Walking Beside Our Guatemalan Partners

Apoyar (ah-poo-yar) is the Spanish word for to support, as in "I am going to apoyar the proposal." Support itself, as in the proposal has my support is apoyo (ah-poy-oh).

In this time of uncertainty in the world, with COVID, and heat and drought due to climate change, and political unrest, it is more important than ever that we support our Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG) partners in Guatemala.

Our area's 14 partner congregations, along with five partners in other states, walk beside the ILAG and support it in a variety of ways:

• Joan Felice, St. Michael’s in Roseville, supports the young women at Milagro School by teaching nutrition classes over Zoom.
• We pray for our partners during worship each Sunday. Digital delivery of letters, photos, and cards and Zoom meetings connect us
• Activities continue in the ILAG with our support—new church buildings, a kitchen and dining space, anniversary celebrations, school improvements, leadership training.
• SPAS and Minnesota congregations provide the ILAG updates to their members in creative ways.
• The ELCA’s video on gender equity features the ILAG’s MILAGRO Young Women.
• SPAS churches are re-energizing Guatemala committees that lost their cohesiveness during 2020-2021.
• SPAS and Minnesota congregation members support the ILAG through incredibly generous gifts and continue to learn about the ILAG ministries at Guatemala Friends events.
• A few congregations are beginning to plan trips to Guatemala in the coming year.
• Volunteers from all partnership congregations are involved in this year’s preparations for the in-person 2022 Guatemala Gala—Partners in Education on Sunday, Oct. 2, featuring Pastor Karen Castillo and Diego Gil as keynote speakers.

Your attendance at and/or support of the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala through the gala will apoyar education programs in our walk beside the ILAG. At our recent gala planning meeting, we learned about how our support of these programs have a ripple effect. As the Milagro girls learn sewing or cooking, they teach others. As scholarships support nursing or other programs, the recipients of the grants give back by using their skills in their community.

Truly, our apoyo does more than send money or support a specific project. It ripples across the country in positive waves of education—bringing hope and changing lives.

Gracias for your apoyo of our Guatemala friends by considering attending or supporting the Gala.To purchases tickets, click on the gala image below. Watch your email and the Guatemala Friends Facebook page for updates.

Sandra Eliason, M.D.
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Roseville