commentators, however, would site their Presidents decision to use the Army as the starting point of an increase in violence, rather than an diminishing of it.
So how is it that governments think that the presence of guns and 'state-sanctioned violence' will decrease the illegal variety, when so much evidence proves the opposite. Some governments have even managed to convince many of their own citizens that the strategy will work.... this time ... under this new government.

I think it was Einstein who said that only a fool continues to do the same thing, and expects a different result.

Of course, new governments in themselves, seem to be the other popular false hope; it will all be better with the next President. And in Guatemala (judging from the recent election process) it seems like Christians are the most susceptable to this over simplistic belief, particularly when a candidate is labelled 'Christian', regardless of their policies or plans or integrity. Many church leaders simply told their congregations to vote for the Christian candidate, without any mention of the need to weigh up and evaluate the policies, track record, and ability of each of the candidates.

For me, within a democratic systme, our responsibility as Christians is so much more than to simply vote for a Christian. What´s needed is for normal Christians to be involved in political processes at every level of society, bringing the values of Jesus into play in the public arena. The same is true for the church to confront the situation of violence. The church tends to be very good at avoidance (buying into those good old middle class values of 'getting on in life', ie moving out to the suburbs and leaving problems behind them), and in some cases even employ their own armed security guards at the church doors (don´t even get me started on what I think Jesus might make of that!). Instead the church needs to be teaching and training Christians to engage with their neighbours, to confront the real root issues of poverty and powerlessness in their community in order to bring about transformation in communities as well as in individuals.

Thank God that there are some who do.

Wedding times

2011-11-18T02:01:00.001Z

On Saturday I went to a wedding of some friends. I knew it was an hours journey away, so I left with plenty of time. Unfortunately my bus decided to wait for half an hour in one of the towns on the way, so I was getting a bit worried that I was going to be late - but I figured that in Guatemala I would probably have half an hours grace. I got off the bus at the Restaurant Hacienda Real -- only to realise that the wedding was actually taking place in Restaurant Hacienda - a few kms further on. Now being 45 mins late, I was just about to get on the next bus coming past, when I noticed a car stopping and Wendy (the bride) getting out -- So maybe I wasn´t going to be too late after all! So I squeezed in the back seat with her family and flowers etc, and they gave me a lift. We drove round to the back of the Restaurant - where she joined her bridemaids getting changed in the toilets! And I needn´t have worried about lateness.... it was another hour before the wedding actually started. (And then people were still arriving half way through the service!). In the car I had said I thought I was going to be late. Wendy (who studied in the states for a couple of years) explained that in Guatemala it´s almost a tradition for the bride to keep the groom waiting -- "Don't they do that in England as well?" Yes I said, but only for about 5 minutes!

And it´s funny how sometimes you think that you´ve got a culture figured out - and then it surprises you again. Guatemalans like to make speeches -- it seems to me for even the most trivial of reasons. Birthday parties are not complete without every person making a speech (even if you don´t really know the person celebrating their birthday). Baby showers include a sermon and a few speeches. They hold graduation ceremonies for finishing secondary school, or primary school, or kindergarden (seriously!) and even for one day courses! So I figured there would be at least one speech at the wedding too - but no. Not even from the father of the bride. I keep learning.

Election Results

2011-11-07T21:24:00.001Z

So the results are in! Yesterday was the run off elections for the Guatemalan Presidency. Talking with lots of friends over the last week or so, the consensus seemed to be that it boiled down to '2 candidates, no choice!' - ie that both candidates were so unappealing, that it was difficult even to decide which might be the lesser of two evils. I know a few friends who were planning to ruin their voting papers. In fact the official results say that 4% of those who voted did exactly that.
But at the end of the day, Otto Perez Molino, the ex Army General, has won with 54% of the vote and will become President on the 14th Jan. This has followed the pattern of recent years - of the candidate who comes second, will win in the following election 4 years later. (Which means that we might get Baldizon back in 4 years time, if things continue as they have done!)
Now everyone comes to think about the changes coming. This isn´t just about changes to political policy, but also to personel in almost every area of the public sector. New government, new everything. This is one of the challenges of a country which prohibits a second term - a lack of consistency in policy and personel.
Yet in neighbouring Nicaragua, they have also been voting. President Daniel Ortega, managed to change the constitutional rules a couple of years ago, allowing him to stand for a second term. According to early results from their election, he´s on course to win, and yet is also surrounded to accusations of fraud and election irregularities.
Perhaps it doesn´t matter what the rules are. Those that want power, and are willing to do almost anything to get it - usually do.

Not fitting in.

2011-11-03T01:08:00.002Z

Several times a week, I walk from my house to the other end of the town, where the Gym is (no comment!) On my way I always pass something on the road that makes me think, and that God has been 'pointing out to me' over the last few weeks - it´s a man hole cover. That´s probably not the most spiritual source of divine revelation, but then it´s probably more on my level!!

So what´s so special about the man hole cover, I hear you ask. Well, this one is situated half in the actual road and half on the pavement, which at that point is flat to the road. On the edge of the pavement, there´s the almost obligatory red line painted to indicate that parking is not permitted.

What has struck me about this man hole cover is that someone has obviously pulled it open at some stage since the red line was painted on, and then closed it again. But in closing it, they have left it in a position so that the line doesn´t connect with the line on the pavement on either side. In fact the red line across the man hole cover is more or less perpendicular (at right angles) to the line on the pavement either side of it. (I´ve been meaning to get a photo of it, but don´t usually have my camera with me, and would also look pretty stupid taking photos of the road!!!)

It fits perfectly and yet looks so out of place; it´s in exactly the right position but looks so wrong.

And I guess that´s a good way to understand where I am at the moment (and perhaps it´s an analogy of anyone involved in cross cultural mission). I have a sense that God has put me here, in exactly this position, in a perfect fit, and yet I don´t look right at all. I´m now doing something completely different to what I expected, and in human terms I may not ´look´right for the role but somehow it fits. I stand out as being the wrong way round or upside down or something even stranger than that!. There´s probably never going to be a time when I don´t stand out from the crowd and yet God has put me here, right at this time, doing things I didn´t expect to be doing, but for a purpose. I can be secure in His plans, and in His presence, no matter what I look like or how wierd or unexpected it feels.

going to prison

2011-10-25T03:26:00.002+01:00

Recently I´ve started to work in a prison for girls, and I´m really enjoying it. It´s good to get back to doing 'youthwork' - but it´s quite different from everything I´ve done before. The girls are between 14 and 17 years old, although some of them also have their babies or young children with them. Initially I was only allowed to preach - without any kind of participation or interaction from the girls. Now the Director has grown to trust me a bit (I think) and I´m allowed to do more interactive discussions which has been great.
But there´s strange limitations in working in a prison. The most obvious, is that I´m not allowed to use anything that the girls could take and use as a weapon.... so no pens and paper. But then there´s other limitations that aren´t so obvious. So far the girls have had a varied response to what I´ve done. Some have been very quiet and not given any sort of verbal response. Others can be quite talkative - and always want to answer the questions --- perhaps like any other group. But there is always lots of 'right answers'. Even when I make a big thing of explaining that I´m interested in their real opinions etc, somehow people always come to the perceived right answers really quickly.
Let me explain...... most of the time, I think there aren´t many 'right answers' - what I mean is that I think there is much more benefit in an honest discussion, with all the messy disagreements and inconsistent opinions, than in the tidy polished religious answers. Mostly I think that the answers that 'religion' gives, are inadequate - or answering completely irrelevant questions. For me, our real journey of faith is found in the struggling with issues and questions and the search for God in that - often he answers us with mystery and further questions rather than answers!
So anyway - back to the prison, I don´t know whether it is simply because of the guards who are lurking nearby that prevents the girls being honest, or a much bigger issue of religiousness here in Guatemala, where many people memorize huge chunks of the Bible - but can´t ever put it into their own words because they don´t actually understand what they´re memorising.
But it´s good. It´s a challenge for me to think of new ways to encourage the girls to open up, and to communicate with them something of God´s heart for them - not the neat and tidy answers - but the unconditional and uncontrolable love that he has for them. I keep praying.

stepping up

2011-10-15T05:12:00.003+01:00

In my job, I usually look after short term volunteers during their time here in Guatemala. But this time last year, we sent a Guatemalan Strider off to England, and he´s recently returned here. It´s been fascinating to see the experience from the other direction. What´s been really interesting has been to hear how he has changed through the experience
We met up to reflect on all that he´s experienced this last year. He explained that there were lots of things that he was worried about before he went, but he decided from the beginning that whatever he was asked to do in his placement, he would say yes... (and panic later)... and that´s how things went. As a result, he was able to step up into all sorts of new things, that he´d never done before and experience Gods faithfulness in it all.
His friends and family have also commented on how he has changed. His brother said ´he´s different ... but the same.´ It is a strange sense of being the same as before, but much more so - which somehow makes him different, almost like he has grown into who he always was - or at least had the potential to be. There´s something about being in a different culture with an attitude of service, that makes you step into more of what God has for you. In the process gifts and abilities are developed and a sense of vision and calling are sharpened. Of course that´s never the end of the story - God always has more for us to grow into but there´s few opportunities in life like it, where you can really put yourself on the line and step up.
And I love the fact that Latin Link is able to provide these sorts of opportunities.

