CCW donations benefit San Lucas Women’s Center

by Gwen Christiansen

Rarely does a trip leave me in awe long after I return home. I knew there was something special about the Diocese of New Ulm Mission of San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, after listening to others talk of their adventures to San Lucas. On January 9 of this year I had the opportunity to visit the mission.

The Council of Catholic Women has long supported the Diocesan Mission of San Lucas. We are presently helping the women in that area by assisting in and supporting the new Women’s Center project. The idea behind the Women’s Center is to have a place for women to gather for weaving, visiting, washing clothes, studying, developing cooking and baking skills, doing handicrafts, reading in a library setting, as well as providing storage. The center has two basic areas: the salon central and the kitchen. Salon central is what Americans call the living room, dining room, and den areas in their houses. The women will be able to wash clothes in the lavadero, the laundry room.

The kitchen will have a firewood efficient poyo (wood stove), propane stove, oven, and adobe brick oven. That area will be used primarily to develop cooking and baking skills using soybeans and surplus fruit grown on site during the harvest. Fruit trees have been planted at the Center and on neighboring property to be used in making jams, jellies, sauces, and baking breakfast (quick) breads. Chona Ajcot, the Mission’s food director and main cook, and several gifted, experienced local Mayan women have come forward, willing to share their talents in teaching how to preserve fruits, to make jellies, jams, and sauces, and to teach baking. A children’s playground with supervised play will be available so mothers need not worry about their children during this gathering time. An adjoining rock garden has been planned with views, beautiful flowers, and plants ideal for outdoor prayer and meditation.

The image I carry of Guatemala is filled with the beauty of its people and framed by the lush splendor of nature. I learned that San Lucas is more than a place to grow beans and sell coffee; it is also a place to plant faith and harvest love. If you wish to contribute to this building effort, please make your check payable to San Lucas Mission / Women’s Center. Mail your checks to: San Lucas Mission Office, Attn: Kathy Huebert, 1400 6th North, New Ulm, MN 56073-2099.

Gwen Christiansen is the DCCW International Concerns Coordinator and a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm.