Mission to Guatemala
What are the lives of our neighbors like that share the same hemisphere? What do we have in common? How are we different? In an effort to understand the lives of the Guatemalan people, and they of ours, DGFUMC has sent several teams to live with members of the Unidas Para Viver Mejor (UPAVIM) Christian community in the impoverished outskirts of Guatemala City. UPAVIM is a group of 66 women from marginalized areas. Some are widows, some were abandoned by their husbands, and some are dealing with alcoholism in their families. Many are sole providers of economic support for their families. They began helping themselves and their community in 1988 with a Healthy Baby program, then decided to create products to sell to generate funds. They are now working in a number of ways to achieve better housing, clean water, better education and health care for their people.
We travel not to build buildings, but to build a long-term relationship. As Christians, we are charged with reaching out in understanding. In the Beatitudes we are told to put ourselves in "the other person’s shoes." Because our world is so diverse, we need greater understanding of cultural traditions, religious practices, trade, sharing resources, reducing pollution, and peaceful ways of resolving conflict. And, as Christians, we need to stand in solidarity alongside one another in the problems we face.
This ministry is coordinated by Sister Parish, which has the goal of fostering mutual understanding and commitment to peace and justice among people in the United States and Central America.
What do you give the person with everything? Well, a gift from our Advent Alternative Gift Fair! Every Sunday until Christmas, the Missions work area will be in the Parlor offering a range of Christmas gifts to bring not just a smile to your loved one's face but also justice and hope to people far away.
Hola! Today was day two of our Guatemala mission, and we were exposed to a closer look at Guatemalan history and scenery. We started off the day with a representative from NISGUA (Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala), which is an organization that works for justice in Guatemala. Carrie came to the Sister Parish Center to help provide the DGFUMC delegation a better understanding of the history of Guatemala and the involvement that the United States had in the Guatemalan civil war. We learned that, in order to understand the present, a knowledge of the past is necessary. 
The 2011 DGFUMC delegation to our sisters in UPAVIM has arrived in Guatemala City. After an early morning flight from Chicago and a brief stopover in Houston, we landed safely in Guatemala City (with all our luggage) just after 1pm. We were greeted by a number of UPAVIMAs, including several who visited Downers Grove in 2009, waiting patiently outside with the Sister Parish coordinator, Ellen Moore. The value of our hermanamiento was once again demonstrated by the warmth of their welcome, whether renewing past friendships or meeting new faces. This is a relationship that is enriching both communities, and we are excited that it is being refreshed once again.
We are excited to announce that we plan to send a delegation from our church to visit the women of UPAVIM in Guatemala City this summer. The visit will take place from July 6th through the 14th. Ray and Ina Osborn, who participated in the 2008 delegation, will be leading the group and we hope to encourage anyone who is interested in developing our relationship with these remarkable women to join us. Under-18s need to be accompanied by a parent and we already have a family considering this; you do not need to know Spanish as a translator is provided. Most of the cost of the trip is covered by fundraising that we’ve already done, but participants will be asked to fund their own airfare and some expenses, which will amount to around $550.
A delegation from our church will visit the women of UPAVIM in Guatemala City from July 6th through the 14th. This is a different kind of mission trip where we offer ourselves and our friendship rather than our building skills and material wealth. During our time in Guatemala, we will spend a few days living in the homes of some of the women, discovering the delights of their culture and the hardships of living on the margins of society. We will witness their courage, strength and faith in God and we will be changed! In the past few years, we have begun to share how we can work together to build a better world and we are working on a joint project to help the women reopen their medical laboratory at the clinic within UPAVIM.
God, as known to us in Jesus Christ, welcomes all.
We welcome people of any race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social or economic status, employment status, or life situation; including people with physical or mental illness or disability.
We practice loving acceptance of each person and respectful discussion
of our differences.
Affiliated to Reconciling Ministries Network
Upcoming Events
Wednesday Morning Conversations
February 22, 2012 - 10:00am
Ash Wednesday Soup & Sandwich Dinner
February 22, 2012 - 5:30pm
30 Hour Famine
February 24, 2012 - 10:00am
30 Hour Famine!
February 24, 2012 - 3:00pm
Speaking Out, Stepping Up, Risking All
February 24, 2012 - 7:00pm
Speaking Out, Stepping Up, Risking All
February 25, 2012 - 9:00am
Speaking Out, Stepping Up, Risking All
February 26, 2012 - 8:15am
Foundations
February 26, 2012 - 9:30am
Recent News
Youth Minister Appointment
February 17, 2012 - 5:22pm
February Diaper Drive - Thank you!
February 17, 2012 - 10:28am
Small Groups are Returning
February 3, 2012 - 10:51pm
Thanks from the Chapel Choir
February 3, 2012 - 9:46pm
Super Bowl Sunday!
February 3, 2012 - 9:38pm
Want to know more about poverty in the suburbs and addressing its causes?
January 31, 2012 - 9:29am
Caring for Creation by Running Your Electric Meter Backwards
January 31, 2012 - 9:17am
Small Electronics Recycling Fundraiser - Thank you and keep the items coming!
January 31, 2012 - 9:15am