Sermon by Rev. Marth Martin
St. Andrew's United Church, Halifax

Reflections on the Guatemala Trip

Hebrews 13:1-2; Luke 14: 1-14

Today's lectionary readings formed the basis of our nightly reflections during circle time in Guatemala. Although they did fit incredibly well with what we were experiencing each day, it was also hoped that it might make things easier when Linda, from St. John's, and I came back this week and had to write sermons for this Sunday.

Well, I'm not sure that the theory worked, but what I want to do today is just share a few stories from our trip … there are many stories to tell, difficult stories, joyous stories, funny stories, sad stories … and all twelve of us will be processing our experiences for weeks, perhaps even months to come. Today, I want to share just a few stories that relate to today's scripture and the theme of hospitality.

The online Webster dictionary defines the word "hospitality" in this way:
1. a : given to generous and cordial reception of guests
    b : promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome
    c : offering a pleasant or sustaining environment;

and then, quite a different definition, one that I had not considered before:
2 : readily receptive; open to new ideas.

The first night we read the first two verses of the reading from Paul's letter to the Hebrews.

"Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."

Our journaling question for the first night was … "How does it feel to be a stranger, knowing that over the next 10 days strangers will be showing you hospitality?"

We talked about how already we sensed that we stood out in a crowd. Guatemalans, especially indigenous Guatemalans, are typically quite short. Although there were several shorter people in our group, the majority were very tall, and all but two very light skinned. I understood immediately why Kathryn Anderson, who organizes the Breaking the Silence Tours from Tatamagouche Centre each year, insisted that we keep our group to under 15. We seemed to create a sensation wherever we went, beginning with arrival at the airport in Guatemala City. We were stared at constantly, and for the first time many of us felt the discomfort of being "the other." It was hard enough for the adults, let alone the teenagers in the crowd.

The anticipation, excitement, and anxiety the first night after almost 12 hours of travel time was huge. Would we be welcomed? What would people think of us? Would we make cultural mistakes? Would we look like idiots? … fears, doubts, what exactly were we doing here anyway?

I had previously shared with folks months ago that when I went to Central America the first time, 10 years ago, someone had challenged me to metaphorically "empty my hands" … to let go of my assumptions, my preconceived notions, my ideas of how I can help … It was suggested that if we carry all these things with us, then our arms are not able to accept the gifts that the people we are visiting have to give us. We remembered that idea our first night in Guatemala, and hoped that our hands were empty enough to experience the hospitality that was about to be bestowed on us.

We had two journal questions that night - the second one was based on the first verse from the Luke passage today. "On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely."

We were asked …

"Before, during, and after this trip … who is watching you?"

Well, that was a pretty interesting question too. In our discussion, we talked about how the congregations of both St. John's and St. Andrew's were watching us … the Guatemalans would certainly be watching us … Tatamagouche Centre and the Breaking the Silence Network helped us organize the tour, so they were certainly watching us … we thought we would be watching each other pretty closely … and we also felt that God was watching us.

With all those eyes upon us, could we practice hospitality? If hospitality is, as the definition suggests, also being readily receptive, being open to new ideas, would we be up to the challenge? What would it mean for us to show hospitality to strangers in this setting? Who would be the angels in our midst? So many questions that first night … it feels like 2 months ago, not just under two weeks ago.

Well, I can tell you that we rose to the challenge. Here is an excerpt that Linda wrote in an email to the parents on Friday …

"I would like to tell you that you should all be very proud. Your children and the young adults were thoughtful, polite and caring. More than that they were willing and able to open up and struggle with some very difficult issues. Most of all, they are so much fun and were not afraid to make fools of themselves in order to connect with youth and children and therefore so charmed the Guatemalan communties that I am sure we will be remembered in fond ways for many years to come. They are wonderful ambassadors for both St. John's and Canada and I am so impressed with them. You have done well."

Over the past two years as we did much fundraising for this trip, sometimes people asked us whether it wouldn't be more effective to just send the $25,000, which is what the trip cost for 12 people, to a Guatemalan agency directly. It's a fair and legitimate question. One that was answered on the second night by one of the youth when she said "You know, I knew some of this stuff, I had heard some of the stories, but I just didn't get it. It really didn't sink in until I heard Jesus (pronounced Heyzeus) telling his story today."

