Background
San Lucas Toliman has had a Catholic mission on site since the 15th century. Monsignor Greg Schaffer first came to the mission in the early 1960s. He has made a significant impact by respecting the people's own spirituality, traditions and needs. He has responded to their needs by connecting visitors who have had better access to the world's resources. Those who visit are graced by the spiritual depth of these people, by their welcome to us and their ability to maintain and develop their faith in God and trust in others, despite years of adversity.
What to Expect
Getting to Guatemala takes a day including a few hours layover in Houston. We typically stay in Guatemala City the first night, and travel the next morning to the village of San Lucas Toliman. Meals are prepared for us everyday and eaten in a lunchroom, but often a few meals are served in homes of families that we come to know as a result of our visits. Safe, bottled drinking water, called "agua pura", is readily available. Members who decide to join the congregational group traveling there will receive detailed information closer to the trip date. A short, informal class is also offered shortly before the trip, so the group can get to know each other, learn some basic Spanish, and find out what to pack, etc.
On the first full day in San Lucas, first-time visitors are usually given a tour of the major current projects, ranging from the K-12 school across the street, to the dental and medical clinics, the reforestation project and the coffee plantation, all located on the edge of the village. The remainder of the week includes involvement with one or more projects of your choice, some visits to local families, visits to nearby rural communities that are served by the parish, and some just plain fun and relaxation. Evenings include time for informal but thoughtful consideration of the events and the spiritual significance of the day, plus some good old-fashioned socializing and/or quiet time, depending on your needs and interests.
Dental and Medical Clinic
The medical and dental services are now provided at the recently completed clinic building, which some of our members have helped design and build, clean and prepare for use. The residents have done much of the work themselves, but Gloria Dei's involvement builds community and fosters communication and is appreciated by the village. The type of involvement varies with each congregational visit, but may include time with children, sorting equipment for storage, cleaning, or assisting in ways that are needed, from translating to holding equipment for the staff, depending on your skills and interests.
School and Library
The parish operates a K-12 school, with a library section for adult learners. Gifts of school supplies are always appreciated. The children read and learn in Spanish. Books in Spanish or contributions toward building a library collection would be welcomed! Gloria Dei members have also helped by translating exchange letters between the students and our Sunday School children, who also donated the first new textbooks in many years. The school now has computers, thanks to a gift from a family in our congregation. Other support has included working with the staff there to expanding library services to the school.
Construction and Other Work Projects
There are several projects that are well established in the village, and our group may have the chance to visit these during stay. They include the coffee plantation, a women's center, water sanitation project, and reforestation project. When we visit there is often another new project underway. In the past we have helped to build the clinic and the school library. In the future, we may have the opportunity to assist in constructing a church and other structures for families who have left a plantation to establish their own community in the rural area beyond the village.
Contact Information
Interested members may contact Pastor M. Susan Peterson at 651.699.1378
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