Stormy Weather!

2011-10-13T20:54:00.003+01:00

You might have heard that it´s been raining a lot in Guatemala. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15283869) That´s true. It´s been raining almost continually for a day or two - and on and off for the previous 2 weeks. Really the rainy season should have finished about a month ago, but it keeps on. When you live in a well built house, it´s easy to think that it´s just rain, but the reality is that this can have a huge affect on people. In rural areas, whole villages can be washed away by a landslide. In Guatemala, where the infrastructure hasn´t fully recovered from Tropical Storm Agatha last June (2010), or even from Hurricane Stan, a few years previously, storms or even the ´tropical depression´ that we´re experiencing at the moment, has far reaching affects on people, communities and the economy. As the depression has now been downgraded to a ´low pressure´, the officials begin the counting.....15 dead.... 3588 affected..... 931 in temporary shelters..... it'll be a while before they work out the financial implications, but many of the agricultural regions, which supply the country with staples have been severely affected too.
It´s interested, that just yesterday I was in the Ezra Centre office, working on a project for them about climate change and the environment. I learned that Guatemala ranks in the top five countries in the world most affected by floods, hurricanes and earthquakes, with 40.8 percent of the population exposed to five or more threats simultaneously. And that doesn´t just affect rural areas. With so much uncertainty and risk involved in agriculture, there is a sustained internal migration to the cities, where satellite communities grow up too quickly for local authorities to provide basic services and ensure that homes are built safely and away from risk areas. This reality is echoed on the news reports at the moment, as several metropolitan areas are badly affected as well.
So we keep on counting, and praying .... more rain forecasted for the weekend.

Election Update and Independence

2011-09-19T01:20:00.004+01:00

The presidential elections were held last Sunday, - and all went reasonably peacefully.
But that´s not the end of it. Nobody won more than 50% of the vote (not surprising given that there were 11 candidates!) which means that the 2 most popular candidates go through to a second round vote in November. From where I´m sitting there´s not much to choose from the 2. Otto Perez is an ex-army general with several human rights abuse accusations following him regarding his role in the 36 year civil war. He promises a hard line against crime. On the other hand, Manuel Baldizon, is a businessman and new to politics, but he also promises action against organised crime and the gangs, including introducing the death penalty. Both are now busy making alliances with the other candidates and parties in order to increase their support. But according to the popular wisdom, that won´t make any difference. In the last 20 years or so, every elected President in Guatemala, came second in the previous election. So this time, apparently it will go to Otto Perez, because 'it´s his turn' after coming second 4 years ago. We´ll wait and see.
This week, we´ve also had independence celebrations but compared to previous years, they´ve been fairly subdued. Many local authorities cancelled the usual marching band competitions and parades because they feared complications or increased violence because of the elections. On the other hand, there´s been plenty of 'antorchas' - groups of people running through the streets with an olympic style torch - which has worsened the usual traffic chaos!!! Exactly what independence is all about!

Tearfund Conference in Honduras

2011-09-17T02:19:00.003+01:00

Last week, I attended a Tearfund conference in Honduras on behalf of the Ezra Centre. It was all about Climate Change and Environmental Degradation, and with other Tearfun partners from acorss Central America.
It was a great week, with a fantastic group of people. We talked alot about the science of climate change and how that is affecting many of the communities here in Central America. The next steps, as we all went back to our organisations, is to work out what we should do differently in order to provent some of the worst effects. Of course Climate Change isn´t going away, and it´s the developed nations that need to make big changes in order to drastically change our prospects - but we can do stuff to lessen the effects of climate change in communities who are most at risk.
We were staying in a beautiful Nature reserve.

My impression of a whale. (It´s a long story!)

With some of the other participants.

More books

2011-09-12T02:31:00.002+01:00

I've been reading again. This time 'Hannah's Child: A Theologian's memoir' by Stanley Hauerwas. He has had a very 'prophetic' voice calling to the western church as well as to the wider society, but he writes with real humility and authenticity about his life and what has made him and influenced him. It's interesting how he talks about his journey to faith; he describes how he became a Christian gradually and several years into studying and even teaching theology. And also I love his discussion about the tendency of the church to attempt to give all the answers in life....

"Following Jesus means you cannot anticipate or ensure results. Learning to live out of control, learning to live without trying to force contingency into conformity because of our desperate need for security, I take to be a resource for discovering alternatives that would otherwise not be present."

"When Christianity is assumed to be an 'answer' that makes the world intelligible, it reflects an accommodated church committed to assuring Christians that the way things are is the way things have to be. Such 'answers' cannot help but turn Christianity into an explanation. For me, learning to be a Christian has meant learning to live without answers. Indeed, to learn to live in this way is what makes being a Christian so wonderful. Faith is but a name for learning how to go on without knowing the answers."

I guess this is where I've got to with God too. So much of life - even with faith - just doesn't have answers. But I like learning to live with God - but out of control!

Then last week, I read ' A Just Church; 21st century Liberation Theology in Action' by Chris Howson. It's a good expression of how Christians can put faith into action in issues of social justice and building real community in order to advance the reign of God. Inspiring and challenging.

Walking

2011-08-30T04:33:00.001+01:00

I know I wrote previously about the book ‘Your God is too Safe’ - but there´s another part of it that´s been rattling around my head ever since I finished the book a month ago. It´s to do with a passage from Isaiah 40. It culminates with the oft- quoted part

‘but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.’

This has been the inspiration for various worship songs, particularly ‘soaring on wings like eagles´. It seems that that part is supposed to be our aim. Our relationship with God is supposed to get to the point where we can soar through life, without effort or struggle; simply soaring in his presence and power.

But then this is only the beginning; ‘running and not growing weary’ comes next and then ‘walking and not fainting´. In the norms of poetry used in Isaiah, the culmination of an idea comes last, rather than being first and then explained, as we often assume of this passage.

So that would actually mean that what God desires for us is to walk and not faint. That´s the aim of our developing relationship with God. The soaring is simply a step towards that. It made me think of a parachute jump – which I guess is the nearest any of us can get to soaring like eagles. I´ve not actually done a parachute jump, but we often imagine that it takes huge amounts of courage…. But on second thoughts, perhaps not. It actually just requires a split second of bravery (or even the gentle push from a friend) as you jump from the plane. Then you just soar, but even that only lasts a few minutes before you´re on the ground again. So much of our Christian experience agrees with this idea – a great event or a great worship time gives us that experience of soaring in God´s presence, but soon we´re back down to earth, searching for the next plane ride and parachute pack.

And yet, this passage tells us that soaring isn´t the aim. Walking is. It seems he wants us to get past our desire for soaring, and get on with walking. Walking takes much more effort. It´s not hard, but it is constant. Continually putting one foot in front of the other, keeping on, whatever the circumstances, whatever the weather, whatever the terrain. It´s about keeping on. It is still God, not us that does the sustaining, but it´s in the mundane and the ordinary, even in the continual plodding, not in the extravagance of soaring.

It is God that renews our strength. It´s the experience of ´those who hope in the Lord’. It´s interesting that in Spanish the verb for ‘to hope’ and ‘to wait’ are the same word; esperar. Somehow, hoping in the Lord always seems to involve waiting. And waiting on God always includes hope. And it´s in the ordinary every day that we wait and hope.

Toybox Step Team 2011

2011-08-29T02:55:00.003+01:00

campaign numbers

2011-08-24T23:17:00.002+01:00

So the final list of candidates is now ready!.
There are 31,795 candidates for the 3,500 positions of public office which will be elected on Sept 11th - which includes President, Vice-President, MP´s for National congress, District representatives, local representatives (I think this is mayors), and members of the Central American Parliament. 60% of the candidates are between 18 and 30 years old -- I thought that wasn´t all that surprising in a country where the average age is 20, but they have made a big thing of this in the news as there´s been a big campaign for young people (and women) to participate more fully in politics, since the last election - and it seems to have worked.
What´s been more newsworthy is the avalanche of campaign advertising. Virtually everywhere you turn, there´s a candidates face staring back at you. Much of the advertising breaks the electoral rules, but nobody seems to do anything about it. In a street near my house, there´s 15 posters -- for the same candidate!!! -- in the space that it takes me to walk 40 paces (yes I´ve counted!!). The papers have called this 'polution'!! I´m no advertising expert but I doubt that this kind of saturation makes someone more likely to vote for the candidate. There´s still precious little of any real policy or plans.
So what can you tell from someone´s photo??
One of them looks like superman -- but more arrogant.
According to a friend of mine, another just looks like a drug traficker, and of another they say 'it´s his turn' (because he came second in the last general election!)
What any of this means in terms of the actual result, is anyones guess.

