READ BEFORE SHARING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
As we were reading on the corridor of Casa Concordia, a truck pulled in with a beautiful young steer in the back. We wondered why a steer would be in the heart of the city of San Salvador. The steer was unloaded, roped to a tree, and his legs were tied; he was brought down and a loud long moo expressed his final moment. A 10 inch knife was pushed into the soft spot at the base of his skull. The men lined up their simple tools of two long sharp knives and an ax.
It may seem strange to write about this in detail, but it bears comment that we live and work in a new culture where differences are becoming more striking. To ignore and not share these differences would cheat all of you from this amazing experience.
We decided to watch while it was butchered. Clarification: Nancy watched everything; David joined to watch when it looked more like meat and less like steer. The men butchering the steer worked quickly and quietly; they cut with precision indicating years of experience in this process. It all seemed very dignified with the proper respect for this gift of life and knowledge that this animal had a purpose in life and death.
The meat was being readied for the following night’s celebration for a youth choir from Switzerland performing in San Salvador. At this fiesta given by the Bishop, a barbeque pit of concrete block was built. Bamboo (a building material of the third world) was cut in 4 foot skewers for placing the chunks of meat. Carbon rocks (yes carbon rocks) were the fuel. They light fast and burn hot.
The meat was cooked and served. While we ate, the choir from Switzerland sang. After they performed, a local group of men sang and played instruments of the indigenous Mesoamerican tradition.
The men played for hours, but it got late and the fiesta needed to end. The evening was like the first balmy night of summer when you much prefer to enjoy being outside until the cool or damp of the late hour moves to closure of the day.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
La Palma
Recently we participated in a retreat with 10 more missioners working in Central America and 5 VMM leaders from the US.
Together we boarded the bus to La Palma. As the bus headed north out of town, we recognized many landmarks along the way, identifying turns towards other churches we visited with Lutheran pastors. As we left the city, the bus windows were wide open. It hasn’t rained for months, the air is stale and with a lot of dirt blowing around.
An hour out of town, our bus begins to lose energy as we climb the mountain to the artistic community of La Palma. We travel for just less than an hour more to the colonial town, high in the mountains. The air is cool and fresh, it’s a joy to breathe again. We arrive in the late afternoon as the cool wind begins to blow down the mountains. We change from shorts and short sleeves to trousers and jackets. The hotel has thick blankets available in our room.
We skip lunch to walk the community. A carnival has been set up for a large festival for this weekend. Vendors with fried foods and merchandise are everywhere. La Palma celebrates its artistic legacy with wall after wall painted in the bright “La Palma” style created by Fernando Llort. The town survives on tourism, thus there is shop after shop selling hand crafted items. There are two shops in La Palma that offer higher quality items in unique ceramic art and wooden merchandise.
The missioners gather together to share, support, and learn about each other. Together we breathe fresh air filled with the power of God, energy and hope and together we exhale our disappointments and fears. We hear again the mission of VMM and specifically our call to be in solidarity with the poor and oppressed. Working with the poor requires a different skill set: to listen, not manipulate; to know their reality; to walk with them, accept their hospitality, hear their stories and await their invitation.
Missioners share how the gang problem is having impact on their mission. The gang influence is luring some of the youth away from programs and for others the gang violence is making it to fearful to venture out to continue in the program. Peter shares that his program for the women is having mixed results as some women will not contribute the care of the chicken, but want the money the project provides.
In light of all the set backs and disappointments with missioners programs and missions, we return from the mountain, refreshed and energized to do our work and leave the results to God.
Together we boarded the bus to La Palma. As the bus headed north out of town, we recognized many landmarks along the way, identifying turns towards other churches we visited with Lutheran pastors. As we left the city, the bus windows were wide open. It hasn’t rained for months, the air is stale and with a lot of dirt blowing around.
An hour out of town, our bus begins to lose energy as we climb the mountain to the artistic community of La Palma. We travel for just less than an hour more to the colonial town, high in the mountains. The air is cool and fresh, it’s a joy to breathe again. We arrive in the late afternoon as the cool wind begins to blow down the mountains. We change from shorts and short sleeves to trousers and jackets. The hotel has thick blankets available in our room.
We skip lunch to walk the community. A carnival has been set up for a large festival for this weekend. Vendors with fried foods and merchandise are everywhere. La Palma celebrates its artistic legacy with wall after wall painted in the bright “La Palma” style created by Fernando Llort. The town survives on tourism, thus there is shop after shop selling hand crafted items. There are two shops in La Palma that offer higher quality items in unique ceramic art and wooden merchandise.
The missioners gather together to share, support, and learn about each other. Together we breathe fresh air filled with the power of God, energy and hope and together we exhale our disappointments and fears. We hear again the mission of VMM and specifically our call to be in solidarity with the poor and oppressed. Working with the poor requires a different skill set: to listen, not manipulate; to know their reality; to walk with them, accept their hospitality, hear their stories and await their invitation.
Missioners share how the gang problem is having impact on their mission. The gang influence is luring some of the youth away from programs and for others the gang violence is making it to fearful to venture out to continue in the program. Peter shares that his program for the women is having mixed results as some women will not contribute the care of the chicken, but want the money the project provides.
In light of all the set backs and disappointments with missioners programs and missions, we return from the mountain, refreshed and energized to do our work and leave the results to God.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Medical Mission
February is fleeting – and on Saturday we will complete our first 100 days. God continues to expand our borders, to bless us, and to grow us.
Last week, we participated in a medical mission from Milwaukee. Thirty volunteers including nurses, technicians, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and 5 non medical support staff attended 800 patients during a 4 day clinic. Patients served were approximately 20% men, 50% women and 30% children under age 14.
The mission also included a pharmacy and an eyewear clinic. Each member of the group brought one suitcase of clothes and one full of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The cases of medicines were seized at customs, but with the help of an attorney, they were released before the clinic began!
We joined them for 2 days. On the first day we worked in an older building in the central city. Conditions were not the best, but the team was superb in their care of the people. The clients are the poor; they are lowly and humble people, often uneducated, and some with serious psycho-social needs. Many are referred to a local doctor and dentist for continued treatment.
After 2 days in the central city, the medical clinic moved into the northern region to serve rural communities. Here again the families are poor, the clinic conditions very basic, and the medical care excellent and lovingly given. At both locations, treatment attended the body, mind and spirit. Old men and women, mothers with their children were able to receive shoulder and neck massage and prayers for healing and peace.
While these clinics were done in very difficult conditions, the medical team is already making plans for the mission next year. This is their 10th year of service and each year is well planned and very effective. 25 Salvadorans work closely with the North American Medical Team that includes Lutherans and non Lutherans, members from greater Milwaukee, Duluth, Minnesota and Arizona. This team continues to grow as the Salvadoran experience attracts and retains volunteers.
Our hearts were touched just being with these dedicated volunteers and the people they served. It was a meaningful experience for those who have done it for many years and for the first-timers as well. We are blessed to have been included.
Last week, we participated in a medical mission from Milwaukee. Thirty volunteers including nurses, technicians, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and 5 non medical support staff attended 800 patients during a 4 day clinic. Patients served were approximately 20% men, 50% women and 30% children under age 14.
