A letter from Leslie Vogel in Guatemala
June 25, 2013
Dear ones,
Grace and peace to you.
“It is well (it is well) with my soul.” The words of this familiar hymn continue to resound in my heart and mind as I go through each day, adjusting to life in Guatemala and learning about my new work with CEDEPCA, the Evangelical Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America.
A three-week mission orientation in January in Louisville, Ky., was followed by three months of visiting several congregations and presbyteries, seeing old friends and colleagues and meeting new ones, and packing up my house. I finally arrived safely in Guatemala on Saturday morning, May 4.
I am grateful to all who prayed for the situation with my house; I truly couldn’t have imagined what this particular answer to prayer might look like—until I received an amazing “as is” offer and sold my house on April 30. Many friends and family members helped me to completely empty the house so that the sale could close on May 6! This enables me to focus 100 percent on being here, rather than worrying about house repairs, renters, etc. I am incredibly grateful!!
During the first week here in Guatemala I was hosted by Betty, the Coordinator of CEDEPCA‘s Women’s Ministry. Regular visitors to Betty’s home are her extended family of adult children, their spouses, and her grandchildren; all graciously welcomed me right into many of their activities, including attending worship and celebrating a grandchild’s first birthday.
My first morning at CEDEPCA, I attended a Women’s Theology class Betty facilitates and immediately felt “at home” among women of many different denominational backgrounds who are using inclusive language and reflecting theologically on their experiences as women.
I have already visited my five mission co-worker colleagues in the capital, in Quetzaltenango and in Antigua. Each has introduced me to many people and ministries in their areas and all have offered good advice about living and working here in Guatemala. I am grateful for their friendship and collegiality—and for the gift it is to learn from “seasoned” colleagues in ministry.
Many of you have asked about my living situation. I am pleased to say that, with the assistance of my new colleagues in CEDEPCA, I have found a three-and-a-half-bedroom two-story condo in a “secure” neighborhood within about 15 minutes’ travel by car from my workplace. I moved in the weekend of May 18-19 and am furnishing the home little by little. Rentals here come with no appliances, so I still need to obtain a small stove and washing machine. Meantime I wash clothes by hand, hanging them to dry, and cook with an electric skillet gifted to me by Karla Koll, a PC(USA) mission co-worker preparing to move next month to a new assignment in Costa Rica. A quick trip to the States in June to attend my son’s college graduation enabled me to bring back a few curtains, wall hangings, etc. from storage.
The most important point here is that there will be room to house guests—so take note, all those who have expressed an interest in visiting Guatemala. Obviously, the ideal situation would be that folks would come as participants in one of the groups hosted by the Intercultural Encounters Program with which I work in CEDEPCA. However, if your individual travel plans are bringing you to Guatemala and I can work it out with my schedule, I would be more than delighted to have you visit and stay in my home, and to share with you some of the people, places and situations about which I am learning.
Please pray for the staff of CEDEPCA; their work is very important and very difficult. On Thursday, June 25, the annual Assembly took place, in which five students received their diplomado from the Biblical-Theological Formation Program. A new semester of classes begins the second week of July.
I’ve been asked to reflect on where I see God at work in this place. Even though it’s true, it’s too simplistic to simply say, “Everywhere!” I see God in…
- …the generosity of U.S. volunteer Judy, who was herself a new arrivee just eight months ago. She gives me rides to work and home again from the office; lets me know when she’s going shopping so I can come along; allows me to use her washing machine; and we laugh a lot!
- …the warmth and hospitality of CEDEPCA’s staff: They met me at the airport at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday, and then took me to breakfast. I arrived in the office to find a large “Bienvenida a (Welcome to) CEDEPCA” sign hung over the doorway to the Intercultural Encounters office, and a birthday card and small vase of roses on my desk.
- …the generous spirit of the entire CEDEPCA staff, who have helped me find excellent housing and to purchase furniture, appliances and household goods; they regularly take me to the bank, and check to be sure I have a safe way to get home when Judy’s not available.
- …the ecclesial diversity and committed faith practice amongst the staff and students at CEDEPCA. Church affiliations range widely, from Nazarene and Mennonite to Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal to Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Roman Catholic. All staff and students are active members of worshiping faith communities.
- …the regular practices in this workplace that encourage and cultivate a sense of community and spiritual growth: Weekly devotionals every Tuesday, in which we reflect on one or more of the week’s lectionary texts, sing, and pray for situations and people known to us personally, through our respective programs, and through national news. Eating lunch in shifts at the same table. Intentional staffwide celebrations of births, birthdays, farewells, and other life events.
- …the opportunities for personal and professional development, to learn and to share: I asked for permission to enroll in or audit a class offered by one of the other programs (Biblical-Theological Formation and/or Women’s Ministries). The smiling response: “No, it’s required!” Each staff member is expected to take at least five different courses. Later, as I become familiar with the teaching and learning methodologies, I’ll be asked to facilitate some workshops/courses. (smile)
Before I close, I want to say: MANY THANKS to all who have contributed to date toward support for the cost of my being here, through your donations. As of June 30 I had reached about one-third of my goal for this year. For those of you who don’t yet know how to make a gift:
Please make checks payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). On the memo line, write E200483—Leslie Vogel
Mail check to: Presbyterian World Mission, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
OR give online to: www.pcusa.org/give/E200483 (or use the "Give" link below)
I am so grateful to God, to the PC(USA), to CEDEPCA, and to each of you for being a part of this journey. All of you, in some way, are making it possible for me to be in this place at this time in my life. I feel very happy and believe deeply that I am where I am called to be and where my own spirit is able to grow and thrive. ¡Mil gracias, y que Dios les bendiga!
Grace and peace,
Leslie Vogel
2013 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, Guatemala, pp. 16-17
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