Mission to share with the Presbytery the nature and need for the
Guatemala mission efforts and to encourage support for the
mission work both financially and with mission team
participation.
to learn and experience in the church and communities [of
the K’anhab’al Presbytery] their needs and challenges and
history. To discover more of our connection from the
Presbytery of Cincinnati with the K’anhab’al people.
endorsed as congregational mission
partnership Jul08
re-endorsed as mission network Nov11
2011 Annual Report
In our preparation for the November 2011 Mission trip to the
K’anhab’al Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian of
Guatemala (IEPNG), we applied for and received approval for
a new Presbytery network of churches and individuals focused
on the mission partnership with our sister presbytery
centered in San Juan Ixcoy, Guatemala. The recognition of
this mission work as a network provides us with means of
developing and sustaining the relationship, and it means
that any church or members of churches can get on board and
be involved in the work of this partnership opportunity.
The November 2011 trip involved 11 members and pastors from
6 of our presbyteries churches, Calvary, College Hill,
Kennedy Heights, Sycamore, Westwood First, and Williamsburg.
Members of the two presbyteries exchange
gifts
As background, Presbyterians have learned to do mission in
partnership with one another cross culturally. Our
partnership relationship with the K’anhab’al Presbytery in
Guatemala was initiated when two churches, Mt. Washington
and Fort Thomas, determined to follow the lead of Associate
Pastor Kathy Anderson of Mt. Washington searching out an
opportunity for a group with which to do mission in Central
America. The first trip to the K’anhab’al in Guatemala was
before 2000! One of the key learning opportunities is to
understand how the K’anhab’al Presbyterians have led in
holistic ministry in their community. This partnership has
been instrumental in developing our leadership for the
churches that have participated. The poster example is
Reading Lockland PC. From their support of two members
participating in a Guatemala mission trip, the leaders in
the church became convinced that they could be more active
in the local community. They are truly reaching out, much as
they learned the K’anhab’al sisters and brothers have
modeled for them.
While our project planned for the November trip was to add
an addition to the school/office building we have worked on
during previous trips, this was an educational opportunity
for those involved. Not only did we work on the preparing
the ground for installation of the office addition to the
new presbytery building, but we had the opportunity to visit
three of the rural churches of the presbytery; Bethlehem,
Gethsemane, and Gate of Heaven. Each was a unique experience
that helped us appreciate the life, faith, and ministry of
the K’anhab’al people.
The team must move dirt before mixing
concrete for the office foundation
The Gate of Heaven Church through the
clouds. This church is at an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet
above sea level. Compared to the central church of the
Redeemer, in San Juan Ixcoy, Guatemala, which is about 7,500
feet above sea level.
As we look forward into 2012, we need to respond to the
identified needs for the partnership. Foremost among these
are to respond to the request from the K’anhab’al to renew
the written covenant, and to establish a connection with
other organizations within the Cincinnati Presbytery.
There is a real opportunity to be involved, so look forward
to what the Lord may have in store for you.
Photos from the 2008 trip to Guatemala
Hosts welcome Cincinnati visitors with
special version of the PC(USA) seal
Women teach one another to use all the
features on new sewing machines
Health promoters explain their use of
herbs to ease pain and heal burns
Darla Renner and Harold Rogg move blocks
so a new floor can be installed
Patrona Batista feeds over 35 work team
members from her kitchen
