Word & Deed: Focus on Guatemala

Natural Disasters in Gautemala

2010-10-16T14:02:00.000-04:00

By Ken Herfst

After enjoying a few months on study leave in Canada, I returned to Guatemala at the beginning of June, delayed because of the closure of Guatemala’s only international airport. Volcano Pacaya had erupted, covering much of central Guatemala with ash and fine, black gravel. Molten rock heavily damaged houses in the immediate area. Thankfully, sugar plantations and other private institutions in the area have cooperated with the government to provide roofing for the affected families.

That same weekend, Hurricane Agatha descended on Guatemala from the Pacific Ocean. Coastal towns, like Champerico (where Restoration House project is located), were hit with high winds and flooding. Further up the mountain, houses in Zunil were flipped over by the torrents of water. Once again, Quetzaltenango was flooded in low-lying areas, and numerous families were evacuated. Bethel Presbyterian Church members, and where I am a member, again responded and opened the church building as a shelter. Only a few days later, Hurricane Alex brought intense rain from the Atlantic side. Bridges, roads and homes were affected in a number of areas. In accessible or more populated areas, the government has helped rebuild homes. In more remote areas, poor families continue to be neglected.

As a semi-tropical country, Guatemala is used to rain. In fact, we have only two seasons: the rainy season (May to October), and the dry season (November to April). Heavy rains are part of the cycle and essential for agriculture. After months of dust, the coming of the rains is certainly welcome! However, the amount of rain which usually falls during an entire year in the province of Retalhuleu fell in about three days. Consistent high moisture levels continue to contribute to mudslides in the highlands.

More than a month later, traffic to Guatemala City is still often disrupted by sudden landslides.

These kinds of natural disasters highlight the precariousness of our infrastructure and the vulnerability of the population. The small-scale farmers that make up the largest percentage of Guatemala’s rural population are hard working. Many acquire loans prior to planting season to purchase seed and fertilizers. In some areas, the combination of wind and rain flattened corn crops. No one has crop insurance. At Asociación SAQ B’E (a Word & Deed partner), long-term development with solutions that respond to causes, not just symptoms, is one of our goals. However, recurring natural disasters continue to challenge development programs and repeatedly put us back to square one. Add social tensions and violence, and one can be overwhelmed by the challenges.

Nevertheless, we move forward in dependence upon the LORD. The needs are so big and diverse that we as an association need to limit our area of action. Usually, we listen to cries for help from those who fall between the cracks, from isolated families who don’t make it onto the government’s radar screen. One of our projects focuses on reforestation. We also continue to explore alternative sources of income so that people do not need to rely on agriculture as their only income. More importantly, wherever possible, we work with local churches so that spiritual encouragement is part of the solution.

Volcanoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes remind us of our total dependence upon our Creator. A biblical appreciation for the doctrine of providence encourages us to be thankful in times of blessing and patient in times of adversity. As we walk with those whose lives are affected by such disasters and share their pain and disappointment in a way that reflects the compassion of Christ, we trust that even these clouds have silver linings.

Rev. Ken Herfst teaches at the Seminario Evangélico Presbiteriano of Guatemala. He is also the president of Asociación SAQ B’E. In partnership with Word & Deed, this association seeks to bring about lasting solutions to the problems facing the poor in Western Guatemala.

Blessings Abound at AMG Guatemala

2010-06-12T09:05:00.001-04:00

By Rick Postma

On a recent trip to Guatemala, I had the privilege of meeting Brian Dennett, the Director of AMG (Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel) Guatemala, and members of his team. AMG Guatemala has 550 employees with numerous projects, including Christian schools, daycares, a year-round camp, two clinics, and a rural hospital.

Many employees at AMG Guatemala are graduates from their own Christian schools and daycares. Once they were impoverished children facing numerous, almost insurmountable, barriers, and today they serve the Lord by bringing hope into the lives of children just like they once were. Many of them are now in leadership positions at AMG Guatemala. This alone is a strong indicator of the success that AMG Guatemala has had over the years under God’s gracious provision and blessing.

AMG Guatemala representatives and the board of La Palabra Christian School

According to AMG Guatemala, of the 40 million indigenous peoples in Latin America, 90% live in poverty and the majority of these (Mayans) live in Guatemala. In addition, 50% of the population in Guatemala is under the age of 16. Many children are forced to work to support their families. As we drive along the roads of Guatemala, for example, it is not uncommon to see young children pulling large rocks and hammering them into piles of gravel which can be sold to passersby.

After a three-and-a-half hour drive from Guatemala City, we arrive in Monjas (mon-HAAS) to visit the La Palabra Christian School. (La Palabra is Spanish for “The Word.”) In the AMG van with us are Brian Dennett, Ruth Rodriguez (Director of Education) and Estuardo Diaz (Area Supervisor for rural projects and Driver). Joining me on the trip are Pastor Pieter VanderMeyden, Nico Kattenberg, and Ken VanMinnen, who are involved in Free Reformed Missions projects in another part of Guatemala.

During the drive to Monjas, Brian tells us that AMG Guatemala has undergone an organizational capacity assessment at Word & Deed Holland’s request (its major donor) from experts at US AID. This involved a visit from US AID analysts lasting several weeks and a lot of work. While the average organizational score is 2.4 out of 4, AMG Guatemala scored an excellent 3.5 out of 4. Areas covered included staff capacity, financial tracking, and project planning. This is encouraging news, reinforcing our impression of AMG Guatemala as not only a Gospel-focused partner, but also a very professional one. (CDA, our partner in Colombia, has achieved the same rating!)

Students making a presentation

The La Palabra school building is located in a rundown building next to an evangelical church. This church began the school to equip its children with a Christian worldview, and to reach out to poor children living just outside of town. The school has 270 elementary students and 70 high school students. Of these, 20% are from the church and the remainder from the community. Word & Deed provides funding for 140 of the children in elementary school – these are children from the poor communities outside of town. Of these, 123 have been sponsored. Please help us sponsor the remaining 17 (see pictures accompanying this article)! The rest of the children are supported by their parents or members of the community. The sponsor children and non-sponsor children get along very well. The children of the church are very supportive of the vision of the church and do their best to encourage and befriend the children from the poorer areas.

We tour the classrooms, which are rundown, and interact with the students a little. They are well-behaved and study the normal range of subjects. We then gather in the church, where we hear the students sing, are thanked by the Pastor, and receive a small gift. A mother comes to the front with her daughter (see picture) and tearfully tells us how the school has not only provided a Christian education for her daughter but how they also helped save her daughter’s life from pneumonia. The school provided medical assistance, friendship, and counsel. (We learn later that the girl is the sponsor child of Pastor VanderMeyden’s daughter and son-in-law. Clearly the Lord is here – out of 110 children sponsored, the only one linked to our group has come forward to speak to us.)

Mother and child who addressed us

I tell the teachers and students of the sponsors’ prayers for them, that they not only grow in the knowledge of God’s creation but also in God Himself and that they may know Him as their Lord and Savior. What a privilege it is for me to be part of a ministry which impacts so many lives!

After lunch and a walk (which involves Ken and I clinging to a broken wire bridge 15 feet above a rocky stream), we meet the local leaders. Pastor Eduardo and the school’s leadership team – Alvaro Orellana (Director of Education for the school) and Claudia Contreras (Director of Administration) are clearly very motivated to bring the Gospel as well as a high quality education to their students. They inform us that they have been recently rated by the government as the number one school in their district (of 32 schools). Their vision is a hope to be instrumental in bringing many to Christ and to have a new school with 800 students in five years.

I explain that Word & Deed and AMG are impressed with their passion and self-motivation. The last thing we want to do is to take that away – this is their project. They need to continue to be the driving force with AMG/W&D supplementing. Over time, we hope to be able to withdraw so that they can stand on their own. They seem to understand and appreciate this.

The church and community support for the school is encouraging – two members of the community have donated land for a new school. In a few years, in partnership with the church and community, we hope to build a new Christian school in Monjas. For that to become a reality, we need God’s continued blessing on this project and his gracious provision for the future. Please pray with us that all these children will come to know their Lord as Father and that their faith will be strengthened so that they too will be able to be faithful mothers and fathers, husbands and wives. Perhaps they may even work for AMG Guatemala as instruments in the Redeemer’s hands to bring even more children to a loving and welcoming Savior.

Rick Postma is Director of Public relations for Word & Deed Ministries and Project Manager for Guatemala.

Goat Project in Guatemala

2009-11-23T11:41:00.005-05:00

Jordan Christian School raised funds for goats as a part of the Word & Deed agricultural project in Xe Abaj, Guatemala (located on a mountain 3000m above sea level).

Earlier this year, Jordan Christian School of Jordan Station, Ontario, collected $1,860 to purchase goats for the community of Xe Abaj. Goat milk is very beneficial for its nutritional quality and goats are relatively undemanding in terms of care. Ten families were selected to be included in the project. After receiving two workshops as to the care and feeding of goats, they received their animals.

A list of those who received their goats was made and the arrangement is that their first kids must be given to another needy family. This approach was suggested by Ms. Hamstra a teacher at the school. It is a wonderful way to share the blessing they received. We trust that the goats will contribute to the overall health and economy of this community.

We thank the students, their teachers and principal Mark Fintelman for their interest in improving the lives of these families in this remote community. Under God's blessing, the gift of the goats will be multiplied for years to come.

Pastor Ken Herfst

Home Rebuilding Project - Hurricane Stan

2009-09-08T08:50:00.004-04:00

Earlier this summer, the final phase of construction was completed. 40 homes are constructed and each home has electricity and water. While the government's policies changed and people were no longer required to help in the construction, they did help in laying water pipes through the community.

In October of 2005, Hurricane Stan devastated the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Road access was severely curtailed as mudslides wiped out sections of roads and bridges. In the community of El Cedro in San Marcos, pastor Román Ardiano appealed for help. 50 families had lost their homes or were living in high risk locations. Initially the concern was food and the emergency committee of Bethel Presbyterian church responded through the generous giving of Word and Deed. Once the emergency relief had satisfied that need, a series of meetings was held with the affected families. It was evident that they needed to be relocated to safer areas. Additionally, some people had lost their hillside plots that used for planting corn.

Talks were held with the governement and housing ministry. In order to achieve legal status required by law, the emergency committee of Bethel formed a non-government organization that today is known as Asociación SAQ B'E. Word and Deed funded the purchase of part of a farm that would allow people a place to build, as well as a place to plant.

Putting considerable pressure on the government through regular meetings in Guatemala City with high ranking officials ensured that a road system was put in place and the lots were divided up. Then the government changed hands... and we needed to begin again.

