La vida salvadoreña

A Story of Hermandad

2011-08-06T00:25:00.000-06:00

I awaited the arrival of the group with excitement. I always enjoy accompanying the groups that come to visit the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. When a group comes from the United States to see a society living in entirely different conditions, it has a mind-opening, heart-gripping impact on all who see it. It makes us understand that we need to do something to better the lives of those in need. More importantly, though, we make new friends. We no longer work with those in need, we work with Norma, Carlos, Manuel, or Maricela. These friendships grow into hermandad.

"Hermandad" is a Spanish word that generally translates to "partnership", but that doesn't catch the whole sense. Instead, we can think of partnership, brotherhood, and sisterhood all mixed up in the same pupusa, a traditional Salvadoran food. In the same way that the pupusa contains beans, cheese, and ground pork all mashed together into a corn tortilla, hermandad contains different cultures, lifestyles, languages, and backgrounds all mashed together in a common faith and hope. The visit then becomes more than just a charity mission trip. It becomes the essence of Christian community.

My own passion for mission started over six years ago on such an adventure in Nicaragua. My Disciples of Christ region of South Idaho has a historic partnership with a church called the Iglesia Misión Cristiana (Christian Mission Church), our Global Ministries partner in that country. After hearing several stories, I finally had the opportunity to visit for myself. The growth that came from that and subsequent visits eventually led me to take the position of a long-term missionary in nearby El Salvador. Through all those trips and the ones I accompany here in El Salvador, I have seen countless others commit themselves to a more serious and passionate faith as we work to bring change to a suffering world.

So I enjoy accompanying many groups from various places and churches in the United States, and often other parts of the world, who come to engage in hermandad. Sometimes I get particularly excited when I know them from before my mission, like when my parents visited in April, or when representatives from Global Ministries and various Disciples of Christ regions, including South Idaho and Montana, visited in May. In the same way, a few weeks ago I anticipated the arrival of a group I knew. But I started to worry as they started running late. Most groups fly in, so I know exactly when they should arrive, but it's much more difficult to figure it out when they decide to drive. I wasn't waiting for friends from the United States. I was waiting for some of the many friends I had made in the Iglesia Misión Cristiana of Nicaragua.

When they finally did arrive, everyone was well and ready for their mission trip with the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. Two women from the Christian Mission Church made the trip, along with the Global Ministries missionaries serving in Nicaragua, a couple with their three-year-old daughter. When we think of mission trips, we often think of those who come in from the big and powerful country to use their resources to help provide for those in poor conditions in the weaker country. We must use our resources to accomplish things that the local church couldn't accomplish on its own. What can representatives of a church with so few resources hope to accomplish on its mission trip to a place with as many needs as El Salvador? It can accomplish much. They did not come to build a physical structure. They came to build hermandad.

They could only get away for a couple days, so we had a limited time for the experience. But we made good use of the time we did have. And what better use of time can we have than in worship of our God? We attended Sunday morning worship at Pastor Vilma Rodriguez' church, Ríos de Agua Viva (Rivers of Living Water), in Mejicanos near the San Salvador volcano. When we arrived, the visitors immediately commented on the church building, which had been built by funds from an international partner. The building's style impressed them. Its simple, one-room structure resembled the churches they knew from Nicaragua. So they felt comfortable and indeed felt an immediate connection to the mission of the Lutheran Church, which focuses on people rather than material things. This connection is an essential ingredient in the pupusa of hermandad. It reminds us of the truly important things that unite us even though other things might look completely different.

The worship service followed the standard Lutheran liturgy, a set order of worship that emphasizes a calm, reflective approach that involves responsive songs and silent prayer time.

Global Ministries missionary LauraJean Torgerson
preaches the message.

Youth from Ríos de Agua Viva sing a song
for their international guests.

This style contrasts greatly with the Iglesia Misión Cristiana's high-energy, pentecostal worship that involves swaying as the Spirit moves and spontaneous shouts of praise. In hermandad we could recognize that even with our different styles, we worship but one God, and that God very much deserves our praise.

Even amidst all the struggles, God gives us so much. God created the sun and the rains. God created the animals and the fruits of the earth. Today, we have so many challenges before us, like poverty and violence, that we can easily forget that creation did not end after six days. God still provides these things. We just need to remember how to claim them. Both the Iglesia Misión Cristiana and the Salvadoran Lutheran Church have agriculture projects that seek to take advantage of God's gifts. On the grounds of Fe y Esperanza (Faith and Hope) Lutheran Church, which lies in Nejapa, around the San Salvador volcano to the north, the two churches came together in dialogue about their individual projects.

As we drove the dirt road that climbs the base of the volcano, we could get a sense of nature that seldom shows up in the capital city. In this somewhat remote area, the church grounds served as a refuge for those displaced by war in the nineteen eighties. Now that the war has passed, the church has adapted the use of the expansive grounds to accommodate current needs. As economic struggles rise, access to basic needs becomes more and more difficult, and the ability for families to provide their own food becomes more and more necessary. To discuss this, we sat in the shade of a tree and each church shared.

Both programs aim to feed families in several communities by helping them grow their own food. The Christian Mission Church in Nicaragua lends out seeds like a bank, expecting a return at the end of the harvest equal to the same number of seeds plus a certain percentage. Thus their program jump starts agricultural productivity for those without the means to do so. In a similar way, the Salvadoran program, known as the Fight Against Hunger, offers materials to get the participating families started, but participants must take part in training sessions first. An agricultural engineer trains them in techniques that use the waste of one technique for use in another as organic fertilizer or chicken feed. They also learn to include diversity in their techniques, from raising earthworms to raising tilapia fish, from growing tomatoes to growing papaya. This gives participants an opportunity for sustainable sustenance.