Step team arrived

2011-08-20T02:33:00.001+01:00

Thank You Step Team!!!!

How safe is God??

2011-08-08T19:55:00.002+01:00

I´m been reading a book lately -- How Safe if your God by Mark Buchanan, which has been great - and really made me think.
The whole book is about what he calls the Borderland and the Holy Wild. He explains the analogy of crossing a border from one country to another - but in some places - there is space between leaving one country and entering another - like a no-mans-land where no country claims jurisdiction or responsibility. He suggests that much of Christianity lives in the borderland, where people have left one realm -- but not really entered into another. It´s a place where we can make up our own rules, and live in a ´safe´and well structured way that´s completely of our own making - but not at all what God is calling us to. God is in the Holy Wild. (I love that phrase!) In the Holy Wild, God is not boxed in by the tidy arrangements of church or the limitations of our pre-prepared answers to the pre-prepared questions.

There´s a really interesting chapter on (Doubting) Thomas. To start with - what a demonstration of our own prejudice when we name him ´Doubting´ because of one incident in his life, and ignor the rest. It´s also really interesting to see Jesus reaction to him. The story is in John 20, and is shows us Thomas saying ´unless I see´.... 'I will not believe'. It´s funny that within the church we usually see doubt as the opposite of faith, and as a wholy negative experience, and yet it is doubt (ie the desire to see more, to examine more closely) that brings us to faith. Jesus´reaction to Thomas wasn't in condemnation of his doubt, but an encouragement - to do 2 things.
Firstly he says ´Put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hands and put it into my side....´ .... it´s an invitation to come closer, to scrutinise (in the best sense of the world) more rigorously and to experience God himself. Thomas actually didn´t touch Jesus´ hands - but he exclaimed ´My Lord and my God´. It wasn´t the science, the proving, or the carefully crafted theological argument that drew this response, but simply the act of drawing near to Jesus, of him experiencing his resurrected life.
Secondly Jesus says ´because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed´. Another invitation - to go beyond what he has experienced so far, to go beyond doubt and scrutiny.

I love this ..... I think God is always in this attitude of inviting us in, inviting us closer, of giving us chances to see more of Jesus´ life.
"Sometimes doubting is not a lack of faith but rather an expression of it. Sometimes to doubt is merely to insist that God be taken seriously not frivolously."
I think so often our doubt is not a doubting of God but rather a doubting of the borderland, of the tameness of organised religion, of the safeness of the God that we have made in our own image. But God is calling us beyond that ... into the Holy Wild.

Arty recycled stuff 3

2011-08-05T22:50:00.001+01:00

All that I find in God (so far)
Todo lo que encuentro en Dios (hasta ahora)

Arty recycled stuff 2

2011-08-05T22:34:00.006+01:00

All that I find in God (so far)
Todo lo que encuentro en Dios (hasta ahora)

Arty recycled stuff

2011-08-05T22:29:00.004+01:00

Since I´ve come back to Guatemala, I´ve been thinking and praying about various things, and wanting to create stuff that not only explains something of what God is doing in my life - but also acts as a reminder for me to keep on praying into some of the things that he has spoken into my life. So here´s a few blogs entries with the results..........

Breakthrough

Joy in the centre of my life.

The list still isn't ready

2011-08-02T00:27:00.002+01:00

So yesterday was supposed to be the last day in which any appeal could be made for presidential candidates. Sandra has been working hard and has gone through every conceivable appeal process, all of them agreeing with the first -- that she has committed electural fraud by divorcing her husband in order to stand. Alongside the legal appeals, she´s also pulled all the stops out by bussing her supporters (generally from the poorer rural areas) into the city to protest and march, at every opportunity, causing havock with traffic systems, already at capacity. These protests continue.

There´s been a lot less news of Harold Cabelleros. Perhaps he´s decided to bow out gracefully........ or maybe just hasn´t got as many supporters to protest for him!

In other political news, other presidential candidates played a televised game of football against journalists!. Can you imagine that in England???? (David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown vs Jeremy Paxman, Fiona Bruce and David Dimbleby all in their football shorts....... it doesn´t bare thinking about!)

Discipleship consultation.

2011-08-02T00:14:00.002+01:00

Last week, I was helping out with a regional consultation run by the Ezra Centre. They are a Guatemalan organisation that trains local pastors (and others) in holistic mission. Every year they hold a consultation around a significant topic. This year is was "Discipleship: Responsible citizenship in the world". It was great to have 300 pastors from Central America, not only listening to great teaching, but being part of a process of learning with others.

One story which shows the significance of the theme, was that the week before the event, Israel, the Director of the Ezra Centre was invited to talk on one of the Christian radio stations. He was introduced by the DJ explaining that the consultation was a training event for a new discipleship programme or course. That is the usual understanding of discipleship here in Guatemala -- that you can follow a course, run by a church, and then you arrive at being fully discipled.

The focus of the consultation was actually much more about encouraging a lifestyle of discipleship - which allows our faith to touch and affect every area of our lifes. Yes it´s about churches - but not about programmes - more an ongoing atmosphere and attitude of Christians learning from older Christians, or an intentional effort to share the reality of our lifes with each other so that we can grow more into the likeness of Jesus.

I was part of the team helping out with the running of the event, and it was great fun to get to know other people and be part of the action!.

news update

2011-07-11T02:18:00.002+01:00

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

2011-07-06T04:19:00.003+01:00

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

2011-07-01T03:52:00.002+01:00

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

2011-07-01T03:43:00.004+01:00

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

2011-07-01T03:20:00.003+01:00

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

2011-07-01T03:10:00.004+01:00

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

2011-07-01T02:13:00.003+01:00

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.

Leadership Forum in Recife

2011-04-12T15:47:00.002+01:00

I've just come back from Recife - where I was meeting with a bunch of the Latin Link team leaders and short term coordinators. We had a packed programme of discussions and consideration of theological issues facing the church in Latin America, and managed to make sense of it, even in 35 centigrade heat! I had a swim in the sea every morning before breakfast but was disappointed that there were no shark sightings!!

Occassionally we had time off to visit the local ice cream shop.......... and see the nearby historic town of Olinda.

A beach Tour of northern Spain with Naomi and Luis

2011-03-14T17:28:00.002Z

In reverse order - Isla

Noja

Castro Urdiales (where I swam)

- and lots of fantastic scenery in between - including views of the snow on the mountains to the south.

A week in Spain with the Core Team

2011-03-14T17:15:00.003Z

A week with meetings with the Core team includes...

> watching the cows out of my window in the mornings (we were staying next to a farm)

> a lot of talking

> Fresh strawberries

> more talking - updates on our responsibilities

> sampling local delicacies (chocolate y churros)

> talking and praying for Latin Link in each country

> lunch with leaders of Spanish Evangelical Alliance

> visit to Santander - lighthouse and beaches

> a huge paella

> planning a conference

> more talking

> more eating

Random stuff since coming home

2011-03-14T17:04:00.004Z

Step Orientation Craziness

Beautiful Bantham beach

A few random pictures of being back in England.

Hellos and awkward goodbye hugs!

2011-02-09T12:20:00.002Z

It's wierd when you live in a different culture - and get used to things that aren't 'normal' at 'home', but then you go 'home' again. In Guatemala, to say hello to someone you know, you always kiss on the right check and have at least half a hug. The same when you say goodbye. Having been back in England for a week, I realise how natural the Guatemalan way has become for me, and feel a bit unsure of what I'm supposed to be doing here. And it reminded me of a book I read last year. 'Watching the English' is a very funny book examining the cultural quirks of the English from an anthropological perspective. The section on greetings and goodbyes made me laugh out loud a lot. It basically said that the only common factor of greetings and goodbyes for the English is awkwardness! - Whatever we do to greet or say goodbye to someone, we do it badly and look embarrassed and unsure. It is SOOOO true!

So what to do?? Well there's some people in England who are quite happy to be hugged, and are quite glad of the change. But then theres also those who aren't 'natural huggers' and are obviously uncomfortable about being the subject of a hug and just find it awkward. But then Im wondering whether an awkward hug goodbye is better than the alternative English goodbye - which goes something like this ....

- well it was great to see you
- yes it was good to catch up
- and you are looking well
- we must do this again sometime
- yes - bye
- well let me know about that time next week..
- oh yeah - sure - bye then
- yes bye
- good seeing you
- bye
- bye
- bye
- bye

This long drawn out english goodbye seems to go on forever - and be even more awkward than a hug. With a hug (even an awkward one) at least you know you are now allowed to walk away, that that was in fact the end of the conversation and there's nothing more to say.
So should I continue to enforce hugs on unsuspecting English people?? Does that improve the whole affair ?? (for me??) (for the other person??) Or does going in for a hug, just confuse people as they continue with their Marathon English goodbye and therefore produce an even longer goodbye and even more awkwardness.
Oh Cultural Dilemmas!!

Central America Conference

2011-02-03T19:22:00.002Z

At the end of January, all of the Latin Link Central America team met up at a convent at the base of a Volcano in Nicaragua for our annual conference. It was a long weekend, with a mix of purposes. We had a bit of 'business' to discuss, talking about the recent developments and changes in Central America, vision for the future and electing a new leadership team. We also had time together, catching up on what everyone has been up to. We even had an inpromptu baptism when we had an afternoon out at a local Lagoon. Good times.

Christmas etc

2011-02-03T18:56:00.002Z

Christmas was a good time. I had 2 friends with me on Christmas eve this year - so we made half an effort to join in the Guatemalan traditions - setting off fireworks for much of the night - but mostly around midday. The concept of health and safety doesn't really exist in Guatemala, so we joined in with my neighbours and their children, aged between 3 and 8 (I think) - as they set fire to their fireworks and bangers.

On Christmas day, a few other Striders and friends arrived to enjoy our attempt at a traditional English Christmas dinner - which was almost complete except for the parsnips. Esgrid, a Guatemalan friend who was with us, spent most of the time asking 'what's this' (bread sauce, pigs in blankets, stuffing, mince pies etc). He wasn't particularly impressed with the Christmas Cracker jokes ('but they're not funny'), not quite understanding the irony of it.

We kept up our attempts at traditional English Christmas-ness on boxing day - entertaining a few more Guatemalan friends with a Turkey Curry.

Democracy - weak and strong

2010-12-14T19:36:00.003Z

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)

2010-12-08T17:41:00.002Z

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

2010-11-30T01:53:00.002Z

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

2010-11-26T00:32:00.003Z

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

2010-10-21T20:35:00.002+01:00

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

2010-10-03T04:08:00.005+01:00

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

2010-09-30T01:44:00.003+01:00

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

2010-09-19T00:30:00.002+01:00

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

2010-09-15T00:57:00.002+01:00

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

2010-09-15T00:37:00.002+01:00

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

2010-09-15T00:17:00.004+01:00

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

2010-08-24T16:55:00.004+01:00

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

2010-08-16T01:46:00.002+01:00

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

2010-07-25T21:47:00.003+01:00

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)

2010-07-13T00:10:00.006+01:00

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

2010-07-04T16:13:00.002+01:00

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

2010-06-27T03:58:00.003+01:00

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.

beach weekend with Striders

2010-06-21T18:21:00.002+01:00

So last weekend a bunch of us went to Monterrico to celebrate a few of our birthdays. Monterrico is a beautiful beach on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. It was great to be among friends to chill out and relax.

We went out for dinner one night - and just as we got settled on the deck of a nice restaurant, the storm came. Really heavy rain and thunder and lightning all around us! It was almost like being back in England for a summer holiday -- we were just missing the flask of tea and sandy sandwiches!
But the storm soon passed.

Football scores!

2010-06-14T01:49:00.002+01:00

So yesterday was England's first match in the World Cup, against the United States.
I have to admit that I'm not much of a football fan - but occasionally make an exception -- and defending our honour against a country that can't even call football by it's real name was one of those exceptions!

I wasn't really sure how this would all go down in Guatemala as here they have a funny love-hate sort of relationship with the States. For many the American dream is still alive and well, and thousands migrate north in the hope of making their fortune (both legally and illegally). Mostly this leaves broken and divided families and communities all over Guatemala. Many love the opportunities which exist due to the proximity to the states, and the remittances (money) that relatives who have made it in the states can send home - as well as all the films, music and American 'culture' in general that invades Guatemala as much as anywhere else. But on the other hand, they detest the influence the States has politically, most evidently in their involvement in the 36 years of civil war that devastated the country and particularly the indigenous population. They're also not that keen on the States these either for their treatment of all the illegal Guatemalan workers there.

On the other hand, their relationship with the English is also a bit confused. It was only about 5 years ago that Guatemala officially recognised Belize (the neighbouring country which was previously a British colony) as a country in it's own right. Previously they had still claimed sovereignty there - even though they speak English (well kind of) and you can buy Baked Beans and Cadbury's chocolate there - clearly demonstrating it's English (not Spanish or indigenous) heritage! And then there is the Castillo de San Felipe (St Phillips Castle) situated on a river near the Caribbean coast which was built specifically to keep out the English Pirates (who were stealing the gold and precious stones that the Spanish were sailing back to Spain after stealing them from the indigenous groups in Central America). On the other hand, the majority of Guatemala don't actually know where England is and many assume it is a state in the United States.

So with all that complexity going round in my head, I met up with a few English friends and we went to a shopping centre where they were showing the game on a big screen in the food hall.
I was surprised and happy to realise that the huge crowd of Guatemalans filling the hall were all cheering for England, and they were even happier to see some real English people. Of course this is Latin America and the response to any football game is always passionate and loud. It was great fun (even if the game itself was a bit of a disappointment). But what made me laugh the most though was that whenever we saw a shot of David Beckham on the sidelines, the whole hall was filled with girly squeals, rather than manly football cheers!

volcanoes, storms and life as normal ! ??

2010-06-14T01:34:00.003+01:00

So it's been a bit eventful here in Guatemala.
A couple of weeks ago, Pacaya Volcano (which I have climbed a couple of times) erupted and sent clouds of volcanic ash raining on Guatemala City and around. A bit surreal, but not that desperate - apart from for the 1000 or so people who were evacuated from their homes close to the volcano.
But then the following day it started raining heavily and didn't stop for 2 days. We lost power for about 12 hours but didn't think too much of it. It was only later, that we realised that it was tropical storm Agatha, and that throughout the country about 100 people had died, mainly as a result of landslides. Over the next few days we found out that now something like 90,000 people had been made homeless and were staying in makeshift shelters.
In a mountainous country like Guatemala, it's usually not the storm itself that does the most harm - but the landslides that it causes. This is even more likely in areas where there has been serious deforestation (ie everywhere), and where the quality of houses and roads is poor.
There have been several stories in the news about bridges or roads -which were virtually brand new, being swept away in the storm. Guatemala has always been affected by tropical storms and as a result has quite stringent building regulations --- but very little in the way of enforcing them.
So here it all feels a bit strange -- there are still 90,000 homeless people. The government has assigned several collection points where we can donate clothes and food items for those affected. Some organisations I know are also involved in the distribution - but at the same time most of life carries on as normal. It's weird to be affected and yet not be affected. I pray for more of God's perspective in all of this.

Prayer Day

2010-05-24T15:42:00.007+01:00

Yesterday was a Day of Prayer for Latin Link, so in the Guatemala team, we decided to have 24 hours of prayer - trying to have somebody praying at every hour of the day. Anna prepared a prayer room in her house (next door) with lots of creative stuff to help and inspire us to prayer.

It was a great day. I spent a few hours in the room in the early morning - and it was great to start the day by focusing on God and worshiping him. God reminded me of some dreams that I had had several years ago - that now seem to make sense! He always fulfills his promises - even when we don't understand them to start with.

We all met together in the afternoon and were able to pray into specific situations that are affecting the team and give encouragement to each other.

Coming back to the room for a few hours in the evening, it was great to see the 'Worship Wall' filled up and with specific requests and prayers on the map, giving more fuel for prayer.
We all really enjoyed and benefited from having the prayer day like this - and we know that God has worked - not only in us -but in the situations we have prayed for too. God is Good.

Mothers Day Blessings --??

2010-05-12T04:03:00.004+01:00

In Guatemala May 10th is Mothers Day, but celebrations seem to be slightly different from England. Here any celebration involves a lot of noise -and preferably from fireworks / bangers / firecrackers. But most importantly you should wake up to this noise!! So if it's your birthday, your friends will get up early and set off firecrackers outside your window as a wake up call! Apparently the same goes for Mothers Day. Where I was staying with the step team - in a rural town -- getting up before the mothers meant that the bangers started at 3am! - and continued - sometimes accompanied by loud speakers explaining how wonderful the particular mother in question is - until about 5.30am. I was tempted to quote Proverb 27: 14 (If you wake your friend in the early morning by shouting "Rise and shine!", it will sound to him more like a curse than a blessing), but realise that this is a cultural difference that I should attempt to understand. And I have since discovered that this was actually quite mild! One of the Striders spent most of the night (from 11.30pm til 5am) with the youth group from his church, traipsing the streets and setting off bangers and firecrackers and 'serenading' each person's mother. The mothers presumably felt blessed by this.

A day in the life -part 4 - Step manouvers!

