Guatemala Mission Trip
In 2002 God called the members of the First United Methodist Church in Cheyenne to reach out and create a sister church relationship with the tiny indigenous Maya village of Patulup in Guatemala, Central America. Since that time FUMC Cheyenne has financially supported Patulup's Methodist minister, Juan Ixtan, as its Mission Pastor, and has annually sent mission teams to provide medical care, construction, and Bible school classes.
Nestled in the high mountains of central Guatemala, Patulup is one of many poor agricultural villages of Quiche'-speaking indigenous people of Mayan heritage and culture. The men speak Spanish only as a second language and the women, still often dressed in traditional huipiles(blouses) and cortes (skirts), weave and embroider all of their clothing by hand. Entire families spend their time tilling, planting, and harvesting their crops of corn, beans, and fruit in the rich volcanic soils as their ancestors have done for many centuries.
For over thirty years these people endured a terrible civil war. Many were massacred or driven from their lands. Peace was restored with the signing of "A First and Lasting Peace Agreement" on December 29 1996, and communities like Patulup are trying to put their lives back together.
We are currently planning our 2010 Mission trip to Guatemala - for more information contact the church office.