The mission also included a pharmacy and an eyewear clinic. Each member of the group brought one suitcase of clothes and one full of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The cases of medicines were seized at customs, but with the help of an attorney, they were released before the clinic began!
We joined them for 2 days. On the first day we worked in an older building in the central city. Conditions were not the best, but the team was superb in their care of the people. The clients are the poor; they are lowly and humble people, often uneducated, and some with serious psycho-social needs. Many are referred to a local doctor and dentist for continued treatment.
After 2 days in the central city, the medical clinic moved into the northern region to serve rural communities. Here again the families are poor, the clinic conditions very basic, and the medical care excellent and lovingly given. At both locations, treatment attended the body, mind and spirit. Old men and women, mothers with their children were able to receive shoulder and neck massage and prayers for healing and peace.
While these clinics were done in very difficult conditions, the medical team is already making plans for the mission next year. This is their 10th year of service and each year is well planned and very effective. 25 Salvadorans work closely with the North American Medical Team that includes Lutherans and non Lutherans, members from greater Milwaukee, Duluth, Minnesota and Arizona. This team continues to grow as the Salvadoran experience attracts and retains volunteers.
Our hearts were touched just being with these dedicated volunteers and the people they served. It was a meaningful experience for those who have done it for many years and for the first-timers as well. We are blessed to have been included.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Let's ride the train
Join us for a ride on the local commuter train, but first a bit of history. The current railroad company is the result of a merger between two companies, one of which is the International Railways of Central American, a former subsidiary of the infamous United Fruit Company (of Banana Republic fame).
Thousands fled El Salvador during the civil war, hopping on freight trains headed out of the country. After the war, passenger traffic declined as the trains were routinely held up and passengers robbed. In October 2002, all rail transportation was suspended.
With El Salvador the most highly populated country in Central America and with a severe shortage of land, the former right-of-ways were settled by squatters.
In 2007 the rail company resumed limited service and required all squatters off their tracks. Thousands of people were forced to move. Hundreds of others merely shortened the size of their homes, allowing for passage of the train.
We arrived at the downtown San Salvador train station at 4:20 in the afternoon. At the platform we saw a modern diesel engine with two tanker cars and five antique passenger cars. We boarded and started our journey to Apopa about 20 miles away. The train traveled two blocks and made its first stop. In all we must have made 30 or 40 stops, each one about 15 seconds as people climbed on and off.
If the windows were without wire screens, we could have touched the homes, clothes lines, children playing and people walking along the tracks. The train rolled by their front doors, over their driveways, across patios and play areas. One can look into many homes, wave to the residents, see what they’re eating and what’s on the television.
As we picked up speed, the passenger cars heaved left and right and then across a ridge with a fantastic overview of the valley below. The steep hillsides are populated with homes and the country side is bright green reflecting the lush vegetation that grows wild in Central America. The Apopa train station was a 4-pole metal roofed open air structure with no amenities.
The whistle blew for 2 hours warning all that the train was coming. There are no street signals or crossing guard arms. The tanker cars wet the rail bed to prevent a cloud of dust from choking the passengers and the residents. Each passenger car has a National Police man on guard. The return trip back to San Salvador went a little faster because it was mostly downhill. Our 2 hour train ride cost 20 cents round trip. It was a great experience to see another view of the city and the country side.
Thousands fled El Salvador during the civil war, hopping on freight trains headed out of the country. After the war, passenger traffic declined as the trains were routinely held up and passengers robbed. In October 2002, all rail transportation was suspended.
With El Salvador the most highly populated country in Central America and with a severe shortage of land, the former right-of-ways were settled by squatters.
In 2007 the rail company resumed limited service and required all squatters off their tracks. Thousands of people were forced to move. Hundreds of others merely shortened the size of their homes, allowing for passage of the train.
We arrived at the downtown San Salvador train station at 4:20 in the afternoon. At the platform we saw a modern diesel engine with two tanker cars and five antique passenger cars. We boarded and started our journey to Apopa about 20 miles away. The train traveled two blocks and made its first stop. In all we must have made 30 or 40 stops, each one about 15 seconds as people climbed on and off.
If the windows were without wire screens, we could have touched the homes, clothes lines, children playing and people walking along the tracks. The train rolled by their front doors, over their driveways, across patios and play areas. One can look into many homes, wave to the residents, see what they’re eating and what’s on the television.
As we picked up speed, the passenger cars heaved left and right and then across a ridge with a fantastic overview of the valley below. The steep hillsides are populated with homes and the country side is bright green reflecting the lush vegetation that grows wild in Central America. The Apopa train station was a 4-pole metal roofed open air structure with no amenities.
The whistle blew for 2 hours warning all that the train was coming. There are no street signals or crossing guard arms. The tanker cars wet the rail bed to prevent a cloud of dust from choking the passengers and the residents. Each passenger car has a National Police man on guard. The return trip back to San Salvador went a little faster because it was mostly downhill. Our 2 hour train ride cost 20 cents round trip. It was a great experience to see another view of the city and the country side.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Moving On
Classes ended on January 29; on January 30, we moved again. This is our 4th or 5th move since arriving in November. We are not homeless but we sure are transitional. We are happy to enter the next phase of our lives. January was an intense month of study and supplemental learning experiences.
Recent educational trips have included Cinquera, an historic pueblo that was a guerilla stronghold during the war. Now their main feature is a beautiful nature preserve on a huge mountain on which we climbed a steep and winding trail. On the way up, we crossed a river on stone pillars and further up, across a suspension bridge.
At the top was a two story observation platform from which the view of the surrounding thickly wooded mountains and valleys was awesome. Nancy made it to the summit. David stayed behind to help a woman in our group who was suffering from heat exhaustion.
That night we slept in the scenic community of Suchitoto at a Center for the Arts. The Center is a place of healing for children and youth through art and music to work through the trauma of war and destruction in their lives and families. The facility is in the process of repair after many years of abandonment. The church connected to the Center dates to 1830 and is simply a shell waiting for new life. A gallery exhibiting children’s art borders a peaceful new garden. The dormitory in which we slept was a former convent, basic but comfortable.
Main features of Suchitoto are a beautiful lake and the grand architecture of another church built in 1852. The center plaza was full of people and vendors with their merchandise. Surrounding the plaza were restaurants, cafés and B & Bs in former residences and government offices.
On the way back to San Salvador, we met with a group of rural women who are operating a community business of candle making to supplement their family incomes.
February will be a month for us to refresh our minds, bodies and spirits. We will continue to define our placement, will be working to complete our residency process, and will visit more rural communities to learn about the resources and opportunities regarding the fight against hunger.
With our 12 hour days of school work behind us, we hope to be more consistent in our journal writing.
Recent educational trips have included Cinquera, an historic pueblo that was a guerilla stronghold during the war. Now their main feature is a beautiful nature preserve on a huge mountain on which we climbed a steep and winding trail. On the way up, we crossed a river on stone pillars and further up, across a suspension bridge.
At the top was a two story observation platform from which the view of the surrounding thickly wooded mountains and valleys was awesome. Nancy made it to the summit. David stayed behind to help a woman in our group who was suffering from heat exhaustion.
That night we slept in the scenic community of Suchitoto at a Center for the Arts. The Center is a place of healing for children and youth through art and music to work through the trauma of war and destruction in their lives and families. The facility is in the process of repair after many years of abandonment. The church connected to the Center dates to 1830 and is simply a shell waiting for new life. A gallery exhibiting children’s art borders a peaceful new garden. The dormitory in which we slept was a former convent, basic but comfortable.
