A letter from Sandi and Brian Thompson-Royer serving in Guatemala
October 2014 - Progress Step by Step
Imagine your heart pulling you out of bed at 2 a.m. to ride a bus along rough, winding, mountainous roads to visit and support women in the Guatemalan Presbyterian churches. This is the life of the Directiva of the Sinodica (the leadership team of the organization of Presbyterian women in Guatemala) who choose to be in a leadership role. These leaders sign up for much time away from their families. Enma, the Moderator and the youngest of the leaders, has three young children and is a pastor’s wife. As in the United States, it’s important to encourage leadership in younger women. Enma has taken on her role with commitment and passion and says that God has called her to serve, share, and help the women. When asked why she feels called to serve, her response is this: “It come from my heart.”
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Sinodica in Cubulco
Recently we joined the leaders on a visit to a small town called Cubulco in an Achi Maya community in an isolated mountain agricultural valley in the north and directly in the center of the country. On the long bus ride we enjoyed seeing the sights and terrain of this beautiful country.
It was a perfect day for a drive, and a long one it was. We had a potluck picnic in one small village square, sharing chicken, tortillas, and fresh cheese. Another stop was a roadside fruit stand where we sampled sweet juicy melon and pineapple. We hopped into the van with a fruit new to us—rumbatan. We sang songs, took naps, and there was a lot of chatter among the women (and Brian). We arrived at our destination 11 hours later to support a newly formed presbytery.
The Sinodica wanted to visit with the women in these churches and ensure that they knew there was a place for them in the national church. We stood alongside the Sinodica and the women in a presbytery that has never ordained a woman pastor or deacon and has only one woman elder. This is a presbytery where the men in the church sit up front and the women in the back. We were privileged to be there as these women proudly yet humbly expressed and exemplified the joy and commitment of how much better off we all are when there is equality, opportunity and respect.
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Fruit salad contest
Our time with the women sparked much curiosity and we had many questions. We wanted to hear more deeply about the lives of these women and their roles of service. Because Sandi’s Spanish is coming along slower than she’d like but curiosity makes us want to learn, we formed four questions to ask over breakfast the next morning in Spanish. (1) Why is the Sinodica important to the Guatemalan Presbyterian church? (2) Why do each of these women feel called to serve? (3) What are the hopes and dreams for the women in the church? (4) How can the women in the PC(USA) collaborate with the Sinodica? Once Sandi started in with our questions, the women lit up and encouraged us to ask. They were excited to share their answers and happy to hear we wanted to know more deeply about their lives.
Dina, a trusted leader in her presbytery and community for over 30 years, shared with us that as more women began to read the Bible, another fundamental change occurred—learning to read. As leadership developed, women shared stories of faith, courage and work in their churches and communities. As women began to take positions of responsibility, they began to gain respect, ultimately creating a more organized voice for women. This is much like the history of Presbyterian Women in the U.S.
Dina epitomizes hard work, faith and dedication. Hailing from Santo Domingo, Suchitepequez, one of the poorest areas of Guatemala, she is a courageous example and shining light of what an independent woman of faith can make happen. Dina’s ability to organize has created an oasis of hope and love in her community. This has come with much family support as well as support and encouragement from the Sinodica and U.S. partnerships in Western North Carolina and Madison, Wisconsin. Thirty years is a long time. Changes come painfully hard and slow in Guatemala.
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Children waiting for church
When Dina began serving, only 6 presbyteries had women’s groups. Today in 23 presbyteries women have groups (Sociodades) connected to the Sinodica. Guatemala continues to be deeply steeped in machismo, racism, poverty and violence, making progress for women’s safety and independence a steep road. Progress is slower in the more rural, indigenous and remote areas without access to outside influences, resources, and education. There is a large focus by the Sinodica to support education efforts and empower women in remote areas.
Paso a paso (step by step) positive changes have come. Education opportunities through university level are common now for women. Domestic violence laws are beginning to have a positive effect and the support and respect for women leaders in communities has grown.
The doors are opening and God is helping pave the way for dialogue. We are getting to know each other, trust is building, and we are excited to share this time with the Sinodica. As Leti Farfan, the Recording Secretary shared, “Step by step women are supported to grow.” In our future newsletters we hope to explore these questions more deeply and introduce you to the other leaders (Directiva) in the Sinodica.
As for us, we have finally settled into our own apartment in the heart of Xela. The first job was to choose nine different colors to paint the walls and now we are beginning to collect beautiful typical weavings to complement the colors! Language school is about over, but the learning and studying will not end any time soon. Your prayers, cards, emails and financial support continue to lift us up and remind us that we are called here. Please keep them coming.
Gracias a Dios!
Sandi & Brian Thompson-Royer
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, Guatemala, pp. 39-40
Read more about Brian and Sandi Thmpson-Royer's ministry
Contact: Brian Thompson-Royer (brian.thompson-royer@pcusa.org)
Contact: Sandi Thompson-Royer (sandi.thompson-royer@pcusa.org)
Individuals: Give online to E200334 for Brian and Sandi Thompson-Royer's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D507581for Brian and Sandi Thompson-Royer's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).
