Walking with the poor - notes from the field

MISSION AWARENESS TRIP TO GUATEMALA
August 4-11, 2007

'We are not here by coincidence'

Jorge Armas Montes directs the most extensive CFCA program in the world—some 82,000 sponsored. I have the privilege of working with and living with Jorge in our San Lucas community.

Lily dancing with the children. The guipil (blouse) Lily is wearing was woven for her by Juana, mother of Sulmy.

"To live the experience of CFCA is really marvelous," said Jorge. "We are not here by coincidence. God gives us the grace to be instruments to build a community of love on this earth. The Lord invites us to bring the Gospel to life by living the values of CFCA. In my work as coordinator of the Hermano Pedro project, I have the opportunity to visit sponsored families in some of the most remote corners of my country … the journeys in these remote areas can be challenging. Yet all the difficulties disappear in the sincere and honest smiles of the sponsored families."

A moving testimony

At CFCA we endeavor to present the most positive side of God’s humble people, focusing on dignity and potential, and avoiding shock treatment on our sponsors and visitors. But I invite you to brace yourself and read on.

The arrival of Miriam and Jim Wallie in San Lucas is a joyful experience.

We were honored to receive the following testimony from a sponsored family on the very first morning of the Mission Awareness Trip. (Names have been changed to protect the family’s safety):

Life was hard when the mother, Ana, was a child in rural Alta Verapaz ... so hard that the family was forced to move into the urban unknown of the capital city. In their need for shelter, Ana’s family became part of an invasion area on one of the steep ravines beneath the Incienso Bridge of Guatemala City. Teenager Ana met teenager Juan and they became parents of two children. Five years ago, Juan took off and hasn’t been heard from since. Ana, daughter Maria and baby Gabriella were left alone and vulnerable in the harshness of that ravine. Ana was determined to help her two girls go to school. Working hard on a good day, she could earn between $3 and $4 washing "ajeno" (other people's) clothes.

Joan greets the Father of Jakelyn. Jakelyn is behind her Dad.

Each mission awareness group a gift

I marvel at the depth of goodness in the hearts of our sponsors. Just this week, they have sponsored a total of 10 new children. In addition, this group has requested a total of 94 child folders to show other potential sponsors. Please remember their advocacy efforts in prayer.

Cristina and I left sponsors at the new Guatemala airport and boarded our Copa flight for Managua. God willing, we’ll be in touch from Nicaragua. God’s blessing.

Bob Hentzen
Guatemala
July 28, 2007—Anniversary of Martyrdom of Father Stan Rother in Guatemala in 1981

Sponsor a child in Guatemala

Read the notes from other mission awareness trips