Main features of Suchitoto are a beautiful lake and the grand architecture of another church built in 1852. The center plaza was full of people and vendors with their merchandise. Surrounding the plaza were restaurants, cafés and B & Bs in former residences and government offices.
On the way back to San Salvador, we met with a group of rural women who are operating a community business of candle making to supplement their family incomes.
February will be a month for us to refresh our minds, bodies and spirits. We will continue to define our placement, will be working to complete our residency process, and will visit more rural communities to learn about the resources and opportunities regarding the fight against hunger.
With our 12 hour days of school work behind us, we hope to be more consistent in our journal writing.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
On the lighter side
This week we want to share with you some enjoyable events and observations.
Seen on the highways (CA 1 – the Pan American, CA 2, CA 4) and the byways:
yoked oxen pulling carts with large wooden wheels and loaded with firewood, corn and other basic supplies; horses being ridden and herded, free range and herded cattle
beat up bicycles ridden by males of varied ages (unusual sightings – a man with a child about 2 years old standing on the center bar holding onto papa’s shoulders, a man with a propane gas tank strapped to the back fender and him holding onto a second on the handle bar as he steered with one hand, a family of 3 – mama on the back fender, child sitting on the middle bar and papa pedaling doggedly)
large and small buses, 3 wheeled mini-taxis, high sided cargo trucks filled with livestock or large items or bags of produce or people, pickup trucks full of stuff or people, flatbed trucks loaded with sugar cane stalks, semitrailers, farm equipment, men on motor scooters wearing German style WWII helmets, and of course cars, SUVs and minivans, and always much traffic
along the sides of the roadways – pigs, chickens, dogs; people of all ages walking, women carrying large loads in baskets on their heads, men carrying large loads on their backs or shoulders; long stretches of corn kernels spread out to dry, swept up and bagged at days end.
Seen in communities:
futbol (soccer) fields everywhere you go usually with games happening, either specific team competitions or just for fun; children running, climbing trees, playing futbol in flipflops; a teeter totter created from a sturdy branch placed in the Y of a tree stump with preschoolers having great fun, large kettles of food cooking over open fires, beautiful babies everywhere
Seen in cities:
houses freshly and brightly painted for Christmas and the new year (an annual custom for those who receive bonuses and choose to enjoy this luxury), cars with open baskets of bakery rolls or fruit on top, motor scooters delivering for Pizza Hut, Pollo Campero and KFC, more beautiful babies
Comfort cravings:
course ground pepper, oatmeal raisin cookies, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sunday edition, a juicy rib steak from Reis’ meat department, and more . . .
Civilized Slinde progress:
Nancy “invented” solar powered hot water by putting a full gallon water bottle on our porch in the morning and . . TA-DA! . . . in the evening we have hot water. Yes, hot water. Wash with cold, rinse with hot. Now we have two gallons heating for washing and rinsing. Such luxury - life is good!
Seen on the highways (CA 1 – the Pan American, CA 2, CA 4) and the byways:
yoked oxen pulling carts with large wooden wheels and loaded with firewood, corn and other basic supplies; horses being ridden and herded, free range and herded cattle
beat up bicycles ridden by males of varied ages (unusual sightings – a man with a child about 2 years old standing on the center bar holding onto papa’s shoulders, a man with a propane gas tank strapped to the back fender and him holding onto a second on the handle bar as he steered with one hand, a family of 3 – mama on the back fender, child sitting on the middle bar and papa pedaling doggedly)
large and small buses, 3 wheeled mini-taxis, high sided cargo trucks filled with livestock or large items or bags of produce or people, pickup trucks full of stuff or people, flatbed trucks loaded with sugar cane stalks, semitrailers, farm equipment, men on motor scooters wearing German style WWII helmets, and of course cars, SUVs and minivans, and always much traffic
along the sides of the roadways – pigs, chickens, dogs; people of all ages walking, women carrying large loads in baskets on their heads, men carrying large loads on their backs or shoulders; long stretches of corn kernels spread out to dry, swept up and bagged at days end.
Seen in communities:
futbol (soccer) fields everywhere you go usually with games happening, either specific team competitions or just for fun; children running, climbing trees, playing futbol in flipflops; a teeter totter created from a sturdy branch placed in the Y of a tree stump with preschoolers having great fun, large kettles of food cooking over open fires, beautiful babies everywhere
Seen in cities:
houses freshly and brightly painted for Christmas and the new year (an annual custom for those who receive bonuses and choose to enjoy this luxury), cars with open baskets of bakery rolls or fruit on top, motor scooters delivering for Pizza Hut, Pollo Campero and KFC, more beautiful babies
Comfort cravings:
course ground pepper, oatmeal raisin cookies, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sunday edition, a juicy rib steak from Reis’ meat department, and more . . .
Civilized Slinde progress:
Nancy “invented” solar powered hot water by putting a full gallon water bottle on our porch in the morning and . . TA-DA! . . . in the evening we have hot water. Yes, hot water. Wash with cold, rinse with hot. Now we have two gallons heating for washing and rinsing. Such luxury - life is good!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
First Christmas in El Salvador
In November when we arrived, Christmas decorations were going up in malls and city plazas. Overall few homes are decorated with strings of colored lights. The malls and municipal parks and boulevards are the largest decorators for Christmas in the city.
Visible signs of Christmas disappear as we leave San Salvador. Absent big city budgets and large malls, the small towns of El Salvador look the same at Christmas as in the middle of August. Among the rural poor the best evidence of Christmas is handmade decorations for home and church.
On Christmas Eve, we joined Bishop Gomez, the Lutheran Bishop of El Salvador, and his family for their traditional celebration. It was a quiet conversation of adults until all of the grandchildren arrived. Then the action began with opening presents, playing together and much joyful noise.
Fireworks exploded throughout the neighborhood. As the night continued more family and friends arrived. Mrs. Gomez had sandwiches and beverages ready. There was lively music and dancing. At midnight we formed a prayer circle to thank God for his abundant blessings and mercies during this past year and to ask his protection and blessings for the coming year, very appropriate for all our lives.
The prayers were accompanied by loud fireworks. After the final Amen, we went out on the upper porch to watch the awesome multiple aerial and ground displays throughout the neighborhoods of San Salvador. This local custom is legal and very dangerous. The smell and smoke of gunpowder was thick. As the fireworks slowed down, we enjoyed a wonderful feast of turkey, rice, salad and cake.
What a great first Christmas; we are safe, healthy, well fed, and grateful to God for these blessings. But to be honest we missed our family and friends. We enjoyed new customs, but missed our Midwest traditions. We knew before we left that some things in life can’t be duplicated. Therefore, to all of you in “the old country” and in our hearts and thoughts and prayers, we love you and we miss you.
David y Nancy
Visible signs of Christmas disappear as we leave San Salvador. Absent big city budgets and large malls, the small towns of El Salvador look the same at Christmas as in the middle of August. Among the rural poor the best evidence of Christmas is handmade decorations for home and church.
On Christmas Eve, we joined Bishop Gomez, the Lutheran Bishop of El Salvador, and his family for their traditional celebration. It was a quiet conversation of adults until all of the grandchildren arrived. Then the action began with opening presents, playing together and much joyful noise.
