January/February Newsletter 2019

San Lucas Mission Newsletter January/February 2019 Letter from Guicha Esteemed donors, In This Edition Greetings from all of us at the Women’s Cen- ter. Through this letter, we want to express our The Women’s Center humble gratitude to you for the support that you provide us. Through this support, these women Hear from the Director of the have economic support and gain new experiences Women’s Center, read about a participating in different courses. Thanks to your participant, and read a poem donations, the program continues to function and written by the sewing instructor. grow, helping demonstrate the work of these ac- complished women. For me personally, I am very San Lucas Updates happy to work with these women who motivate me, knowing that I can support them and help Catch up on other Mission news provide new knowledge allowing them to continue through our quick updates from to move forward and give them the opportunity to San Lucas Tolimán. voice their experiences. We also work with groups of visitors demonstrating our work. The opportunity Note from the Director to share with visitors about our culture is one of the best experiences. We are able to continue to harvest the seeds that Fr. Greg left us, and share this knowledge so Hear from the FOSL Executive that our children will always remember all that is possible through the support of Director, Bill Peterson, about his people with good hearts. recent visit to San Lucas. Thank you to the Friends of San Lucas for their confidence in us to run the pro- gram and demonstrate to the visitors our work at the Women’s Center. Sending hugs and blessings to you and your family, Francisca Ajcibinac Cocón (Guicha) Director of the Women’s Center

The Women’s Center Creating a Bright Future Dilma Elizabeth Chumil Jacinto was born and raised in San Lucas Tolimán and didn’t grow up with many opportunities. She studied through 3rd grade and worked as a maid when she could find work. She is now 32 years old and has 3 daughters - Emeline (12), Jacqueline (9) and Andrea (7). Her husband works as a mechanic and Dilma still tries to find odd jobs when she can. In addition to participating in a local soccer team, Dilma is now a regular participant in the sewing class at the Women’s Center. “I’ve been coming every Tuesday and Thursday for the sewing class for the past two months. Before I came, I didn’t know any- thing about how to use an industrial sewing machine.” Dilma has been working hard the past two months and now has two of the purses she’s made available for pur- Dilma with her daughter, Andrea chase in the store at the Women’s Center. “It’s some- times difficult because I don’t have a sewing machine at home to be able to practice. But my ultimate goal is to be able to open a store of my own where I can sell dresses, pants, everything!” When asked about what moti- “My hope isvated her to start taking classes at the Women’s Center, her answers always circled back to her daughters. “I want to take these courses to be able to help my daughters. My hope is through these courses, I can become independent and a good example through thesefor them.” Not only is Dilma learning how to sew at the Women’s Center, but she’s learning how to be more confident in herself through her interactions with visitors. courses,“For women, it can be hard to speak up and make our voices heard and that is not good. I used to be scared to speak in public, but now I’ve had the opportunity to talk to visitors and I’m learning to make my voice heard. I think that’s very import- I can becomeant and a very good thing to learn.” Dilma is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate at the Women’s Center and that she can bring her daughters there as well. Through the sewing class, she hopes to gain the skills to be able to open her independent.”own store and demonstrate the capabilities we all have inside of us to her daughters.

Dreams of the Beloved Fr. Greg Schaffer Poem by Herbert Pic Asuncion, Sewing Instructor at the Women’s Center Today is a new day to give the best of yourself. Quick Updates from Today is a good day, to celebrate the work of woman, who so early San Lucas Tolimán kneads the flour, who delicately adds the ingredients of the deli- cious cake and, finishing the decoration, goes out to sell it in the 1Fr. Greg’s Birthday streets of the town. On January 29th, the people of San Lucas celebrated what would have been Fr. Today I go to enjoy an exquisite lunch prepared by a former par- Greg’s 85th Birthday. Students and em- ticipant of the Women’s Center; walking through the Women’s ployees of the Mission celebrated with Center I see a woman preparing her thread for days and months mass and a procession to the cemetery for what will be her own güipil [traditional blouse]. With the fin- ished weaving the joy is visible from the success of completing to sing and remember the life of Fr. Greg. her own work. 2Día del Cariño Inside the Women’s Center we see these beautiful hands crafting Valentine’s Day in San Lucas is a day for clothing with their own creation, inventing their own designs, more celebrations! Students participate dreams of the beloved Fr. Greg. in activities celebrating friendship, there are plenty of chocolates to go around, This is life, as if we are a dessert, rich with memories. and the day wouldn’t be complete with- We are like a weaving that after many years of work, we leave out a Valentine’s Dance in the many fabrics of love; I see a seamstress that with great effort, Municipality building in the park! creates a dress and finishing it, jumps with joy and shouts enthu- 3A New School Year Begins siastically: Mission accomplished! Classes for the 2019 school year at Gracias Monseñor Gregorio Schaffer Colegio Monseñor Gregorio Schaffer began on January 7th with a record 670 None of this would be possible without support from people like you! students! To get in touch with us or make a donation visit sanlucasmission.org

Note from the Director Dear Friends of San Lucas, I just returned from two weeks in San Lucas helping to lead two “development” trips, trips designed to give people an in-depth experience of all the programs of the Mission. We spent a half day or so in each program, hearing from the directors and getting a close look at all the good work that is happen- ing. For me it is a huge source of joy, to have people from the US meet the directors of the programs and to see how much pride they take in their work. Whether it is Edy and Carlos demonstrating how to brew coffee or Dr. Tun talking about the healthcare system, every director, every staff person in San Lucas, puts all that they have and all that they are into their work. In addition to supporting all the programs, your gifts support this great staff, giving them the opportu- nity to have dignified work that allows them to use their God-given gifts. We are blessed to have such a committed staff. And we thank God every day that they work together to bring the kingdom of God ever closer. In hope and faith, Bill Peterson Executive Director Thank you for your support and generosity to the San Lucas Mission. Friends of San Lucas • 4679 Cambridge Drive, Eagan, MN 55122 • 651-508-1848 • sanlucasmission.org