Celebration of 60 Years of the CND Mission in Guatemala
Dear Sisters and friends,
It is with much joy and gratitude to share with mis hermanas del región de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and others some of the experiences that I lived in the missions and communities with my CND sisters and with the Guatemalan people of those communities.
I was privileged to live with our CND sisters and the people of the Guatemala in several communities: Some of the Towns and cities were Cuilco, Huehuetenango; El Ixcan, El Quiche; Tierra Nueva y Zona 3, Ciudad de Guatemala; Sipacapa, San Marcos; and Olintepeque, Quetzeltenango.
Each of these missions/ communities where we lived had its own particular flavor, (savor). They were unique and special to me. Some of the towns were in the high mountains having a cold climate, some are in a warmer climate and others, in a topical setting.
The people were welcoming, warm and friendly and shared their stories, their struggles, their faith, hopes and fears. The people had very little of this world’s goods. In many cases they were poor struggling people! They prayed with us and shared their meals, (tortillas, rice, beans, etc.) They talked about their lives and their struggles. They often said, “Solo Dios” that is that only God was their strength, protection and their hope! The people truly influenced my life and my future actions.
We, CND sisters listened, learned shared our faith with the people as we lived/visited the villages and towns. The people for me were my/our teachers!
Their way of life, their faith, courage, struggles, simplicity, poverty and the injustices they lived impacted my life and my faith, personally! The people greatly influenced my way of thinking, of being, praying and acting, going forward! I felt very much at home being with them!
Most of the people with whom we shared and accompanied were of Mayan and Ladino decent. The indigenous peoples in these communities shared the stories of their lives of struggle, suffering and injustice.
I personally saw the effects of Climate Change in the mission areas that we lived. We experienced hurricanes, floods, loss of life, polluter streams, rivers, (water), destruction of homes, homes washed away, drought, loss of crops, etc.
In the cities where we shared and accompanied the people the pollution was intolerable! There was toxic black smoke from old and refurbished buses; the toxic fumes, black smoke and rancid odors, rotting food, waste, etc. from the garbage dumps. Many of the families/people in these areas suffered health problems. They didn’t have the money to pay to see a doctor or to buy medicine if they were sick!
The families that collected items in the garbage dumps lived on the side of the garbage dump. Many had health problems and continued to work and live there. The people living in the area of the dump sold the items they salvage from the dump at the market for money to feed their families.
The mining companies and some Canadian mining companies, were/are present in the communities where we lived with the people. The families were/are greatly affected by the toxic chemicals that pour into their sources of water that the people use for drinking, washing, bathing, cooking, etc.
The streams and rivers become polluted with the toxic chemicals that are dangerous to the families and cause infection and sores on the bodies of the children and adults. We saw the children suffering from the effects of the chemicals!
Some of the people of the community worked at the mines. If the people protested/complained to the mining company for these unjust practices, the people of the community were/are threatened and a family member could lose his job, etc. The people live in fear and have no voice with these powerful companies! (Such inhumanity to the people!)
We CND sisters with the members of the Catholic Dioceses of Huehuetenango, Guatemala/of Mexico (The Bishop, Priests, Sisters, Lay persons, Catechetical teachers, Teachers, First Nation leaders, International NGO, Volunteers, officials of ACNUR (the United Nations High Commission for Refuges) gathered together to organize “The Welcome” for the Guatemalan Refugees who were living in exile in Mexico for many years were going to return to live in their country, Guatemala.
The Refugees were Mayan Indigenous who escaped the massacres of the 1970’s and 1980’s when the indigenous families were attacked and their villages were burned by the Guatemalan Army. These massacres were ordered by the Guatemalan Govermant during the 36 Year War, (1970-1996). Those who survived fled to Mexico. The Mexican Catholic Church offered refuge to these people for years.
In January 1993 after years of negotiations between the Governments of Mexico, of Guatemala, ACNUR, the Catholic Church of Mexico /Guatemala, International volunteers and local authorities, the Indigenous Leaders involved, and others took part in the first Return of Refugees. Several other Refuge Returns took place later in the months following the first Return.
The Guatemalan Refugees families travelled hundreds of Kms. in 66 over-loaded busses with their meager possession, (packed in large white corn bags) from their places of refuge in Mexico to arrive at the Guatemalan border.
The families were tired, hungry and full of fear! They feared the Guatemalan Army as they recalled the massacre of their family members and their escaped into Mexico. The presence of the members of the Catholic Church and the International community/volunteers/persons accompanying them was an assurance of safety for them on their return trip to Guatemala after many Years.
The caravan of busses with the people took five days of travel and stopping for overnight lodging. Every faith denomination in Guatemala offered lodging and food for the Refugees during their long trip. Many Guatemalans greeted/waved to the refugees as the busses travelling along the Pan American Highway. The people on the side of the highway offered well received snacks/tortillas etc. for the families on the buses.
We CND’s and others of the Catholic Dioceses of Huehuetenango, accompanied the families on busses, also. (2 volunteers to a bus)
The journey for the Refugees was long and finally the people arrived at the “Promised Land”, a tropical jungle area of Guatemala. They set up a temporary living area after cutting trees and clearing the land.
We CND’s lived for a time with this first group of Refugees.
It will ever be remembered as a “Sacred Time” for us and others living with the Guatemalan Refugee families. Their lives ahead were not going to be easy as they began to establish their communities in their new land that was negotiated for them. A Mass of Thanksgiving to God was celebrated and for the safe arrival of the people to their new land. Many International persons as well as Catholic Church members were present. It was a joyful celebration held on February 2,1996 (The Virgin Mary’s Feast Day!) These Guatemalans lived many changes and dared to risk to move forward in their lives.
It was a joy to be with our sisters when we stayed with our sisters in Tierra Nueva at our Formation House. Too, I was touched and inspired by the sharing of our Associates of their prayer, faith and love, especially their love for St. Marguerite Bourgeoys!
When I reflect on change or transformation I recall the sharing of a special priest, author, retreat director, Father Ron Rolheiser OMI, who once said, “transformation begins with learning to see and love the world as it is!”
How do I learn to love, to forgive those who oppress the poor of our Planet Earth? What do I do to allow this change to happen in me and be transformed?
I believe that the Spirit of God is breathing this change in me/us as we pray for openness to God’s Spirit which invites into action.
I was upset when I saw the injustices the people lived and I felt helpless for them. We denounce injustice and we are in solidarity with those who are oppressed.
We are invited by Jesus to learn to love and to accept the other with her/his gifts and their differences as Jesus does. Change/Transformation takes time and with God’s grace and help may I/we learn to accept change in our selves and in our lives. Whatever change God asks us to make, God is making the change with and in us! We continue to trust our future, whatever it may be, because it is in God’s hands. We are sisters of hope and love and we continue to share those “seeds of hope” with all those we encounter.
I join with all of my Sisters and Associates of the Region of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in thanking God for the privilege of the CND to share in the mission with the people of the Guatemalan communities during 60 graced filled years and I thank God for each one of you!
Happy and Blessed Celebration! Saludos a cada hermana!
Con carino y un abrazo fuerte,
Tu hermana,
Paula