Experiences
Brotherly greetings. May Thanksgivng Day be filled with happiness.
I want to share with you all an event of much happiness and many blessings for the Eben-Ezer Presbyterian Church of Canton Los Angeles and CESSMAQ. This event was a worship service of Thanksgiving to God, and closing ceremonies for the twelve young people of this church and community who have finished the first typing course. There were speeches of gratitude to God, and to CESSMAQ and to Mission Presbytery.
Carmencita, a young girl of 11 who received her diploma, gave a moving speech thanking God for having blessed the community with typewriters, and thanking the brothers and sisters of Mission Presbytery for helping with the purchase of these machines.
Carmencita's grandmother wept with emotion as she thanked CESSMAQ for thinking of the children's education. She said that before, the children spent their time hanging out on the streets. Now they are occupied with learning good things. She also said that Carmencita's parents were not able to be present because they work on distant farms, but that she represented them in this special moment for her granddaughter.
A prayer was given asking God to bless our "foreign" brothers and sisters who are giving us a hand up out of poverty. These foreigners are all the brethren of the Guatemala Partnership Team and Mission Presbytery, for whom we pray with all our hearts.
God bless you, brothers and sisters!
[Katy Bedunnah of Mission Presbytery notes that there is no free education in Guatemala beyond the 6th grade. In addition, knowing how to type is a requirement for entering what we would call junior high school. CESSMAQ (The Evangelical Committee for Service and Support - Maya Quiche), in partnership with Mission Presbytery, has so far established typing academies in three communities.
During the February 2004 mission work trip to Guatemala, presbytery representatives participated in a "laying on of hands" for the typewriters that were installed at the academy at Ebenezer Church. They also learned that the educational experience isn't limited to the mechanics of typing - CESSMAQ representatives visit every month to converse with the students about their dreams for the future. The program has completely changed the hopes and the level of expectation of the youth.]
The Guatemala partnership team solicits your prayerful support and encouragement of the partnership, its projects, and the Mayan people of Guatemala. If your congregation or group is interested in a "Minute for Mission" or a 20-minute video presentation, contact the partnership team.
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