Crossing cultures, connecting Friends

Young Friends in Bolivia and Peru

2010-01-29T10:05:00.005-05:00

Young adult Friends in South American yearly meetings were prominent throughout our trip. Wherever we went - with the exception of a few small, rural churches near Lake Titicaca - we met young Friends. We were always being introduced to the leadership of young adult Friends' groups. At both INELA (Iglesia Nacional Evangélica Los Amigos) yearly meetings in Peru and Bolivia we spoke with young Friends at length. At most of the individual churches we visited, in other yearly meetings, we addressed young Friends who were gathered at the time.

'Young Friends' are defined differently depending on where you are. What I've seen in Bolivia, Peru, Central America, as well as among Hispanic Friends in the US and Canada, is that a young Friend is someone between the ages of about 18 to 35, who is not married. The rationale lies in the belief that what married young couples are focused on at this stage of their lives differs from single folks. I imagine it can be a hard transition for some. One fairly-newly-wed woman I met still considered herself part of the young Friends group - she couldn't have been much more than 21 - and was not ready in the least to join the women's group that she 'should' have transitioned into.

This explains why Jesus Huarachi, who at 30 is young by some standards, was not considered part of young Friends. In fact, he is the presiding clerk of the Peru yearly meeting, and he coordinated all of our visits and even accompanied us for two full weeks, leaving his wife and young daughter at home to do so. His commitment to seeing that Nancy and I visited as full a representation of Friends as possible was very strong. I hope some of you get to meet him when he comes to the FWCC Annual Meeting in March (prayers for his visa approval are appreciated!)

At INELA Bolivia YM, young adult Friends have been given an important charge: together with the women's society, the national leadership of both groups are responsible for developing and implementing plans for a yearly meeting camp and conference facility. Located in Palos Blancos in Sud Yungas province, quite a distance from La Paz, this camp already has an architectural design created by a professional young Friend. The idea to build the center came from young Friends and was approved by the yearly meeting last year.

Perhaps the most exciting thing I want to share is about plans for what is hoped will be an international gathering of young Friends in Peru for 2011. The preliminary plans I saw look good, and I think this could be a great opportunity for young adults to connect with Friends throughout the Americas. My hope is that FWCC will be able to support this effort to the extent we are able, and that other Friends’ groups will join in with their support and by encouraging young Friends to take part. Look for news to come in the future of this event.

2010-01-20T17:11:00.002-05:00

Nancy and I met with a small group of women from one of the Arequipa Friends churches on Monday. They wanted to ask our advice on how they could continue to energize and excite more women to be part of their Sociedad Femenil. We found out that they are feeling some of the same challenges as other Friends, namely, that fewer women are available to participate in events outside Sunday worship. I think we helped them think about how they could find energy by consulting with other women within their district, country, region (South America) and even within the Section of the Americas. In a video recording I took that day, they send their greetings to all women's groups in the Section and beyond, and they have put out a request to hear back from other women. I will post that next week, and I hope that connections can be made.

After the women's meeting, and Monday evening worship, a bunch of the church members accompanied Nancy and me for our last meal among Friends in Peru. With that, our time representing FWCC to Friends here ended for the present. It will be important to keep visiting Friends in Peru and Bolivia on behalf of FWCC. Already, we've received verbal invitations to Peru YM's 50th anniversary celebration next year. Last time FWCC sent 'official' visitors to Bolivia or Peru was 5 years ago. We must not wait another 5 years. I plan to elaborate a bit more on that in my reflections on this trip, over the next few weeks.

2010-01-16T19:03:00.002-05:00

The last few days we have spent attending another yearly meeting session, this time of the National Friends Church in Peru. We are in Ilave, which is south of Puno and north of Juli, along the western side of Lake Titicaca. This is a small town, and the yearly meeting's headquarters and Jorge Fox school are here. Nancy was asked to give several short sermons during the past two days here. The first was on leadership, the second was on the work and role of FWCC (I talked about things related to the Americas Section) and today's message was about the role of the church. Judging by the faces in the room, I think they went over well.

The yearly meeting could be broken down into two parts: reading of reports from various groups and committees, and a business agenda containing issues that came out of the reading of reports (plus a few others.) One of the agenda items was a request by yearly meeting leadership to begin to contribute to FWCC's work, in recognition of the benefits the yearly meeting has recieved through the workshops we hold there. They agreed to hold a special collection for FWCC one Sunday this year.

The yearly meeting has a few tough issues that they will continue to work through in the coming years. In an attempt to get done early, it was decided in today's session that we'd all forego a lunch break and work straight through in order to get done 'early'...that led to a marathon 8 hour business session! Our reward was a delicious lunch and a chance to say goodbye to many Friends here in the Altiplano. It has been wonderful to meet up again with former FWCC reps I've gotten to know over the years at annual meetings and triennials.