Fireworks exploded throughout the neighborhood. As the night continued more family and friends arrived. Mrs. Gomez had sandwiches and beverages ready. There was lively music and dancing. At midnight we formed a prayer circle to thank God for his abundant blessings and mercies during this past year and to ask his protection and blessings for the coming year, very appropriate for all our lives.
The prayers were accompanied by loud fireworks. After the final Amen, we went out on the upper porch to watch the awesome multiple aerial and ground displays throughout the neighborhoods of San Salvador. This local custom is legal and very dangerous. The smell and smoke of gunpowder was thick. As the fireworks slowed down, we enjoyed a wonderful feast of turkey, rice, salad and cake.
What a great first Christmas; we are safe, healthy, well fed, and grateful to God for these blessings. But to be honest we missed our family and friends. We enjoyed new customs, but missed our Midwest traditions. We knew before we left that some things in life can’t be duplicated. Therefore, to all of you in “the old country” and in our hearts and thoughts and prayers, we love you and we miss you.
David y Nancy
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A Difficult Reality
Last week, we were invited to join a Salvadoran ngo as global representatives for distribution of building materials provided through international relief donations. This ngo recently distributed donated clothing and bedding to 150 families in La Libertad.
On Monday, we traveled to San Francisco Chinemeca above Lake Ilopongo with narrow winding streets on hilly terrain, 2100 ft above sea level, population 8575 spread across the hillside.
We began at the “command center”, a home where materials were stacked and small tables served as information desks. A community leader was preparing lists of names of those who would receive supplies. We were briefed on the families, the destruction, and the process of reconstruction of lives and homes.
Stacks of 2 x 4s and 2 x 2s for posts and roof supports, piles of corrugated aluminum sheets (3 ft x 8 ft) for roofing and siding, and bags of fasteners were being sorted for 12 families. Amounts supplied varied based on the size of the family needing shelter.
Then we visited the home sites. The devastation caused by mud slides is difficult to describe because it is so severe. Not only are homes lost but often the land under them is gone too, making rebuilding impossible. These families must seek new locations. The November storm had a multiple affect – continuous heavy rains compounded by rain pouring off roofs onto land and homes on the slope below.
One family willingly shared with us the remnant of their former home and their makeshift home on a neighbor’s lot. This shelter of branch supports and black plastic sides and roof measured 6 x 12 feet for a family of 6 and held a double bed, a cook top and 4 shelves of possessions.
As we passed the supply center on our way back to the city, teams were loading materials onto a truck for delivery. One man rolled laminate sheets and carried them on his back up the hill.
While there is devastation and sorrow, there is also hope for the future and new beginnings. Solidarity and respect are evidenced in the attitude of “it is not only your loss, it is also our loss.” Community members are working together, caring for one another, helping each other with temporary housing and rebuilding.
Being included in this project was an honor and experience that deeply touched our hearts and spirits. The forces of nature are beyond human understanding but response is within our created beings and capabilities. We assured the community leaders that we would share their stories at home in the US, that they would not be forgotten.
The effects of the storm are no longer significant in US newspapers but please know that funding for recovery is still urgently needed. Support can be sent through Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Federation, Catholic Charities, and the Center for Interchange and Solidarity (Los Olivos CIS, P.O. Box 76, Westmont, IL 60559). If you send a donation, clearly designate it for El Salvador Disaster Relief; otherwise it will go into a general fund and will not be put to immediate use.
On Monday, we traveled to San Francisco Chinemeca above Lake Ilopongo with narrow winding streets on hilly terrain, 2100 ft above sea level, population 8575 spread across the hillside.
We began at the “command center”, a home where materials were stacked and small tables served as information desks. A community leader was preparing lists of names of those who would receive supplies. We were briefed on the families, the destruction, and the process of reconstruction of lives and homes.
Stacks of 2 x 4s and 2 x 2s for posts and roof supports, piles of corrugated aluminum sheets (3 ft x 8 ft) for roofing and siding, and bags of fasteners were being sorted for 12 families. Amounts supplied varied based on the size of the family needing shelter.
Then we visited the home sites. The devastation caused by mud slides is difficult to describe because it is so severe. Not only are homes lost but often the land under them is gone too, making rebuilding impossible. These families must seek new locations. The November storm had a multiple affect – continuous heavy rains compounded by rain pouring off roofs onto land and homes on the slope below.
One family willingly shared with us the remnant of their former home and their makeshift home on a neighbor’s lot. This shelter of branch supports and black plastic sides and roof measured 6 x 12 feet for a family of 6 and held a double bed, a cook top and 4 shelves of possessions.
As we passed the supply center on our way back to the city, teams were loading materials onto a truck for delivery. One man rolled laminate sheets and carried them on his back up the hill.
While there is devastation and sorrow, there is also hope for the future and new beginnings. Solidarity and respect are evidenced in the attitude of “it is not only your loss, it is also our loss.” Community members are working together, caring for one another, helping each other with temporary housing and rebuilding.
Being included in this project was an honor and experience that deeply touched our hearts and spirits. The forces of nature are beyond human understanding but response is within our created beings and capabilities. We assured the community leaders that we would share their stories at home in the US, that they would not be forgotten.
The effects of the storm are no longer significant in US newspapers but please know that funding for recovery is still urgently needed. Support can be sent through Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Federation, Catholic Charities, and the Center for Interchange and Solidarity (Los Olivos CIS, P.O. Box 76, Westmont, IL 60559). If you send a donation, clearly designate it for El Salvador Disaster Relief; otherwise it will go into a general fund and will not be put to immediate use.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Summer Break
Mailed Dec 20 2009
Our first school term (4 week session) ended at 12:22 on Friday; 38 minutes later we were escaping the city on a mini bus to the volcano Bocaron near Nejapa. It last erupted in 1917. Evidence of the lava flow to Nejapa is still visible. The city of Nejapa celebrates the eruption annually on August 31 by throwing oil soaked fireballs at one another – not your typical commemoration or Main Street event. But the crowds love it!
(See http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2065504/fireball_festival_2008/)
On the drive up the mountain we passed crowds of workers on the sides of the road waiting for transportation for either themselves or for their daily pick of coffee beans. Further up huge flat bed trucks were coming down with full loads of coffee in sacks that seem impossible to lift, yet men carry them on their backs for long distances.
After a 35 minute drive up hill we stopped for coffee at the Miranda café on one of three coffee plantations on this volcano. It also offers canopy tours where you strap on a harness and slide on one of 9 cables between mountains over lush forests, either holding on for dear life or taking in the view (see www.elsalvadorcanopy.com)
At the top of the mountain, we walked through a tropical forest enjoying cool fresh air, brilliant plants, majestic trees and a clear sunny sky. At the edge of the volcano is a platform for looking deep and wide into the crater. There is evidence of the “cone” growing and while this volcano is dormant, it is not dead. Many fissures expel steam in and around the coffee plantations. Hearty adventurers can take a 2 ½ hour hike down steep and rocky trails to the bottom which also means a 3 hour hike back up. It is not on our to-do list!
