Getting
together for work, fellowship, mutual support, or for planning something big
and exciting is a vital component of getting things done. Whether it’s a
digital ‘teleconference’, a formal meeting, an impromptu time around the water
cooler, or a large conference or assembly, the need to gather a group to share
ideas, strategize together, and plan for the future is a reality in so many
human endeavors. So, if meetings are such a vital part of things we do, why do
they always seem to be such a drag? Throughout my professional and church
volunteer life, it seems as if most meetings I’ve attended or moderated in the
course of accomplishing some great end brought the most joy and excitement to
the participants when they were canceled. Debbie says I live for meetings. I
don’t think that really is the case. But I have to admit I do get excited about
those times when a team is gathered together to bring their various gifts and
perspectives to a challenge at hand. And then, everything clicks and good
things happen. But I have to admit that is not the outcome of every meeting in
which I am involved.
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| The "Inter-Institutional Junta" gathers for a meeting |
A
large portion of our work involves attending meetings. Whether with our World
Mission colleagues, with our Guatemalan partners, or conference calls with
folks in the US planning a visit, there’s always a contagious excitement in
these meetings because there’s so much that’s new for us and so much for us to
learn. We’ve been invited to be a part of meetings taking place here in Cobán that
are part of the planning for an aggressive church project here that includes
the establishment of a new church school campus, a Presbyterian church, and an
extension of the National Presbyterian Church Seminary. Many different
institutions of the church are involved with this project, and representatives
of each are a part of these meetings. Because the project involves and benefits
several indigenous presbyteries in the area, representatives from these
surrounding presbyteries participate in these meetings as well. It was our
interactions with our indigenous friends that got me thinking about how we
respond to being involved in meetings.
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| Representatives from indigenous presbyteries |
The
group had a very full agenda to work through. There were reports on the
progress of the different components of the project, discussions on the budget,
review of the timeline, reports of personnel, equipment, and utilities for the
land that had been purchased for the center. Throughout these reports from time
to time we’d lean over to our indigenous friends and ask them what they thought
about all of this. There were general nods of agreement or shrugs of what could
be perceived as apathy. This is something to which we pay particular attention because
our indigenous friends often don’t fully engage in these kinds of meetings. The
reasons are varied and complex, involving culture, language difficulty
(something to which we can relate), lack of confidence, and other factors. Then
we got to a new agenda item: getting bids and planning for the clearing of the
underbrush from the land. These men were there as pastors, leaders, and
representatives of their churches and communities. But they were also no
strangers to the process of clearing and preparing land of this kind. Suddenly,
the energy of the meeting shifted as everyone listened to these men as they
explained and talked among themselves about how best to accomplish this task. Realizing
that this was their project too, they said, “We can take this on. We’ll stay an
extra day or two, and if the board can put us up for a couple nights and get us
some tools, we’ll get the land cleared”.
The
board treasurer made some quick calculations, and the board quickly approved
the resources necessary to support the volunteer work party. For the remainder
of the meeting, this previously disconnected group of men was now attentive and
engaged. They found a sense of ownership in the project that was uniquely their
own, and their gifts and skills were welcomed by the rest of the board. As the
board members left for their respective homes (some had to travel great
distances from other parts of the country to join the meeting) we were left with
the task (should I say ‘privilege’) of settling this group of volunteers in for
the night and then accompanying them to purchase the tools they would need,
which turned out to be one machete per man and a couple of files to keep them
sharp throughout the project.
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| The work party - Ready to start |
At
the property, the men wasted no time in getting down to the business of swinging
their machetes and felling the underbrush. They had sharpened the machete I had
bought for little projects in our backyard. They figured as long as I was
there, I may as well make myself useful. I got a quick lesson in using the
instrument (don’t swing if anyone’s body parts are in the way) and went to work
alongside our partners. I’m proud to say I lasted a whole hour before telling
them that I was sure Debbie was in great need of my assistance with something.
Later that night we had them over to our home for some refreshment and
fellowship. We learned a lot about these men and their callings to serve the
church, both as leaders and members willing to grab a machete get some work
done.
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| Arturo taking a swing |
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| Taking a quick break |
So
often we speak of the individual gifts that people bring to the community of
faith that makes ministry and projects happen. Scripture is full of examples
and admonishments to recognize, embrace, and utilize one’s gifts in order to
more fully serve the whole. The lesson for us in watching five men in a meeting
suddenly transform from observers to co-owners, was the realization that those
individual gifts need to be recognized, embraced, and utilized by the greater
community as the contributions they are. To that end, we acknowledge your gift
to us in reading these reports, in corresponding with us, in praying for us, and
for supporting us financially. We can fully embrace those gifts even more now
that it was made very clear to me that I’ll never be able to make a living
swinging a machete!
Blessings!
Richard
and Debbie Welch
PC(USA)
Mission Co-Workers, Guatemala
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