Greetings friends and family from Guatemala. Many of you have asked me about the work that I am doing down here, and the situation surrounding it. Here is a brief update on the situation down here and what my involvement entails.

In 1985, Guatemala adapted a new constitution. The constitution made government officials in Guatemala immune to any crime they commit because it placed the judicial power of government in the congress. It also designated a complete article to the immunity of government crime from any consequences. In a gross generalization, the current constitution of Guatemala neglects any individual rights of the Guatemalan people. The economy is in shambles with mass inflation, extreme poverty, and no direction. Ironically, the country has a "Ministro de la econmia" who oversees these problems. But not only is the economy in shambles, but the crime rate is through the roof. In Guatemala City, nearly 17-20 murders take place daily. Of all the cases that make it to the "Supreme Court" only 2% are actually sentenced to any type of punishment.

The economic and political turmoil of Guatemala went into a tailspin on May 10 (just a few weeks ago), when Rodrigo Rosenburg, a prosecuting attorney who accused the President of Guatemala of murder, was killed near the President's house. Shortly thereafter, this video was released: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=243X1pI6-I8. In the video, Rosenburg states: "If you are watching this video, it is because I've been murdered by the President."

The country is now crying for another civil war (only 9 years after the last civil war). This situation has put ProReforma, the organization for which I work, in a great place. The country now sees the political turmoil before its own eyes, and the importance of an independent "Corte Suprema." ProReforma seeks to divide the unicameral congress into a Senate and House of Representatives with a division between their responsibilities. The House of Representatives are to focus on private affairs and the Senate on public affairs. As they say in Guatemala this is to divide legislation which will focus on rights vs. political interests. It is a complicated piece of legislation as it seeks to reform 72 of the 281 articles of the Guatemalan Constitution. My role in this project has been to study it in the light of my understanding of political philosophy and economics convictions and write my thesis on this movement for Hillsdale College.

I hope this answers many of your questions. Please feel free to ask any questions and please pray that God will give me safety and wisdom as I seek and pursue His will in this desperate county.