Over and over throughout our time here, names of other Friends 'in the north' come up. Former missionaries are remembered with great fondness, and I have messages to relay to a few of them. We have also heard alot of positive comment on a fairly recent FWCC sponsored visit by two New England YM Friends who taught at a youth conference. Jesus Huarachi and Nancy and I have had alot of fun joking about which pair traveled to the most remote place; who had the busiest schedule and toughest itinerary, and who got to see the most interesting sites in this area (I think we did!)

Sunday we travel to Arequipa, and on Monday we'll meet Friends there, thus ending our FWCC visit. I have a notebook full of work to follow up on, messages to relay, emails to stay connected with, and photos and video to share, when I get back. Stay tuned!

2010-01-12T19:09:00.003-05:00

Today is my first chance to write. Not because there aren´t internet cafes (there are many, in fact.) Our schedule has been so full, so packed, there hasn´t been a spare moment. To give you an idea, on Saturday we spent all day at INELA Bolivia yearly meeting sessions. On Sunday we visited four churches starting at 9 am and ending at 9 pm: one each from the Holiness yearly meeting, INELA and Bolivian Union Friends, all in El Alto, and a fourth church, another of INELA´s, in La Paz. It was great to hear the young Friends at the last church lead worship and music in the Andean tradition.

On Monday once again our day started very early, with two meetings, including one with Bolivian Union Friends yearly meeting who have expressed their wish to affilate with FWCC. We have had so many invitations to eat with Friends. Huge plates of typical dishes are set before you. Not surprisingly to those who know me, I´ve enjoyed everything so far!

Tuesday was spent on the road, as we left La Paz and headed to Peru, and spent the night in Juli. We drove by Lake Titicaca under a brilliantly blue sky and huge clouds that seemed so low you could almost touch them. Today we spoke, in the open air, to a group of Friends in a rural church not far from Juli. Just as my Meeting relishes hospitality time after worship, so do these Quakers. A blanket was spread on the ground and then on top was placed a clean, white cloth, and bags of chuño, small fried fish from Lake Titicaca, fried cheese, and puffed corn were laid out for all to partake. Peruvian Friends joked about how much they look forward to eating after worship!

With such a busy schedule - and it doesn´t look like it will slow down until the end - I´ve reached the conclusion that I need time to process what all our visits have meant, not only to FWCC but to those we have visited. My mind jumps from face to face of those I´ve met. I´ve been greeted with hugs and kisses by probably hundreds of Friends so far. Old, young, professional, humble. So many discussions on faith, the world family of Friends, world economy, global change, youth in our churches and why they are dissatisfied, and yes, even politics. I know that once I´ve left I will have alot to share on matters far more important that what I´ve eaten or how many churches I´ve visited.

2010-01-08T10:14:00.002-05:00

Wednesday´s 4 hour meeting at INELA headquarters went beyond our expectations. All six yearly meeting made it, and four of the six were represented by their presiding clerk. We started with Nancy delivering a message on a bit of Friends´ history, and then she talked about the testimonies, reinforcing their Biblical basis. Then we each spoke about FWCC´s work at the World and Section levels.

Each yearly meeting representative then gave a short presentatin about the state of the yearly meeting, including membership stats and pressing issues they face.

This led in what, at times, was a very emotional discussion. Perhaps the toughest issue they face is that of declining membership, in large part due to the attraction of their youth and others to Pentecostal and similar denominations. The largest of the yearly meetings, the Holiness Mission yearly meeting, said they are 10,000 fewer (vs what time period, I am not certain, but it seemed to mean within the past decade;I was interpreting, so I wasn´t able to take detailed notes though Nancy did.) Sone of the yearly meeting leaders, at times speaking in anguished tones, said how critical it is to involve younger Friends in the life of the church and in leadership roles. Over and over we heard how frustrated some leaders are because they don´t have either the materials or capacity in their yearly meetings to explain what makes the Friends church special or different from other evangelical churches. The original message of the first missionaries who brought their Quaker distinctives to Bolivia is unknown to probably a majority of congregants today. There is almost a desperation to know more about Quaker history and early Friends´ beliefs.

The other issue we heard alot about has to do with administrative changes occasioned by changes in the Bolivian constitution. Under Evo Morales´ government Bolivia has moved from a church state to a lay state, and this is reflected in the change in Bolivia´s official name. (can´t remember it exactly now, try to google it.) All church denominations have been asked to supply, electronically, detailed documentation including bylaws, names and positions of church leaders, etc. All the yearly meetings are now in the process of updating thier bylaws, but some have concerns that they might not meet with government approval. So this has taken quite a bit of administrative energy from the yearly meeting clerks and governing boards, not to mention concerns about the future relationship of the government and the church.

To witness all six yearly meetings in Bolivia sit together and talk about their common concerns was quite an experience. Perhaps this is the beginning of future collaboration, or perhaps not, but at the very least everyone was very grateful to Jesus Huarachi, using our visit to Bolivia, for reaching out to all Quakers in Bolivia.