2010-05-12T03:56:00.003+01:00

Sunday 9th May
6.30am
I step over the 2 step team members asleep on a mattress on the floor of my room in order to get to the bathroom. The Step team have had a weeks holiday after their first project, and have been based more or less in my house. Today I'm going with them to their next project.
7am
I wake up the rest of the team so they can get packed and clean the house before the minibus arrives.
8.20am
Everyone's ready and sat on the front lawn with all the luggage. Matt and Josh (for whom 'sit and wait' doesn't quite compute) entertain the rest of us with renditions of various Harry Potter scenes or Star Wars battles.
8.45am
a minibus arrives (it was due at 8.30) -- but it's much smaller than the one I had booked - and doesn't have a roof rack - so when the driver sees the pile of luggage and people that's supposed to fit inside, he makes a couple of phone calls and leaves again.
9.15am
Another minibus arrives - still without a roof rack but slightly bigger than the first one, so we manage to stuff all the luggage and people inside and make a start on the 2 hour journey.
11am.
We stop on the side of the highway as steam rises from somewhere in the engine (ie underneath the 2 Steppers sat in the front passenger seats!) -- so half of the luggage comes out of the bus and the driver begs water from a house nearby to cool down the engine. (B tells me "You look very calm", "It's Guatemala" I reply!) A few people get out to stretch legs or pee but we're on our way again after half an hour.
12.15
The engine has cut out and we cruise for a bit downhill before finally coming to a stop. Fortunately we're about 1/2km from out destination so I call the church who are expecting us. They send someone with a pick up which we fill with all the luggage and we walk the rest of the way.
The church is decorated for Mother's Day - but also includes some welcome banners for the team - who get very excited seeing their accommodation behind the church. It's much more spacious than their last project in a rural community in the mountains. The church has managed to provide mattresses and even a few beds so nobody will be sleeping on the floor this time. There's also an oven, fridge, freezer, microwave, coffee machine and TV - all lent from members of the church. (This isn't a rich area or church - but people are generous)
Juan David and members of the church eldership say a few words of welcome before we enjoy the lunch that they've provided.
2.30pm
We join the church for their service. I'd met the elders several times beforehand and spoken in a previous service about the team coming so it's great that I'm now able to introduce them - and they sing a song that they've prepared. Juan David encourages the congregation to collaborate with the team in the project (1/2 an hour after the service, a church member turns up with a donation of food supplies for the team)

The team spend the evening sorting out their stuff and getting settled. This will be their home for the next 2 months -- so shelves are VERY exciting! And we have a few chats. A couple of team members wonder how well they really know each other and are known by others and we talk about different personalities and ways to be more real in our friendships. Someone else makes a shopping list for the trip to the market tomorrow.
Later I find Dan and Bekah (the team leaders) for a chat. Whenever I visit the team (about once a week) we get together and talk through how things are going; with the project, with team dynamics, how they are coping with being leaders and all sorts of other things. This time we talk about the strengths and weaknesses of different styles of leadership and I recommend a book for them both (must remember to bring it with me on my next visit!)
By 10pm everyone is on their way to Bedfordshire!

Semuc Champey

2010-05-07T17:00:00.004+01:00

I've just been to Semuc Champey with the Step team. The guide book calls it the most beautiful place in Guatemala and it is amazing -- it's a series of pools and waterfalls over Limestone rocks with a river running below it.

An amazing place to relax

Bekah's birthday

2010-05-04T03:57:00.003+01:00

Another day out with the step team - this time for Bekah's birthday.

Day out in Antigua with the step team

2010-05-04T03:44:00.001+01:00

So here's a few pics of the step team in Antigua -- in the rare moments when they weren't shopping!!!!

Day in the Life - Part 3 - Wed 7th April

2010-04-08T05:36:00.002+01:00

Today started with a skype call at 7am, with other members of the Core Team (the international leadership team (?) of Latin Link). With me being the furthest west - it's me who has to get up the earliest - but then the others have the enviable pleasure of listening to me munching on my cornflakes! Whilst I'm on the computer, I have a quick check of my emails. Then I nip across the road to the market to buy a few supplies.

By about 9.30am, one of the Striders has arrived and we go together to Antigua - she's had teeth problems and needs to settle her bill at the dentist -- I have to go to DHL to send some documents to England. Once we're done our tasks, and whilst we wait for her bank to call her back and unblock her credit card (!) we have a smoothie and cake in one of the cafes and 'ment'. I'm her mentor - so we meet up every couple of weeks and chat about how things are going in her work placement, church, host family and anything else that comes up!

1pm When I get back home, I remember that another skype call is due - and spend an hour or so chatting with a couple who may join Latin Link as Striders - possibly longer - answering their questions about possible placements and the practicalities of moving a family to Guatemala.

2.45pm Phone call from another Strider. She has a meeting with her boss on Friday so we chat through some issues that she would like to bring up and ways to bring them up in a positive way as well as how, with some issues, she could adapt to the different way of doing things here. In the meantime Alex arrives at the house and has a chat with Kathrin - another Strider who's been staying a couple of days. I finish off my phone call sat on my front door step and pray over the phone that God would give her wisdom and sensitivity.

3.30pm Meeting with Alex - he is Guatemalan and has been accepted on the Stride programme and hopes to serve in England next year. We chat through his plans to raise all the support he needs to get to England and support himself there for a year. It's often very difficult for Latin Americans to raise all the support they need to be sent as missionaries to Europe - but God is always faithful - so I try to encourage Alex in his efforts and share some tips from my experience of raising support.

5pm. Kathrin's host family comes to pick her up and Alex catches a lift with them. Realising that I have the house to myself, I strip the spare beds and put a wash on (the last few weeks have been almost non-stop visitors in the house - and I'll have other visitors at the weekend so want to get the house straight!)

5.30pm - just thinking about sweeping through the house when Anna arrives (the phrase 'revolving door' springs to mind!). So instead we chat over tea and biscuits (and me doing the ironing) - about her placement and her plans to celebrate her birthday at the weekend.

6.30pm Clean the house, make and eat tea, write up some notes of my meeting with Alex, send a couple of emails arranging some visits for next week, and have a quick look on facebook!

7.30pm watch a film - only briefly interrupted by a phone call from the step team leader - wanting to chat through a couple of changes in their project.

10am - off to bed as I need to make a reasonably early start tomorrow to travel to Quetzaltenango to 'ment' with Joe and then to San Pedro La Laguna to 'ment' with Jeanine. !

Step team get to their project

2010-04-02T17:59:00.002+01:00

I went with the step team to their new project. - It's quite remote - in the mountains of Tecpan, so getting them there with all their stuff -and a fridge was a bit of a squish but they managed it.

New Step Team

2010-03-23T03:49:00.003Z

I've spent the most part of last week with the new Spring Step Team. They are a great bunch of young people. We spent a few days just chilling out and recovering from jetlag (and asking me lots of questions!)
This week they are starting their project -up in the mountains of Tecpan, helping to build earthquake-proof houses in rural communities. In the process, they'll be getting used to sleeping on the floor, having to leave the house and walk down a path to get to the toilet, and to 'showering' in a bucket! But they'll also be getting to know each other and working together to serve these communities. All classic Step experiences!!

creations

2010-03-09T00:57:00.002Z

Some of the things I make in my spare time!

Latin Link International Assembly

2010-03-04T18:28:00.004Z

I've recently come back from Peru where I was attending the Latin Link International Assembly. This is a gathering which only happens every 4 years, bringing together representatives from all the different Latin Link teams and associated ministries.
It was the first time for me - and I really enjoyed it.

It was fantastic to see so many other people, with the same shared vision of mission, and to learn about the different ways in which that is expressed in practice.
We are a diverse bunch - with more that 20 nationalities within Latin Link. I really enjoyed worshiping God together in 4 different languages. And this really challenged me too : in one session about multicultural teams, we saw that the majority of us speak English or Spanish as our first language - but there were plenty of others too --German, Dutch, Swiss German, Finish, Portuguese....... I was particularly challenged that I don't speak any of these languages - so when in a team with others, the onus is on them to communicate in either Spanish or English. In so many ways, learning something of a language is just a first step in attempting to understand someone and the culture that has shaped them. Although at times I still struggle with Spanish, I want to make it my goal to learn (or at least remember some of my GSCE) German, so that I'm better able to communicate and understand the Swiss and Germans who are in our Central America team.

It was a very busy time -- with a full programme and lots of extra meetings with individuals in between - so it was very tiring. One of the things that kept me going was that I was reading a book -'The Furious Longing of God' by Brennan Manning. He talks about the incredible love that God has for us. In a chapter I read on the way to the Assembly, he suggests you take a few moments every day, to sit with eyes closed and hands open, and to repeat 'Abba (Daddy), I belong to you.' I tried to do this during the Assembly - and it was a great (in a very low-key-non-excitable sort of way) - just having a couple of minutes when I focus on being God's daughter - that he delights in me -- that it's got nothing to do with what role I have, or what's on my 'to do' list, or how much I have managed to get done -- I'm just His beloved daughter. It's very freeing and restful.