Today is Monday, the first day of winter in the USA but just another summer day here. Last night brought an unusual hard rain and wind storm which we are certain frightened many people living in make-shift shelters as a result of the Hurricane Ida damage. We have an amazing story to tell you about our experience today but that will wait for another entry.
Four days until Christmas – God’s blessings to all of you as you celebrate with family and friends. We leave tomorrow morning for San Jorge, our new community, return on Saturday and will write to you then.
For our new journal recipients go to http://oslcslinde09.blogspot.com/ for prior entries.
David and Nancy
Our first school term (4 week session) ended at 12:22 on Friday; 38 minutes later we were escaping the city on a mini bus to the volcano Bocaron near Nejapa. It last erupted in 1917. Evidence of the lava flow to Nejapa is still visible. The city of Nejapa celebrates the eruption annually on August 31 by throwing oil soaked fireballs at one another – not your typical commemoration or Main Street event. But the crowds love it!
(See http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2065504/fireball_festival_2008/)
On the drive up the mountain we passed crowds of workers on the sides of the road waiting for transportation for either themselves or for their daily pick of coffee beans. Further up huge flat bed trucks were coming down with full loads of coffee in sacks that seem impossible to lift, yet men carry them on their backs for long distances.
After a 35 minute drive up hill we stopped for coffee at the Miranda café on one of three coffee plantations on this volcano. It also offers canopy tours where you strap on a harness and slide on one of 9 cables between mountains over lush forests, either holding on for dear life or taking in the view (see www.elsalvadorcanopy.com)
At the top of the mountain, we walked through a tropical forest enjoying cool fresh air, brilliant plants, majestic trees and a clear sunny sky. At the edge of the volcano is a platform for looking deep and wide into the crater. There is evidence of the “cone” growing and while this volcano is dormant, it is not dead. Many fissures expel steam in and around the coffee plantations. Hearty adventurers can take a 2 ½ hour hike down steep and rocky trails to the bottom which also means a 3 hour hike back up. It is not on our to-do list!
Today is Monday, the first day of winter in the USA but just another summer day here. Last night brought an unusual hard rain and wind storm which we are certain frightened many people living in make-shift shelters as a result of the Hurricane Ida damage. We have an amazing story to tell you about our experience today but that will wait for another entry.
Four days until Christmas – God’s blessings to all of you as you celebrate with family and friends. We leave tomorrow morning for San Jorge, our new community, return on Saturday and will write to you then.
For our new journal recipients go to http://oslcslinde09.blogspot.com/ for prior entries.
David and Nancy
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Bus
The bus is a window to the people and life of El Salvador. For 20 cents one can ride anywhere in the city. It is a great system with many buses and many routes. For each trip, we plan to travel light – only money and whatever needed for that day. This week we traveled to new areas in preparation of documents for our residency visa.
A bus ride in the central city includes vendors entering the bus to sell sweets, preachers who have a captive audience, beggars and petty thieves. This week a young man got on the bus and begged for money, walked down the aisle holding his cap out. Everyone put coins into his cap. The first time this happened, we did not. He approached us a second time and I noticed the smell of alcohol. Nancy had bus fare coins in her hand and dropped them into his cap. He thanked Nancy and left.
Attire on the bus has a wide range – old women wearing the seller’s multi-pocketed apron, well-dressed business people, women with bags and baskets on their heads either for selling or going home from shopping, casually dressed moms with children, poorly dressed people of all ages, young people in uniforms of banks and restaurants, and more.
The buses travel through zones of heavy traffic and raw exhaust pollution, zones of cooking and produce smells (even raw fish – that’s another story!), zones of street “hawkers” and noisy crowds, loud music, gang graffiti, and fascinating architecture – both good and bad.
Christmas decorations are evident everywhere; it is strange to have 95 degrees and see snowmen and icicle lights in stores and homes. We had two nights that got down to 70 and people were complaining of the cold. We saw sweaters, winter jackets and wool hats on the bus. We had on typical summer clothes and we loved it.
A bus ride in the central city includes vendors entering the bus to sell sweets, preachers who have a captive audience, beggars and petty thieves. This week a young man got on the bus and begged for money, walked down the aisle holding his cap out. Everyone put coins into his cap. The first time this happened, we did not. He approached us a second time and I noticed the smell of alcohol. Nancy had bus fare coins in her hand and dropped them into his cap. He thanked Nancy and left.
Attire on the bus has a wide range – old women wearing the seller’s multi-pocketed apron, well-dressed business people, women with bags and baskets on their heads either for selling or going home from shopping, casually dressed moms with children, poorly dressed people of all ages, young people in uniforms of banks and restaurants, and more.
The buses travel through zones of heavy traffic and raw exhaust pollution, zones of cooking and produce smells (even raw fish – that’s another story!), zones of street “hawkers” and noisy crowds, loud music, gang graffiti, and fascinating architecture – both good and bad.
Christmas decorations are evident everywhere; it is strange to have 95 degrees and see snowmen and icicle lights in stores and homes. We had two nights that got down to 70 and people were complaining of the cold. We saw sweaters, winter jackets and wool hats on the bus. We had on typical summer clothes and we loved it.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
EXPERIENTIAL FIRST:
The bus system had been a complete mystery to us. However on our first day of classes we took the bus to and from school. We now have used 5 different routes to get around San Salvador. It is important to plan ahead when riding the bus to have a couple of dollars to hand over if robbed and to only carry necessary money.
The bus trip from downtown San Salvador was a missed photo opportunity with narrow one-way streets filled with vendors and buyers. The driver maneuvered through tightly crowded passages as night fell. We returned home much later than planned.
We experienced our first earthquake last week. The tremor was long and hard. Everything shook, especially us. The internet reported the center just off the coast of Sonsonate 40 miles away as 5.9 on the scale. All of San Salvador felt the quake.
Having legal identification in your possession is crucial. Yet with the risk of robbery carrying your passport seems irresponsible. Recently police stopped our van as we returned to the city from our rural community. Nancy did not have her passport but our Salvadoran friends in the van clarified our status. We were allowed to continue, but now that we travel alone we make sure that we can prove that we are legal immigrants. Nancy could have been taken into custody.
The black rain has begun. The sugar cane fields are burned before the men cut the stalks and load the flat bed trucks with mountains of sugar cane. The cane stalk is dry, over ten feet tall and highly combustible. With the strike of a torch, the field becomes an intensive inferno with the flames spreading faster than a man, woman or child can run. The black powdery ash rises thousands of feet into the air, travels many miles and rains down when it starts to cool. Last weekend our city neighborhood was “rained” on and the season is just starting.
Our first Thanksgiving Day in ES was different. School and homework as usual, with a special dinner of beef roast stuffed with vegetables, mashed potatoes, spicy avocado salad, and rolls; very delicious and celebrated with our host family.
The rooster: Each neighborhood has a rooster that should be eaten. Our rooster is just one yard away. He begins his morning call at 3 am and continues at intervals until 1 pm. Nancy has a theory that the rooster knows everyone’s name. Each call by Mr. Rooster is directed to an individual by name. My wake up comes at 5:45 - Nancy’s comes at 6:15.
It has been a good second week of our lives here. We look forward to the next.
The bus trip from downtown San Salvador was a missed photo opportunity with narrow one-way streets filled with vendors and buyers. The driver maneuvered through tightly crowded passages as night fell. We returned home much later than planned.
