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By TODD JENKINS
LWW’s Guatemala Network is thrilled to
introduce our newest regional coordinator,
Maria Paula Lopez Castillo.
Under the scheduling and organization
of Central Coordinator Claudia Cabal-
leros, Maria Paula and Miriam Mazariegos
(our other regional coordinator) each have
responsibility for a portion of the LWW
systems and partnerships throughout
Guatemala.
Maria Paula is currently traveling with
initiating partner teams, visiting operating
partners, and working with Miriam and
Claudia to orient herself in the network
and learn her responsibilities. We talked
with Maria recently, and here’s what we
said:
Do you have any hobbies?
“My hobbies are varied, I love to read.
I’m currently reading
Power Thought
s by Joyce
Meyer, and I’m enjoying it very much. I
like to exercise, either outdoors (which is
what I enjoy the most), or with a program
(P90X right now). I’m in several prayer
groups during the week, which help me to
see the glory of God and His mercy to me
and my family.”
What is the most interesting thing you have learned
so far in your LWW work?
“It has been a journey of positive experi-
ences. Meeting people noble in heart, and
recognizing that God is with each of them
and uses them to do good things, has been
priceless. I have learned from each one of
them: the meaning of love, help, hope, and
mercy. Seeing the efforts of both the Gua-
temalan operating partners and the initiat-
ing partner groups who come to Guatema-
la (all very polite and charitable) raises my
standard of giving more to others.”
What message would you like to send to the LWW
family?
“I’m grateful to God for giving me this
valuable opportunity to be part of some-
thing as noble as LWW. I’m very grateful to
everyone for the support and trust placed
in me.”
Todd Jenkins is a CWU-101 instructor, moderator
of LWW’s Guatemala Network Coordinating Team,
and pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville,
Tenn.
Meet our new Guatemala regional coordinator
Maria Paula Lopez Castillo
way to a committed, friendly partnership.
It was agreed that Wisconsin would
build the necessary new building and
Oklahoma would handle the installation
as Initiating Partners with our long time
friends at Ministerio de Vida as Operating
Partners.
Following the installation, Wisconsin
would step back in as Sustaining Partner.
What wonderful connectivity Presbyteri-
ans can enjoy!
I am happy to report that on June 17,
less than one year from our initial con-
ference call, the first clean water flowed
at the new mission “casa de agua.” Not
without challenges — like confiscated
water samples, electricity issues, a few
technical difficulties and fundraising delays
— prayer brought us through to a great
result.
So many blessings, not the least of
which is that our member, Doug Depies,
who lives in Cancun, is now trained with
help from the Milwaukee Presbytery and
is a regular volunteer with LWW. Three
strong cords from three strong places, with
the providence of God woven throughout.
Blest be that tie that binds!
Patti Pyle is a mission volunteer at Crossroads
Presbyterian Church, Mequon, Wis.
By PATTI PYLE
“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:12
A simple prayer request begins an in-
credible story that links Mexico, Oklahoma
and Wisconsin. The request came from our
partners at Ministerio de Vida, a mission
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in
Mexico on the outskirts of Cancun.
When I asked Pastor Jacobo Caamal
what our spring break team could be
praying for when we returned home, he
replied, “Aguas Vivas.”
What happened next is almost too
miraculous to describe. With amazing help
from Joanie Lukins of the Yucatan Coor-
dinating Team, Crossroads Presbyterian in
Mequon, Wis., was able to join forces with
First Presbyterian of Edmond, Okla., to
move forward with this project.
Through the blessing of technology, we
were able to email and conference call our
Mexico, Oklahoma,Wisconsin — a trifecta!
The water building at Ministerio de Vida outside of Cancun in the
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.