Mennonite Air Missions, Guatemala

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Mennonite Air Missions
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Congregations	17
Membership	275
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This group began in 1972 as an outgrowth of Conservative Mennonite Fellowship mission work. Using airplanes to reach isolated areas in the roadless interior of the country, the Air Missions group has established 17 congregations with nearly 275 members.

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History

1972- Mennonite Air Missions is established in Guatemala City. San Andrés is the first mission created outside of city limits. The church thrived in San Andrés, so Harold Kauffman and others decided to begin looking for a second town.

1973- San Bartolomé is considered as an ideal place for the second mission. The village is scouted twice before Victor and Anita Ovalle are sent to be the missionaries. The first villager are baptized in the following year. 6 were baptized on November 10, 1974.

1976- On February 4, an earthquake rattles the country with a magnitude of 7.9. The following day another quake, this time a 5.7 on the Richter scale, shakes the country. In the aftermath of these two large earthquakes and the numerous tremors, 22,000 people are killed and 75,000 are injured. 300 villages were completely destroyed. In response to this, MAM participated in "Operation Quake," which sent support in the form of money, medicine, tents, supplies, food, clothes, construction materials, tools, emergency equipment and volunteers from many different international organizations and churches. As a side note, the local Catholic church in San Bartolomé was rebuilt before any of the workers began reconstruction of their homes.

1977- Water was finally struck in San Bartolomé's well. Digging the well took 7 months and the well was 325 ft deep. All of the labor was by hand and all the villagers participated in one form or other.

1979- As guerilla tacks increased, there were more threats made on the lives of missionaries and church leaders. Also in 1979, Modesto Lopez is anointed as a deacon of Mount of Olives chapel in San Bartolomé just prior to the first Bible Conference which was also in San Bartolomé.

1981- September 13, John Troyer is dragged out of his house in Palamá, and is murdered. Gary Miller was also shot but after feigning death was able to recuperate and return to the United States. This set about numerous political actions. The American Embassy informed MAM missionaries that they should leave Guatemala temporarily and, following policy, they agreed. This was a critical time in the life of the local churches. Though there had been some native leadership, much of the responsibilities had rested on the shoulders of Harold Kauffman and the other missionaries. During this time Victor Ovalle hands leadership of the San Bartolomé church to José Benito and takes leadership of MAM from the headquarters in Guatemala City. 

1982- The last guerilla attack in a village with MAM was recorded in August. Modesto Lopez, then excommunicated member, but still a participant of MAM and mayor of San Bartolomé requests the assistance of José Benito in a nearby village. Upon returning, the truck is ambushed by an explosion of dynamite. All nine of the passengers in the bed of the truck are killed, including Modesto. José, though badly injured survives with two other guards who had been riding in the cab.

1983- There is a bloodless that begins to bring more order to the countryside. Eventually the guerilla bands are disbanded and MAM workers are allowed to return to the still dangerous country.

Here is a significant gap of information. No information concerning 1984 to 2009 has been published and attracted this author's notice.

2010- By this time MAM has establish 17 congregations with a total membership population of 275, though attenders number much higher. One San Bartolomé source says that at Mount Olive Church alone, there were 175 people in the congregation on any given Sunday. 

Origins - Setting the stage

Mennonite Air Missions is located to the Northeast of Guatemala City, in the area known as the Department of Quiché. This area is populated by the descendants of the Quiché Mayas who were forced out of their land by Spanish conquistadors. During this time, Quiché culture was all but erased. Even the sacred Popol Vuh disappeared along with many of the legends and traditional folklore that were contained inside. To avoid Spanish persecution, the Quiché hid in the mountains. This persecution led to an intense cultural pride as well as a hostility toward both strangers and change. 

This resentment of change can be seen in the local religion prior to MAM. Before Catholicism was forced upon the native, the mayans sacrificed youth to the sun god by removing the still-beating heart. Though this practice was removed, there were many pagan and Catholic rituals combined. The official leader of each town was the mayor, but the priest and the witch-doctors consumed all the real power.

Quiché people also had a resentment to gringos, white people. "They said the white man plants the head of an indian child into the hold every electric pole he erects" (Sharp 9). "They told us," writes Sharp, "one of the rumors circulating in those hills was that the gringos

Despite all of these hostilities, Harold Kauffman and Angel Tortola set out to San Bartolome with the intent to scout the area and possibly begin a mission.

