We have heard of the San Lucas Mission for many years through our dear friends Nadia and Louis Smith. From them we learned of the selfless devotion to the community that is the guiding principle of this organization. When we wanted to hear more about some of the people working with the Mission, they immediately began talking about you. Now that Greg Shaefer has written to us about your story, we are inspired by your example and want to acknowledge your work and tell others about it.
The disappearance of your husband in 1981 in the Guatemalen civil war did not leave you bitter and unproductive. You raised three sons, all of whom have now obtained university degrees,worked with the Mission for many years, and grew in the traditional Mayan teachings to become one of the wisdom people of Maya. Now you are realizing a dream you kept quiet for many years. Each month you invite several dozen widows and elderly women to your home for an afternoon of visiting, story-telling, eating, laughing, and praying. You also make sure that they receive gifts of needed supplies you have solicited like towels, sheets, blankets, kitchen utensils, and food—corn, beans, rice, sugar, and cooking oil. And now you are arranging other special visits for people suffering from serious disabilities, especially polio. You have also been helping teach them productive skills such as weaving, embroidery, and jewelry-making. The most important part of these gatherings, however, is the encouragement each visitor receives to be the most important person each can be for their families and the community.
Realizing a dream to help others is the kind of heartfelt work the Sullivan Ballou Fund wants to celebrate. We believe this is how important work is done, how real change occurs—when someone has no plan for personal gain but simply a dream that comes from the heart. We feel privileged to learn of your dream and to support you in this small way. We hope others will learn from your example.Congratulations!
Elissa and Bruce Peterson, Founding Members