After numerous setbacks and failed promised, construction finally began in late 2008. This summer, the 40 families who agreed to move to this new community took ownership of their homes. SAQ B'E was not involved in the construction of the houses, but was a recognized partner in the process. Not only were we able to provide land through Word and Deed's generosity, but, under God's blessing, we played a key role in ensuring that these families received a home. The leadership of the community is keenly aware of that role and we have earned a permament place in the hearts of the people. In the months ahead we will continue to meet with them and help them with the transition to a new future.

New Life In The Clouds

2009-06-13T15:14:00.002-04:00

Xe Abaj Update-By Ken Herfst

A birds eye view of the XeAbaj Agricultural Project

From Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango, the road winds upwards to over 2500 m, where mist is common. The clouds break at a barren plateau in an area known as “Alaska”. Vegetation is sparse and local inhabitants tend small herds of sheep along the Inter-American Highway. The highland grasses flatten with the wind blasts. It is still common to see indigenous men braving the cold in woolen kilts. On a clear day, the breathtaking view is of the volcanoes surrounding picturesque Lake Atitlán.

Hurricane Stan (October 2005) devastated the small community of Xe Abaj (a k’iché word meaning “below the rock”) with high winds and torrential rains. While few houses were damaged, crops were almost entirely wiped out. Asociación SAQ B’E met numerous times with the community leaders to determine how to work together towards immediate relief and a long-term solution.

Women's Group leader Manuela Guiachiac, with Samuel Espana, Meyda Mazariegos and Jackie Herfst

Xe Abaj was already a marginalized community; many members speak very little Spanish and education is limited. In recent years a dirt road carved into rough terrain connected the community to the outside world. When we met with the locals, they confessed that their diet consisted of corn tortillas, rice and wild herbs. They rarely ate meat. At 3000 m, the Guatemalan staple of black beans does not grow well. Similarly, potatoes often suffer rot. And not only does the corn produce poorly, but moisture and rodents eat into the meager harvest.

Although cultivating corn is not effective, Mayans have produced corn for millennia. It has a sacred, mystical character: Mayans traditionally believe that their ancestors are descendents of corn. Changing the tradition of planting corn to other more feasible, nutritious, and lucrative crops is no small challenge. After working with local leaders, holding demonstrations, workshops, and community discussion sessions, we gradually introduced vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. Groups of men now grow tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers in large cold frames. Our agricultural team has worked with the community to improve corn production, and metal silos have improved corn storage. We also teach improved methods for planting and storing potatoes.

Patricio Paxtor, a K’iché-speaking brother, is our field technician. He promotes organic crops, and with great patience has been able to show that organic fertilizers effectively produce quality vegetables. To demonstrate alternative food preparation methods, he has made salads and soup. In his early 60’s, he taught himself how to read using the Bible. His transformation – both in terms of his spiritual journey and his application of agricultural principles – is an impressive testimony. Community leaders have visited him and returned home convinced of the new possibilities.

For the second year in a row we have worked with chickens and hogs. The majority of families has learned to care for their chickens or pig, and is able to earn enough to reinvest in more livestock as well as enjoy an occasional meal with meat. Those involved in the project are expected to pay into the program as we gradually work together towards financial independence.

The project also includes health care. Meyda Mazariegos, a health care giver from our church in Quetzaltenango, visits the community twice a week. As nutrition improves, we see less sickness, allowing Meyda to devote more time to training local health promoters. Prevention is key. Here again, the traditional Mayan worldview is a challenge. There is some reluctance to work with pharmaceuticals, so we try to encourage natural methods whenever possible. Recently, our local church, Bethel Presbyterian Church of Quetzaltenango, provided a two-day medical outreach to more than 200 people.

A demonstration of traditional stone ground corn.

Change comes slowly, especially in a traditional community, but it is present. Increased change came when we began including more women in the projects. This year, a new cold frame will be built to be run exclusively by women. Additionally, in the fall of last year, we responded to the women’s request for a corn grinder. They treated us to a delightful inaugural event that included poetry – part of their oral tradition – and a demonstration of traditional stone-ground corn.

The second key factor for increased change is the use of the Scriptures. A number of years ago, 100 people purchased Bibles, recognizing the need for spiritual orientation. Last year we obtained 20 proclaimers – a radio-like device with the entire K’iché New Testament recorded on a micro-chip. Samuel España, our general coordinator, regularly visits with the families and gives Bible studies. Using the proclaimers as a starting point, he is able to share God’s good news with his listeners. A very small evangelical church now meets in this community. Most people, however, maintain their connection to their traditional religious past. As they are confronted with the life-transforming message of the New Testament, people ask questions – questions which we believe will bring them face to face with the promises and demands of Jesus Christ.

Although change is slow, we do not want to see the people of Xe Abaj to fall back into their old life patterns when our role in the area is finished. We are working hard to give Xe Abaj an alternative, one that encourages lasting, life-impacting change. In the community now, it is encouraging to see a patchwork of vegetables competing with corn. Change is in the air; there is new life for this community in the clouds.

Ken Herfst teaches at the Seminario Evangélico Presbiteriano of Guatemala. He is also the president of Asociación SAQ B’E. In partnership with Word and Deed, this association seeks to bring about lasting solutions to the problems facing the poor in Western Guatemala.

Bridge in Guatemala

2009-02-05T21:58:00.004-05:00

Jesus es el Camino by Ken Herfst

It had been about an hour earlier that we had left Quetzaltenango en route to view the new bridge in Provincia Chiquita. We left the paved road and began our winding descent to Corral Grande. As we came around a corner, we met up with two trucks on either side of a one lane bridge. There was no choice but for one to back up some 500 meters. Naturally, that meant that we all needed to reverse up the hill. Finally, about 30 minutes later we managed to cross that bridge and were on our way again.

Once we reached Corral Grande we took another road to Bella Vista (“beautiful view”). Only a 4x4 can handle this kind of road. Vehicles must hug the mountain side to avoid a steep drop. At the top, a small crew of men was digging a trench across the road for a drainage pipe. We negotiated with the work crew for some time, until they agreed to fill part of the trench with rocks so that we could cross. Twenty minutes later we pulled up to the Presbyterian Church “New Jerusalem” in Provincia Chiquita, where pastor Marlón Carreto met us. After breakfast, we walked down to the new bridge.

Our journey emphasized the importance of good infrastructure. Bridges can make all the difference in the world. The previous bridge had been wiped out by Hurricane Stan in October of 2005. During the rainy season, those living near this river cannot cross to the other side. Children have no access to the school, villagers have no access to health care, farmers cannot bring their crops to market and church members cannot attend services. A makeshift bridge consisting of three tall pine trees lashed side by side provided a dangerous alternative.

The challenges of building this bridge were huge. Our engineer designed a bridge that could be assembled on site. Three-meter sections were welded together near the village center and then carried down to the bridge site by teams of 20 men each. The bridge is roughly 30 meters long. The entire community pitched in, and in three months the construction was complete. When the rainy season arrived, the three-log bridge was washed away by the torrent.

We gathered at the bridge site and had a short inauguration ceremony.

I pointed out that the bridge is a wonderful picture of the friendship and cooperation that exists between Christians in Holland and North America and the community (Word & Deed Holland funded this project with oversight provided by Word & Deed North America). Even more, a bridge is a tangible example of how Jesus Christ closes the gap between God and man. In fact, the dedication plaque carries the name “Jesus es el Camino” – Jesus is the Way.

Contrary to so many projects, no one tried to gain personal benefit from the bridge construction: this was done – as the motto of Word & Deed rightly says – to the glory of God.

Later that morning we returned to the Presbyterian Church for a thanksgiving service. I preached briefly from Hebrews 12:1-3, emphasizing what it means to follow Christ, following up from John 14:6. Words of appreciation were expressed by members of the community, the mayor’s office from the neighboring city, as well as others. Time and again we heard about the testimony this church has had in the community. The pastor shared with me that as a result of the work of the church they have 50 new members. What impressed these people was the church’s genuine concern for the well-being of the community. Shortly after lunch we left the community, anxious to get out of the area before the afternoon rains would make travel impossible.

By late afternoon, we were back in Quetzaltenango. The words of the mayor’s wife stayed with me: there are many other bridges built by the international community that might cost more, but this one was certainly more challenging. Over 1,300 work days were donated by the community to make this a reality. Work crews of 10 to 15 men worked daily to gather sand, gravel and rocks for the bridge walls. They worked with the bricklayers and then built the scaffolding. Later they brought down the sections one at a time. Yet, none of this could have been done without the partnership with the churches in North America and Holland. Time and again, the community asked me to express their gratitude to Word & Deed and their supporters for this gift.

Please join us in giving thanks to God for the privilege of serving this community in this way. Pray that as people use the bridge daily and as they see the plaque announcing the fact that Jesus is the Way, they would walk with Him.

San Jacinto Update
After endless conversations and negotiation, we are now set to begin the construction of the homes by the end of October. Changes in government, changes in policies, and changes in approach to community work created a whole new series of hoops we needed to jump through. It looks like we’ve jumped the last ones now and all the lights are green to go. We’ll keep you updated!

Xe Abaj Update
The agricultural development project is going very well. A few families built their own cold frames as they saw the advantages of producing tomatoes and chili peppers. Eighty families received chickens and built small coops. We were able to participate in a government program that provided corn, beans, cooking oil, rice and other staples for the entire community. A health worker now visits this community two days a week and Bible studies using “Proclaimers” (devices that hold the entire New Testament on a micro-chip) are slowly producing fruit. This is a very traditional community, but we are confident that the gospel being planted through Word and tangible deeds is providing real and lasting hope.

Pastor Ken Herfst is director of the mission department at the Presbyterian Seminary in Guatemala; and coordinator of the Emergency Relief Committee of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

Construction in San Jacinto

2008-12-22T11:09:00.005-05:00

CONSTRUCTION IN SAN JACINTO… FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

After 3 years of negotiating with the government, construction is finally underway to provide a new community for families affected by hurricane Stan. Above, well digging equipment.

Organic latrines.

House construction

Pastor Ken Herfst

Inauguration of Corn Grinder

2008-12-22T10:38:00.010-05:00

Most of our focus in the Xe Abaj community has been on improving agricultural methods and introducing new viable crops. While entire families benefit from the program, men seem to be involved more than women. Earlier this year, a women's committee approached us and asked if it were possible to install a corn grinder in their hamlet. Xe Abaj is made up of a number of smaller hamlets and this area had been isolated. In order to grind their corn, women would walk at least an hour one way to the only other grinder in the center of the community. Given the high altitude, weather affects their health. Often, mothers would walk with small children on their backs and during the rainy season, they would become sick. Word and Deed considered their proposal and endorsed it. Last month, we joined them for the celebrations. To our surprise, they had organized a two hour long program that included the participation of women, children and youth. Above, the president of the women’s committee addressing the crowd.