We experienced our first earthquake last week. The tremor was long and hard. Everything shook, especially us. The internet reported the center just off the coast of Sonsonate 40 miles away as 5.9 on the scale. All of San Salvador felt the quake.
Having legal identification in your possession is crucial. Yet with the risk of robbery carrying your passport seems irresponsible. Recently police stopped our van as we returned to the city from our rural community. Nancy did not have her passport but our Salvadoran friends in the van clarified our status. We were allowed to continue, but now that we travel alone we make sure that we can prove that we are legal immigrants. Nancy could have been taken into custody.
The black rain has begun. The sugar cane fields are burned before the men cut the stalks and load the flat bed trucks with mountains of sugar cane. The cane stalk is dry, over ten feet tall and highly combustible. With the strike of a torch, the field becomes an intensive inferno with the flames spreading faster than a man, woman or child can run. The black powdery ash rises thousands of feet into the air, travels many miles and rains down when it starts to cool. Last weekend our city neighborhood was “rained” on and the season is just starting.
Our first Thanksgiving Day in ES was different. School and homework as usual, with a special dinner of beef roast stuffed with vegetables, mashed potatoes, spicy avocado salad, and rolls; very delicious and celebrated with our host family.
The rooster: Each neighborhood has a rooster that should be eaten. Our rooster is just one yard away. He begins his morning call at 3 am and continues at intervals until 1 pm. Nancy has a theory that the rooster knows everyone’s name. Each call by Mr. Rooster is directed to an individual by name. My wake up comes at 5:45 - Nancy’s comes at 6:15.
It has been a good second week of our lives here. We look forward to the next.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Starting School
On Monday, school began with a bang – first an assessment test. We told them we were beginners but they wanted to know for sure. It was quite thorough – we convinced them! We have an excellent teacher and the rule is no English. We are her only students at this time. She gave directions and explained introductory conversation in a language we do not know. We learned personal presentations for 3 hours and then went to another class to introduce and tell about ourselves in Spanish. These adults have had 4 years of speaking experience and are at CIS for more skill development. They asked us questions (in Spanish) and then introduced themselves. It was an intense experience. Back to our room to begin learning personal pronouns.
Done at noon – lunch break – the next class began at 1:30 to study culture, personal health and safety, communication guidelines, and our hopes for this class. Usually this class is done in Spanish, but it is only us two beginners so we converse in English with Spanish where important for cultural understanding. We took trips this week via city buses to two ngo’s and a botanical garden, learning our way around the city.
This first week of learning has been intense emotionally and mentally. The pace is consistent, the expectation high and the method difficult. It is very difficult to learn to communicate when you do not know the vocabulary or the grammatical structure. We think of it as sitting our 4 year old grandson down, speaking to him in Spanish and expecting him to obey and respond. It can’t happen. Therefore there is much self study and nightly review of class work. The pronunciation and remembering are the biggest challenges. There is not enough time in the evening to process the day’s lesson.
But the good news is that we survived the first week and are preparing for week two. It can only get better!
Done at noon – lunch break – the next class began at 1:30 to study culture, personal health and safety, communication guidelines, and our hopes for this class. Usually this class is done in Spanish, but it is only us two beginners so we converse in English with Spanish where important for cultural understanding. We took trips this week via city buses to two ngo’s and a botanical garden, learning our way around the city.
This first week of learning has been intense emotionally and mentally. The pace is consistent, the expectation high and the method difficult. It is very difficult to learn to communicate when you do not know the vocabulary or the grammatical structure. We think of it as sitting our 4 year old grandson down, speaking to him in Spanish and expecting him to obey and respond. It can’t happen. Therefore there is much self study and nightly review of class work. The pronunciation and remembering are the biggest challenges. There is not enough time in the evening to process the day’s lesson.
But the good news is that we survived the first week and are preparing for week two. It can only get better!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The start of our new life
The 6 boys from Casa Concordia loaded our 8 suit cases into the pickup truck, jumped in the back, and we were off to our new digs. We arrived 20 minutes later just outside San Salvador in Mejicanos, were greeted by Margarita, her university son Omar, and another student Casey is from New Mexico and is working on his Ph.D. in the political science and international relations of El Salvador. Most conversations are in Spanish and Casey is bilingual.
Our bedroom is on the second floor of the guest house (tiny but comfy) located in the back courtyard, with complete (cold water only) shower/toilet facility, meals and house keeping provided. It takes 4 keys to enter the house from the street to our room in the back court yard. The first door is the street door into the garage area, the second is the door from the garage into the home, the third is for the patio door and the fourth is into our room. Yet the neighborhood is safe. A large shopping plaza is two blocks away. There is a beautiful soccer/futbol field close that is used for many games happening at one time, and for national teams to use for competitions. In the early morning, it is used by walkers, joggers, runners and exercisers.
The side walk by the soccer field is filled with street-vendors selling food, clothing and house hold items. We are warned never to eat from these places since the food items lack proper storage practices. Some street vendors sell vegetables grown in the city along the river banks. The rivers receive all the city sewage and the growers water the plants with the river water. However local grocers have high quality fruits and vegetables to purchase.
We both sleep well, the street is much quieter than Casa Concordia, but we awake to our new alarm clock, the neighbor’s rooster.
Our bedroom is on the second floor of the guest house (tiny but comfy) located in the back courtyard, with complete (cold water only) shower/toilet facility, meals and house keeping provided. It takes 4 keys to enter the house from the street to our room in the back court yard. The first door is the street door into the garage area, the second is the door from the garage into the home, the third is for the patio door and the fourth is into our room. Yet the neighborhood is safe. A large shopping plaza is two blocks away. There is a beautiful soccer/futbol field close that is used for many games happening at one time, and for national teams to use for competitions. In the early morning, it is used by walkers, joggers, runners and exercisers.
The side walk by the soccer field is filled with street-vendors selling food, clothing and house hold items. We are warned never to eat from these places since the food items lack proper storage practices. Some street vendors sell vegetables grown in the city along the river banks. The rivers receive all the city sewage and the growers water the plants with the river water. However local grocers have high quality fruits and vegetables to purchase.
We both sleep well, the street is much quieter than Casa Concordia, but we awake to our new alarm clock, the neighbor’s rooster.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Nov 22 09
After the encounter, delegates visited their sister church communities on Friday and Saturday. Dinner talk at La Casa focused on the delegates sharing their stories about their time in the community, sharing achievements of the communities, and also opportunities for delegates to use their gifts and talents in these communities.
We visited our community on Saturday to celebrate the baptism of 7 boys and the promotion of 5 students to high school. We would consider this a graduation but in El Salvador that term is often reserved for higher levels of education.
It was an exciting time as the youth (4 girls and 1 boy) received recognition for their faithfulness in learning. They are all continuing on to high school, a major and more difficult step for learning, transportation, and risks. This is a major change for the community we first visited 6 years ago.
As spokesperson for the youth, Elmer told of the motivation and inspiration the students have received from their scholarship sponsors. He also said they were glad to be held accountable to earn good grades. In our world, $70.00 is a small price to pay for one year of education. Most of these students have been faithfully supported for 5 years by their sponsors. This is truly a successful and worth while project to empower poor families to send their children to school.
Let us all consider the ways we can encourage children, youth, and families to have a vision and hope for a better future.
