As the body of Christ, First Presbyterian Church’s mission programs seek to reach out to the community and to the world to care for those in need.

The Deacons’ Mission Connection facilitates the congregation’s ability to witness to and carry out the compassionate love of Christ by sharing time, talent, and resources with people beyond the local community. Mission Connection coordinates trips to Guatemala and supports the host organization throughout the year.

Equally important are national mission trips which develop long-term relationships with communities in the United States, i.e. trips to hurricane-damaged Mississippi towns, flood-devastated Iowa towns, and the Lakota Native American Reservation in South Dakota.

The 2010 Guatemala Mission

Service and learning highlights:

As taken from the August newsletter.

-- One of the presentations CEDEPCA gave us about their outreach programs (such as pastoral studies and women’s issues) involved their new “crisis response” program. Ironically, the volcano and storm began the day after we heard this presentation and became the biggest crisis to which they have yet had to respond. By the time we left, another mission team had arrived and was headed to Xela with CEDEPCA staff for flood cleanup and spiritual support.

-- We toured the “neighborhood by the dump” in Guatemala City and were warmly welcomed by the students at the nearby school.

-- We visited the office of the Secretary of Peace, which is responsible for implementing the 1996 Peace Accords ending the 36 year civil war. It became clear that implementation is a slow, uphill process.

Church member Craig Foster helps teach a Ten Commandments quiz

ILUGUA - water tank installation.

Church member Jim Keller preaching

-- On the trip to Las Granadillas Mountain with Pastor Pilar, we were able to witness the installation of an irrigation system on a beautiful but treacherous piece of farmland. This system was financed by funds collected through sale of alternative gift cards at First Pres. and Grace Lutheran, as well as other donations received from members. We also helped plant a few trees to help protect the area where the water originates.

-- Jim preached during worship at ILUGUA. At the end of the service, we were presented with an altar cloth, to be shared by First Pres. and Grace. Later in the day, Pastor Eduardo invited us to his house for refreshments and to see his property, a small area filled with fruit trees, various plantings and even a small fish farm. The man has a green thumb! On Sunday afternoon, we attended a catechism class at ILUGUA, an enthusiastic gathering of about 20 young people from the local neighborhood.

-- During a meeting of the Association for the Protection of Las Granadillas, headed by our friend Ruben, we learned that organizational challenges are not limited to U.S. non-profits. Despite some internal issues, the Association remains firmly committed to reforestation.