A day in the Life -- Part 2 - Travels on Tues 2nd Feb

2010-02-04T01:12:00.001Z

8am – I check my emails quickly before getting the bus to Totonicapan. My bus is actually quite empty so no squeezing 3 people to a seat today. People often ask me why I don’t buy a car here, and are pleasantly surprised that I normally use the buses (missionaries here have a reputation about being scared of using the buses and buying themselves big cars). I have a few reasons – the environment being one of them – but mainly it’s because I don’t want to separate myself from ‘normal’ society here. I see so many missionaries who come to Guatemala saying they want to share the gospel with people but then do everything they can to protect their own lifestyles and families and isolate themselves from the very people that they say they’re here to reach (living in closed communities with security guards, never using public transport, sending their kids to private schools, shopping at the foreign supermarket and buying all the same food as they would at home). For me it doesn’t make any sense, and I know that the simple act of being on a bus is a way of sharing in the normal lives of the people. But I digress.......... So I spend 3 hours on the bus – I used to try to read but with the roads winding around the mountains, it just makes me feel ill, so these days I amuse myself by making funny faces at the child staring at me from a few rows in front, and thanking God for the amazingly beautiful country he has brought me to.

12.15pm - I arrive in Totonicapan and meet Joe, one of the Striders, and we walk to his home. Joe has been in Guatemala and Honduras for a year now but has recently changed projects. We talk through his 6monthly review form that he has completed – how he’s adapted to the culture, what he’s achieved and what goals he wants to set himself for the next 6 months, and chat about his new project.

2.30pm –We enjoy lunch with Joe’s host family. Chicken, rice and tamalitos never fail! Joe just moved here a week ago. Normally I meet the host families beforehand and explain all about the programme and their expectations – but this time, the placement was organised a bit hastily and I didn’t get a chance to visit previously. But he’s working with GEU (the Guatemalan Christian student group) –who have received striders in the past so have a good understanding of the requirements for a family – and as I talk with the family, I’m glad to discover that they made a great choice here for Joe. I explain a bit more about Latin Link and the way we work. Families are often worried that they haven’t got the right mod-cons for volunteers from Europe – or that they should cook things that the volunteers are more used to instead of traditional Guatemalan food. I reassure them that the idea of Stride is that the volunteers get to experience real Guatemalan life – so the family shouldn’t change anything – it’s the Striders responsibility to adapt to life here. (Sometimes that can be difficult to start with – but usually Striders enjoy seeing and eating the real thing! – and often end up stuffing as many tins of frijoles in their suitcases as they can when they go home)

During the conversation we also discover that Joy, one of the daughters of the family, is just graduating as a nutritionist and has been working on a UN project. I tell them about Hannah, another strider who’s also a nutritionist and developing a project in Zaragoza – but who has had trouble finding Guatemalan growth charts or information about how malnutrition is identified here. Joy offers to help – This might just be the connection that answers Hannah’s prayers.

4pm – I’m back on a bus – this time to San Pedro La Laguna, a bit of a detour on my way home.

6ish - As the bus negotiates the hairpin turns down the side of the mountain, I strain my neck to see the sun setting red behind the volcanoes on the other side of Lake Atitlan. It is incredibly beautiful, and makes me wish I was better as taking photos!

7pm – I arrive in San Pedro La Laguna and walk down the hill to the shore where my usual hostel is. On the way the smell of the coffee de-pulper hits me before I see it (think silage rather than roasted coffee). Many of the communities around the lake produce coffee and the chemical runoff from the de- pulping process is one of the causes of the blue-green algae that has plagued the Lake recently. But as I get to the hostel and glance over the pier, it looks like the algae has cleared significantly since I was last here – so I decide I’ll definitely try to get up for a quick swim tomorrow morning before meeting Jeanine for mentoring over breakfast.

7.30pm – I order some food at one of the lakeside restaurants and write a letter to a friend whilst I’m waiting. (Guatemalan culture does involve a fair bit of waiting – so I try to always have the odd postcard or bit of paper in my bag so that I can take advantage of the time and write to friends and supporters). One of the other good things about San Pedro (a bit of a hippy tourist town) is that several of the restaurants also show movies in the evening – so I settle down to watch before hitting the sack at the hostel.

A Day in the Life of a Latin Link Short Term Coordinator 1

2010-01-17T02:19:00.005Z

Lots of people ask me what my typical day is like. That's a question which is quite difficult to answer as my work isn't at all regular. But I've decided to write a few blogs over the next couple of months to describe my days which will hopefully give you a better idea of what I do.

When I first started this job in Guatemala, I moved into a 3 bedroom house. It's more space than I need, but I really wanted my home to be a place of refuge for the Steppers and Striders here - so I give the Striders keys to my house and they know that they are welcome to come whenever they need to crash out, or have a break from speaking Spanish all day, or just want a English cup of tea! I don't actually like tea -but everyone who comes out assumes that that's what I'm missing most from England -so I always have a good supply to provide comfort and solace to home-sick Striders! -- (Of course the Swiss Striders would be equally comforted if I had a good supply of Swiss chocolate!!!!!.......)

So anyway this first 'Day in the Life' is when I've got a fairly full house - there's 5 people here; 2 new Striders, who arrived earlier this week and are staying with me for their orientation this week, 2 'old' Striders who are around this weekend to help introduce the newbies to Guatemalan life.

Saturday 16th January 2010
7.30am

My alarm goes off - although I've been half aware of the buses going past since about 5.30am. I sit up in bed and read my Bible for a bit. I have a 'rota' of people I pray for regularly -- some days it's difficult but a few incidents recently have focused my mind more.

7.50am

I'm just thinking about getting up but listen to noises outside my room that tell me that someone else is in the bathroom. The noises get stranger -and more squeelier - and I can make out Anna (who is quite excitable at the best of times) saying "Amy, get up! You've got to come and look! There's poo in the shower!". So I get up and discover that there is in fact poo in the shower and that both the toilet and the shower are draining very very slowly.

I think that the newbies didn't quite believe me when I told them that the Guatemalan drainage system can't cope with toilet paper being flushed down the toilet. (It has to go in the bin instead.) I think they believe me now!

8am

So I've got dressed quickly and crossed the road to the local hardwear shop - thankfully it's open and I buy two bottles of the magic unblocker stuff (that worked when the toilet was blocked on Boxing Day) - thinking that it'll be a good idea to have a spare bottle in the cupboard. But in fact I need both bottles and the plunger to unblock the pipes and then bleach the shower.

9.30am

We all leave and get the bus to Antigua. As usual that means squishing 3 people to a seat. I sit next to Gina, one of the newbies and chat about some of her concerns about starting her work placement next week.

10am

We meet a few of the other 'oldies' on the outskirts of Antigua. We'd arranged to meet up for a day out so that the newbies can get to know the oldies -and Antigua. After waiting for Hannah, whose bus comes from the other direction and has had to walk across Antigua, we all walk to El Pilar. I walk with Amy and we chat about how her placement is going and the recent changes that they've experienced.

10.45am

we get to El Pilar, a nature reserve with a set of 3 swimming pools fed by fresh mountain spring water. Thankfully there's not many other people there (Guatemalans seem to think that the water is cold!) so we enjoy a nice couple of hours swimming, chatting, relaxing and sunbathing, then make our way back to Antigua for lunch.

3pm.

We all split up. Some go to the market in search of cheap trainers, others to show the newbies the important sites of Antigua (where they'll be studying Spanish from Monday) - ie the best internet cafes with skype! I get the bus back with (Swiss) Mirjam, who has a concert with her church youth group to go to, and Trish. I chat with Trish about how she's coping with her host family, and commuting from there to her work placement, about an hours journey across the city.

4pm

At home I check my emails and start to write to another Latin Link missionary with some of my thoughts after a meeting we had the previous day with the ministry she works with. .... but soon the others return to the house.

During the next couple of hours Anna uses the computer to transfer some Spanish songs she's learning from a CD onto her ipod, Amy uses it to check out the website of an organisation she wants to work for when she returns to the UK, Hannah skype chats with a friend who'll be visiting her next week, (German) Mirjam has a sleep upstairs, I make a carrot cake as I realise that the previous cake has mysteriously disappeared, and Gina and Maddie continue to question the others about their experiences. Hannah's story of saying the word 'fart' (pedo) every time she wants to say 'but' (pero) keeps them particularly entertained and everyone compares their ability to roll their r's.

7.30pm

Most of them go out to my church youth group - so I enjoy a bit of peace and quiet with Hannah.

