Ministry
Update from Guatemala Sister Joyce Kahle and Sister Terry Walter are co-directors of Casa Sofia, our residence for university students in Guatemala City. Sister Joyce recently sent joyful updates from their ministry there.
W
e enjoyed seeing three of our students graduate last spring with beautiful ceremonies and fun celebrations! Berna (Bernandina) graduated from the Universidad Rafael Landívar in Antigua on March 28 with a technical degree in nursing, and nursing with an orientation in primary care. This is similar to an RN degree in the States. Berna continues her work in an outpatient dental hospital. The next student to graduate was Lety (Berta Leticia) from the Universidad Rafael Landívar in Guatemala City on April 15 with a licenciada or degree in theology. She was surprised at the graduation when she received special recognition for graduating cum laude at the top of her class. Here in Guatemala, college graduates have a sponsor who has a degree in the same field. In Berna’s situation, the same faculty members were sponsors for all the graduates, but for Lety’s class, a person with the same degree could sponsor them. So Sister Terry was Lety’s sponsor since she also has a degree in theology. Sister Terry accompanied Lety up on the stage and had the honor of placing her cap on her head. Lety continues studying chiropractic, sees 6
Sharing & Caring
some clients for medical massage, and is beginning to teach 8- and 9-year-old children in a Catholic school to prepare them for their First Communion. Sindy graduated from the University of San Carlos on April 27 with a licenciada in social work. Her practicum was with an area in the department of Jutiapa called
Lagunilla, about three hours from the capital. Her thesis also included a project in which she helped get funding to bring potable water to the people in that area. The people themselves secured funding for most of the materials and they provided all the labor, Story by Sister Joyce Kahle