A drama of how women used to grind corn by hand using special grinding stones. They would sit on their knees.

Patricio Paxtor, our agricultural technician receives a morral (shoulder bag) from a member of the women’s committee.

The women’s committee in front of the building that houses the corn grinder.

Pastor Ken Herfst

Projects in Guatemala

2008-12-11T09:59:00.007-05:00

Corn Grinder ($2,000)

A community near Xe Abaj has received a much needed corn grinder. The inauguration of the corn grinder is described here. Funding is still needed.

Restoration House ($17,000)
This project is temporarily on hold

Restoration House is a home for recovering drug and alcohol addicts in Champerico, a fishing village on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Association Saq B’e (Rev. Ken Herfst is a director) oversees this project. Addicts (referred to as interns once they are in the home) are literally picked up off the streets, cleaned up and given a very structured home in which God’s Word is used to share the Gospel and to teach a biblical view of daily living over a four month period. In the picture standing in front of the home are, from the left, Rick Postma (Word & Deed), Wilfredy Cruz (home director), Alfonso Bonilla (intern), Samuel Expaña (Association Saq B’e Coordinator), Isamel Pocasangre (intern) and Luis Robles (intern).

Agricultural Project ($90,000)

This three year project, started in 2007, is intended to teach people in the mountainous areas around Xe Abaj, Guatemala how to grow various vegetables (high altitude techniques), animal husbandry, and reforestation. Workshops provide the necessary agricultural instruction, but they are also a vehicle for sharing the Gospel with the participants. The need for this project became apparent during Hurricane Stan relief efforts when a team delivering water to this community discovered many were suffering from malnutrition due to the fact that most of the families were living off of rice and corn. The first complete year of the project exceeded all expectations and not only has the health of the community improved, but some families were able to make money by selling their vegetables. Many people are increasingly open to hearing the Gospel as they have now seen that our words have been matched by deeds.

This is an example of targeting self-sufficiency – providing people in the developing world with the knowledge and tools to better their lives while at the same time giving them hope for eternity. Association Saq B’e runs the project and Woord en Daad in Holland is also a major supporter of this project.

La Palabra School in Monjas ($9453)

The La Palabra School project was adopted by Word & Deed in April, 2008. The school, run by a conservative evangelical church in Monjas, has been operating with little or no support in the past (it was about to shut down due to lack of funding) and will be incorporated by our partner, AMG Guatemala, into their school and sponsorship program. A number of upgrades and changes to the school are needed over the next year as it undergoes a transition to fully meet all the sponsorship program requirements. Word & Deed is looking for 60 child sponsors who will support this project at the standard monthly rate ($35 per month in Canada, $32 per month in US) with the understanding that the full sponsorship service level will not be met until 2009 and that their funds will be used in the mean time to run the school and help fund the transition.

Hospital Radio Broadcast ($4600)

This project is a 30 minute daily broadcast run by the hospital in Cubulco, Guatemala (where John Otten was the administrator for many years) with the intent of bringing the Gospel as well as announcing events at the Hospital including visiting medical teams. On a weekly basis, the doctors at the hospital will take turns discussing health care issues including basic nutrition, childcare, first aid, and advice as to when listeners need to seek professional help. The object is to both raise the level of healthcare in the home and also the awareness of the hospital services.

Bridge Inauguration Ceremony

2008-10-08T09:30:00.002-04:00

On August 23rd a group of us from Association SAQ BE left Quetzaltenango for Provincia Chiquita in the early morning hours. The first part of the trip is paved, but soon we left the highway and found ourselves on a winding dirt road. At one point we were delayed for 30 minutes while two trucks tried to pass each other on a narrow stretch of road. Men had begun working on a drainage ditch and placed rocks so that we could drive our pickup across.

Dignitaries from the San Pedro, the local capital, had been invited and we waited for them before beginning the ceremony. Together we thanked God for the support of Word and Deed Holland and North America. The bridge represents a friendship tie between communities half a world away. More importantly, a bridge is a wonderful image of how God reaches us and makes it possible for us to come to Him through Jesus Christ. This was the theme of the dedication ceremony.

The plaque bears testimony to this truth.

Following the ceremony at the bridge we hiked back up to the village center where we had a thanksgiving service. Words of appreciation were spoken by local leaders as well as members of SAQ B'E. The logistics of building a bridge in an area like this are challenging and the mayor's wife observed that while other bridges might cost more money, they are often built with relative ease. In this instance, not only did the local people put in over 1,000 days of manpower, bridge parts were welded together near the village center and then carried down in 6 meter sections where they were later assembled on site.

On behalf of the people of Provincia Chiquita, and especially the Emergency Committee of the Presbyterian Church, we thank Word and Deed supporters for making this bridge a reality. Recent heavy rains wiped out the makeshift bridge and now children have access to school, everyone has access to health care facilities and church members can attend services without any danger.

Pastor Ken Herfst

Gauatema Mission Team

2008-06-27T19:46:00.000-04:00

A Guatemala Mission Team blog has been created for the team that just left today.

Please find pictures and recent updates at http://guatemalamissionteam.blogspot.com/.

The objective of the team is to repair 2 homes that will be used by missionary families of the Free Reformed Churches in Cubulco, Guatemala. The team is there on behalf of Free Reformed Missions International and facilitated by Word & Deed through the mission team program.

Volunteering in Champerico, Guatemala

2008-06-27T19:24:00.003-04:00

Grains of Salt in a Decaying World - By German Benitez Gómez

Ever since I was a child, I learned in our church, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Champerico, that believers want to serve others. When someone recognizes the kingship of Jesus Christ, that person inevitably desires to serve others, to help others in their needs, and to restore what has been partially or totally broken. In this way, the renewed person becomes the salt of the earth. The privilege of calling myself a Christian is what has made me become involved in serving those who suffer needs, even if such needs were minimal. Nevertheless, I never really considered the idea of working with people trapped in drug addiction and alcoholism. Yet, in response to an invitation given by the board of Restoration House “Capernaum”, I accepted the challenge. Today, together with my wife Wendy, I work in this project. We work as volunteers, knowing that what we seek is not only the physical restoration of these men, but above all a spiritual reconciliation with God.

Restoration House

The board of directors supervises the activities of the Restoration House and is made up of members of local churches. Each board member has unique gifts and/or professional training that allows him or her to play a specific role on the board. As a business administrator, I look after the finances. My wife is a dentist and provides free dental care to the men. Along with four other board members, we work with the director, Wilfredy Cruz Santay, a man whom God raised up from the streets of Champerico. He was totally lost in drugs and alcohol, but thanks to the mercy of God, today he is a new man. God is good and He has permitted us to form a team that works well together to rescue men that Satan erroneously thought belonged to him.

The House works according to a yearly plan of monthly meetings organized by the board. At the same time, we must acknowledge that despite the efforts and good intentions of each board member, we work with a degree of concern that some of the men will return to their addictions upon leaving the House. Working with local churches has been a key element in avoiding this and we see that the active involvement of the men in activities of the churches is a fundamental part of what we do. After one year of working in this ministry, we have seen some of the men complete the program and, thankfully, begin honest work in the community. They have been transformed into new people as children of God.

A typical bedroom in Restoration house.

In order to provide a roof to the men in the program, we have been renting a house so that they no longer live on the dirty streets from which we rescued them. However, we are conscious of the fact that this building doesn’t meet the conditions necessary to provide a well-rounded restoration. As a result, part of our future plans includes the construction of a house that will include areas for workshops. The workshops will encourage the men to learn a skill that will enable them to become reintegrated into society as contributors to society and as models of renewed people.

German Benítez Gómez, is the business administrator and a teacher at a local Christian school. He volunteers at the Casa de Restauración “Capernaúm” in Champerico, Guatemala. German and his wife Wendy are members of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, where he serves as secretary of the consistory.

Guatemala Mission Trip Report

2008-06-27T18:57:00.004-04:00

He gives the increase! - by Rosanna Klok

In February, 2008, 15 people from the United States and Canada travelled to Chimaltenango, Guatemala, for a 10-day mission trip. Most of their time was spent at Camp Canaan, a Christian camp for children, where the group built a multi-purpose seven-foot retaining wall dividing the edge of the camp soccer field from the road that ran alongside it. While most of the group worked on this project, Laurina VanderSloot and Rosanna Klok focused on working with the children who came to camp that week. Rosanna has agreed to share her experience with us.

Sunday – We arrived at the camp tonight. The rest of the group is eager to start working on the retaining wall, but Laurina and I are talking about the plans for working with the children that will be coming in the morning. 75 fifth graders and it’s their first time at camp! I heard they will be coming from two separate projects in the area. We visited one of them this morning – San Pedro, a poor mountain village at the edge of the lake. We know, from talking with the trip leaders, camp directors and counsellors, that these children are coming from poor homes, from tough family situations where many children are abused or have to work to feed the family. I am preparing myself for children that would fit that description.

Monday – When the busses arrived today it was hard to reconcile the first pictures in my mind with the clean, well-dressed children running up and down the green forested hill and field of the camp, filling the fresh mountain air with their happy, excited voices. They seem to have found a place where they can leave their tough lives behind and become children again. Although the two groups are from different villages, they have been mixed together in their cabin assignments. Suddenly, Orfa and Jose Luis, the camp directors, have 75 new sons and daughters to love!

Rosanna and a group of campers participate in a "trust" exercise.

Campers wash their dishes after a meal.

Tuesday – I am beginning to get to know the children. I am reminded that when you get to know them, children are the same everywhere. I have picked out the different character types that you find among all children. There’s the outspoken comical Florencia. “Yo puedo hablar ingles,” she loudly claims, with a twinkle in her eye. Then she starts to speak Spanish with an English twang, pretending that she is speaking English. And there’s the attention-loving Claudia. She has to be in every picture, and leading every game. In the background I see the reserved, tender-hearted Brenda. Her big brown eyes follow everything and her shy smile becomes my daily goal and reward. Here’s the bright-eyed, inquisitive Oliver, who wants to know everything about us—where we live, our jobs, our families. I can almost see his mind whirring as he tries to take it in and imagine it all. I know that behind each of those 75 pairs of brown eyes lie many more stories that would take more than one week to learn.

Wednesday – Every morning this week, I’ve stood before them to teach a 30-minute Bible lesson in Spanish.

