Arrival in Guatemala

When we landed in Guatemala on Saturday evening, dusk had fallen in Guatemala City, and the seasonal rain was tapering off. The air was sweet with smoke from burning trash piles, exhaust, lush vegetation, wet pavement, and cigarettes.

The final leg of the day’s journey from Boston was by minivan to Antigua. As we drove into this pastel-walled city, the night air was punctuated by an ongoing series of explosions: volleys of firecrackers, celebrating the Feast Day of St. James, Antigua's patron saint.

The next morning, our delegation assembled. Over the course of a week, we were to be witnesses and learners: 12 U.S. and one Guatemalan citizen. This group included a UU minister, a UUSC board member, regional volunteer coordinators, UUSC staff members, a filmmaker, and the former deputy director of the Peace Corps in Guatemala.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning -- a family day for most Guatemalans who were strolling and picnicking in the streets and plazas. Two Guatemalans took time from their family day to travel to us. They provided our delegation with a history of the country’s 36-year civil war and peace accords and a briefing on the situation for the Maya, the indigenous people of Guatemala.

Human and child rights activist Miguel Ugalde traced Guatemala’s political history to the present day, providing essential context for understanding the people and organizations that we would be visiting in the upcoming week. Mayan leader José Antonio Coq also joined us. He gave us an overview of Mayan history, discussing their historic struggles to address the challenges of racism and poverty, their achievements in building voice and power in Guatemalan civil and political society, and a lesson in the Mayan numerical system!

In the presence of these two leader/teachers, I was struck by the significance of this experience for all of us. Our delegation was building bridges of understanding, support and inspiration across nations, faiths, and races. It makes me recall a voice from Bridge of Courage, a book of stories from the Guatemalan resistance movement written by UUSC staff member Jennifer Harbury. Gaspar said,

How many stories of heroism I could tell you. But it is not the heroism of these times that I consider to be the true treasure here. There is something deeper and more moving still, and that is the way that all of us, no matter what our race or class, were able to stay together, trust one another, protect and love each other despite our great differences. It is from these experiences that so much hope has flowered for me.