9.30pm
They all return home excited about their youth group deciding to organise prayer pairs -to pray for each other throughout the week. We finish the evening with some luxuries -- eating cake and Minstrels (which the newbies brought over for the oldies) whilst watching a few episodes of Gavin and Stacey (from a parcel from some of Anna's friends!)

new year's eve 2009

2010-01-02T00:17:00.005Z

This year I spent New Years Eve with the Ortiz Family and some other friends. Every celebration in Guatemala is marked with fireworks. From near their house we could see all the fireworks from all over Guatemala City -- and of course had a few of our own to entertain us.

(Health and Safety doesn't exist in Guatemala!)

Christmas

2009-12-31T00:04:00.003Z

Christmas in Guatemala is actually celebrated on the evening of Dec 24th -- usually with a lot of fireworks. Everyone sets off fireworks in the evening and especially at midnight -- then they open presents and have a meal!!!

For most of the Striders, they celebrated in Guatemalan style with their host families and then came to my house to celebrate in British style on the 25th

Turkey and stuffing, Roast potatoes, brussels sprouts (but no parsnips! boo hoo!) -- and Crackers -thanks to my sister, Jen!!

Living Nativity

2009-12-20T02:28:00.003Z

Here in Guatemala, Christmas can be a bit of shock for Christians from overseas. Here the majority of the population are nominal Catholics. So churches and many shopping centres have very large nativity scenes -- although I've seen some that have replaced the shepherds and Wise Men with Reindeer and Santa Clause queueing up outside the stable. Many of the Catholic churches have vigils and processions.

On the other hand, many Evangelical / Protestant churches see the Christmas celebrations as too materialistic - or as having a too big a focus on Mary, that they decide not to celebrate Christmas at all.

It can be difficult to talk about the real story of Christmas in that atmosphere. But one of the projects where one of the Striders is working have taken on the challenge. Aulas Abiertas (Open Classrooms) is an educational project in Zaragoza, supporting children who are at risk of dropping out of school. This week they've held a kids holiday club, helping the children understand the real message of Christmas. The week culminated today with a performance of 'Living Bethlehem' in the town square of Zaragoza. The performance involved all the children who had attended the club this week, as well as live animals and a real baby - so definitely drew a crowd.

Habakkuk in the mountains

2009-12-16T16:56:00.002Z

Yesterday I went with a Guatemalan friend to visit some communities up in the mountains north of Tecpan. He has been working with these communities and churches for about 12 years - and remembers when you could only get there on a motorbike, (it was still difficult with a 4x4). It's also a place where there had been a lot of guerrilla activity during the 36years of civil war here. As a response the army murdered whole villages and burnt them to the ground. My friend pointed out where he knew there's a cladistine grave where many of these were dumped. Now many of these villages continue to live in extreme poverty -- with many divided families as a result of the war and work migration.

We met pastors in some of these villages -- one pastor who had had to sell his motorbike recently due to the economic crisis -- but who continued to visit and preach the revolutionary good news of Jesus in other villages -- walking 7 hours to one village where he knew the pastor was sick - to be with him and minister to his family.

We read some of Habakkuk together...

God, How long do I have to cry out for help before you listen?
How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!" before you come to my rescue?
Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day?
Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place.
Law and order fall to pieces.
Justice is a joke.
The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on it's head.
(Habakkuk 1: 1-4, The Message translation of the Bible)

This is definitely something that Guatemalans can relate to - recently there's been an increase in the number of lynchings -- one where a community stormed the police station where 2 people accused of being members of an gang that was extorting money from local businesses etc, were being held. The police and army took several hours to regain control of the situation, which ended with the 2 accused and one police officer dead and 2 police vehicles burnt out. The community says that although the police arrest criminals, within 2 or 3 days, they are often released and back threatening the community members. For them justice has definitely become a joke.

Habakkuk continues -talking of situations when crops fail and natural disasters happen -- all very close to home for these rural villages.

But we read on...
Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen
Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty,
I'm singing joyful praise to God.
I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Saviour God.
Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I'm king of the mountain!
(Habakkuk 3: 17-19 The Message translation of the Bible)

That's the response of so many Christians here -- choosing to look for God on the move in their communities and neighbourhoods -- choosing to rejoice in God's goodness in the midst of violence and disaster -- choosing to trust that God is building his reign in this place -and choosing to be a part of that hope rather than despair.

Sailing on the Marine Reserve of the Sapodilla Caye of Belize

2009-12-05T02:33:00.006Z

I've just come back from a weeks holiday with my sister onboard a sailing boat. It was incredible! We started off in Rio Dulce in Guatemala, then sailed down the river to Livingston on the coast.
Sunset over Rio Dulce.

Then we sailed out to the Barrier Reef of Belize -- the Marine Reserve of Sapodilla Caye. Incredibly clear waters....

... even with no land for miles around, the water was as shallow as 5 feet with pure white sand, where the coral grows. We saw loads of amazing fish, sting rays, star fish - (but no photos - sorry!)

The full moon over the boat was stunning.

This is Nicolas Island

The Captain and crew went snorkelling every day and caught enough fish and lobster and crab for us all.

Our fellow sailing companions ... the boys.... Joe, Odd and Angel.

.... and the girls....Cat, Rosie, Beth, Emma, Lina, Mareya and Jen.

..... and the Captain, Raul

Our boat --- from Livingston.

... and our cabin.....

Monterrico

2009-12-05T02:10:00.003Z

My sister Jen has been here visiting for 2 weeks - so we're been to a couple of new places. This is Monterrico on the Pacific coast, where it's REALLY hot and has lots of mosquitoes. Also great sunsets and turtles laying their eggs on the beach.

It is also on the edge of a nature reserve of swamp and river system, with lots of wildlife. My favourite was the Cuatrojos - which are fish with 4 eyes! They swim with 2 eyes above the water level and 2 eyes below it. Then they fly / skim across the surface of the water -- too fast to get a photo!

Nicaragua

2009-11-09T02:28:00.002Z

I'm just back from a week in Nicaragua with Lukas and Barbara -- was great to see the little team there and chat about developing short term work there.

lake Nicaragua -- just at the end of the road where Lukas and Barbara live -- unfortunately very dirty and full of rubbish.

But this Laguna el Apoyo was gorgeous - with really clear water.

But still great sun sets

2009-10-31T01:25:00.002Z

There's not much that puts me off swimming but......

2009-10-30T17:59:00.006Z

I'm here again in San Pedro La Laguna - my favourite place for swimming - on Lake Atitlan -- but this week, the lake has filled up with green/brown sludgey stuff. Apparently it's a algae -- the result of years of contamination from chemical fertiliser and raw sewage ending up in the Lake. I'm told that it doesn't have much affect in small amounts, but has grown over the years - and this week all the algae -which normally lives happily at the bottom, has died and floated to the top. 'Experts' have actually been warning this might happen for several years -- especially as it has actually happened before -to Lake Amatitlan about 10 years ago. Why don't we ever learn??

Lots of people in the lake communities are trying to 'clean' it - using makeshift sieves or filters made from net curtains or sackcloth - but this only deals with the symptom not the cause, and even if it did work - you'd need a lot more people cleaning - considering the size of the lake! It's really sad to see - as Lake Atitlan is such a beautiful place, but now the water is seriously contaminated, it may take several years or even decades to sort it out -- and that's if the government and local authorities put water treatment works in place and change the local culture of putting rubbish in the lake. It makes me sad!

Strider training day

2009-10-28T19:12:00.002Z

Last week we enjoyed a couple of days of training for the Striders. Rodolfo led a session about the history of Guatemala and about the church here. We also looked at our cultural preconceptions and how to work within a multicultural team, as well as thinking about the things we can do in order to grow spiritually in an unknown situation or church. It was great to share each others experiences in this.

Of course having 12 people in the house was also a good excuse to make proper British puddings and cakes!!!

Xela

2009-10-17T23:47:00.002+01:00

This week I've been to San Pablo San Marcos -- almost to the border with Mexico - visiting some projects there -- but I took advantage of the trip and stayed in Xela for a couple of nights. Xela is actually the nickname for Quetzaltenango - which is a colonial city in the mountains. Yesterday I went to some nearby hot springs / sulphur baths -- to relax. It's in an incredible setting -surrounded by a wall of ferns and shrubs - where the water emerges seriously hot!

More new Striders -and a new swimming pool

2009-10-11T01:19:00.004+01:00

This week I've been entertaining new Striders, Mirjam and Kathrin from Germany.

Today we met up with some of the others and discovered a swimming pool about 30minutes walk outside of Antigua. It's part of a nature reserve that's only just starting to be developed, but the pools are filled from the spring water from the mountains behind. It was great (although the others seemed to enjoy the water for slightly less time than I did!). Apparently further up the path, there's lots of wild life to see and great views over Antigua -- next time we'll venture up there!.

Quote of the day: "Oh no, I forgot pants!"

This years new Strider (first installment anyway!)