In two hours, we move to our host family; we begin immersion school tomorrow. We are not sure of internet access so do not be surprised if you do not hear from us for a while.
We visited our community on Saturday to celebrate the baptism of 7 boys and the promotion of 5 students to high school. We would consider this a graduation but in El Salvador that term is often reserved for higher levels of education.
It was an exciting time as the youth (4 girls and 1 boy) received recognition for their faithfulness in learning. They are all continuing on to high school, a major and more difficult step for learning, transportation, and risks. This is a major change for the community we first visited 6 years ago.
As spokesperson for the youth, Elmer told of the motivation and inspiration the students have received from their scholarship sponsors. He also said they were glad to be held accountable to earn good grades. In our world, $70.00 is a small price to pay for one year of education. Most of these students have been faithfully supported for 5 years by their sponsors. This is truly a successful and worth while project to empower poor families to send their children to school.
Let us all consider the ways we can encourage children, youth, and families to have a vision and hope for a better future.
In two hours, we move to our host family; we begin immersion school tomorrow. We are not sure of internet access so do not be surprised if you do not hear from us for a while.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Nov 20
After we returned to Casa Concordia from San Jorge, our friends from the Greater Milwaukee Synod arrived. The somber atmosphere we have experienced was replaced with joy as hugs and laughter were shared in this festive reunion. Lay people from around the globe and Bishops from Mexico, Central and South America, and Europe arrived for the Encounter II held by the Salvadoran Church (SLS). The purpose of the encounter is to strengthen relationships with global partners to support the SLS as it continues its mission to uplift the poorest of the poor.
After intensive meetings Monday thru Wednesday, on Thursday we split into three groups and traveled to different communities in three different regions. David traveled to Cara Sucio which is a community with various global partners and various projects in members of the community, i.e sewing groups, raising chickens, corn grinding.
Another community David visited shared the current struggle they are having with the local political structure that wants to open a dump next to their water supply. We believe this is the 7th time our attention has been brought to the issue of dumps and mining poisoning the local water supply. Organized citizens can make a difference, but at the risk of their lives.
Nancy visited three communities with strong programs for youth and children. Two of the communities have concerns of no water source other than a gray river or water only during the rainy season when their cistern fills. Both communities need wells for a consistent and clean supply.
David y Nancy
After intensive meetings Monday thru Wednesday, on Thursday we split into three groups and traveled to different communities in three different regions. David traveled to Cara Sucio which is a community with various global partners and various projects in members of the community, i.e sewing groups, raising chickens, corn grinding.
Another community David visited shared the current struggle they are having with the local political structure that wants to open a dump next to their water supply. We believe this is the 7th time our attention has been brought to the issue of dumps and mining poisoning the local water supply. Organized citizens can make a difference, but at the risk of their lives.
Nancy visited three communities with strong programs for youth and children. Two of the communities have concerns of no water source other than a gray river or water only during the rainy season when their cistern fills. Both communities need wells for a consistent and clean supply.
David y Nancy
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November 16
We need to move forward and leave the story concerning the devastation caused by the recent rains with this closing comment. Nick, a volunteer from North American, traveled with the Bishop on Wednesday to visit the epi-center of the mud and rock slides. He stated that this zone of this planet is “dead” and he would tell us more when he is up to it.
On Thursday we left for the Eastern agricultural zone to visit with communities for our future assignment. These communities of the east have the same mountain range as our Rockies that extend all the way through Central America. The terrain is rough with numerous rivers and streams beds. In one community, we parked the car at the edge of the road and walked through a pasture, down a steep grade into a river bed for a quarter mile to the community. In another, we rode in a 2 ton flat bed for 35 minutes off the main road to the community. In another, the paved road ended at the sandy river bottom and drove in the river bed for two miles to another community.
A meeting with the community members indicated a common interest for ESL and computer training. Neither of these is offered by the public school system in this zone, but it is offered closer to San Salvador. Time and time again we witness the dedication of the Salvadoran parents to the education of their children.
The Encuentro has started so we are into more learning about our new environment. We are well – we are busy - and we will right again when possible. Blessings to you all.
On Thursday we left for the Eastern agricultural zone to visit with communities for our future assignment. These communities of the east have the same mountain range as our Rockies that extend all the way through Central America. The terrain is rough with numerous rivers and streams beds. In one community, we parked the car at the edge of the road and walked through a pasture, down a steep grade into a river bed for a quarter mile to the community. In another, we rode in a 2 ton flat bed for 35 minutes off the main road to the community. In another, the paved road ended at the sandy river bottom and drove in the river bed for two miles to another community.
A meeting with the community members indicated a common interest for ESL and computer training. Neither of these is offered by the public school system in this zone, but it is offered closer to San Salvador. Time and time again we witness the dedication of the Salvadoran parents to the education of their children.
The Encuentro has started so we are into more learning about our new environment. We are well – we are busy - and we will right again when possible. Blessings to you all.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
November 11, 2009
Dear Friends
We arrived safely and with great peace. Our current home is Casa Concordia. This is a multi-purpose residence for college students, a United Nations safe house, a sanctuary from the local gang violence, and a guest house for visitors.
Trinidad is the manager of Casa Concordia. Her married son, Jorge, was assassinated last week. He was a self employed transport driver. Other drivers were jealous of his success and hired a gang member to kill him. It happened in a busy market where traffic was stopped. His wife was with him and witnessed his murder.
The immediate family is now living at Casa Concordia for the protection it provides. The wife is a target since she is a witness and their four children are targets for the family to remain silent.
With the immediate and extended family in mourning, the mood at the residence is somber. The facility also is the epi-center for the Lutheran Response to the catastrophic
loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods. Daily accounts of the dead, loss of homes, farms and livestock are reported. The prospect of going forward for the survivors when the future has been decimated is very sobering.
Tomorrow we go to Usulatan for 2 days and nights to visit our communities and begin learning. We will send news again this weekend.
We arrived safely and with great peace. Our current home is Casa Concordia. This is a multi-purpose residence for college students, a United Nations safe house, a sanctuary from the local gang violence, and a guest house for visitors.
Trinidad is the manager of Casa Concordia. Her married son, Jorge, was assassinated last week. He was a self employed transport driver. Other drivers were jealous of his success and hired a gang member to kill him. It happened in a busy market where traffic was stopped. His wife was with him and witnessed his murder.
The immediate family is now living at Casa Concordia for the protection it provides. The wife is a target since she is a witness and their four children are targets for the family to remain silent.
With the immediate and extended family in mourning, the mood at the residence is somber. The facility also is the epi-center for the Lutheran Response to the catastrophic
loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods. Daily accounts of the dead, loss of homes, farms and livestock are reported. The prospect of going forward for the survivors when the future has been decimated is very sobering.
Tomorrow we go to Usulatan for 2 days and nights to visit our communities and begin learning. We will send news again this weekend.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
God celebrated the return of normal standard time with a beautiful sunrise. The sky was a brilliant red with gray clouds at 1000 feet. The brilliant red was reflected on the lake making the sky and water as one. After a few minutes, the sky above the gray turned gold changing the lake from red to gold. A few more minutes passed and the sky and glistening lake separated, just like at creation.