Contemporary Life

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Important Individuals in the Life of the Church

Harold and Darlene Kauffman- This missionary couple were the pioneers of MAM and have continued to work with the mission for over thirty years. Harold was a pilot, who used his plane to bring supplies and water to the various village churches that had poor road access. 

Urie Jonathon Sharp- This missionary turned author wrote a book titled "Under His Wings" which is the largest collection of information on MAM to this day. Sharp's daughter, also an author, wrote a book entitled "Awaiting the Dawn". This narrative tells the story of the murder of John Troyer and attempted murder of Gary Miller by a Guatemalan guerilla group.

Angel Tortola- This indigenous Quiche speaker accompanied Harold Kauffman on the first trip to San Bartolome.

Fransico Ovalle- This indigenous Quiche speaker was asked to scout San Bartolome in a second trip with Ismael Quinonez. The hope was that the two natives would be able to more easily interact with the villagers.

Ismael Quinonez- Accompanied Fransico Ovalle to San Bartolome. Later he became a pastor in San Andres

Juan Alpirez- Was a teacher in San Bartolome when it was first visited. Originally he was skeptical but reconsidered after being invited to a church meeting by his future wife. Later he became the pastor in La Sorpresa and at Oratorio.

Modesto Lopez- This promising leader and deacon of the church in San Bartolome became mayor. When the guerilla groups became more numerous, he was excommunicated for his participation in the night watch. He was later killed by guerillas in an ambush.

Miguel Tum- This former president of the Catholic community was strong opposition to the Mennonite missionaries. At age 90 he was baptized into the San Bartolome church and continued to be the caretaker of the chapel through the guerilla raids until his death at age 96.

Doug Hodgins- This veterinarian was a missionary in Guatemala who strongly emaphasized the need for better healthcare and stressed the need for native leadership in the MAM churches. He also had a portable clinic in the back of a truck that he used in his missions in San Sur.

Jose Benito Xotoy- This one-time president of the Catholic community, mayor of San Bartolome and strong critic of the Mennonites, was baptized in 1977 before being ordained in 1980. Along with Modesto Lopez, he was ambushed by guerillas. Though 9 of the other passengers were killed, Jose and two others survived the dynamite blast. Jose played a vital role in the continued mission of MAM.

Carlos Urizar- This pastor in Mixcolaja was forced to participate in the military. Rather than participate, Urizar evaded the military and moved away.

Ragael and Catalino Segura- This couple were leaders of the church in El Chal after the foreign missionaries were forced to leave in 1981.

Tacinto Toc and Juan Antonio- These men were the leaders of the church in San Sur after the foreign missionaries were forced to leave in 1981.

Rolegio Pichiya- This man was the pastor of the church in Zargosa around 1981.

Juan Ovalle- Grandson of Fransico Ovalle and son of Victor Ovalle, led the believers in Novillero around 1981.

Victor and Anita Ovalle- Parents of Juan Ovalle, this couple was the foundation of MAM in the early 80's after the foreign missionaries were forced to leave by their own embassy. During this time Victor performed all baptisms, weddings and communion. Victor was also in charge of MAM headquarters. Prior to this, Victor and Anita were the first missionaries and pastors in San Bartolome.

John Troyer and family- This family were missionaries in Palama with Gary Miller when, on September 13, 1981, they were attacked by guerillas. John was murdered and Gary was shot and left for dead. Troyer was also the first to begin alternative service in regards to night patrols. Instead he performed roadwork and kept detailed records for the local authorities.

Gary Miller- This missionary worked closely with the Troyer family in Palama. After being left for dead by the guerillas, he recuperated and eventually married John's widow, Marie.

Tereasa Calel- This women though at the time a child, was one of the first supporters of the Mennonite missionaries in San Bartolome. When the guerilla attacks increased, her father, brother and husband were all murdered. 

Don Donaldson- Though not an official member of MAM, this pilot was essential to the early life of MAM. Before Harold Kauffman had gained the needed hours to land in the treacherous mountains, this Mission Aviation Fellowship member, helped deliver supplies.

 

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