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.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
T-shirts and shoes!! (Swim challenge Update)
Thanks for all your donations so far. I completed the Escape from Alcatraz swim in September - and now I'm in the process of passing on your donations to El Barrio 4 Christ. The money is going to be used for some job creation projects, which I was able to visit yesterday. About 6 months ago, El Barrio 4 Christ set up a sewing project. They were able to buy some professional sewing machines, rent a workshop space and with 6 ex gang members have started sewing t-shirts and simple clothes that they can sell. Even though nobody knew how to sew at the beginning, they have learnt, got themselves established and work happily in a little production line. It has given all of them a new start and a real opportunity to support themselves.
Now, El Barrio 4 Christ, is in the process of setting up a shoe workshop. They have 2 people (both ex-gang members) who already know how to make shoes. They've been able to buy some essential tools and start work in their own home. The next stage is looking for a workshop space to rent, so these 2 can teach other ex-gang members the trade, and hopefully have a shop front as well so they can sell shoes directly to the public and increase their profit margin. This is what your donations will be used for. Giving gang members a second chance.
You still have chance to give (to the end of December) at www.justgiving.com/suzanne-escapes-from-alcatraz.
Thanks for all your support.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
World evangelicals in Guatemala
This morning I went to a Forum organised by the Guatemalan delegation for the Third Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization. The Congress was held in Cape Town, South Africa last month. Today the delegation shared their reflections and feedback with other leaders and pastors as we considered the implications for the church in Guatemala. It was really encouraging to hear Guatemalan pastors recognise the need to focus on discipleship, and in deepening the understanding and faith of Guatemalan Christians.
Another theme that many of the delegates mentioned was that of 'Integrality'. That's in terms of the local church understanding its' mission to reach those 'unreached' people in their own communities, not just in far off countries. And its in confronting the complete (spiritual, emotional, social, physical) needs of their own communities rather than preaching a limited (and weak) gospel of individual salvation.
Another issue was unity in the national church, which is a huge counter cultural challenge. In Guatemala the common style of leadership is one of 'strong' one man show, with no room for discussion or disagreement. For churches and leaders to work in real unity, requires leaving aside personal ambitions and agendas in order to work behind a common goal.
Although there are huge challenges in the church in Guatemala, it's really encouraging to see leaders recognising the issues, and working out ways to address them.
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.
Friday, 26 November 2010
Hermit crabs and Surfers
Yesterday I came back from El Salvador where I spent a week learning to surf (and generally chilling out on the beach). It was great to have a real relaxing holiday with nothing to do except watch the sunrise from my bed, collect shells at low tide, lie in a hammock and watch the real surfers do their stuff.
So it got me thinking about a few things. A couple of times I was just sat on the beach enjoying the peace and quiet, when I noticed that there was all sorts of movement going on around me.
The hermit crabs were on the move!
Hermit crabs are those tiny crabs, who live under a shell, and then scuttle around going about their business (collecting something or other, going to the supermarket, visiting other hermit crabs maybe ??). But as soon as I moved even a tiny bit, they drop their shells and pretend they're just an empty shell ("nothing to see here"). It's like they think that they can only do anything or make progress if no-one else is watching, regardless if they are friend or foe.
Surfers on the other hand have a very different way of making progress. To even get out to the right place to catch a wave, they need to paddle out to sea. But on that journey, they are confronted by wave after wave of water that has the capacity to drive them backwards, or toss them about in the surf. But instead of trying to look inconspicuous like the hermit crabs, the surfers take all this in their stride (or stroke). When a wave is coming towards them, they dive directly under it and through it. As long as they are 'straight', with their purpose clear, then they won't be pushed off course or delayed in their journey.
Makes you think.
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.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
life without proof
I've just come back from Ecuador - where I spent a good weekend with the Latin Link team there. I was tempted to change teams -- as they held their annual conference at a centre with a swimming pool fed by hot spring water! A swim really is the best way to start the day -- but I don't often get chance to do that in Guatemala so it was a great luxury for me.
I then spent another week exploring a bit of Ecuador - but mostly Quito, the capital city. As it is Ecuador I took the opportunity to visit 'El Mitad del Mundo' (the middle of the world) where the line of the equator passes through. I did the tourist thing of standing with one foot in the Northern hemisphere and the other in the southern (although disappointingly I've since been told that the tourist site isn't actually on the real equator!).
Quito seems like a really nice city - with several large open parks (another luxury after Guatemala) and safe to walk around. I also climbed the 78m to the top of the tower of the Basilica (which is even more of an effort when you consider that Quito is at an altitude of 2800m above sea level to start with!)
But at the top of the tower, looking out at the amazing views over the city and the surrounding mountains, I got to thinking.....
As I was travelling alone and without a camera, does all this really exist?, have I really been here and experienced these things? I haven't got any photos to prove that I've been here. As I was looking at a view of the city framed by a stone look out from the top of the tower - I thought how great a photo it would make -- rather than just appreciating it for the beauty it holds for me in that moment. So much of our lives these days are only validated once we've uploaded photos onto facebook - or at least written a status about it. Somehow we have a need to provide proof of the life that we have lived. And most of the time, our photos don't chronicle great adventures or momentous experiences - but rather just us spending time with friends and family -- who all immediately want to review the photos taken, on the screen of the camera - like an instant nostalgia, rather than really capturing a moment for the future.
So being without a camera recently has been a bit of a revelation. An encouragement to just enjoy each moment, and each view, for what it is, the beauty that is always around us if we choose to see it -- and to be content to just be.
P.S. Then I climbed down the tower and bought a couple of postcards, just to prove that I'd been there! Maybe 'just being' takes a bit of getting used to!
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!
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Alcatraz Escape
So here's the photographic evidence that we did it!!!!!
With the Golden Gate bridge in the background!
we 'landed' on the rocks just below where I'm standing - so you can see how far we came!
View from the Golden Gate bridge -- Alcatraz is the island on the left, we swam from there to the far right of the photo.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
choppy seas
Today I escaped from Alcatraz. It's the infamous prison island in the San Francisco Bay. It's surrounded by cold waters with strong currents and various 'wildlife' (that's open water swimmer code for sharks!) that might threaten any escape attempt. Today I succeeded in an escape, in spite of very choppy seas. Our guide was Gary - or Mr Alcatraz as he has become know as he has swam this stretch of water over 700 times. After the swim, he told us that the sea was very choppy and if this was any official swim event, then it would have been canceled due to the poor conditions, but because we were well used to the cold temperatures, and were looking strong and steady in the choppy waters, he let us continue.
And it occurs to me that that's a bit like life. I am often in 'choppy' situations, when every time I lift my head up to breath, the only thing I can see is another wave coming towards me. Or when I think it has passed, another one takes me by surprise. Occasionally I get a whole mouthful of water, that puts me off my stroke, and makes me wonder if the guy on the safety boat is even watching as I struggle to continue. But he is. Somehow he sees a strength in my stroke that I don't recognise, and he lets me continue to the finish line, which he sees so much clearer than me.
And recently it's seemed like my life has been more choppy waters than calm seas, but maybe by accepting that fact, we are calmer and stronger in facing the waves that inevitably come. Maybe acknowledging that life will be full of struggles and challenges is the first and biggest step in dealing with them. And knowing that the guy in the safety boat IS most definitely watching gives me a peace that means I don't need to be able to see the finish point all the time. Sometimes I only get glimpses of it, as a wave momentarily subsides, but it is always in his view. And I can trust him.
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.
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