OCWM stands for Our Church's Wider Mission. That is the heading
under which local churches financially support the ministries of
the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ and the
National UCC Organization. First Church is a strong supporter of
the Connecticut Conference and the UCC. During 2008 our church is
committed to donating 10% of our income to the work of these two
organizations. More information about both organizations can be
found through the links below.
Our Church's Wider Mission (http://www.ucc.org/ocwm/)
UCC National Organization (http://www.ucc.org/)
The C0nnecticut Conference of the UCC (http://www.ctucc.org/)
Climate Changes
June 1, 2010
There are a few "commodities" and "luxuries" our family had in
Chicago which we no longer have, relatively speaking, here in El
Quiche, Guatemala. For example, having access to potable
water is not only a national problem, but for our area has been a
years-long problem. The water truck drives down our street as early
as 6 am every day of the week honking the horn and selling water.
We buy our water this way. It is then stored in cisterns where the
already murky water gets even murkier. Some days I wish I could
submerge myself in Lake Michigan to bathe - and to be honest, I
have never been interested in Lake Michigan, but now I miss
it!
Having access to potable water is not only a social problem but
also an environmental one. There have been mild droughts each of
the recent years, but in the past year throughout most of Guatemala
and much of Central America, there was no rainfall whatsoever. Now
the government has officially announced a severe drought. The
drought destroyed most of next year's subsistence maize (corn)
crops, and the cost of maize has increased astronomically. Not only
is there a lack of food for the upcoming year, but this has created
a serious economic hardship for most families. While historically,
many rural residents have been internally displaced, or uprooted
from their communities due to colonialism, the 36 year old armed
conflict and the recent mining business, now many are being
displaced due to grave environmental changes. Yet there is
something impressive about an organization like Guatemalan Cultural
Action (ACG) which has a staff so committed and dedicated to
improving the lives of each person in the community, even while
living with their own economic hardships.
Pray with me, giving thanks to God for the Guatemalan Cultural
Action (ACG). May God bless you and your family in everything
you do to support me and my family and the ACG. I humbly ask
for your continued prayers.
Written by Gloria Vicente
Gloria Vicente serves through Global Ministries with Guatemalan
Culture Action (ACG) as a youth and communication worker.
For More Information
Felix Ortiz-Cotto
Area Executive
Latin America and the Caribbean
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis,Indiana 46206
United States
317-713-2563
Fax: 317-635-4323
fortiz@dom.disciples.org