February 15 meeting

At our Sunday morning discussion before Sunday school we talked about two schedules. The preparation for the trip schedule includes:

- 11 a.m., Sunday, February 15: Ben announces the prayer partnership possibility (pictured above)

- 8:30 a.m., Sunday, March 1; follow-up meeting of March mission trip participants and others interested in Guatemala mission

- 11 a.m. worship, Sunday, March 1: Minute for Mission about the mission trip (by Ben?)

- 7 p.m., Saturday, March 7: Leslie McClure “Back Home to You” concert – in the sanctuary - with donations accepted for the concert and dessert and coffee afterwards in the Fellowship Hall – invitation to Spanish-surname neighbors?

- At 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 18: (small group?) Fellowship Hall conversations with the whole congregation about: (1) what do you/we have to offer the possible Guatemala mission partnership? and (2) what would you like to get out of a possible partnership? with a light Guatemalan supper provided (donations accepted)

Sunday, March 22 worship service: commissioning mission trip participants and their prayer partners

The schedule for the trip includes:
11 a.m., Friday, March 27: leave for Cincinnati
2 p.m., Friday: flight leaves
9 p.m. Friday: arrive in Guatemala City – stay at the Mennonite seminary with Soila
Saturday AM: leave by bus for Rio Dulce
Saturday afternoon: meet up with Estoreño folks
Saturday PM: meet host families
Sunday AM: worship with Estoreño congregation(s)
Sunday afternoon: talk with presbytery leaders re: partnership and covenant
Sunday PM: additional worship or visit with host families
Monday AM: additional partnership and covenant discussions
Monday afternoon: Estoreño folks drive CHPC folks to Rio Dulce
Monday PM: stay at Bruno’s in Rio Dulce
Tuesday AM: take the bus back to Guatemala City
Tuesday PM-Thursday AM: visit cultural sites in Guatemala City, visit with Soila and Amanda, and debrief
7 a.m., Thursday, April 2: depart Guatemala City by air
2 p.m., Thursday: fly into Cincinnati
4-5 p.m., Thursday: return to Louisville

Several other issues came up during our discussion:

- Ellen suggested Romans 1: 11-12 as a basis for possible partnership covenant discussions: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” And: “Tengo muchos deseos de verlos para impartiles algun don espiritual que los fortalezca; major dicho, para que unos a otros nos animemos con la fe que compartimos.”

- Ellen reminded us that some folks have adverse reactions to the antimalaria medication (chloroquine) (which the University of Louisville International Travel Clinic recommends for travel to El Estor). The travel clinic also gave me a prescription for Cipro (an antibiotic against stomach problems).

- Soni will help coordinate the concert. Janine is working on promotion and has drafted a press release. Marian has helped communicate with Leslie McClure. Laura, Eva, Doug, Ken, Amy, Nora, Ben and I have also volunteered to help. We may also ask Ada and Sandra if they’d be willing to help.

- Pastor Jane mentioned Amy as a possible person to spearhead helping create items to give host families (embroidering dish towels?).

- Perry said he would e-mail attach the key forms – ones that are still appropriate – that we asked the 2007 mission trip participants to complete and return to the march trip participants.

-- Perry