From Guatemalan Cultural Action

FOR OUR CHRISTMAS:

The environmental problems that affect the countries of the world are a clear sign that humanity has lost its values as well as [forgotten] the importance of considering ourselves part of the planet, and not owners of it. It has not been assumed that each one of us plays a very important role in preserving and conserving our world, beginning with concrete actions and not waiting for others to do something for us. We forget that we have to do something for ourselves, especially those that have the responsibility of governing. Global warming preoccupies governments right now, but there are no concrete actions that demonstrate that they have the will to diminish the factors that favor its worsening in the short term. The criminalization of social struggles, in the moment that we get on the train of development, is another way of negating the citizen’s right to make demands that lead to harmonious coexistence. The anchorage of the process of development is the consequence of the interest the few rich have of increasing the number of hungry mouths for the expansion of their sources of wealth. The parallel government, or the parallel governments, of our countries [I think he’s referring to corporations, and the power they have over actual governments] have kidnapped the law, tying the hands of state leaders to apply these laws. They have bought the will [translation?] so that it is them that have the greatest ability to act with freedom.

Individual interests are above the collective interest, where those that have benefited by the vote of the people act in such a manner that they besmirch the dignity of the people, proposing laws that benefit them [the rich], ignoring the initiatives that ought to help give life to laws that benefit the majority, like what happened with the initiative to compensate Congressional representatives and what the magistrates of the Supreme Court have done in order to maintain themselves in their posts, consenting to the aims of future authorities of occupying their posts without complying with legal requirements. The increase of violence is bleeding out the already very injured Guatemala.

The most troublesome is that they are blinding the life of young citizens and women. It seems that the effects of the post war are prolonging themselves and Guatemala is becoming in a very bad position in terms of human rights violations. The actions undertaken by the Latin American people to preserve their dignity and their free will have bothered imperialism, led by the World Trade Organization, the IMF, and the World Bank. One very concrete case is the efforts of the countries for the creation of MERCOSUR, ALBA, and the more recent Banco del Sur. Nevertheless, the most interesting is the tireless struggle of the people to be counted. The vicious circle of power in creating political demagogues has significant effects on the conscience of humanity. The United States’ fear of Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Russia and other countries is because they are gaining ground in carrying out concrete action to stand up to health problems, education, and trying to create mechanisms to reduce social inequalities. The Latin American School is challenging the School of the Americas, producing professionals disposed to lend their services in the most marginalized communities, as is the case with Cuban doctors in Guatemala; young Guatemalans are also graduating, while the {School of the] Americas continue[s] producing professionals of torture and antiterrorism. Pacification by warlike means has allowed the interests of the powerful to openly control the wealth of other countries with their interventionist politics; such is the case in Iraq, Palestine, and very possibly, Iran. I hope that actions favor peace and development that fills us with hope. When the streams and brook come together they form grand rivers. I hope that our God, creator of all that exists, pours out his blessings upon each one of you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Excerpt from INESIN Newsletter

*Spring Renewal*

During these first months of 2007, several new ways of working have arisen inside of the already established projects of INESIN. Or better said, new ways of seeing our work appeared which allowed us to discover new manners, always richer, to walk towards a world with Peace and Justice for all.

In April we welcomed a new fellow worker, Raphael Gallay from Switzerland. He is working in the area of Community Building (or Strengthening Communities), accompanying transforming processes of through visits and workshops on care of the environment to children and adolescents in communities of the mountainous boarder region of Chiapas. We hope that his path with INESIN will flourish and be full of blessings.

In the same month of April another companion of Switzerland, Laurent Gaberell, finished his work at INESIN and left for his homeland. We’d like to thank him very much for his commitment and we wish him the best for his future, wherever he will be.

After that, we had some very busy summer months with a variety of activities. This meant that there was a lot to do for everyone on the staff, but at the same time there were very rich moments of sharing experiences with sisters and brothers from both here and far away.

So we continue following this path, convinced of the need to work and struggle in order to make "another world possible "....

Thank You from INESIN

INESIN FRIENDS... THE UCC PASTORS,

We're deeply thankful with You, for your solidarity to us. Our commitment is with Chiapas, but also with You, because we think that INESIN Proyect has been in your hearts from beginning. We'll continue working energetically for peace in Chiapas, with the confidence that the borders don't can to separate the love; nor religions, nor color, nor policy, because the love is of God.

The money that You'll send to us, will be of great help to us.

God bless You.

Greetings.

Ernesto Martín Guerrero Zavala
INESIN co-ordinator

From Mary Naftziger, University Church Guatemala Partnership Group, Sharing a Message from Juan Carlos (ACG) who tells of Gloria Vicente's Arrival

Dear fellow Guate Partnership group members,

I imagine some of you have heard from Virgilio that Gloria got to Guatemala Monday. We've exchanged occasional e-mails with Juan Carlos and his latest one this week included the following message about Gloria's arrival. Anyone who wants to help me improve my Spanish is please to send me a private e-mail with corrections. Mary

From: Juan Carlos DeLeon Ventura:

Hola Mary y Bob,

Felicidades por el amor tan grande que sienten por ser abuelos, es otra etapa que nos presenta la vida.

Congratulations for the great love you are experiencing in being grandparents, another stage that life gives to us.

Gloria ya llego en ACG, lo fuimos encontrar en el aeropuerto de Guatemala, ahora ya esta en el Quiche, iniciando una planificacion en los multiples trabajos que lo espera en ACG.

Gloria has arrrived en ACG, and we went to meet her at the Guatemala City airport; now she is in Quiche, beginning to plan/organize for the many tasks that await her at ACG.

Todo bien sin novedad.

All is fine as usual.

Por favor de avisar a los resto de Grupo de Chicago que ACG esta pasando en momentos historicos de tener otra voluntaria mas, con en unico fin de mejorar la relacion, el trabajo y conjunto buscar una paz para el pueblo guatemalteco (indigena).

Please let the rest of the Chicago group know that ACG is experiencing an historic moment in having another volunteer, with the purpose or end result being improving our relationships and the work, so that together we search for peace for the indigenous people of Guatemala.

Hasta luego

Juan Carlos

Letter from Anne Roulet of INESIN

Dear friends,

The Peace of God be in your hearts. Thanks a lot for your responses to our last message. Now we have very good news we want to share with you:

We received the deed documents yesterday; INESIN now fully and legally owns its land!!!!!!

Many thanks to all and every one of you for walking hand in hand with INESIN during all these years. We are all so grateful for this and for the opportunity to finally have these documents done and legally approved. We surely now face new challenges in terms of financial sustainability but we believe that everything is possible with patience, dedication and of course the help your prayers.

Thanks again for everything and we’ll be in touch before the end of the month.

Blessings,

For INESIN:

Anne