Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Mission Statement version 4 Darrell

This is a new mission statement. I hope it is better than the first. If there is anything that needs to be corrected or changed, let me know. -- Darrell

The CHUVA PROJECT seeks to create a wholistic ministry that provides an opportunity for two churches to walk alongside each other as the body of Christ in the Great Commission. Through a partnership program, two churches are joined together in a dynamic Sister Church relationship to minister to one another and together to the world.

Benefits for both churches are numerous. Both churches experience a reciprocal relationship in a collaborated ministry effort. A sense of spiritual growth is realized in the blessing and participation as everyone in both churches can be involved and serve as they use their spiritual gifts, skills, abilities, and professional knowledge.

The CHUVA PROJECT offers Guatemalan ministers holistic support for pastoral care by offering spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing (Galatians 6:10, Acts 11:27-30, Romans 15:26-27, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Spiritual and emotional support empowers the ministers and their family. Physical assistance provides resources for housing, education, transportation, church buildings, medical needs, and vacation opportunity.

Missional aspect of the supporting church is enhanced and invigorated. Practical missional experience is achieved by supporting a ministry in a foreign church as they walk alongside the Guatemalan ministers and their families. The supporting church has the ability to prepare and send people for missional opportunities in support of the Great Commission (Matthew 18:19). This Sister Church program also offers an intimate relationship that crosses cultural barriers (racial, economic, and language) for the purpose of fulfilling Christ’s command and revealing love to all people (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34; Galatians 5:14).

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Project Meeting

Kelly,

I can meet any time accept Thursday 1-3pm. I would suggest Friday or this weekend. I can contact Darrell, Orlando, and Robert to see if they are available. Could you contact Wade? My phone # is 503-7947. Call me and I will get with those guys to figure out a time.

Thank you, Tony

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Orlando's Project Information

AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND OBSTACLES THAT MUST BE OVERCOME

The available resources.
Always we have resources, the main of it are people. Added, we have some organization like: families, local congregations, church denomination, local communitarian committees and not-for-profit organizations (NPOs).

The family.
In Guatemala we have a strong familiar identity and relationship. Parents and children can work together. They accept be addressed and involved in communitarian projects that help in their development and success. Many big business, big enterprises, big factories, and big farms started with a family and a vision.

The local church and denomination.
We can have the help of the pastor, his leadership and de congregation, around 100 people. Occasionally or as a part of a calendar we can have the help of other congregations and regional, territorial or national leadership.
Church of God is a very organized church in Guatemala. We have around 2000 local churches organized in 8 territories; every territory is organized in regions and districts.
We can involve one district or/and one region if is necessary, under the approbation of the Territorial Overseer.
The Local Pastor in Pensamiento, Chuvá is Rev. Hugo Escobar. Cel. 5198 6279
The Territorial Overseer in South-Western Territory is Rev. Eliú García. Cel 5703 3088
The National Overseer in Guatemala is Rev. Heberto García. Office 24762446.

The community.
In the community there are several committees which can help. These are in charge of security, health, education and others; some members of the church are part of it. Many of this people can be involve in the projects and activities. Some of them can be contacted directly or through the municipal or governmental organization that they pertain.
Obviously, we can use the roads for transportation, some times, governmental buildings for meetings and other municipal or state resources located in the community.

Other resources.
We can investigate and get the cooperation of not-for-profit organizations (NPOs).
The Republic of Guatemala recognizes three basic types of (NPOs):
• Civil Associations;
• Foundations; and
• Non-Governmental Organizations for Development (NGOs).

At the beginning we can seek help from Non Government Organizations (NGO’s).
There are many of these organizations working in different areas like: health, education, economic development, environment, and others. Some of them have a political interest, others personal interest but others want to help the people.
We can get information about some NGO’s in the Spanish site: http://www.congcoop.org.gt/ or in the English sites: http://www.partners.net/partners/Default_EN.asp
http://www.usig.org/countryinfo/guatemala.asp
Then, as a direct and proper resource, we can establish a foundation or a NGOs for support the works and projects.

The obstacles.
At the beginning or in the process, every work and project have difficulties. Many times are caused by deficient or inappropriate communication. Some times, those obstacles are by nature.

In the family
One obstacle in the family can be some of the members live in the community but work far all the day, six days a week or study. For that reason, the family is not complete, except on weekends.
Some times, the father and any other member of the family are not at home because they are working out of the community and the country.

In the church.
Many churches in rural area have meetings and services every night in the week for pray, worship, praise, teaching, preaching, and others. Time is needed. Is difficult to introduce other activity into the weekly calendar.
Is hard, also, than the members of the church work in communitarian activities because in other time this were used for subversive purposes or one of the leaders abused and took money for himself or use the communitarian organization for politic purposes.
Many pastors doesn’t want to realize other work that not be praying, teaching, preaching or some members don’t want their pastor leave his pastoral attributions.

In the community.
Some times, in the community there are rivalries between committees or groups. In other cases, there are persons, families or group of persons that has been the control or they have profited of others and they opposite to development projects.

Other obstacles.
It can be the low level of education of the people or difficulties to access the place by landslides on the road or the action of thieves.
Some times the problem is the governmental bureaucracy which does slow the process of authorizations.

Monday, December 1, 2008

GETTING TOGETHER posted by Kelly

Tony had mentioned that he would like to get together again.
Can anyone get together this week either during class time or on Friday?
Please post soon. I don't know how to contact anyone so if someone could help me out that would be great.