Intercultural Encounters is a program that designs and facilitates experiences of encounter, reflection, dialogue, and mutual service between people of the United States and Canada with Central American communities in search of a more just, tolerant and equitable world.

We host the following types of groups:

Immersion Seminars:

Groups come for an intensive study on a certain topic such as migration, environment, religion and spirituality, or gender. During the time in Central America, the participants have the opportunity to talk with local specialists who provide serious and up-to-date information to the group about the local context. This way the groups have a framework to facilitate their discussions and reflections.

Immersion-Work Groups:

Groups can combine a time of study of a certain topic with a work experience where they participate in mutual learning and interaction with Central American people and groups.

Partnership Strengthening Visits:

For groups that have established partnership and solidarity relationships with local groups and/or churches and are interested in learning about the realities in which their partners live day to day.

Virtual Journeys:

Because of pandemic-related restrictions, we are now offering Virtual Journeys, in which individuals can “travel” to Guatemala from the comfort of their homes to explore a particular topic. Topics have included Education, Migration, Religion and Spirituality, Gender and Women’s Issues, and Humanitarian Aid. If you would like to attend a Virtual Journey or if you would like us to customize a specific Virtual Journey for your church, university, or seminary, please contact us: Nancy Carrera (nancyc@cedepca.org), Betsey Moe (betsey@cedepca.org) and/or Esvin Sirin (esirin@cedepca.org)

Our Intercultural Encounters team

Nancy Carrera
Nancy Carrera
Program Coordinator
Esvin Sirin
Esvin Sirin
Logistics and Group Facilitator
Rev. Betsey Moe
Rev. Betsey Moe
PC(USA) MIssion-Coworker / Intercultural Encounters Facilitator