Thursday, August 22, 2019

WRITTEN BY KIM BECKER

This is my 4th trip to Guatemala in 12 years. I sit hear and ponder the changes I have seen. In 12 years I have seen the Lutheran Center grow from one building that was the home and office of Lutheran church leadership to include a guesthouse for us, a kitchen for us, a chapel, classrooms, a home/school for young girls and now new offices. I have seen the staff of the ILAG (Lutheran church of Guatemala) change and evolve from a focus on recovery from 30 year civil war to focus on empowering women to be voices in their community, to respecting and honoring each other and to growing their faith. I have seen women who it took days to get them to smile and play, now only take hours. I have seen the grade school of ILAG flourish and marvel at the quality of education they are able to provide children in cramped quarters on a tight budget. These kids would not otherwise probably be going to school.

Life in Guatemala is hard but I do see progress, which to me is one of the values in repeat visits. I also am thankful to see new things through the eyes of my travel companions who are here for the 1st time. Word of the day for me is change. One thing that has not changed is the overwhelming hospitality of the ILAG staff and the people I meet in Guatemala.