2009-09-21T18:20:00.003+01:00

(Mirjam, Jeanine, Alison, Hannah, Amy and Anna)

I've had a house full of new Striders over the last week - which is always fun -- this time with a mix of languages - English, Swiss German and Spanish! It's been great to have a bit of time to get to know them and answer all their questions about Guatemala (and Honduras) and their placements. We also had some fun -- we walked up to a park near my house and played! And Amy managed to turn herself green from the dye from her new purchase!!

Most of them are now starting their spanish classes - and I'm taking Jeanine up to Lake Atitlan this afternoon for her project.

Independence Day

2009-09-16T02:47:00.003+01:00

Today is independence day for Guatemala (and Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica!). Here the celebrations last most of September. There's lots of processions of marching bands (actually most of the 'bands' are just drums and xylophones). Each school has a band (in fact as far as I can tell most of the school is involved in it) and it's an issue of school pride when they compete with other schools in long processions around their area. Yesterday when I saw a real procession, I realised that some of the bands are actually quite good -- which hadn't occurred to me, having listened to the 2 schools near my house practice every night (and more recently early mornings too) for the last 4 months. (I'd like to suggest that they keep practicing -- but please not near my house!!)

The other way that people celebrate Independence is with an 'Antorcha' - a kind of fun run - but with people taking it in turns to carry the 'antorcha' (think Olympic flame!). It seems like every school or business or club organises their own antorcha - so over the last couple of weeks, the roads are often held up as the traffic follows the antorcha. Often there's a bunch of people running behind the antorcha, and then a bus behind them allowing 'runners' to jump on and off the bus whenever they get tired.

And of course there's always firecrackers at dawn and bangers and fireworks in the evening!

Stride Placement Training Day

2009-09-13T00:58:00.003+01:00

I've just come back from the training day that I ran for everyone involved in a Stride placement. Each Strider (volunteer for 6months -2 years) has a mentor, a host family and someone at their work placement who supervises their work. Today was a chance to get all those people together for the 9 Striders who will be arriving over the next month, to think about the culture shock that they might encounter and what we can do to help, and to pray for each other in our roles as well as for the Striders.

It was a really positive day - with lots of fun activities as well as discussion and prayer. And hope that it was useful for everyone that came.

Jaco Beach with Sonja and Bernhard

2009-08-22T05:05:00.001+01:00

Arty farty

2009-08-06T00:57:00.003+01:00

Revelation 4

Another step team -another trip to Lake Atitlan

2009-07-31T22:16:00.003+01:00

I took this toybox team to Lake Atitlan at the weekend -- always a great place to relax. Unfortunately this time, one of them got robbed and another twisted his knee amongst the rocks! But everyone survived to tell the tale!

Honduras - Politics and news

2009-07-16T00:50:00.002+01:00

so Honduras has been in the news recently - with the 'military coup' that occured on Sunday 28th June. If you read the international news, it'll tell you that most of the countries around the world have condemned the military action which removed President Zelaya from office and from the country, and have made various calls for him to be re-instated in Honduras, sometimes backed up by threats to remove aid, or send troops to ensure his return.

Unfortunately what the news doesn't say -- or it seems, what other countries haven't taken into account is the back story, everything that happened to lead to this point -- and how the Honduran Constitution actually allows for this action in response to the President breaking the same constitution, as he has been accused of. Many people in Honduras would argue that this wasn't a military coup. Although it was the army who removed Zelaya from the Presidential Palace, they were acting under the direction of the Supreme Court and Congress, in accordance with the constitution. The military never attempted to put a military leader in place, and it was the Supreme Court and Congress who swore in the interim President and government.

Although the international community is calling for a 'return to democracy', many people within Honduras see the actions so far as exactly that -- in the removal of a President who thought himself above the law and acted against the constitution.

But it makes you think -- if the international media (and governments around the world) are only prepared to accept one interpretation of events in this case -- how many other global 'stories' have I accepted and never been given the opportunity to see the other side (regardless of which newspaper I choose to read.) Scary!

Holiday with Spring step team

2009-07-13T04:01:00.007+01:00

So the step team have finished their project and spent a bit of time with me for their holiday.
We went up to Panajachel on Lake Atitlan for a bit of chilaxing!

Full moon - always brings out the best in step teams!!!!!!!!

The Extreme Cables course at the Nature Reserve was incredible!!

We arrived at our hostel to discover that not only did we have TV's in the rooms -- but also that the Wimbledon final was on!!!

More step team shenanigans

2009-07-01T18:31:00.004+01:00

Well the step team are just finishing their project at GEU (Grupo Evangelico Universitario) in Guatemala City..... and they've had great fun along the way. Last weekend, GEU took the team to Iximche -- some Mayan ruins near Tecpan -- it was a great day of just having fun and hanging out with friends.

They invited me to Katy's birthday. Whenever a team member has a birthday, they get to make 10 birthday wishes which the rest of the team attempt to fulfil. One of Katy's wishes was to have a primary school style Disco. When I heard this I was thinking of the early 80's -- until I realised that most of them hadn't even been born in the 80's and that it was more like 2000 that they were leaving primary school! Anyway the disco was great - complete with decorations, glitter makeup and cheesy songs.

step weekend at my house

2009-06-10T01:40:00.004+01:00

This weekend, the step team have come to stay at my house -- a bit of a squish - but all good fun!...

We had a day out at the Ecological Park at the top of the hill.....

where the whole team demonstrated their maturity!

but we generally spend quality time relaxing, and chilling out

.....and maybe a bit of reliving childhood!

It's been really cool to have them to stay - even though they have eaten everything in the entire house!- but then they did make up for it with flowers so I forgive them!

San Juan La Laguna (Ami San Lucas)

2009-05-27T22:09:00.004+01:00

Whilst up at the lake I also got the chance to revisit Ami San Lucas- a project working with rural communities in health education and community development. On my previous visit, I had met some of the health promotors that they had trained. This time, they showed me a small garden that they have started with the health promotors -- they are just receiving training in the use of medicinal plants and want to be able to produce their own, so that they are able to sustain the help that they give ther communities.

I was also able to catch up with some of the staff - who during my last visit were just starting a project to help communities plan their response to nature disasters and emergencies. They are coming to the end of this project now - with 5 communities having been trained and

drawn up emergency plans. This will make a huge difference when earthquakes or hurricanes occur as many of the communities and far away from any emergency response that the government could provide. It's such a breathtaking experience to visit these communities - travelling up and down and around the mountains on hair pin turns and steep slopes -- but I know that these are exactly the thing that makes these communities at high risk from natural disasters and the hardest to reach, when something does happen. Enabling communities to assess their risk and respond to emergencies themselves is such valuable work.

San Pedro La Laguna

2009-05-27T21:21:00.004+01:00

The last couple of days I've been in San Pedro La Laguna - on the shores of Lake Atitlan. I was visiting the 1st Baptist church of San Pedro, and their medical clinic.

The church is in a fantastic location with great views of the lake all around.

It's not a rich church, but has just found itself reaching out to people in their need - when Hurricane Stan struck a few years ago, the church was used as a refuge for many families from neighbouring towns and villages who had lost their homes.

About 7 years ago, they started 'El Buen Pastor' (the good shepherd) Clinic, with the help of a couple from Spain who were both Doctors. The clinic is very well equiped, much better than most of the government facilities in the area, and has a lab and pharmacy on site.

They have room for 2 or 3 consultations at the same time, as well as a labour clinic/ward.

They also have a minor surgery.

But unfortunately the Spanish couple had to return to Spain suddenly and the clinic is left understaffed by Doctors. They have a number of nurses and midwifes - but no full time doctor. - A doctor from another Christian project in San Juan La Laguna is helping out at the moment but can't do that indefinitely. So they are looking for more long term help - so that they can fulfill their vision of serving their community.

Step in Guatemala

2009-05-27T21:11:00.003+01:00

So the Spring Step tema have arrived in Guatemala. For the next 2 months they will be working with GEU (The University Christian Union) - making some repairs to the headquarters and student residence, and helping out with small group bible studies and evangelistic activities on campus. During their first week, Andy from the UK office was visiting - bringing gifts of chocolates and newspaper (the chocolate didn't last long enough to be photographed!!).

- They've been on a fairly strict budget so far, so were very pleased when he also took them out for a meal.

-- and another day having fun on the swings and seesaws! Who says Step teams aren't mature and responsible adults???????

Strider Goodbyes

2009-05-10T03:51:00.004+01:00

This morning we said goodbye to Jo, Matt and Cat.

Yesterday we went to EarthLodge (yes it is as hippy as it sounds!) to relax and evaluate their time here.

It's a fantastic place -- with a great view out of the window of the organic loo!

Steppers leave Honduras

2009-05-09T20:59:00.004+01:00

I was in tegucigalpa for the step teams last weekend - there were lots of hugs and tears as the team said goodbye to everyone they'd got to know.