Rosanna and an AMG interpreter deliver the day's lesson on the steps of Camp Canaan.

All 75 children and their counsellors fill the front steps with their wiggling bodies. Again this morning my stomach was in knots with the same questions. Will I be able to find the right words? Will it be clear enough for them to understand? Will they see the importance of the message? Will they turn to God and follow Him? My heart is filled with the desire to clearly lay out for them the precious gospel—the hope in Christ, His amazing love, God’s law to guide their life, and the comforting peace they can find through trusting in God. And suddenly, the words of 1 Corinthians 3:5-11 became a calming balm, “...but, God gave the increase.” Yes, God has brought us here, called us to share the gospel, and He will give the increase.

Thursday – As I taught this morning, I became aware that many of these children are familiar with the Bible lessons and stories, having been taught them at the schools they are attending. One girl even knows about the “Trinity”! Wow! Through sponsorships they receive a Christian education where they are taught every day about the gospel message. Again I am reminded that I am not the only one to “plant” and “water”. There are many teachers and pastors in these children’s lives, whom God is using to work in their hearts. I am in awe of the sovereignty of God’s work.

Friday – Today was departure day for the children, full of tearful hugs and repeated goodbyes. After a group picture, they boarded the buses that would take them back to their homes, their backpacks and blankets piled up and strapped to the roof. With God’s strength, we have reached out this week and shared the love of the gospel with these children through hugs, smiles, and shared laughter. These children have entered our hearts and taken hold. We’ve only been a part of each other’s lives for one week, and it seems so short. I couldn’t help wondering, as we waved goodbye, “What will happen to these children? What will their lives be like in five or ten years?”

Campers have their picture taken before they board the bus home.

Monday – With some sadness we have boarded the plane that will take us home. Yet, what gives my heart strength and hope at the end of our stay is that we are able to leave the children with the certainty that God will never leave them; that He will watch over them while we can’t. So we leave Guatemala with the knowledge that the Heavenly Father has His children all over the world, and His tender arms will never let them go.

Rosanna Klok lives in Beamsville, Ontario, where she works with school-age children as a YMCA Childcare Supervisor and volunteers with the Migrant Worker Ministry. She and her husband Jacob attend Vineland Free Reformed Church.

New Bridge Construction

2008-04-09T10:37:00.012-04:00

One of the projects being carried out by Association Saq B'e (of which Pastor Ken is director) under the oversight of Word & Deed with funding from Woord en Daad, is the reconstruction of a small bridge destroyed by Hurricane Stan. Here are a number of pictures.

A Community Transformed

2008-04-02T13:04:00.013-04:00

Xe Abaj - Agricultural Project - By Rick Postma

In Guatemala, if you are walking or driving, your survival instincts had better be well honed. The rules are simple, if unofficial: bigger vehicles get the right of way. Walkers learn to glance in all directions and prepare to jump at any time. Drivers must be wary of bigger vehicles, like buses, apparently driven by men dreaming of being race car drivers.

We are on our way to Xe Abaj (Chay- a –bak), a one-hour drive from Quetzaltenango, Pastor Ken Herfst’s home. When Pastor Ken was involved in bringing emergency water supplies to this community after Hurricane Stan in 2005, he and his team realized that the 100 families living in this Quiche Mayan community had been surviving on only rice and corn for quite some time. Their malnutrition was immediately evident in their appearance and the children’s lethargy.

Against that backdrop, I am privileged to visit a community that has made great strides in the last eight months. I am traveling with Victor Mayorga, an agronomist (meaning he has a degree in agriculture), who is a member of the Saq B’e board, an elder in Pastor Ken’s church, and is overseeing our agricultural project at Saq B’e. Also with us are Pastor Herfst and Samuel España. The project has a three-year timeline and a budget of $90,000. In 2007, a series of workshops taught the people how to grow cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes and tomatoes (in wood and plastic cold-frames) at high altitudes.

All I see are mountain peaks in the distance. I feel like I am on top of the world. The air is noticeably thin, and as I walk up a hill, my breathing becomes labored.

A group of community leaders greets us, and I ask them to tell me what they liked best about the project so far:

Juan (president): I am happy and satisfied. We are a poor community and do not have many resources. The project has improved us economically. Everyone has been able to sell vegetables. The project has opened our minds to better ways of doing things. We are more aware. I was most impressed with the tomatoes growing in the cold-frames.

Manuel (secretary, school teacher): I was able to fatten my pigs (provided through the project) since we were taught how to look after them. Then I sold them. I used the money to buy 59 chickens. After raising the chickens, I sold most of them and was able to use some of the profits to buy a computer.

(Manuel is an enterprising fellow; the people live in shacks which look like our storage sheds.)

Miquel (member): I liked growing cauliflower the best because of the sales I was able to make.

I am able to tell the parable of the sower and make the point that we hope the seed of God’s Word, shared with them on a regular basis, will also find fertile soil in their hearts. Indeed, each workshop is accompanied with a Bible lesson and the people have shown interest in what they are hearing. Now that they have seen that we have matched our words with deeds, the people are increasingly willing to receive spiritual instruction. Samuel España is starting to visit the families in their homes to share the Gospel with them and is being warmly received. There are no protestant churches in the area, and we hope that Pastor Ken’s church in Quetzaltenango will have a church plant here before the project ends.

Each participating family also received a small silo, made of metal donated by the government. They can hold 1200 lbs of corn, which can feed a family for six to eight months. The silos will eliminate the usual 20% of yearly spoilage due to insects. The families have been trained in the several steps necessary to make the silos work, and are clearly very happy to have them. Step-by-step pictures are also glued to each silo.

Victor Mayorga (the overseeing agronomist) makes the following observations as we discuss the project:

1) The crops were very successful, far beyond expectation.

2) All the sceptics in the community have been proven wrong. A number of them have now joined for this year.

3) He estimates that 90% of the people successfully completed the program – an astounding number 40% to 50% higher than most other similar projects.

4) One of the key success factors was that, using Word & Deed’s money, they were able to deliver on all their promises. There is complete transparency, and supplies arrive when needed. Saq B’e has already gained a reputation for keeping its word. Other NGO’s (Non-Government Organizations) have previously come and not delivered on their promises. Government programs are often delayed by red tape. Of the government programs Victor has run over the past 25 years, this one is by far the most successful.

5) He notes that the group is humble and eager to learn. They realize that they are being taught better ways of doing things.

6) Victor, Patricio (a Christian who has developed high-altitude agricultural techniques) and Samuel are careful to come alongside the families. After discussion, it is the families themselves who decide.

Finding doctors and nurses willing to come to Xe Abaj has been difficult. It is amazing, however, that with a much-improved diet, the population’s health problems have decreased dramatically. They also appear noticeably healthier.

Looking ahead to 2008, the people will be taught more animal husbandry and will also plant thousands of fruit trees. A re-forestation project already underway will continue, with thousands of trees being planted on the hills surrounding the community. Each family will care for a plot. And as we walk through the hills, we see that the weeds have been removed from around each seedling.

As we return to our vehicles for the bumpy ride home, I marvel at the dramatic impact North Americans can make on the lives of such a distant community. Please pray for the Saq B’e as they run this project, as well as for the community of Xe Abaj. May the Lord graciously cause the seeds of the Gospel among these dear people to bring about a living church, so that along with a rich harvest of vegetables, the Lord will also bring in a bounty of sinners who have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike survival on the roads of Guatemala, size and speed do not determine who enters into God’s Kingdom.

Rick Postma is director of public relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

Once Shunned, Now Welcome

2008-03-28T22:12:00.003-04:00

Restoration House – Home for Recovering Addicts - By Rick Postma

Association Saq B’e is one of our partners in Guatemala, formed after our response to Hurricane Stan in 2005. Its board includes Pastor Ken Herfst and a number of very professional Christian people from his church in Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala. “Saq B’e” is a Mayan phrase which translates as “way of light,” and carries with it the connotation of transparency, honesty, progress and integral wellness.

The fact that Guatemala is a mountainous country is reinforced for the umpteenth time as we whip around yet another sharp bend in the road. I am on my way to Champerico, Guatemala, with Pastor Ken Herfst. While my mind is willing, my body is objecting to being treated to a ride on what it believes is an out-of-control merry-go-round. After almost four hours of being tossed around, we reach a straighter patch of road along the Pacific coast of Guatemala. The second half of the journey is more bearable.

Champerico is perched on the Pacific Coast and was once a thriving port for both international trade and fishing. Now the fish stocks have significantly decreased and the shipping business has moved to a port closer to Guatemala City. The result is high unemployment, decaying buildings and infrastructure, and a palpable sense of despair. With nothing to do, men tend to loiter downtown. Inevitably, many succumb to the seductive charms of alcohol and drugs – “Come,” they beckon, “let me help you feel happy once again.”

Restoration House, a home for recovering addicts (interns), is a project we have been supporting for one year through Saq B’e. Wilfredy Cruz, director of Restoration House, himself a recovered addict by God’s transforming grace, lives in the home and ministers to the men daily. The home has a capacity for eight interns, although in very crowded conditions.

The men are up each morning at 5:30 a.m. and have devotions at 6:00 a.m. After breakfast, they clean the home. On most days they go as a group to paint houses and cut grass. The idea is to keep them busy and give them a sense of accomplishment. The men are very closely supervised for three months – they aren’t allowed anywhere alone during that time. During the fourth month, they are allowed some liberties while being monitored from a distance. If they break any rules, they lose those liberties. The goal is to have the men complete the program in four months. After the interns leave, they are given regular follow-up visits.

While walking through the streets of Champerico, we meet Hugo, an intern who had graduated from the Restoration House program. He is very thankful for the program. It used to be that he was immediately evicted from any place of business in Champerico’s downtown. Now he has a job with the municipality and is recognized for his warmth and the very positive example of his lifestyle. The places that previously evicted him now welcome him. He had lost parental rights to his children when he was an addict. Now, a judge has awarded his children to his care, being very impressed with his turnaround.

One of the current interns, Alfonso, told me that the men all go for walks around town and everyone greets them with warmth. Before, the villagers would either run away or completely ignore them. Their self-respect has returned. At Christmas, the neighbors brought them chicken and other treats. They hugged and encouraged the men. How many people would be happy about having a half-way house for recovering addicts in their neighborhood?

Pastor Ken points out that you can see God working in the lives of most of the men just by watching their faces and body language. I can see what he means. One man looks different and clearly thinks he is better than the others. Sure enough, we learn that he is causing some problems. May God be gracious to him as well.

How are men recruited for the program? They go downtown and literally pick men up off the street. This is not a project for the faint of heart.

Samuel España, who works for Saq B’e and grew up in Champerico, where his parents still live, has established a professional board consisting of a dentist, Christian psychologist, school teacher, and a business administrator. I meet with this board and am very impressed. Their desire is to serve the Lord by ministering to the needs of the men. Each member volunteers many hours by providing free services to the home in his area of specialty. Samuel has also arranged for a doctor in town to volunteer his services.

The board repeatedly expresses their deep appreciation for Word & Deed coming to the rescue last year. Funding had run out and they were about to close Restoration House. With our funds, they were able to continue the program, and now a number of men are back in the bosoms of their families. I am humbled by their gratitude and tell them that it is all from the Lord and to the Lord.

It was moving to see one photograph of a man covered in his own filth, but then see a father surrounded by his loving family in another picture taken six months later. Most of the families of the interns have repeatedly come to the home to help and to offer their heartfelt thanks.

The board reports that of 18 men who went through the program, 11 have stayed away from addiction and seven have returned. The seven who returned are men who live in more distant communities. Restoration House is now establishing a program to make regular follow-up contact with interns from remote communities and to establish contacts with pastors and families in these communities.

The house the board currently rents isn’t ideal for addiction treatment: it is both too small and too close to many temptations. The board would like to purchase a property outside of town where a building for 12 interns and 12 elderly people could be established. The idea is that the interns would grow food there and be responsible for the care of the elderly. Restoration House also hopes to provide basic vocational training at that location.

The trap of addiction is much worse than being caught on an aggressive merry-go-round. These men need God’s grace to break free from their addictions, to confess their sin, and to come to know Him as their Savior. Please pray for them and those who work hard to help them. If you would like to support this project, please call us at 877.375.9673 (Canada) or 866.391.5728 (USA).

Agricultural Project Begins-An Integral Approach

2008-01-04T18:25:00.000-05:00

By Ken Herfst

Guatemala is an incredibly diverse country in terms of climate, terrain and people. There are 23 different language groups. While some of them are related linguistically, they are different enough to warrant recognition as separate languages. Climate conditions range from steamy hot coastal weather to frigid cold mountain weather where temperatures regularly drop below the freezing mark.
The community of Xe Abaj (Shay-a-bach) is nestled high in the Western Highlands, near a place that is called (literally) “Alaska.” The intercontinental highway passes only seven kilometers from this community, but until recently it was left untouched by time. Located at 3000 m above the sea, Xe Abaj faces unique challenges for a way of life that is still mainly based on agriculture. To put it in perspective: Mt. Baker in Washington State is just as high. Imagine farming at its peak! Like the rest of Guatemala, corn is the main crop, and yet the growing season is very long. Corn is planted in February and harvested in late November. Other crops include potatoes and fava beans.
In early 2005, a group of seminary students and I visited this community as we looked for areas in which we could do some hands-on mission work. A new dirt road had recently connected this community to the highway, so access was easier. We met with the community leadership. Some of the men still wear the traditional Nahuala kilt. Meetings were held in their K’iche’ language. It shares some similarities with Achi, so I was able to follow to some extent, which immediately helped gain the leadership’s confidence.
The students from the seminary wanted to begin preaching right away since there was no Protestant church in the area. However, I resisted. We needed to gain a hearing. We met numerous times and listened to their stories, their concerns, their dreams, and their struggles to reach those dreams. Until then, the community had been traditional, with youth learning to work the land alongside their fathers. Some learned weaving as well. But with easier access to the outside world, many of the youth and men began looking for other opportunities. Crops don’t do well. Corn yields are very low; the potato and bean crops often rot. Young men think of joining the migrant workers who travel north in pursuit of the American Dream.
After six visits, the leadership approached us with a specific request. They knew we were Christians. “Give us some spiritual orientation,” they asked. Specifically, they asked for talks about alcoholism. Realizing that not many people had Bibles, we offered Bibles to them at a reduced cost. They requested 100 Bibles. Initial studies were held and there was considerable interest. One of the students from the seminary preached in the K’iche’ language and connected very well.
Then came Hurricane Stan. Travel to Xe Abaj was impossible and other pressing needs required our immediate attention. In 2006 we took up contact with them again. A tremendously resilient group, they were surviving…but barely. There was noticeable malnutrition among adults and children. I asked about diet. “Tortillas, rice and wild herbs,” they responded. “When was the last time you ate an egg? How often do you eat eggs?” I asked. They just smiled. No one had been getting basic protein for months already. We had done a detailed area study with the students and already knew that under the best of circumstances, life was tough. Hurricane Stan brought them to the brink of disaster. They had sufficient corn from the previous year to get by, but Stan wiped out the next year’s food supply. Poor yields in 2006 severely compounded their situation. “How can we work together?” we asked. “Teach us better methods,” they responded. That was encouraging: not give us, but teach us.
Together with the local leadership of Xe Abaj, we have drawn up a comprehensive agricultural project to respond to their immediate needs. The project began in May after it was approved for funding by Word & Deed. Over 40,000 broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage plants have been planted to improve nutrition as well as to sell for income. Two basic greenhouses have been constructed to provide tomatoes and sweet peppers. Ten families currently have quality hogs for fattening. These will be processed in the community. The villagers are being taught improved farming techniques, including animal husbandry, vegetable planting and fertilizing. Over 10,000 fruit trees of a variety that grows well in high elevations will be planted over the next three years (the duration of the project). Goats and cows will also be included in the project. Since soil erosion is a big challenge, reforestation as well as soil and water conservation methods (simple water irrigation, for example) are being taught.
Our longer range planning includes teaching alternative skills that would enable the youth to remain in their communities and not pursue the American Dream. Statistics show that many who return come back with HIV/AIDS and what begins as a legitimate concern for a better way of life, ends up as a nightmare. The whole gang problem in Guatemala has been largely fed by returning or deported youth who cannot find employment in their native land. Xe Abaj is strategically located to influence the entire area and we trust that with time, we will see a transformation that is community-based.
Xe Abaj means “beneath the rock.” Ultimately, our dream is that this resilient community will find refuge in the shadow of the Rock of Ages. Please join us in working together with them to provide lasting hope through real transformation.

Pastor Ken Herfst teaches at the Presbyterian Seminary in San Felipe, Guatemala. He is also involved in reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Stan.

Restoration House

2007-12-11T11:47:00.000-05:00

"Thank you, brother.” by Ken Herfst

Once a bustling sea port, Champerico (in Retalhuleu, Guatemala) has been reduced to a small town that struggles to survive. On the Pacific side, Puerto San José is now the main port of entry, while on the Atlantic side, Puerto Barrios is the gateway to trade and commerce. An old quay lined with small boats juts out towards the sea. Some men still fish to support their families, but the empty warehouses and abandoned railway speak of better days. Palm-roofed restaurants dot the beach and weekend tourism is the main source of income. The black sand beach meets the pounding surf, and on any given day, youth try their hand at surfing.

Like many coastal towns, the heat can be oppressive. As a result, people avoid the hot sun at mid-day and prefer to stroll around town in the evenings. Numerous canteens beckon passersby to quench their thirst, and the combination of heat, unemployment, and easy access to alcohol is a recipe for addiction. Drunks stagger along the streets or sit mumbling on the sidewalks. Guatemala occupies a key position in the drug trade and is a drop-off point for the north-ward route. As a result, access to drugs is easy, and many have been caught in that net. Governments have promised economic aid, development projects and a brighter future. But much of that has been nothing more than political rhetoric. By all accounts, the future is rather bleak.

However, on the corner of a quiet street stands Restoration House “Capernaum”. A brightly painted wooden structure, this house offers hope to those caught in alcoholism and drugs. The house isn’t much, really; rooms are bare, and some don’t even have a place to store clothing. There is no yard to speak of. And yet, this house has been used by God to transform lives.

Wilfredy Cruz, the director of Restoration House, can testify of the transforming grace of God. At age ten, Wilfredy began drinking, and by the time he was 14 he was a drug addict. For years he supported his habit by disposing of garbage with a wheelbarrow. At age 30, in God’s providence, Wilfredy attended a retreat organized by another restoration house in a city not far from Champerico. There he came to know Christ and returned to his home town with a passion to rescue people from the hopelessness of addiction. Wilfredy shared his vision with Ader Luarca. Currently the librarian at the public library in Champerico, Ader’s own history is also checkered with alcohol addiction. Now a respected leader in his local church, Ader immediately put his shoulder to the work. Together they began to look for financial support and people of a similar vision to strengthen the outreach. With the help of friends, Restoration House became a reality, and for the last three years, a small number of men have been helped.

Earlier this year, however, it looked as if the House would need to close down. Donations were down and debts began to hound Wilfredy. Wilfredy and Ader spoke with Samuel España, the General Coordinator for ¨The Association for Integral Development – Saq B’e”. Originally from Champerico himself, Samuel not only understands the situation in this town, but has known Wilfredy and Ader for years. Furthermore, he shares the burden for Champerico. The Association Saq B’e took a careful look at the project and offered to participate in the House, improve the administration and facilitate the formation of a supervisory committee. This board is made up of members of various local evangelical churches and is committed to accompany Wilfredy and Ader in the call to rescue men entangled in addictions and, with God’s help, seek a lasting transformation of individuals … and the community. Word and Deed has agreed to fund part this project for 2007.

The men now receive regular medical and dental care. A Christian psychologist works with them and provides the opportunity to deal with the underlying problems that contributed to the addiction in the first place. Real progress is being made. Devotions are held daily and once the men are at a certain point in the program, they begin attending one of the local churches. The men are currently in a literacy program and will be attending classes to learn about welding and car maintenance every Saturday.

Recently, it was my privilege to attend a board meeting. Samuel opened the meeting with a time of Bible reading in community and prayer. It was encouraging to hear the comments and reflections by the various members on the Scripture portion. There is a genuine desire to understand the Word, be obedient, and apply it in daily life. Towards the end of our meeting, the men returned from a mid-week church service. I was little prepared for what I saw. A little more than two months ago, Alejandro was admitted to the program. Medical folks in Quetzaltenango suggested that we think twice about him, since he was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer. However, there he was… restored. I had seen another man stagger through the streets during Holy Week. At that time, he was a pitiful sight: no shirt, no shoes, a shaved head, he drooled as he made his way down the middle of the street. Now, as he came in… restored. He took my hand in both of his and in a quiet voice said, “thank you, brother.”

That’s what Restoration House is all about. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for making this a reality.