It’s a week from Tuesday when we leave for our mission. Our immigration papers are in order, banking arrangements are pending and our schedule from next Monday through the second week of January 2010 is complete. For most of November and December, we will be in a San Salvador Immersion School and living with a host family.
I just read a new book My Business My Mission by Doug Seebeck and Timothy Stoner. Their organization, Partners Worldwide, fights poverty through partnerships. They have a 20 year track record of assisting local residents establishing businesses in Africa and Central America. Their business plan is based on prayer, scripture John 15:1-15, hard work, never give up and take care of the poor. My prayer is for the pastors I will be working with, that I can clearly share this vision with them and that they can embrace “business for mission” for their members. This will provide members sustainable income to counter malnutrition and provide for better family hygiene practices.
Our blog is active again. If anyone wants to be deleted from the email and follow on the blog, it’s http://oslcslinde09.blogspot.com/. Get back to us this week.
David y Nancy
It’s a week from Tuesday when we leave for our mission. Our immigration papers are in order, banking arrangements are pending and our schedule from next Monday through the second week of January 2010 is complete. For most of November and December, we will be in a San Salvador Immersion School and living with a host family.
I just read a new book My Business My Mission by Doug Seebeck and Timothy Stoner. Their organization, Partners Worldwide, fights poverty through partnerships. They have a 20 year track record of assisting local residents establishing businesses in Africa and Central America. Their business plan is based on prayer, scripture John 15:1-15, hard work, never give up and take care of the poor. My prayer is for the pastors I will be working with, that I can clearly share this vision with them and that they can embrace “business for mission” for their members. This will provide members sustainable income to counter malnutrition and provide for better family hygiene practices.
Our blog is active again. If anyone wants to be deleted from the email and follow on the blog, it’s http://oslcslinde09.blogspot.com/. Get back to us this week.
David y Nancy
Friday, October 30, 2009
October 11
It’s just under 30 days before we depart to El Salvador for 2 years. The days are full of excitement and anxiety. On August 1 we started a 90 day count down to departure that entails legal, financial, taxes, documents for residency, doctor/dentist visits and fundraising.
Last week we had a meeting with Julia, the executive director of Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM). We learned more about our placement. Our local VMM contact in El Salvador is Danny. Danny and Bishop Gomez of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church have a placement for us in the Eastern Region under the leadership of Ana Rosa.
Ana Rosa has responsibility for 6 churches that are served by Pastors Julio, Miguel, Alejandro Hernandez, Pedro Vigil.
The churches work closely with OIKO Solidaridad on environmental issues involving the watershed of the Rio Grande in San Miguel. They also have a chicken project and an agricultural project in Piedra Azul and a shrimp farm in Puerta Prada. The Germans have a strong present in this area having started NGO’s INKOTA and PROCOMES. The three names can be googled to view their web sites. They all have a focus on food security, environmental issues and education to mitigate the risk associated with the hurricanes, tropical storm and earthquakes.
We will also need to have a series of meetings with these leaders for our specific responsibilities for the next two years. It does not seem realistic to serve 6 church communities; therefore we need to commit to a set of written goals between us, the community and VMM. The church communities have housing options that we will investigate when we arrive.
For those of you receiving an email from us for the first time, our journey to El Salvador is our response to the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and his endless blessings on our marriage and family. We have two beautiful grandchildren who we will not see for a year. Our children have agreed to release us to El Salvador as they know this is a call from God. We are giving up our participation in an amazing community where volunteering is a way of life. We are also giving up travel, the arts, and many friendships.
On the other hand, just imagine what we will gain on this journey. Just imagine what God has in mind for the next two years!
David y Nancy
Last week we had a meeting with Julia, the executive director of Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM). We learned more about our placement. Our local VMM contact in El Salvador is Danny. Danny and Bishop Gomez of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church have a placement for us in the Eastern Region under the leadership of Ana Rosa.
Ana Rosa has responsibility for 6 churches that are served by Pastors Julio, Miguel, Alejandro Hernandez, Pedro Vigil.
The churches work closely with OIKO Solidaridad on environmental issues involving the watershed of the Rio Grande in San Miguel. They also have a chicken project and an agricultural project in Piedra Azul and a shrimp farm in Puerta Prada. The Germans have a strong present in this area having started NGO’s INKOTA and PROCOMES. The three names can be googled to view their web sites. They all have a focus on food security, environmental issues and education to mitigate the risk associated with the hurricanes, tropical storm and earthquakes.
We will also need to have a series of meetings with these leaders for our specific responsibilities for the next two years. It does not seem realistic to serve 6 church communities; therefore we need to commit to a set of written goals between us, the community and VMM. The church communities have housing options that we will investigate when we arrive.
For those of you receiving an email from us for the first time, our journey to El Salvador is our response to the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and his endless blessings on our marriage and family. We have two beautiful grandchildren who we will not see for a year. Our children have agreed to release us to El Salvador as they know this is a call from God. We are giving up our participation in an amazing community where volunteering is a way of life. We are also giving up travel, the arts, and many friendships.
On the other hand, just imagine what we will gain on this journey. Just imagine what God has in mind for the next two years!
David y Nancy
September 16
Our move to El Salvador is in November.
After a great deal of prayer, many meetings here in the US and also in El Salvador, Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM – our sponsoring organization) has a placement for us within the Lutheran Church of El Salvador. We will be in the vicinity of San Jorge in the state of San Miguel.
We will be working with Pastor Julio’s congregation and others of the Eastern Micro-Region. Bishop Gomez and VMM have worked together on this placement. Bishop Gomez feels that our presence can help strengthen the Lutheran Churches in the area.
Our plan is to travel to El Salvador the first week of November to visit the community. Then we return to San Salvador for an international gathering of Partner Churches, then eight weeks of Immersion School. We will be in our community in January 2010.
This placement is very exciting for us. While we have met Pastor Julio and Nancy has visited his church, somethings are familiar, but a whole lot more is unknown and offers much excitement.
The people of El Salvador are very gracious and open; building relationships should come naturally. The Lutheran Church in El Salvador ministers to the poorest of the poor. We hope and pray our time with them will bring improvement in their community through better health practices, education, job creation, and spiritual encouragement.
We will resume our blog as we prepare for departure. Touch base with us at http://oslcslinde09.blogspot.com/
After a great deal of prayer, many meetings here in the US and also in El Salvador, Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM – our sponsoring organization) has a placement for us within the Lutheran Church of El Salvador. We will be in the vicinity of San Jorge in the state of San Miguel.
We will be working with Pastor Julio’s congregation and others of the Eastern Micro-Region. Bishop Gomez and VMM have worked together on this placement. Bishop Gomez feels that our presence can help strengthen the Lutheran Churches in the area.
Our plan is to travel to El Salvador the first week of November to visit the community. Then we return to San Salvador for an international gathering of Partner Churches, then eight weeks of Immersion School. We will be in our community in January 2010.
This placement is very exciting for us. While we have met Pastor Julio and Nancy has visited his church, somethings are familiar, but a whole lot more is unknown and offers much excitement.
The people of El Salvador are very gracious and open; building relationships should come naturally. The Lutheran Church in El Salvador ministers to the poorest of the poor. We hope and pray our time with them will bring improvement in their community through better health practices, education, job creation, and spiritual encouragement.
We will resume our blog as we prepare for departure. Touch base with us at http://oslcslinde09.blogspot.com/
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