As the K'ekchi' visited Christian leaders among the Lengua, Chulupí, and Angaité people of Paraguay, the Toba and Mocoví people of Argentina, and the Quechua of Perú, there seemed to be immediate identification and confidence in one another. All the groups share a common history of conquest by the Spaniards and brutal discrimination and oppression for over 500 years.
In Filadelfia and Yalve Sanga, Paraguay, the German Mennonite colony is working alongside the Lengua, Chulupí, and Angaité people who were originally hunters and gatherers, but have now settled on land given to them by the colony. Nineteen churches have been planted. German missionaries have translated the Bible into several of the indigenous languages.Our group visited a Bible institute, bilingual school, hospital, alcohol rehabilitation center, agricultural co-op, and Christian radio station which broadcasts in several indigenous languages. They met church leaders and joined a worship service.
In Argentina, we visited with the Toba and Mocoví indigenous groups. Sebastián and Alfredo noted familiar issues--discrimination and injustice, land issues, poor health services, lack of equal educational opportunities, and the struggle to maintain language and culture. Here the various indigenous groups have organized their own United Evangelical Church of over 200 congregations with their own pastors, missionaries, and evangelists. Mennonite Board of Missions missionaries serve in a ministry of Bible teaching and accompaniment.
An evening service out on the prairie under the starry sky was a highlight. Our hosts warmly welcomed us. "We have been eagerly awaiting this night," one Quechua said. "We were told that indigenous people from far away were coming to visit us, and now you are here, surely by the prayers to the Lord." We worshiped in K'ekchi', Mocoví and Spanish.
On our last stop in Cusco, Perú, the beauty of the mountains and Inca ruins made us feel at home. Sebastián and Alfredo were especially impressed with the spiritual maturity of the youth in the four Quechua Mennonite congregations there. It was a confirmation to them that youth work is important for the future of their church as well. The groups encouraged each other to preserve their culture and languages.
The four-hour train trip through the spectacular, rugged Andes mountains to visit the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu was another trip highlight. The K'ekchi' were amazed at the temples built from perfectly-cut granite, and the rock terraces built by the Incas over 600 years ago.
The visit prompted rich times of reflection and hard questions from the K'ekchi' travelers. They asked, "Who are the Spaniards and why did they want to destroy us? Were our ancestors so evil that God wanted to punish us like the Israelites? Why did God allow this to happen to our people?"
Reflecting on the trip, Sebastián said, "I am proud of my heritage. Our ancestors have a lot to teach us about care of the earth and the sacredness of all things created by God. Sharing with my other indigenous brothers and sisters has strengthened my faith, and I believe we were also an encouragement to them. I believe even more strongly that we need to educate our youth."
"Our people do not know their own history," Alfredo added. "We need to take another group to Tikal (Mayan ruins in Guatemala) and teach more about our history."
It was exciting to hear Sebastián and Alfredo sharing stories from this trip with their families, the executive committee, and churches. We will never be able to measure the impact of the exchange, but I do know that it has already made its mark on the K'ekchi Mennonite Church. (Linda Witmer works with Eastern Mennonite Missions in Guatemala.)