Pastor Ken Herfst is director of the mission department at the Presbyterian Seminary in Guatemala; and coordinator of the Emergency Relief Committee of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

Xe Abaj Agricultural Project

2007-11-14T13:11:00.000-05:00

For a community living at 3000 m that was subsisting on a diet largely composed of corn just 6 months ago, the agricultural project in Xe Abaj is making a major difference. Now the fields are bursting with broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes (in the cold frame) and much more. The villagers have consistently demonstrated an eagerness to learn and apply the agricultural methods they are being taught. They have also expressed a hunger for the Word. In short, the project is flourishing. Word & Deed North America is grateful to Woord en Daad (Word & Deed Holland) for partnering with us in funding this project.

With a budget of $89,500, we are still looking for $8,000 in funding. Can you help?

Below is Victor Mayorga (center) , an agronomist from Pastor Ken Herfst's Church, who is overseeing the agricultural project, with a group of villagers.

Numerous workshops covering such topics as how to grow: potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes and pork have been completed in Xe Abaj.

Here local villagers apply the growing methods they have learned.

Here a cold frame (basic greenhouse) is being constructed.
Patricio is one of the instructors. He has a very successful farming operation in another community located at a high altitude.

Below are the tomato plants growing in the recently constructed cold frame.

With the cold frame in the background, here we see a field of broccoli growing which was planted by the villagers.

Pork production is also underway.

A storage shed was built for the potatoes. The villagers were amazed at how well the potatoes did.

Medical Team Visits Xe Abaj

2007-11-10T08:11:00.000-05:00

On November 2 and 3, 2007 a team from our local church, Iglesia Presbiteriana 'Bethel' visited Xe Abaj. As described in posts below, Xe Abaj is a community situated at 3,000m elevation where we are running an agricultural project which has a medical preventative and curative component.

Since there are no dedicated facilities, large rooms were divided up on Friday into separate clinics or consultation rooms using sheets are curtains. In the same way, the medications were set out in order on Friday so that it we can begin dispensing meds right from the start on Saturday.

Additionally, talks were held with children, women and men. Lidia Lopez taught the children the creation story. Ana Loyda Hesse spoke about hygiene.

On Saturday four doctors saw more than 150 patients, mainly women and children. Medication was donated by church members.

The group 0f volunteers from the church was grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way.

Pastor Ken Herfst

Xe Abaj Update

2007-10-05T11:55:00.000-04:00

September 15th, we joined the community in the Independence Day celebrations. Wearing their traditional dress, the local school paraded through the community before putting on a performance celebrating Independence.

We took the opportunity to check up on developments are were delighted to see some of the progress being made. The coldframes are producing tomatoes and chilies. This is a first for this community perched at 3,000 m. It was particularly encouraging to see the initiative of a family in constructing their own coldframe.

Together with the ministry of agriculture, we provided 100 silos for corn storage. Each family paid a small amount towards the fabrication. Proper corn storage will go a long way to eliminating waste due to mold or rodents.

update

2007-04-25T14:54:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture of the bridge wiped out by Hurricane Stan. We're considering helping the community in Provinicia Chiquita with this project.

Pastor Ken Herfst

Building a village for 40 families

2007-02-06T21:40:00.000-05:00

A new village for 40 families, who either lost their homes due to hurricane Stan or sustained major damages, is being built in San Jacinto, Guatemala. Once the village is ready, the 40 families will move there from El Cedro, a village perched high in the mountains where mudslides caused by the pounding rains of Hurricane Stan wreaked havoc.. The new village is approximately 2 hours drive from El Cedro.

Word & Deed is funding the project in partnership with Woord en Daad of the Netherlands, and the government of Guatemala. COEB, an emergency committee established by the Presbyterian church of Quetzaltenango in response to Hurricane Stan, is coordinating and overseeing the work.

Members of the 40 families are required to help out as they are able and are taking turns, 10 families at a time, in assisting with the work being done.

At Last! Construction Begins!

2007-02-03T23:47:00.000-05:00

Update on El Cedro Project

By Pastor Ken Herfst

It is difficult to describe the euphoria we felt when, after months of meetings and negotiations, the phone call finally came: “we are bringing the heavy equipment over tomorrow.” As it turned out, tomorrow wasn’t quite tomorrow. However, a few days later, the heavy equipment arrived and streets are now roughed in. Lots have been measured, marked, and distributed among the 40 families. Gravel for the streets will be taken from a local road expansion project at no cost. While most similar projects require that the community pays for the fuel needed to drive the heavy equipment, we negotiated with the government and they are committed to paying that bill. Another branch of the government will be processing land titles for the new owners at no cost to the families or us. All of this is an indication of significant progress.

Heavy equipment on the new main street

During a recent visit to the site, we noticed the beginnings of the typical problems that plague this kind of project: not everyone was pulling their weight in work that required group involvement; some families had second thoughts, etc. So we visited the families in El Cedro again and listened to their concerns. In a way, their concerns were typical… and the solutions were relatively simple.

Some people had animals that needed to be fed and no one to feed them other than immediate family members. In the event that one cannot work on the group project, it is customary to pay someone else to cover for you. Some folks were unable to find someone from the El Cedro community who was willing to go down to the coast to take their place (a four hour trip).

After listening to their concerns, we made the following suggestions: take turns caring for one another’s animals; find someone to cover for you from the ar

ea of the farm, rather than from El Cedro; and form work gangs to distribute the work more fairly. The rationale is pretty obvious. Compare the price of the chicken or pig and the price of a house: which is more important? We urged them to think in terms of “community” rather than “individuals” and by the end of the meeting most people were convinced. They agreed to work together to encourage the stragglers. A project committee has been formed and we trust that together we will be able to deal with issues as they arise.

Discussing the project with some families.

We might smile at the families’ concerns, but it gives an insight into the life of most rural Guatemalans. Their immediate concern is food. For years they have lived hand-to-mouth, and sometimes it is hard to see past that reality. Planning for the more distant future is still an abstract concept for some and we trust that as we work together over the next few months, we’ll have ample opportunity to address their concerns.

We anticipate house construction to begin within the next month.

A building inspector will visit the community regularly in an effort to maintain our building standards. A counselor will also visit to facilitate the transition for the families. Leaving ancestral lands can be traumatic. Nevertheless, living conditions and the risk of future disasters in El Cedro are such that these families have no choice. Thankfully, the families are prepared to make the move and appreciate Word and Deed’s generosity in providing them with hope.

The community leader (L) with Samuel (R) looking at the village design.

Pastor Ken Herfst teaches missiology at the Presbyterian Seminary in San Felipe, Guatemala. He is also involved in the reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Stan.

Trapped in a Web of Poverty

2007-02-02T14:31:00.000-05:00

By Ken Herfst

It was a bright Guatemalan morning near the stunningly beautiful Lake Atitlán. A group of deacons were gathered around and we were discussing poverty. In some ways, the discussion seemed totally out of place. The poor don’t belong in such a pristine setting. And yet, poverty is just as much part of our reality as the impressive volcanoes that surround this famous lake.

Two basic questions set the tone for the discussion: “Who are the poor? And, why are they poor?” Without too much reflection the standard answers came hard and fast: The poor are people who don’t want to work. People who drink. People who are irresponsible and can’t hold down a job. Other descriptions were equally telling: they are dirty, lazy, smelly, etc., Then I asked, “How many poor people that meet that description do you know?” There was silence. It is a journey I have made myself. All too often our perceptions and preconceived ideas about the poor tell us more about our own prejudices than about the poor themselves.

What is poverty?

Poverty is a complex, many sided issue. People working in the developing world are confronted with poverty in a way that forces one to rethink some of these issues. Of the many books I have read on the subject, Bryant Meyer’s book entitled, Walking with the Poor, is perhaps one of the more thorough ones. He presents a number of analogies that help give us a better understanding of the complexity of poverty.

Once one reflects somewhat more seriously about poverty, it is usually described as “a lack of something.” A lack of resources, skills, nutrition, health, purpose, etc. The problem is that understanding poverty like that results in the “Santa Claus” approach where the missionary trying to help the poor becomes someone who tries to supply what is lacking. If nutrition is the problem, we’ll give them food. If they lack skills, we’ll start a trade school, etc. No doubt there is some validity to this approach. However, in the long run it can be harmful. Despite our good intentions, the poor are seen as helpless receptors of our projects and if we can only get them to accept what we offer, they will no longer be poor. In effect, we dehumanize the poor. They often adopt our perception of them and simply wait for someone to come along and supply their needs, without seeing themselves as part of the solution. Furthermore, a “Messiah-complex” is far from a healthy self assessment and as soon as we take that position, we not only generate a dependency on the part of the poor, we believe ourselves to be indispensable.

A more helpful analogy comes from Robert Chambers. He sees poverty as a web or a net that traps the poor in the position they are in. Chambers sees five areas of life that influence the poor family:

1) They are materially poor. Usually, they have very little or no land, animals or wealth.

2) Because of poor nutrition, the family tends to lack physical strength. Regular sickness can result in layoffs. Malnutrition results in difficulty in applying one’s self to studies.

3) The poor family is often isolated or at least has limited access to water, electricity, and programs offering credit or information about social programs.

4) Because of their limited resources, poor families are vulnerable to emergencies and disasters. It is easy to imagine a family that suddenly is forced to spend what little money they have saved in times of sickness. More often than not, crops are planted with borrowed money. Drought can be devastating: the family harvests little food, and yet needs to pay creditors. In some countries, cultural practices can demand more than the family can afford. Bride dowries, funerals, religious festivals and other rituals often place financial strain on a poor family. At times like these, the only equity they might have needs to be sold. Selling land or cattle only makes the family more vulnerable to future emergencies.

5) The poor are usually on the outside of the spheres of power and influence. Decisions are made for them. Furthermore, factory owners, landlords and others tend to exploit the poor and yet the poor have no access to an appeal process. Women in sweat shops around Latin America are especially vulnerable here. In many instances, they are required to take pregnancy tests prior to being hired. Should the test prove positive, the company refuses to hire them in an effort to avoid maternity leave. Those who dare complain will never find work.

6) Myers adds a sixth aspect: spiritual poverty. In fact, the spiritual dimension of poverty can be seen in each of the five areas already mentioned. We live in a fallen world and abuses of power, exploitation of the poor, the effort to ward off sickness through shamanism, general ignorance and a misuse of God’s provision (either by the poor themselves or by those who exploit them) can be traced to the disharmony that sin has brought into the world. Unfortunately, the poor may look for help in the wrong places, and while alcoholism certainly cannot be limited to the poor, it is a sad reality that the inability to cope with the financial strains of life leads to alcohol abuse. That in turn leads to family abuse and the vicious circle continues.

How do we address poverty?

When seen in this light, the response to poverty becomes multi-faceted as well. Conscientious development agencies continue to address these issues. And yet, it is only an integrated approach that includes the gospel as well as social sciences and education that can bring about the transformation necessary to deal with poverty.

Last August, Samuel España, a promising young leader from our church, and I visited CDA (Corporacion Dios es Amor, or Corporation God is Love), Word & Deed’s partner in Colombia. It was most encouraging to see an organization dealing with these various aspects of poverty and making a difference. As CDA understands the spiritual side of development, I was asked to speak about the role of the church in this kind of mission. We rooted the church’s mission in God’s mission and looked at how Scripture outlines the Creation–Re-creation model as the basis for what we are called to do. Just as the scope of sin touches every corner of creation, so the redeeming power of Christ transforms it. That means that the gospel is key in bringing about the integral transformation that honours Christ; yet more than the gospel is needed.

** Samuel with some girls from the home for abused girls in Tenjo, Colombia

In addition to speaking and preaching, CDA personnel took us to various projects so that we could see how they responded to their pressing social needs. It was an encouraging visit and we left with a vision to foster that kind of response in Guatemala. This kind of interchange is mutually beneficial. I was encouraged when a young teacher commented, “As someone who works with the poor the temptation is always there to look to Marxism for the answer. However, you brought us back to the Scripture. This is the only real solution.”

We spent hours talking with personnel and people in the various programs, and saw how a combined approach that respects people for who they are enables them to work with CDA in the process of restoration.

The poor have names; they have their own family histories. A simplistic approach of “just preaching the gospel” doesn’t deal with all the issues that poverty presents. A professional team of psychologists, sociologists, educators, chaplains, vocational training educators, and health care personnel – all committed to the gospel – work closely together to untangle the web of poverty. It was our privilege to see changed lives.

Stereotypes are not helpful. A compassionate approach rooted in reality, coupled with biblical expectations and a firm dependence on God is what is needed to bring about real transformation that embraces both “rich” and “poor” and enables us to work together with mutual respect. Seeing a transformed life not only is a cause of heartfelt gratitude, it honours Christ whose Lordship includes the restoration of broken lives, broken homes and broken communities.

Pastor Ken Herfst teaches missiology at the Presbyterian Seminary in San Felipe, Guatemala. He is also involved in the reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Stan.

Medical Centre Reaches Guatemala's Poor

2006-12-23T15:45:00.000-05:00

By John Otten

For the past 17 years, John and Connie Otten have been serving with AMG International and Word & Deed at the Centro Medico Cristiano in Cubulco, Guatemala. The medical centre serves the area’s poor with a hospital, pharmacy, elective surgery, nutrition centre, radio program, and agriculture programs. In all of these areas the Word of God joins hands with humanitarian acts of love.

Hospital
The work at the hospital has been going so well that most days we have to turn some patients away. This excess is partly due to the turmoil in government hospitals. Some have closed due to lack of supplies and dissatisfied staff. Our regional national hospital closed a few days except for emergencies. We do not sense much positive change in the near future.

However, due to good contracts with the government pharmacy program, we can obtain medicines at very reasonable prices, which we pass on to our patients. One day a man returned to our pharmacy saying that we must have made a mistake. He paid eight quetzals at our pharmacy for medication that he had purchased elsewhere for eighty. He was certain we forgot a zero on his bill. We assured him that there was no mistake and he left in awe.

On the other hand, there are many challenges in consultations. Some local beliefs make it difficult to treat patients. For example, the father of a dehydrated child believed that needles would kill his child. After convincing him that this child needed IV solutions or she would certainly die, he consented. When the child, sadly, died a few hours later, we were accused of killing her.

While we cannot treat all illnesses, sometimes we forget that we can still offer everyone something if we take the time to listen. An elderly lady with extensive facial cancer consulted with one of our visiting teams. The American doctor sadly told her that there was nothing they could do. Knowing that she was a Christian, he encouraged her by saying that someday she would see her Lord. She then asked whether her face would be disfigured in heaven. Though we could not cure her cancer, we gave her hope and prayed with her.

Another patient, a 12-year-old boy, came in the same day. He probably had had meningitis in the past and was left unable to walk. The team told the family about the salvation that is in Jesus. God could heal the boy, the doctors said, maybe in this life, and certainly in the next.

We have been blessed with some newly donated equipment. Even though donors are often unaware of our needs, God knows. We have received wall-mounted otoscopes and hand-held otoscopes, which are used for examining the external ear.

Last March, a visiting medical team spent much time teaching our staff. One team member, an x-ray technician, worked to improve our staff’s x-ray techniques. He also brought some parts for the ultrasound. It now is in good condition and our doctors are learning to use it.

In May, our five-year hospital license expired, so we are in the process of renewing it. Some requirements are impossible to meet, and we have informed the Ministry of Health about it. It’s helpful that government hospitals are also unable to comply with many of the regulations. For example, we’ve been told that we must have specialists in pediatrics, surgery, and internal medicine. We are trying to explain that specialists do not go to remote areas such as Cubulco, and that even the government hospital in a major town nearby cannot get all the specialists the government requires.

Vocational School
The trade schools have been put on hold. We did a survey at the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006, and there was a very positive response to having a vocational training center in Cubulco. Presently, the only options available for study are teaching and basic accounting.

Nutrition Center
The nutrition center is going well, with more than 100 children in the program. We insist that the children attend, and those who do not come are replaced with others.

Agriculture
This year, our teaching farm is focusing on how to make natural pesticides, derived from plants into something like a tea and then applied to the fields with sprayers.

Each year, land renters must plant a third of their parcel with a crop other than corn. Some have planted crops such as amaranth, chipilín (similar to spinach), and Jamaica rose tea. We formerly required that farmers rotate all the land in the third year, but then many would abandon the program. So we changed it to a third each year. Part of the reason they would quit the program is probably that they are afraid to risk their entire harvest on an unfamiliar crop.

We have stopped working with several of the villages where we did animal vaccination programs. Other organizations have arrived and started similar projects in those areas. They often offer the farmers free food for joining, so many leave our program and join theirs. There is a constant struggle when organizations come for one or two years and then leave. Though they initially offer food and education, after a few months they tend to give only food.

We need to be continually reminded that all good things come from God. It is by His grace that we are able to do the work we do together with our team. Please continue to pray for us.

John Otten is administrator of Centro Medico Cristiano in Cubulco,

Guatemala

Onward and Upward Unite!

2006-09-01T01:06:00.000-04:00

An update on the El Cedro/San Jacinto Project.

By Pastor Ken Herfst

After a time of stagnation, a government official who has seen the work done by our local church agreed to make the necessary contacts for us with Eduardo González, the president’s executive secretary. On May 31, I met with González in Guatemala City. After this key meeting, I received more telephone calls in half an hour from different government offices than I had received in the previous months. Within days, surveyors had measured the land purchased with help from Word & Deed, and engineers are currently preparing a site plan, including layout of streets, green space, and so on.

Once the land transfer has been completed, heavy equipment will begin work on the infrastructure.

Land purchased for the relocation of the El Cedro Community

The El Cedro community is extremely grateful. People have been working with the surveyors and engineers. Visiting the location of their future community has been a real encouragement to them; it is “a dream come true.”

On the other hand, the rainy season started with more rain than usual. Numerous communities on the coast were flooded and major highways were affected as well. Thankfully, we have had some respite, giving us time to catch our breath.

At the same time, cultural issues quickly come to the surface. A request from the government to accommodate a number of families from another community was met with reluctance. However, we worked through the issues from a biblical perspective and now the folks from El Cedro are willing to allow other needy families to be a part of the project.

Due to the vulnerability of this part of Guatemala, COEB (Bethel’s emergency

committee) is training a network of representatives from our churches in an effort to facilitate communication and a rapid response in the event of another disaster.

OPPORTUNITIES IN XE’ABAJ II

Prior to the El Cedro project, we had been working in a community called Xe’abaj (shay a bach), where 600 people live in poverty. Nestled high in the mountains, Xe’abaj is one of many communities in an area called—interestingly enough—“Alaska.” The combination of high elevation and cooler temperatures limit agricultural options. Dr. Victor Mallorga, a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, has had more than 27 years of experience in rural development. Together we visited the community and discussed possible solutions to their poverty.

We are developing a diversified approach that should encourage this indigenous group to work together to find meaningful alternatives. The project includes small greenhouses as well as animal husbandry. Xe’abaj is strategically located, and we envision impacting the entire region with its population of about 6,000.

As we concluded our meeting with community leaders, we took the opportunity to talk about God and His Word. None of these men are Christians, and yet it was encouraging to see their openness. Any genuine transformation can take place only if there is a right relationship with God, and that is why the deed can never be effective without the Word.

Pastor Ken Herfst is director of the mission department at the Presbyterian Seminary in Guatemala and coordinator of the Emergency Relief Committee of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

Guatemala Volunteers

2006-07-22T17:01:00.000-04:00

Mission Team Builds Walls That Unite

by Peter Van Kempen

After Jesus had sent out 72 of his disciples, they returned to report with joy and amazement what they had experienced (Luke 10:17). In a similar way, first-time members of a mission team that helped construct a school building in Guatemala in early March could be heard saying:

“There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about it.”
“What I expected to be an adventure in reality became a blessed experience.”
“It was an incredible experience and gave me a completely different outlook on life.”
“Please let me know when the team goes again.”

The team, comprised of 14 volunteers from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area, worked for two weeks in a remote mountain village called Villa Laura. A larger and safer school building was desperately needed: the crowded classrooms were in need of extensive repair; food was prepared elsewhere and brought in; and the existing building was being reclaimed by its owners.

Woord and Daad Holland and AMG International had provided funding for a new school site and building materials. Local families and some AMG personnel had started the excavation and footing work. But because the project was large and the buildings were needed soon, AMG Guatemala needed a construction team to help erect a school with three classrooms and an office, and a kitchen/storage building.

The Grand Rapids team consisted of several experienced construction people who had been involved in mission projects before, and some for which this was a new experience. In all, four different churches were represented.

Team members worked at what they did best or at what needed to be done, such as block laying, sifting sand for mortar, mixing cement, hauling materials, shoveling, digging, or Bible teaching in the classrooms. We worked hand-in-hand with AMG personnel and local parents, pastors, school administrators, and teachers.

After two weeks of intense labor, the school’s block walls were erected and ready for a roof, and the kitchen facility block walls were about half done. Although the project was not completed, we regretfully had to say goodbye, knowing that other teams would come and, in God’s time, finish the school.

