Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Colors of Hope: The Guatemala Project's Lifeline for Mayan Communities

 

Last updated 11/29/2024 at 2:52pm

As the organist fills the sanctuary with a powerful ballad to signal the conclusion of worship, the echoes of each note resonate on church patios around the world. The closing message of the sermon permeates through the church, bridging the sacred and the communal: "from the world of the many (congregation), to the world of the one (God)." Whispers of excitement and friendly greetings fill the air as congregants leave the pews, bulletins in hand, ready to embrace another Sunday afternoon.

Upon stepping outside, the congregation and community visitors are greeted by a vibrant array of tables on the church green, adorned with artwork, crafts, and goods. These tables, managed by the inviting smiles of the Guatemala Project volunteers, showcased the beautiful creations of indigenous artisans. "The colors and crafts are as vibrant today as they were in the 90s, when I first saw them", says Pastor Mateo Mamea. "When Ruth called Borrego Springs Community United Methodist Church to ask if we would host the event, we eagerly jumped at the opportunity and said yes."

Here, the community came together, not just to admire the intricate handiwork but also to support the mission of the Guatemala Project. By purchasing these artisanal goods, supporters were able to aid efforts to provide better living conditions and educational resources in Guatemala. Ruth further explains...

"The Guatemala Project strives to serve indigenous Mayan people living in the highlands of Guatemala. Mission teams travel to install healthier fuel-efficient, wood-burning stoves with flues through the ceiling in residents' homes where they have been burning large logs on the floors of their adobe homes without ventilation. We also work on various construction projects for schools, homes, and clinics. The Project also supports local artisans by bringing their crafts to southern California to sell at local churches, which helps finance the purchase of stoves and construction materials for the next trip.

The Guatemala Project also has an active scholarship program. Although tuition is not required, many children could not afford to buy school supplies or shoes to attend. We provide those.

Our third objective is changing the lives of those on our team.

Our priorities certainly make that change!

Please call our director, Carolyn Ingram at (619) 857-9932 for more information."

Although much information about The Guatemala Project can be found on their website at http://www.sdguatemalaproject.org, it's important to highlight the exceptional care and dedication that regional representatives, Ruth and Carolyn, bring to every aspect of their work. They organize, present, and even set up tables to sell goods that fund their ministry in Guatemala. This past Sunday, we heard Carolyn's moving testimony from a previous trip, which is also available on the church's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT1NX6KHAbg.

When asked about the people of Borrego Springs, Ruth O'Neil shared: "It was so wonderful. It was the best sale we have ever had!!! What generous people!!!!" We couldn't agree more; the generosity and support of our community truly make a difference. Learn more about this and other ministries at http://www.borregospringscommunityumc.org/ or call (760)767-5596.

 
 
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