Day 1. 31 V 24. Ciudad de Guatemala.

It was an early morning as I left the house at 2:30 on the way to Philly’s airport for the flight to Guatemala City.  A 3-hour layover in Atlanta and arrived in the afternoon. We were met by Bishop David Alvarado the Primate of Central America, who has served as Bishop of El Salvador since 2015 (one year before my consecration). I have always enjoyed being with him, as he is kind and faithful. We received a quick tour of the Cathedral of St. James. 

After the tour, I asked for a favor: Please take me to a food cart or a small restaurant serving authentic Guatemalan food. The food was extraordinary.  Upon the recommendation of our new siblings, I ordered Kak’ik.  It is one of the most popular Mayan dishes in Guatemala and is also recognized as one of the country’s dishes of intangible cultural heritage. It’s a turkey soup cooked in a lightly spiced red broth. The name was derived from a Mayan Q’echi tradition during pre-colonial times. The Guatemalan turkey soup is traditionally prepared by using native turkeys (turkeys are indigenous to the Americas), tomatoes, cilantro, chilies, and achiote, which gives the soup its vibrant color.

After lunch, we walked through the streets of Guatemala, and I was moved by the people's kindness and internal and external beauty.  At each place, we were greeted with smiles and a warm embrace.  Their features speak of their proud, strong, and intelligent Mayan blood and genetics.  I had to sit and gaze upon these proud people and offer a prayer of gratitude for the ability to walk with them, listen to them, and share this journey at this time and place.  I feel that each day, I will be pulled back to my origins and roots and, at each stop, find a place of belonging and a home.

If we can only look upon everyone we encounter and see only the beauty of Christ present within.  Just as God created us.  

What do you do on a holiday weekend after flying from Philly to Texas to Albuquerque

What do you do on a holiday weekend in Albuquerque while preparing for an 11-day, 4-country tour of Central America with the Archbishop of Canterbury?  Help a friend break a lot of concrete, dig trenches, and lay a foundation for a Casita (addition or mother-in-law quarters).  We crammed in two days from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. and had a lot of good food.  Carne Adovada Burritos - ahh.  (Diocese of Pennsylvania, it does not change. I work unceasingly all the time).  

I have worked every labor job you can imagine - roofing, construction, tile, paving, landscaping, to name a few.  I started working for a living when I was 7 or 8, and it continues.   I am blessed that our Good Lord has given me excellent health (my doctor recently told me, "You make my job boring.")  I can still put in 12-15 hours of ministry or manual labor and keep up with those much younger. 

God also gave me a strong back, a never-quit-till-the-job-is-finished attitude, grit, determination, and the "you drop everything and always help someone out when they need it" spirit. Combine this with a deep knowing of who I am, familia, a grounding in my culture, and never forgetting where I come from and who helped me along the way.  I consider myself blessed.  

A working-class faith, church, strength, resilience, and approach to life.  One of the best compliments I received was after a visitation in Delco; a man approached me and said, "You are our blue-collar bishop."  I want to be remembered as such (and that I loved them). 

When someone asks what I do,  I tell them I am in the service industry and spend a lot of time working in the fields.  My boss is also an excellent carpenter, and I am an apprentice.  Que viva la vida.

As for the pictures, my favorite artists are the Great Three Mexican Muralists: José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and David Alfaro Siqueiros.  The always speak of the context; people, condition and the resilience.  The images are all Rivera, but of the three, I tend to lean toward Siqueiros.  I have included a picture at the end called "Caminantes."  On the Camino, it is all about the journey.

Beginning Friday, you can follow my trip with the Archbishop of Canterbury on this blog.  You will also be able to access through the Diocese of Pennsylvania:  Diocese of Pennsylvania

When I return from Central America, I will let you know what Jude is dragging me into (involves running in combat boots)

                                                                  Lola update 

A terror in beautiful motion

Oakley thinks, "Calgon, take me away" from Lola. 

David Alfaro Siqueiros "Caminantes"

Additional Pictures of Barrett Maggard's graduation (my nephew)

 Suzanne sent some additional pictures.

Could not post without posting a picture of my other nephew Blake (holding the skateboard on his 16th birthday).  He is Barrett's younger brother.  They went up to Dallas to visit Jude when Jude was coaching in a tournament this past April.

My niece Erin and her better half, Matt.  The young man on the left is Casden.  He is one heck of a roper and one of these days, you will see him at the NFR. 

Jaida's Graduation

Another niece graduated from San Jose St. University.  She set records for San Jose State in Beach Volleyball, and I see a career for her in coaching.  We love and miss her and so proud of her.  She has a sister, Jazmyn, who teaches in Japan, and a brother, Josh, who is at Morehouse and will be a Navy pilot.  Jaida is Stephanie's daughter (who traveled from Tracy to see me preach in Sacramento).  Stephanie is the daughter of Suzanne's sister Judy, who was killed in a traffic accident many years back.  Jude is named after Judy.  

Barrett's Graduation

Our nephew Barrett graduated from Teague High School in Teague, Texas.   Off of I-45 near Corsicana and Fairfield.  He will be attending Texas State Technical School in Waco to become an electrician.  Barrett's mom is Erin and she is the daughter of Linda (my sister in law who passed three years ago).  Linda is smiling in heaven.  

Alejandra's Graduation

Between the visitations and Co-Chairing the Social Justice and International Policy Committee for the General Convention (We have had 6 Zoom Meetings), we had family that graduated.  My goddaughter (mi hijada, since she is like the daughter I never had) graduated from the Dental School at the University of Southern California.  She will return to New Mexico as a dentist to work with indigenous communities and communities of color.  

                                                        Dr. Alejandra De La Cruz

My Best friend for 40 years and triple compadre. NM State Representative Arthur De La Cruz. (For those who don't know the meaning of compadre, godfather).  Triple?  Art and Annette are Jude's Godparents, they were the Best Man and Woman at our wedding and we are Alejandra's Godparents.

Alejandra's fiance Danny Argueta. He is an outstanding MMA fighter with the UFC. Our glamour shot. Guess who will officiate at their wedding next year?

Alejandra's brother Reyes (on the left) and his husband Ricky.  Reyes is an Attorney with the National Labs and Ricky is an accountant with the University of New Mexico.

My comadre.  The Honorable Annette Chavez Y De La Cruz. Annette serves as the Vice Chair of the Central NM Community College. It is the largest in the state, and she was recently elected to her second term. Alejandra's Mom (in her retirement from being a Community College Vice President) works at the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande.

Visitation Compilation #6

 

Pennsylvania congregations celebrate Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Pennsylvania congregations celebrate Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: [Episcopal News Service] When Pennsylvania Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez, was a child growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe every Dec. 12 and Christmas…

Cathedral in Sacramento

 

Revival in the Diocese of Northern California

While in Charlotte, I was closely tracking the Executive Committee of the Compass Rose Society, of which I serve as President. Following the House of Bishops meeting in Charlotte, NC, I immediately boarded a plane and flew to Sacramento, where I was invited to preach at their revival. I had a wonderful time with God's beloved in Northern California. They are resilient, faithful, and filled with love and hope.