We all experienced the wonderful friendliness of the local people, as well as their thankfulness for what was accomplished. They shared with us and we with them during devotions and worship services. It is humbling to see how happy they are despite having so few worldly possessions. Their simple faith and dependence on God is a wonderful testimony.

What started out as a new adventure for some became a blessed experience for all. The whole team returned praising God for what He had allowed us to do.

There will be more mission trips in the future, the Lord willing. If you are interested in joining one, please e-mail Word & Deed at usoffice@wordanddeed.org(U.S.) or missionteam@wordanddeed.org(Canada).

Peter Van Kempen is president of the board of Word and Deed USA and is a frequent member of mission teams in Guatemala. He resides in Marne, Michigan.

Ready ... Set ... Wait!

2006-05-10T01:02:00.000-04:00

Update on the El Cedro Project:

By Pastor Ken Herfst

After some rather intensive traveling in Canada and the United States, it was good to return to Guatemala again. Yet, while my heart is definitely here, the kindness and Christian fellowship I enjoyed during our travels was most encouraging.

The week after my return, seminary classes began in earnest. Other duties called for immediate attention, but once we were into the regular routine (is there such a thing?), contact was taken up again with the government, especially with regard to the resettlement of the 50 families in El Cedro. As one can imagine, working with government agencies has its challenges. The devastation was so widespread that calls for help come from many communities. For some time, it seemed difficult to make any headway. However, after a number of meetings, I was presented to high level officials who have the power to make the right decisions and facilitate the reconstruction process. We had a number of meetings in March to outline the project and create a workable budget, among other things. We all shook hands and agreed to move on as quickly as possible.

However, since then we haven’t moved forward as I had hoped. In order for the project to begin, the government’s disaster relief response committee needs to inspect the land and give their approval. That is where we are stuck. To complicate matters somewhat, the owner of the farm had a change of heart and decided to withdraw the farm from the market. Then, just last week, he assured us that he is going ahead with the sale after all! At time of this writing, I’ve made contact with government officials who reside in Quetzaltenango and who will organize another meeting with the President’s secretary to push things along a bit.

On the positive side, we’ve visited with the community of El Cedro to explain the process and inform them of the support from churches in Canada, the U.S., and Holland. They were most encouraged and expressed heartfelt gratitude. Moving to the coastal area brings the additional challenge of finding firewood for cooking, so the news that one of our churches had collected money for fuel efficient stoves was received with a huge sense of relief!

In the community of Provincia Chiquita, we repaired two water systems. Preparations were made for an official inauguration and our pastor was invited to preach. However, as we discussed final details, they informed us that some of the new pipeline had burst. We postponed the inauguration and visited the community with an architect and engineer who identified the problem. Steps are being undertaken to rectify the situation and we trust that they will have water soon.

One of our churches is located in Sibinal, a town in the heart of the area heavily affected by Stan. Together with the pastor and another member of our emergency committee, we made the six-hour journey to visit them. Thankfully, no one lost homes. However, their crops were basically wiped out. Consequently, help has been arranged for them. While there, it was evident that in the congregation of 60 people, only three adults can read and write. As I gave a brief biblical meditation, it was moving to see how they drank in the Word. We are currently working with a Christian literacy organization to help the congregation increase its number of literate members. No doubt, members of the wider community share the same limitations and we trust that the church can become a centre for learning in the community.

The rains have come to this part of the world again. On the one hand it is always impressive to see the dusty browns give way to vibrant greens. Corn has been planted and the fields bustle with activity. On the other hand, this year the rains have brought their share of challenges. On the way down the coast, a makeshift road to circumvent the washed-out bridge is consistently affected. Recently, a trip that would normally take me an hour was tripled as vehicles became stuck in the mud.

In the coming days we are meeting with various key individuals from our churches who share a common vision for an integrated development that combines Word with deed. Violence, gang warfare, and general insecurity are on the rise once again. In discussion with some gang members, we noticed that a lack of marketable job skills as well as a discouraging lack of opportunities has forced many young people into this kind of lifestyle. Dysfunctional families also contribute to many of our social problems. Our challenges are many, but we trust that we can respond biblically and bring the transformation that is so urgently needed.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Pastor Ken Herfst teaches at the Presbyterian Seminary in Guatemala. He also coordinates the Emergency Relief Committee of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

Guatemala – Hurricane Stan

2006-01-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

By Rick Postma

The Chinese have an interesting custom of naming each year. For them, 2005 was the year of the rooster. If you or I was asked to name 2005, I’m sure we’d come up with something like the year of the storm or the year of the natural disaster. In this past year there have been 26 named storms, exceeding the record of 21 in 1933. Three of those 26 became category 5 hurricanes, which hasn’t happened since 1851.

Hurricane Stan lashed Guatemala, El Salvador and Southern Mexico on October 4-6 very soon after hurricane Katrina emptied out New Orleans and just before a devastating earthquake shattered the lives of many in Pakistan. A seemingly small disaster in the midst of so many titans, it received scant attention in the media and consequently little international aid was forthcoming. Unfortunately, the devastation caused by the storm was and is much worse than initially thought and exceeds that of the well known hurricane Mitch (1998). Mudslides have wiped out entire communities and buried hundreds of people.

Pastor Herfst is a missionary for the Free Reformed Churches of North America in Guatemala where he teaches at a number of seminaries while preaching and leading seminars in numerous locations throughout the country. He is located in Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in that country and central to an area severely impacted by hurricane Stan. Pastor Herfst reports,

Large areas of Guatemala have been devastated by hurricane Stan. In some areas as much as 50% to 90% of the crops have been destroyed. As many rural Guatemalans live on subsistence farming, they are simply unprepared for this kind of disaster. We see ongoing food supply as a crucial part of our response until the harvest in November 2006.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is now referring to Guatemala as a “hunger time bomb”.

For days, Pastor Herfst along with other volunteers from his local church, was involved in rescue efforts. He writes, “Here was an opportunity for the church to demonstrate in the public square the love and compassion the Lord Jesus taught about in the parable of the Good Samaritan”.

Pastor Herfst has been asked to coordinate a number of teams related to both the relief and recovery efforts. The positions he has been placed in have opened up a number of unique opportunities to make a vital link between the Gospel and relief work both with those in need as well as important government officials. The government of Guatemala recognizes that they have a unique opportunity to rebuild the social fabric of their country. Pastor Herfst continues,

At the same time – and even more importantly - they realize that the emotional and spiritual aspect of life is crucial in this reconstruction. As a result, they have invited representatives from churches to provide pastoral care. Bethel, the church my family attends, is going to play a key role in this effort.

He has been in contact with the President of Guatemala and his wife. Once he called the President to free up a much needed helicopter to bring food and medical aid to people trapped in the mountains. Word & Deed Canada and Word & Deed U.S.A. have provided funding to rent a helicopter to deliver much needed food and medical supplies. Pastor Herfst further relates,

In one community, for example, 9,000 lbs of food were delivered. In Provincia Chiquita, 6,000 lbs were sent in response to a plea for help from the local Presbyterian pastor. Water systems were destroyed in many places and we purchased 10 cisterns with a capacity of 1,000 liters which were mounted on pickup trucks and then used to distribute drinking water to various communities. At one point, we made an emergency trip to the medium security prison as they had been without water for a number of days and the men were becoming frantic because of thirst.

Disasters tend to have three phases. The first phase involves search and rescue and is usually lasts 72 hours or so, the second phase involves the initial provision of food and shelter as well as medical aid. The third phase or recovery phase is much longer. Word & Deed is proposing to assist in the recovery phase by helping to fund a number of projects. Two of the projects are described below and more will be defined as time goes on. Please prayerfully consider supporting these projects.

1) A safe water supply in Provincia Chiquita

The San Marcos province has been hit hard in many areas. At least 330 drinking water systems were destroyed by mudslides. We have joined Presbyterian churches in one of these areas called Provincia Chiquita, a community of more than 5,000 people. Located downstream from a large town, the river is severely contaminated, and yet, this is the only option for people to get their water. Restoring a safe water supply will cost about $10,000 US.

2) Fuel efficient cooking stoves

While the government might be able to help us with portable water filters and housing, they are asking us for help to purchase 4,000 fuel efficient cooking stoves for the relocated families. These stoves cost a little over $120US each. We don’t anticipate helping them with all of the stoves, but trust that we can purchase some for people devastated by the hurricane.

It was in God’s providence that the Herfsts were placed in the very location that hurricane Stan struck and in His mercy that they were spared. They, along with fellow Christian volunteers, have a unique opportunity to bring both physical and spiritual sustenance to the victims of the storm. It is our privilege to have them there as our hands and feet reaching directly into the victims’ lives. They in turn, are counting on our support in terms of our prayers and gifts.

Pastor Herfst concludes,

As creation itself groans at times like this and as devastation jolts peoples’ lives and makes them reflect on the basic meaning and purpose of life, it is only the Word of God that helps us understand that these groans are nothing less than birth pangs that announce that in God’s purpose and plan, the final word is hope (Rom.8). And it is only the church that can proclaim that hope – a hope that finds its center in nothing less than the New Creation. Thank you for enabling us to be messengers of hope. Thank you for responding so generously to these needs. Thank you for your prayers, phone calls and emails. In the weeks after Stan, God sustained us with unusual physical, emotional and spiritual stamina. No doubt, this is because many of you were supporting us in prayer. Thank you for your commitment to the Guatemalan churches and people in this time of need. May God richly bless each of you.

Some Pictures of the damage

2005-01-11T00:29:00.000-05:00

Below are a series of pictures taken by Pastor Ken Herfst soon after the Hurricane.

Very soon after Hurricane Stan hit Guatemala, Word & Deed was able to provide funds to Pastor Herfst to hire the helicopter which is hovering in the air. When other larger helcopters arrived, it served as a scouting vehicle for Pastor Ken who could then direct the larger helicopters filled with food and medical supplies to isolated villages in the mountains located in this area of Guatemala.

Below is a picture of what is left of a young couple's home in El Cedro. You can see the springs of their bed and the headboard. They heard some noise during the night and left their home with their baby. A few hours later a mudslide roared through and destroyed their home.

Here a mudslide wiped out one home and left another untouched.

In this area, hundreds of people were buried in the mud and the whole area was declared a cemetary.

In another area of Guatemala, homes seriously damaged and at risk of caving in.

Helicopters were a critical resource in the weeks after the hurricane since many communities were completely cut off.

Here is a home in serious danger of going over the cliff in the next major rain storm.

What is left of another home in Ed Cedro.

A bridge destroyed.

Streets filled with debris.
Over 9,000 pounds of food ready to be delivered by helicopter to remote and isolated areas