She was referring to Jesus Tecu, a man in his 30s, who has such an astonishingly horrible story that one can hardly imagine its truth. Jesus, from the town of Rabinal, as a 10 year old boy in the 1980s, witnessed all but one of the members of his family, including his 2 year old brother, being massacred by the military. Jesus not only told us his personal story, but the stories of dozens of massacres by the military in the region of Rabinal, and walked us through a graveyard with monument after monument with names of the dead. We watched a documentary that was produced several years ago during the trial of the murderers, finally brought to justice after 20 long years. Jesus was the primary witness at this trial, and did so despite receiving death threats.

The fact that Jesus has continued to work for justice and reconciliation, and has been able to build a life of joy with four children of his own is a testament to his people, and to Jesus personally. The gracious hospitality that he showed in telling again his painful story filled us with a range of emotions - anger, sadness, humility, gratitude - something we could never have received from reading his story in a book. Now, we also are bound to tell his story.

Another amazing experience of hospitality was when we went to visit a women's group near San Lucas. After a half hour ride up the mountain in the back of a pick up truck, then a 10 minute walk through a winding, bumpy, path, we were greeted by cheers and applause as we stepped into a large opening. About 50 women and children were gathered, in traditional costume, to share their songs and dances, their stories, and their amazing textiles and weavings. The floor of the opening was covered in pine needles, something that is only done for honoured guests. We had an amazing few hours with these women and children. Our gifts to them were a few songs, and even the bagpipes. Rod MacInnis, the only man in our group, had brought along his small set of bagpipes, which charmed and fascinated folks whenever he brought them out.

Another experience of hospitality was in the communities near Chimaltenango, about an hour outside of Guatemala City. Some of the members of the group are speaking at St. John's this morning, and my daughter Alana, age 16, gave me permission to read her reflection on this experience.

"As you can imagine every little thing on this trip would change the way you look at certain aspects of life in completely different ways. So many experiences stand out, some more than others but all significant. One of the most amazing memories were the kids. One example was driving up to a day care in our little bus, we saw kids running up the walkway, staring and yelling. They instantly grabbed our hands and led us to the house - turned day care. After watching them dance, and after we got up and sang our moose, and beaver songs we got to spend time with the kids. They were so fascinated with digital cameras, so we ended up taking pictures of them and then showing them. They were so amazed that their faces were now on a little screen… and they turned out to be my favorite pictures of the trip.

What Emily, my mom and I didn't know was that that little house was called home by 9 kids, from the ages of 2 - 18. It was there that we stayed the night for our home stay. The woman who lived there was one of the very involved women in the communities surrounding. She was one of the 3 Guatemalan women who came to visit Nova Scotia last year with her baby, the youngest of her family of 9. Emily and I played with the children until supper - games like the Spanish version of duck-duck-goose (which was actually duck-duck-cow translated) London bridges, and a game involving singing, walking in a circle, saying something and running away… Emily and I were very confused. We taught them how to play toilet tag, which they loved and played for a good hour. At supper we showed them pictures of our group, White Juan, and a book with pictures from Nova Scotia which reminded Miriam of her trip to NS, and she showed us some of her pictures.

This family had so little, but such big hearts, and imaginations. It was truly an inspiration to see this huge family get along SO well, and take nothing for granted. That night will forever be in my memories."

The parable Jesus tells today challenges us to think differently about hospitality. Jesus says that the kingdom of God is not just about giving to the poor and disenfranchised of our society, but it's about inviting them to our tables, and not expecting anything in return.

When we visited two representatives from the Kaqchikel Presbytery of the National Presbyterian Evangelical church, we were told about some of the programs offered by the Presbytery - Christian Education. Evangelization, and Service.

As he articulated specific programs under each heading, he cited "human rights and the Peace Accord" under the Evangelization heading. I asked him to comment on the fact that for many North Americans, this would not be a typical definition of programs of evangelization. He stressed that the Presbytery has a long history of defining the word evangelization, and remember that "evangelize" means "good news", which includes social analysis, interpretation, and action. He said "faith should not be an impediment to working for change in the community, faith is the yeast that makes us grow. If you're a Christian and just read the bible and wait for the end of the world, that's not enough."

So … hospitality … entertaining angels unknowingly, … given to generous and cordial reception of guests, … readily receptive; open to new ideas. All of the above I guess. With God's help. With God's blessing. Thanks be to God