An important meeting today

2010-01-06T10:06:00.002-05:00

A meeting has been arranged for Nancy and me later this afternoon with the leaders of all six yearly meetings in Bolivia. Jesus Huarachi has been working to bring this group together for weeks. I sense that has been a goal of his since he became the coordinator for the South America region of COAL (Committee of Latin American Friends) - getting the various groups together more often. We now know some of the questions and concerns that will be asked of us. We hear there is alot of interest in knowing more about FWCC and in particular in FWCC as a conduit for learning more about Quaker history, testimonies, intervisitation and more.

This is shaping up to be the key meeting of our visit, and hopefully the start of more communication from the yearly meetings we know little about. Next week we have a meeting scheduled with one of these yearly meetings that is considering affilating with FWCC. We haven´t met everyone yet, but already I feel a greater connection to Friends here, unlike the ´connection´ felt from a distance at an office in Philadelphia.

Hope to have lots to share soon. Prayers for a good sense of fellowship and understanding among all to be present are appreciated.

Meeting Sucre Friends

2010-01-03T18:50:00.002-05:00

Writing from Sucre, Bolivia, after taking a few days to acclimate to the altitude, which, though lower than La Paz, still had us breathing a little harder than usual.

About 15 years ago Zacarías and his family left La Paz where they were members of the National Friends Church for work opportunities in the capital city of Sucre. Soon afterwards two other families joined him, and they began worshipping in Zacarías´ home. This worship group began to grow and finally about 4 years ago they were able to purchase some land and build a church, for the now 60+ families that are part of the congregation. They have partnered with a group called Compassion International and, during the week, provide a home and care for about 180 kids, most of whom are abandoned. Friends take Jesus´ message of love when they reach out to the families of these children, where abuse, alcoholism, and fighting are common.

Today when Nancy and I visited the church, Iglesia Junta Mensual San Pablo, we were very warmly welcomed. We were told that our appearance made a difference to Friends here. They don´t get many visitors, since they are but one church located far from the hub of the yearly meeting in La Paz. (there are over 200 Friends churches in the La Paz area, in the National Friends church (INELA) yearly meeting alone, and it´s not even the largest of the six yearly meetings in Bolivia.

One of the interesting things about the Sucre church is that the congregation is majority Quechua-speaking, unlike its three Aymara founding families. For those who aren´t already aware, Aymara and Quechua are the two main indigenous groups in Bolivia,and the vast majority of Quakers here are Aymara. The pastor, Juan Quenta Quispe, has had to learn Quechua. The worship service that Nancy and I went to today was mostly in Spanish, with a little Quechua here and there (the hymn book was Spanish/Quechua.) But the Sunday evening service is mostly Quechua.

We look forward to seeing Zacarías again next weekend during INELA´s yearly meeting sessions. Tomorrow, we head back up to La Paz.

Three days and counting

2009-12-28T18:07:00.002-05:00

Jesus Huarachi has been amazing. He's the Clerk of the National Friends Church of Peru, and he has put together quite a full, and varied, itinerary for us while we're in Bolivia as well as Peru. He's found Friends to meet us at the airport in Sucre, and to get us back there for our return to La Paz. He's traveling to La Paz (he lives Arequipa, Peru, almost 400 miles 'as the crow flies')to meet us personally. I am taking some documents to Jesus that he needs to apply for a visa to come to the FWCC Annual Meeting in March near Baltimore, MD. If he gets his visa, my hope is that we can extend a similar welcome to him. His 'ministry of hospitality' has calmed any fears or questions about what we'll be doing or where we'll be laying our heads to rest each night.

2009-12-16T12:14:00.001-05:00

I've never been to Bolivia or Peru

2009-12-15T17:17:00.002-05:00

It’s a given that whenever I travel to visit Quakers (Friends, with the capital ‘F’) I’ll probably have to write a report about it. Only a few folks actually read what, at the time, seemed pretty interesting and relevant to me. So it seemed to make sense this time to try to do that in a more practical way….and thus this bit of blog writing.

While many of you will be counting down the minutes to midnight on December 31st, FWCC General Secretary Nancy Irving and I will be flying in the darkness almost due south of the East coast of the US to La Paz, Bolivia. A few hours after we land, early on the 1st January 2010, we’ll be on another flight to Sucre, which, at 9000 feet, is about 4000 feet lower than La Paz airport (really in El Alto) and makes for a good place to acclimate to the altitude before we head back up to La Paz and then on to Peru.

Our plan is to spend about three weeks visiting various Friends’ groups in Bolivia and Peru. We’ll attend two yearly meeting sessions – those of the Iglesia Nacional Evangélica Los Amigos, of Boliva and of Peru. We’re hoping to meet folks from the other yearly meetings, too. With a World Conference of Friends coming up in 2012, there’s a lot that Nancy wants to share with Friends here. It is the first trip for both of us to South America. My role in all of this will be to interpret (Spanish only, sorry, no Aymara) for Nancy and to represent the organization I serve as Associate Secretary - FWCC Section of the Americas. Our plates are full…the proposed itinerary is packed…and I pray that we’ll be up to the task, physically, emotionally, spiritually of what we are called to do.