By Kara Martinez

Accompaniment News

This past August, former accompanier and founder of the CAMINOS steering committee Susan Cotton, along with new member Sarah Sloane, traveled to Guatemala. They met up with accompanier Heidi Gross and former accompanier Brad Lawton who is living in Guatemala, both were sponsored by our group. Heidi has since finished her service and returned home to begin a graduate degree. We thank her for her dedication and service this year and wish her well in future endeavors! In one of her long and descriptive letters, she shared the following message with us,

"What is our responsibility in the creation of a more just and peaceful world? Our response might be summed up by the word ‘accompaniment’, to deviate from other pathways for awhile (and then forever), to walk with those on the margins, to be with them, to let go. Through this encounter with God at the margins, we as individuals and societies experience an ongoing, profound, spirit-led conversion of the heart, soul and mind. Slowly our centers of gravity move outside of ourselves and we find ourselves suddenly dancing with friends in unknown places and with great joy."

-Marie Dennis, St Francis and the Foolishness of God

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Guatemala Accompaniment Project. From its beginnings during the refugee return, G.A.P. has been present in Guatemala to witness transitions as the Peace Accords were signed and communities began the rebuilding process. Ten years later [G.A.P.] remain[s] a strong accompaniment presence in Guatemala, as again the government is closing political space and attacks continue to rise against those who speak out for justice. Accompaniers are living alongside participants in legal cases and providing a presence to threatened organizations. (www.nisgua.org)

Promesa Partnership

Susan and Sarah continued their journey in Guatemala to the rural village of Tesorito where CAMINOS supports a local health promoter through the Promesa Partnership. There they found a dire situation in terms of access to necessary medicines. Under CAFTA the situation is expected to worsen since the availability of cheaper generic drugs will be restricted.

The CAMINOS committee continues in its fundraising efforts. We would like to extend a special thank you to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Outreach for providing a seed grant to support this initiative and to CAMINOS member Tommy Timm for his efforts in promoting the cause. Finally, we welcome you to join us for our October 1st benefit concert at the Mercury Café (see flier insert if you live in the Denver metro-area) and Build for Peace at Family Homestead on October 15th. Hope to see you there!