Mujeres Transformadas
Just before our Livingston
retreat, the girls all got to head out to Gustatoya early to be a part of the
Annual Sinodica meeting. This was a meeting of all the Presbyterian
women's groups throughout Guatemala called "Presbiterials". We
got to hear some great sermons and tallers (workshops) by women! As you
can imagine, this doesn't happen often in Guatemala and when it does -- women
getting together to sing and praise God, it's a great big party. There was
quite a contrast here too between the cultures of the ladinos and the indigenous
women. One thing they all had in common was grace. Unlike some
women's meetings I have attended in the past, there was no evidence of cattiness
or dissention. Everyone was an hermana (sister) and everyone was full of
love for the other. And when you're in a room with rural and city women,
college-educated and some illiterate, I find this grace a gift from God.
The theme was MUJERES
TRANSFORMADAS (Women Transformed). The informes (reports) that are usually
typed up in the standard boring Times New Roman, 12pt font fashion were transformed
into butterflies of all different colors and styles. It was a wonderfully
creative, entertaining and informative idea. We were welcomed in
with open arms and hearts. It was a blessing for all of us gringas that
were able to attend. We even assisted with one of the tallers, making
still images of how the world sees us, how we see ourselves, God sees us and how
God wants us to see ourselves. Powerful stuff. It's the kinds of
stuff that gives strength, hope and empowerment. It transforms!
|