The women and men who take care of this project at Fe y Esperanza showed their enthusiasm when they spoke about it, and even more excitement when we got up and saw the work in action. The representatives from Nicaragua took advantage of the tour and learned ways they could improve their own program. They even took samples of some smelly, dark fertilizer as an example.

Hector Asencio of the Organic Agriculture School
elaborates on the fertilizer process
while Claudina Lacayo, Sonia Cabezas,
and missionary Tim Donaghy take notes.

Pastor Gloria de Orantes, who oversees activities
of the agricultural school, discusses the tilapia pond
with Sonia, while Rosa and Magali of the school's
Integral Committee school observe.

Pastor Santiago Rodriguez, director of the
Fight Against Hunger program, engages with
the Integral Committee in a field of
newly-sprouted plantain trees.

The Salvadorans also learned and grew. They grew not just from learning from the Nicaraguans, but from seeing how their own work impacted and inspired others. Their work matters. From this encounter, we all grew in solidarity. One group did not passively receive the blessings of another, but both shared and learned from each other. Both formed a common link in common mission. We witnessed the birth of an hermandad.

We saw further examples of hermandad during the visit. We grew in understanding how to serve those in deepest need when we visited the Casa Esperanza, which gives meals and a place to rest to those who live on the street. We saw how history can inspire us when we visited the place where Archbishop Óscar Romero was killed and the Lutheran Church's own Subversive Cross. In just two days, this hermandad got off to a good start.

I do not know where this new partnership will head, but I do know that Pastor Santiago Rodriguez, director of the Fight Against Hunger program, expressed excitement that he might get to visit the seed bank program in Nicaragua, and that Sonia Cabezas and Claudina Lacayo, the representatives who visited this time, have made it a goal to build and maintain this relationship. I hope that many more around the world will also make that connection. May we find others so that we can help each other in our mutual goals under the guidance of our mutual Lord. When we see that God's love knows no boundaries, we can truly work together. And together, we can achieve much. But these achievements don't tell the whole story. At the end of the visit, we took time to hang around and relax. In that time, we took part in the most important aspect of hermandad...

...the pupusa!

Pray for El Salvador on Sunday, July 24th

2011-07-20T15:49:00.000-06:00

Este artículo se puede leer en español abajo.

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It is once again time to pray for our mission partners in El Salvador. The people of El Salvador face hard realities every day, yet our mission partners, the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and the Emmanuel Baptist Church, constantly put forth efforts to serve those who need it the most. Let us keep both these realities and these efforts in our hearts and our minds as we pray for El Salvador this Sunday. You may include this prayer in a worship service or your own personal prayer time. You will also find a stewardship moment to help reflect on our partnership. I thank everyone for your continued support of this mission, for your efforts, and most importantly, for your prayers.

(These may also be found at Global Ministries' website:
http://globalministries.org/prayer/24july2011.html)

July 24, 2011
Prayers for El Salvador: Matthew 13:31-33 & 44-52

Dear Lord,

We have found a hidden treasure in El Salvador. In a country known for its violence, poverty, and struggling families, we have found a pearl of great value. We see women and men of faith who commit themselves to serve those in deepest need. We see projects to offer something greater for youth in high risk, to provide basic needs to people living on the street, and to train families to find sustenance in sustainable agriculture. We see a testament to the growth of the small seed as the Salvadoran Lutheran Church celebrates twenty-five years under the leadership of its bishop, Medardo Gómez, and in the Emmanuel Baptist Church as they walk in solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

We ask that you be with these projects of love, O Lord, that they may continue to flourish. Plant the seed in each of us, that we may grow in our commitment to serve. Help us to see this treasure more clearly, to value it so much that we would give up everything to take part in it. Unite us, O Lord, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,

Amen

Mission Stewardship Moment from El Salvador:

As the Lutheran Church of El Salvador prepares for the 25th Anniversary since the installation of Medardo Gómez as its bishop, Don Medardo took a break from his busy schedule to participate in the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville Tennessee. He reported on his experience at a gathering of pastors earlier this week, saying that the Disciples of Christ, as well as the United Church of Christ, represents the salvation of the United States. This is not a salvation we can find in governments or businesses, but in the manifestation of Christ on earth, Christ's church. Inspired by the Assembly, Gómez then encouraged his pastoral team to represent the salvation of El Salvador. Before I came to El Salvador two years ago, leaders at Global Ministries told me how much they were inspired by Medardo Gómez and the Lutheran Church with their leadership and commitment to justice.

This historic partnership of mutual inspiration goes back to the eighties, the height of the civil war. Global Ministries had sent a missionary to protect Gómez during this time of deep persecution for many religious leaders. Since then, our churches continue to learn from each other and grow. I feel grateful to know that as the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ support the efforts of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church equally supports our efforts back home.

Some current projects of the Lutheran Church of El Salvador include:

The Love and Solidarity Project (also known as the
Casa Esperanza), which provides a daily meal and a place to relax and bathe for people living on the street.
The Fight Against Hunger Project, which trains families in several churches to raise chickens and grow crops in organic, sustainable ways.
Health and Healing, which focuses on the education and prevention of HIV and AIDS, and the acceptance of those who have been infected.

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Otra vez nos toca orar por nuestras hermandades de misión en El Salvador. La gente de El Salvador enfrenta realidades difíciles todos los días. Sin embargo, nuestras hermandades de misión, la Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña y la Iglesia Bautista Emanuel, constantemente realizan esfuerzos para servir a los más necesitados. Guardemos estas realidades y también estos esfuerzos en nuestro corazón y nuestra mente cuando oramos para El Salvador este domingo. Pueden incluir esta oración en un culto de adoración o en tus oraciones personales. Se encontrará también una reflexión de mayordomía para ayudar a pensar en nuestra hermandad. Agradezco a todos y todas por su apoyo constante, por sus esfuerzos, y lo más importante, por sus oraciones.

Esta oración y reflexión de misión también se encuentra en inglés en la página web de Ministerios Globales:
http://globalministries.org/prayer/24july2011.html

24 de julio, 2011
Oración para El Salvador: Mateo 13:31-33, 44-52

Oh Señor,

Hemos encontrado un tesoro escondido en El Salvador. En un país conocido por su violencia, pobreza, y familias desintegradas, hemos encontrado una perla preciosa. Vemos mujeres y hombres de fe que se comprometen a servir a los y las más necesitados. Vemos proyectos para ofrecer algo más grande para jóvenes en alto riesgo, para proveer necesidades básicas para los y las que viven en la calle, y para capacitar a familias para que se sostengan con agricultura sustentable. Vemos un testimonio de cómo crece la semilla pequeña ahora que la Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña celebra veinticinco años con el liderazgo de su obispo, Medardo Gómez, y en la Iglesia Bautista Emanuel, que camina en solidaridad con el pueblo de El Salvador.

Pedimos que estés con estos proyectos de amor, oh Dios, para que sigan floreciendo. Planta la semilla en cada uno y cada una, para que crezcamos en nuestro compromiso de servir. Ayúdanos a ver este tesoro más claramente, a valorarlo tanto que dejaríamos todo para ser parte de él. Únenos, oh señor, en el nombre de tu hijo Jesucristo,

Amen

Reflexión de misión y mayordomía de El Salvador:

Ahora que la Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña prepara para el 25 aniversario desde la instalación de Medardo Gómez como su obispo, Don Medardo descansó un rato de su ocupado horario para participar en la Asamblea General de la Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) en Nashville, Tennessee, en los Estados Unidos. Les contó de sus experiencias en un convivio de pastores y pastoras antes en esta semana, diciendo que la iglesia Discípulos de Cristo, y también la Unida de Cristo, representan la salvación de los Estados Unidos. Esta no es una salvación que podemos encontrar en gobiernos o empresas, sino en la manifestación de Cristo en la tierra, la iglesia de Cristo. Inspirado por la Asamblea, Gómez animó a su equipo pastoral a representar la salvación de El Salvador. Antes de venir a El Salvador, líderes en Ministerios Globales me dijeron de tal manera que eran inspirados por Medardo Gómez y la Iglesia Luterana con su liderazgo y compromiso a la justicia.

Esta hermandad de inspiración mutua empezó en los años ochenta, en la plena guerra civil. Ministerios Globales había mandado a un misionero para proteger a Gómez durante este tiempo de persecución fuerte para muchos líderes religiosos. Desde este tiempo, nuestras iglesias siguen aprendiendo unas de otras y creciendo. Estoy agradecido de saber como las iglesias Discípulos de Cristo y Unida de Cristo apoyan los esfuerzos de la Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña, de igual manera la Iglesia Luterana apoya nuestros esfuerzos en nuestro país.

Algunos proyectos actuales de la Iglesia Luterana de El Salvador incluyen:

El Proyecto de Amor y Solidaridad (también conocido como la Casa Esperanza), que provee un almuerzo diario y un lugar para relajarse y bañarse para personas que viven en la calle.
El Proyecto la Lucha Contra el Hambre, que capacita a familias en varias iglesias para criar gallinas y cultivar cosechas en maneras orgánicas y sustentables.
Salud y Sanación, que se enfoque en la educación y prevención de VIH y SIDA, y aceptación de los que tienen el virus.

El Salvador 2010, A Look Back

2011-01-05T18:26:00.000-06:00

The year 2010 brought many hardships to the people of El Salvador. A continued worldwide recession has kept unemployment high and production low. Violent crime has persisted despite extra measures by the government to confront it. The rainy season brought floods and scores of ruined crops, leaving families who already struggle to contend with high prices of beans and corn.

2010 has also seen many triumphs of the Spirit. Many Salvadoran volunteers came together to provide relief to those hardest hit by the previous year's hurricanes. Lutheran congregations in El Salvador united with sister churches from around the world to work together in our mission to build peace and mutual understanding. The Salvadoran Lutheran Chuch launched a campaign that says no to violence and yes to life.

As I reflect upon this past year, I see not only the major events, but also the small things, the friends I've made, the excursions to various parts of the country, the random events that spice up everyday life.

Here I offer a slight sampling of my many experiences here in El Salvador that my camera happened to capture. May 2011 bring us progress in our search for justice in a world of suffering. But may we take time to see the small moments, the everyday relationships. And may we discover in them the presence of God.

A soccer game breaks out on a camping trip
with friends in Chalatenango.

Children at the Casa Concordia confirm their commitment to Christ at a special church service.

A break in the church-building action gives workers
from First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Keokuk, Iowa,
a chance to relax with members of the Los Lobatos community
in Santa Ana.

On the 30th anniversary of Archbishop Oscar Romero's death,
Lutheran Bishop Medardo Gómez joins with Catholic clergy
in an ecumenical celebration of the martyr's life.

A labor march gathers below the statues of
The Divine Savior of the World (El Divino Salvador del Mundo)
and Archbishop Oscar Romero in the city of San Salvador.

A work group from Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Chanhassen,
Minnesota, helps build a church in the community Buena Vista,
near the Guasapa volcano.

A spider.

A hike from the community Rutilio Grande leads to an overlook
of the Salvadoran countryside.

Two boys fly a kite on a soccer field in Soyapango.

A crazy Global Ministries missionary (me) plays some soccer
with the kids at the Hope House (Casa Esperanza).

The family at the Casa Concordia waits for a bus
on our way to church at La Resurrección.

Maritza shows off the breakfast she has prepared:
pupusas, tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese, veggies
or just about anything you can imagine.

The view out of my room at the Casa Concordia.
I often go on runs around the Cuscutlán Stadium in the background.

The Casa Concordia family climbs a vine at their farm in Suchitoto.

I wonder just what the fumigation intends to get rid of,
since both humans and mosquitos return to the offices
shortly afterwards.

Lutheran pastors from around the country hop on a bus
for a year-end pastor's retreat in La Palma, Chalatenango.

Happy New Year.

A Christmas Letter from Bishop Gómez

2010-12-19T18:13:00.000-06:00

Medardo Gómez, bishop of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church
Medardo Gómez, obispo de la Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña

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You can read this article in English below.
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Una carta navideña del Obispo Gómez:

PARA UNA FELIZ NAVIDAD Y BENDITO AÑO NUEVO
CHINIEMOS AL NIÑO JESÚS

Para personas normales como tú y yo, un recién nacido, sea quien fuere, produce ternura, ver a una criaturita nos enternece, nos entusiasma, recibimos alegría y felicidad, más cuando esa criaturita es nuestra, hijo(a), nietecito (a), sobrinito(a), hermanito(a), hijo(a) de un buen amigo(a), la emoción es mucho más grande y es gran satisfacción chinearlo, tenerlos en nuestros brazos y admirarlos.

Así mayormente la expectativa es maravillosa cuando esperamos un niño, una niña, que va a nacer, un niño(a) que será nuestro, hasta nos fortalece la vida, no solo nos da alegría y felicidad, sino que nos da vida y mucha esperanza, ilumina el presente y el futuro.
Recogiendo esa experiencia de emoción y gozo, verdadera alegría y felicidad, un presente prometedor, para un futuro lleno de fe, amor, sabiduría y resistencia, así debe ser Navidad 2010.

El niño Jesús es nuestro, viene para iluminar a este mundo y quiere ser la buena noticia para todos los hombres y mujeres de buena voluntad, especialmente por los más necesitados.

El niño es el signo espiritual para que la fe sea el estandarte, la espada, la coraza, el escudo para la lucha en contra de la maldad del mundo.

Con la fe en Cristo Jesús, que en esta navidad nos da el niño Jesús, lucharemos en el 2011, en contra de la violencia, inseguridad, pobreza, injusticias, efectos del cambio climático.

Por eso y para eso, es importante chinear al niño, tomarlo en los brazos cargarle, verle a los ojos, admirarle, llenarnos de amor y ternura, sentir y vivir en la fe que Él es la Luz del mundo, la alegría y felicidad para todos, especialmente para ti y para mí.

¡¡ FELIZ NAVIDAD Y BENDITO AÑO NUEVO!!
Medardo E. Gómez, Obispo
Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña

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A Christmas Letter from Bishop Gómez:

FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR
LET US CRADLE THE BABY JESUS

For normal people like you and me, a newborn baby, whoever it is, produces tenderness. Seeing the little creature softens us, it energizes us, it fills us with joy and happiness. And when this little creature is our son, daughter, granddaughter, grandson, niece, nephew, brother, sister, or child of a good friend, the emotion is much greater and it is deeply satisfying to cradle her, to hold her in our arms and admire her.

So the expectation is especially marvelous when we are expecting a baby to be born, a baby that will be ours. It even strengthens our lives. It doesn't just give us joy and happiness, it gives us life and so much hope. It illuminates the present and the future. Taking in this experience of emotion and delight, true joy and happiness, a promising present for a future filled with faith, love, wisdom, and resistance, this should be our Christmas, 2010.

The baby Jesus is ours. He comes to illuminate this world. He wants to be the good news for all men and women of good will, especially for those in deepest need.

The baby is a spiritual sign so that faith may be the banner, the sword, the armor, and the shield in the fight against evil in our world.

With faith in Christ Jesus, faith that this Christmas gives us baby Jesus, let us stand up in 2011. Let us stand up against violence, insecurity, poverty, injustice, and climate change.

For this we must cradle the baby, take him in our arms and care for him, look into his eyes, admire him, be filled with love and tenderness, feel and live the faith that this one is the Light of the World, the joy and happiness for all, especially for you and for me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!!
Medardo E. Gómez, Bishop
Salvadoran Lutheran Church

Pilgrimage

2010-10-12T16:04:00.000-06:00

This is Steve.

Steve had just touched the sand for the first time and immediately pushed himself along with his little flippers looking for his new home, the great Pacific Ocean. Steve was born among hundreds of Golfina Sea Turtles before dawn on Wednesday morning. I hardly got the chance to know Steve. I really don't know whether Steve was even male. Yet I connected with him.

I woke up from my slumber in the hammocks on the beach, along with the group visiting from Eugene, Oregon, and set out to take part in the daily turtle release on the beaches of Tasajera Island. All along the coast of El Salvador, and much of the Pacific Ocean, volunteers stay up all night looking for endangered sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.

The group and I had walked along the beach the previous evening, splitting up. Half of us walked north, and the other half walked south. I walked with the unlucky half. Those who went the other way described the mother turtle they saw and her power and grace as she climbed up the beach and laid her eggs in the flat sand before returning to the sea. They then helped the volunteers, known as tortugueros, move the precious eggs to a safe place where they can keep watch, protecting them from poachers and predators. Those who went north also came across a turtle. The foul stench led us to the corpse that the tide had brought ashore. The tortuguero who accompanied us thought it probably died in an indiscriminate fishing net from a commercial boat, an example of just one of the many dangers the turtles face as they fend off extinction.

The tortugueros keep watch until the eggs hatch, and collect the newborns to release them into the ocean. Of every thousand turtles born, only one will form a mating pair that will lay new eggs years later, so the tortugueros try to protect as many as possible during this delicate time. We followed them to the release point.

They brought buckets full of the little creatures who rhythmically tapped on the plastic as they struggled to make their way forward. After brief instructions, the group picked up the turtles by their shell and set them on the damp beach. They had to touch the beach first to imprint it on their "microchip", the chief tortuguero explained.

They then began to run away from the racket of the people and toward the crashing of the waves. A wave would periodically come up over them and wash them out to sea, where they would live and grow in their dangerous new home.

The group released hundreds of turtles that calm morning, but one stood out.

Steve joined the march as one of the last and promptly commenced his journey. Waves that should have swept them away would only come in to wash Steve and a few of his buddies back up the shore, ready to try again. Eventually only Steve remained. I wanted to help, but also wanted to see him make it, so I watched, along with a few others, as Steve struggled to find his place in this new and frightening world. Every new wave that pushed him back brought more and more frustration. Steve took longer pauses as he regained his energy. Each new step merely covered the same territory. His destination seemed out of reach.

And we kept encouraging. We'd tap the sand if he steered off course, hoping to direct him away from us. We knew he could make it, no matter how hard the fight.

This trip to Tasajera Island rounded out a series of excursions that filled my latest two weeks in Central America. I accompanied the group from First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eugene as they continued to develop their partnership with the people of the island, running medical checkups at a clinic they helped construct, and joining in community activities. Previously I had traveled to Nicaragua to visit my friends at the Iglesia Misión Cristiana (Christian Mission Church), our Global Ministries partner, and to Costa Rica to stay with our partner there, the Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana (Latin-American Bible University). These trips helped me broaden my experience and see new perspectives. I saw struggles, but I also saw faith.

In Tasajera, I saw a very peaceful community that comes together for sporting events, music, and socializing. The people of Tasajera fish for a living, but the same boats that cast nets on the sea turtles' pursuit of happiness also cast doubts on the island's economic future, leaving less for the locals.

In Nicaragua, I saw the pouring rain as I rode the bus into Managua, the capital city. I saw the tops of the buildings and houses sticking out of Lake Managua after it had reached record levels. I learned that entire neighborhoods had been evacuated as they sank under the rising lake. In Acahualinca, near First Christian Mission Church in Managua, 507 people were living in the classrooms of a nearby schoolground.

In Costa Rica, I saw a group of people who face hardship and discrimination every day. The university arranged for me to attend a midweek service at a local Lutheran congregation during my short stay. The church holds a weekly "inclusive service" that focuses on diversity with an emphasis on diversity of sexual orientations. On the bus to the church I wondered about this. Shouldn't all church services be inclusive? Do we need to attach a special name to it an single people out? After the service commenced, however, I quickly realized that I was taking part in something significant, not just for the gay men of various ages who made up the majority of the congregation that evening, but also for the women and the straight men who show their support. That evening, we all found common ground in faith.

As though at a campfire, we sat around the altar in a circle and sang hymns accompanied by an acoustic guitar. When it came time for the message, each person had the opportunity to participate by letting the scripture speak directly to us, so that we could bring our own experiences to it, whether from the point of view of a married woman, a gay man, someone struggling to find acceptance in a society that emphasizes male dominance, or anyone from any walk of life. That week we read from Luke 17: 5-10 and talked about faith. The faith I saw in everyone's testimonies amazed me. I now fully understand the importance of a special service for those who might have nowhere else to turn. We all need a space where we can find our place in this dangerous, frightening world.

I chose to participate as well, speaking from my point of view as a missionary. In my work I see such difficulties, like the excessive rains that have wiped out crops all across Central America, causing the price of basic staples like beans and corn to soar, yet I see such faith, such constant marching forward despite constant setbacks. Why can't I have faith like that? I often approach Jesus, much like the apostles did so long ago, and say, "Increase my faith," and Jesus always responds, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this tree 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." I don't need more faith. I already have the faith I need. If I put my faith into action, perhaps with the aid of others tapping on the sand to keep me on track, the things that need to happen will happen. The hardships will not overcome us.

The rest of my travels have shown me the truth in this. For I have seen people of diverse sexual orientations share in communion with the Body of Christ. I have seen the members of First Christian Mission Church in Managua find sets of clothing in appropriate sizes for each of the 507 displaced people living in the classrooms of a local school. I have seen those who live in the fishing communities of Tasajera continue their way of life while actively seeking alternative ways to supplement their income. I have seen the wave that finally uprooted Steve from the sand and planted him in the sea.

Who knows what will become of Steve? Surely he will find unceasing threats from predators, pollution, and nets. The odds certainly don't favor him. He already got off to a late start. But Steve has found the freedom of the wide blue ocean. He can feel the joy of his movement through the water, the relief of having overcome his struggles on the beach. No threat should bother Steve now. Steve has found his place, the place he needs to be.

Pray for El Salvador on Sunday, September 12th

2010-09-07T15:03:00.000-06:00

Este artículo se puede leer en español abajo.

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The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ come together for our international missions. We make partnerships with local churches all around the world, with a mission to provide a Critical Presence with them through various ministries of acompañamiento (walking together side by side). Through Critical Presence, we meet God's people and creation at the point of deepest need: spiritually, physically, emotionally, and/or economically. Global Ministries is the expression of our common mission and the organization that sponsors my work here. As part of our commitment to meet God's people and creation, we offer prayers every week for a different country around the world and our partners there. I ask you to join us this week as we pray for El Salvador. You may include this prayer in a worship service or in your own personal time.

(You will also find this prayer on Global Ministries' website: http://globalministries.org/prayer/12september2010.html)

Lectionary Text and Prayers for El Salvador: Luke 15:1-10

Dear Lord,

Thank you for remembering the lost sheep. Thank you for remembering those of us who wander lost, those of us who struggle to find your presence in the world around us. Thank you, O Lord, for El Salvador.

Help us understand the culture of violence that causes many to live in fear. Help us to understand the physical violence that kills more than ten people a day. Help us understand the psychological violence that instills so much fear that bus drivers in high-risk have shut down their routes, causing even more stress on an already difficult economy. Help us understand the economic violence that places so much in the hands of so few, forcing many to flee in search of a better life, only to meet more violence.

We pray, O God, for all of us who wander lost. May those who seek a better life find welcome, not rejection, not violence. May their families left behind find the strength to continue their education and their search for jobs in ways that bring peace. May we all stand together and proclaim with the Emmanuel Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church of El Salvador, and all faiths in all the world in one united voice, "No to violence, yes to life!" Thank you, O Lord, for remembering the lost sheep.

Amen

(Prayer by Nick Green)

Global Ministries International Partners:

Sinodo Luterano Salavadoreno - The Salvadoran Lutheran Synod has several ministries, including health promotion, care of the environment and disaster relief, human rights, children's and youth programs, women's programs, and pastoral training for both ordained and lay leaders. They, along with its many ecumenical works and sister partnerships throughout the world unite under a single theme for this year, "No to violence, yes to life!"
Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel

To find out more about Global Ministries, visit the website.

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La Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) y la Iglesia Unida de Cristo se unen para sus misiones internacionales. Formamos hermandades con iglesias locales por todo el mundo, con una misión de proveer una Presencia Crítica con ellas por varios ministerios de acompañamiento. Por medio de Presencia Crítica, acompañamos al pueblo y la creación de Dios para servir a los más necesitados y necesitadas: por manera espirituales, físicas, sicosociales, y/o económicas. Ministerios Globales es la manifestación de nuestra misión común y es la organización que dirige mi trabajo aquí. Como parte de nuestro compromiso de acompañar al pueblo y la creación de Dios, ofrecemos oraciones cada semana para un país específico y nuestras hermandades allí. Pido unión con nosotras y nosotros esta semana para orar por El Salvador. Se puede incluir esta oración en un culto de adoración o en su tiempo personal.

(Se puede encontrar esta oración en ingles en el sitio web de Ministerios Globales:
http://globalministries.org/prayer/12september2010.html)

Lectura y oración para El Salvador: Lucas 15:1-10

O Señor,

Gracias por recordar a la oveja perdida. Gracias por recordar a los y las que andamos perdidos y perdidas, a quienes nos cuesta encontrar tu presencia en el mundo que vemos. Gracias, O Señor, por El Salvador.

Ayúdanos a entender la cultura de violencia que causa que muchos y muchas vivan en el miedo. Ayúdanos a entender la violencia física que mata más de diez personas diariamente. Ayúdanos a entender la violencia psicológica que infunde el miedo hasta que los conductores de buses por el alto riesgo han cerrado sus rutas, causando aun más problemas en un sistema económico que ya es tan difícil. Ayúdanos a entender la violencia económica que pone tantos recursos en las manos de tan pocos, que impulsa que muchas personas huyan en búsqueda de una vida mejor, solo para encontrar más violencia.

Oramos, O Dios, por todos y todas los que andamos perdidos y perdidas. Que ellos y ellas que buscan una vida mejor encuentren una recepción de bienvenida, no de rechazo, no de violencia. Que sus familias que quedan encuentren la fuerza de seguir su educación y su búsqueda de trabajo en maneras que traen paz. Que todas y todos estemos juntos para proclamar con la Iglesia Bautista Emanuel, la Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña, y todas las creencias en todo el mundo en una sola voz, "¡No a la violencia, sí a la vida!" Gracias, O Señor, por recordar a la oveja perdida.

Amen

(Oración por Nick Green)

Hermandades internacionales de Ministerios Globales en El Salvador:

Sinodo Luterano Salavadoreno - La Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña tiene varios ministerios que incluyen programas de salud, cuido del medio ambiente y gestión del riesgo, derechos humanos, programas para niños y jovenes, programas para mujeres, y capacitación para pastores, pastoras, y líderes laicos. La iglesia, conjunta con sus muchas obras ecuménicas y sus hermandades por todo el mundo unen bajo un solo lema para este año, "¡No a la violencia, sí a la vida!"
Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel

Para aprender más de Ministerios Globales, visite a su página web.

Random Film Review

2010-08-23T14:56:00.000-06:00

As usual I arrived to the theater without a plan. I knew neither the films nor the times they played. After realizing that we had a choice between waiting an hour and a half or trying to beat the previews, my fiends and I decided to rush in and catch The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan.

In this film, a single mother from Detroit and her son get the chance to start a new life halfway across the world in Beijing. The boy, Dre Parker, struggles to adjust to the world his mother finds so intriguing, despite the fact that the culture resembles that of the U.S. in every way, at least according to what the movies tell us. Perhaps he has such a hard time for this very reason. The school he attends comes complete with school lunch bullies to contest, and cute girls to woo. This combination leads to big trouble. Fortunately, the maintenance man at his apartment complex knows kung-fu. He bargains a truce between Dre and his enemies by convincing them to settle their differences in an upcoming kung-fu tournament. The maintenance man now has to teach his new pupil kung-fu, hence The Karate Kid. Yeah, I don't understand the title either.

As I watched this movie, I couldn't help but compare Dre's new life in a strange land to my experiences here. I have never traveled to China. I don't really know anything about life there, so I will just assume that everything I see in this movie accurately represents real life, which we know Hollywood movies always do.

For those who arrive late, the film opens with Dre in a public park in Beijing challenging some old men to ping-pong. Shortly after realizing his inadequacy in this endeavor, another kid his age challenges him to talk to the cute girl sitting on a nearby park bench. This begins a fascinating exchange of dialogue, not because it revealed anything interesting about the characters, but rather because it revealed something about Hollywood's China that surprised me. Shortly after a failed attempt at speaking Chinese, Dre realizes that she already speaks his language.

For English-speakers who've traveled the world, it comes as no surprise that our hero could find a place where people speak English. But I find it wholly remarkable how everyone there speaks fluent Spanish. I would have guessed that as many people speak Spanish in China as speak Chinese in El Salvador: a few, but you'd really have to know where to look. Some will say that they really did speak English and relied on dubbing to communicate to a larger audience. Nonsense! I like to think that China sees the Spanish-speaking world as an important cultural influence, a world power with whom they need to communicate if they want to compete economically and hold prestige in their lives. Surely everyone pays attention to every move Spanish-speaking countries make. Such communication would bring honor and success to many.

Shortly after his exchange with the girl, a bully challenges Dre to a fight then executes several dishonorable moves as he submits our hero to an embarrassing defeat. This bully, it turns out, belongs to the prestigious Kung-Fu School of Evil, or something like that, who chants its motto, "No weakness, no pain, no mercy," at every meeting. This kung-fu club will cause hardship for Dre until Jackie Chan's character negotiates the tournament solution. They constantly threaten and intimidate him to the point where they endanger his physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Fortunately, he finds a way to overcome his oppressors. He finds a tradition that keeps the violent powers from drowning his hopes and his soul. The tradition shows him a better way.

Unfortunately, too many organizations throughout the world really do live by the creed, "No weakness, no pain, no mercy." Too many choose to solve problems with violence. Too many people have to face the reality of that violence every day. In The Karate Kid, we see how a group of people who push their weight around while marking their territory can disrupt the lives of everyone else. As hard as Dre had it in Hollywood's China though, he had an easy life compared to many in the world. He could leave and explore the city with friends feeling perfectly safe. His bullies only bothered him and did not come after his family members. They did not use firearms. They did not require their members to kill just to join. Too many people around the world face the reality of violence every day.

El Salvador has seen its share of violence through the years. It has a history plagued with massacres and war. Though those have passed, the violence has hardly let up. Organized gangs push their weight around and mark their territory. People who live or work where they operate have to pay a "rent" if they want to pass without physical harm. The country of El Salvador can expect ten to fifteen or more murders every day, despite the efforts of the police and armed forces. The weight of violence can break people down, and we can't just negotiate a peaceful tournament for a nice Hollywood ending. Yet the people, like Dre, need to find a way to overcome their oppressors. The people need a tradition that keeps the violent powers from drowning our hope, from drowning our souls. For this reason, the Salvadoran Lutheran Church stands together with other faiths and organizations in proclaiming, "No more violence!"

This year, the Lutheran Church of El Salvador celebrates its 24th anniversary with the theme, "No to violence, yes to life," to guide its ministries for the year. In the days leading up to the anniversary on August 6th, we held several events in honor of this goal, culminating in a march through the streets of San Salvador.

People from all across the country gather for the march.

Several congregations and organizations make banners
that reflect the theme.

"No more violence!"
"The youth ask for peace."

The march takes us through the heart of San Salvador.

Bishop Gómez, international bishops, clergy,
and many others help lead the way.

We march toward the Lutheran church La Resurrección.

We hold the church service in the street to accommodate all the people.

They display all the banners in front of the stage.

Thousands showed up to the march, giving an impressive demonstration of the values of the church. But no event impressed me more than the preceding retreats for youth and women. A visiting group invited me to the women's retreat to translate, so I had the good fortune to witness such a moving event. They invited participants to come forward to share their thoughts on this year's theme.

Many women spoke, providing some powerful testimonies. But few complained of the hardship associated with the gangs, though those experiences certainly remained on their minds. Instead they called the women to come together and each do her part in reducing the violence. Violence often begins at home, and we each have a responsibility to create an atmosphere of peace. We aim not to take down the institutions that plague us, but to build up ourselves and the communities we take part in every day. If we act violently before our children, then our children learn violence, but a house that works for peace will have children that work for peace. Whoever we are, we can take actions that proclaim louder than words, "No to violence, yes to life!"

At the youth retreat, teenagers from all over the country broke up into groups to discuss the various types of violence: psychological, emotional, cultural, and others which often lead to physical violence. They then brainstormed ways that the youth could include everyone, and commit to building a society not based on fear, but on love. Dre from The Karate Kid made a commitment to long hours of training and discipline to overcome his oppressors. In the same way, the Lutheran youth of El Salvador have made commitments that should challenge youth everywhere, that we can work together to help those around us. When we see somebody suffering, we can say, "No more violence."

Everyone can take part in a tradition that keeps the violent powers from drowning our hope. Dre found it in the ancient art of kung-fu. The Karate Kid provided a simple, fun diversion from the real world and a refreshing breather from the effects-driven films Hollywood normally puts out. But this diversion calls out to a deep-seeded human need, the need to take part in something greater, something that will help us stand up to the craziness and provide the peace we need. Jesus took part in such a tradition so many centuries ago, and he continues to call to us today. Do we have what it takes?

Wax on! Wax off!

The Year of the Cross

2010-08-06T17:55:00.000-06:00

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
―Matthew 16:24 (NRSV)

Nearly a year ago I arrived to El Salvador for the first time, knowing little what to expect. The Salvadoran Lutheran Church had just started its campaign for the year. Every August, in celebration of the anniversary of their independent synod, the church chooses a theme to focus their ministries for the year to come. Anticipating the 20th Anniversary of the Subversive Cross, they chose their theme from a verse in the book of Matthew, "Take your cross and follow me!" (16:24) Those who study the ways of Christ understand the weight of those words. They mean that Jesus needs a full commitment from us if we want to follow him, and the cross symbolizes the extent that commitment can possibly take. With this as the motto for the year, the Lutheran Church reminds everyone just how much God expects from us. I had come to El Salvador expecting to learn how God works in a new culture. In my first year here, I would learn about the cross and what it means in El Salvador. I have seen many difficult things since I arrived, but I have also seen how the Lutheran Church arises to take care of its people.

Many recall the floods we experienced in November, and how they caused so much destruction throughout the country. While the most impressive events occurred under the shadow of Chinchontepec in San Vicente, people from the entire country had lost family, homes, or food sources. Hurricane Ida, which had caused the floods, gave the last rains of the season, leaving very little to get through the long, hot dry season to follow. A rush of aid had come in right after news of the event broke, much of it thanks to readers of this blog. But as its memory faded, things slowed down, and people started to focus on earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, while the much less dramatic heat left many in El Salvador searching for ways to sustain their families. Neither the Salvadoran people nor the Lutheran Church, however, gave up on their people.

The church worked through an ecumenical organization called ACT, Action by Churches Together, to provide food to the most affected areas. On January 8th, I traveled with ACT to Buen Samaritano, one of many communities that received aid.

The truck full of corn, rice, beans,
and bottles of soybean oil arrives in the community.

Helpers from ACT and the community unload the truck.

They measure out the food to make sure
everyone gets their fair share.

Volunteers keep a record of everyone receiving food
so that no one gets left out.

A woman returns home with a chance to prepare a meal.

Each family finds ways to carry food back home.

ACT handed out food in several places at once, and came back to follow up in each one. On March 4th, while Buen Samaritano received its second round of support, I visited Nahualapa in Rosario, La Paz, to take part in their second round.

A truck again brings in the food.

The community jumps in to help.

They pile the floor with corn, rice, beans, and cooking oil.

A woman receives rice for her family.

Families will now enjoy meals together with less worry.

That brings a smile to everyone's face.

Sacks of food also arrive to the nearby community of Galilea.

Yet more families receive just a little more security.

Our commitment makes a difference.

Many thanks must go out to all who responded with support to ACT, the Lutheran World Federation, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)'s Week of Compassion, and the United Church of Christ's One Great Hour of Sharing, as well as anyone who has offered time and resources after the hurricanes and tropical storms we've suffered.

These actions have helped greatly, but the struggle still continues. The long-awaited rains came this year not as a blessing, but as another round of floods from Tropical Storm Agatha. For people who just want to grow their food, this news can dampen the spirit, but the call of the cross drives us forward, always working to build up.

A few weeks ago, the women of the church Manantiales del Desierto in San Jerónimo, Guazapa, shared their experiences with their partner church visiting from North Carolina. They first talked about the November flood itself. Shortly after the flood, they had drawn pictures of the that night's events on a sheet of paper, which they showed to the group. They told how they had woken up in the middle of the night to find their houses filled with more than two feet of water, how they had so little time to find their children and escape, how they followed their instinct and ran uphill, and how they watched helplessly as the water carried away everything they had.

The pastor in the visiting group, who also works as a professional counselor, emphasized the importance getting their feelings on paper right after the traumatic event. It allowed them to express their anxiety in a healthy way, and feel more comfortable talking about it now. The women explained how the pastor and the church always stood close when it came to the most important service they provided, psychosocial attention. Life sometimes leaves people feeling hopeless or causes us to give up. In these difficult times, they need hope and community as much as they need food. Pastor Gloria stayed with her people and guided them through these times. That takes a special commitment, one that continues now, and will continue right up to the cross.

Several agricultural projects had also helped with the recovery by providing needed food. But they didn't wait until they needed help to start growing. They had already begun these projects before the floods had even come. The people had already given themselves up to help each other through acts of sustainability and prevention. Commitment doesn't just respond to events. A total commitment will anticipate the needs of the people and prevent a deeper crisis.

These examples of service for those in need only show a small part of the many ways I have seen Christians in El Salvador take up their cross. We have seen a year of tragedy, but also a year of hope. The celebrations at the 20th Anniversary of the Subversive Cross and the 30th Anniversary of Archbishop Óscar Romero's death showed us that tragedy can sow the seeds of that hope. But we have also seen a church who looked ahead to start planting food, who didn't need a tragedy to get into action. We have seen a church that takes care of the whole person, and not just immediate physical needs. All of us can aspire to better the lives of those around us. We just need to take up our cross and follow Christ.

And now for sports...

2010-06-17T09:39:00.000-06:00

At the biweekly pastors' meeting yesterday morning, the leaders quickly pointed out the low attendance. Although several factors could account for this, including that this meeting started the cycle again after taking several weeks off, only one culprit, according to the meeting leaders, could account for the low turnout. Certainly the pastors all had something more important to attend to, namely the World Cup soccer tournament. Indeed, I myself had debated between arriving on time and waiting to see if Spain would come back to beat Switzerland. (I did decide to attend the meeting, lest you consider me a complete slacker. If you only have the updates to this website to use as your measuring stick, I can see how you'd come to that conclusion.) Whether the tournament had caused low attendance at a pastors' meeting, I don't know, but I do know that its possibilities played in everyone's minds.

Soccer fever has swept the world. Every four years, the best players from thirty-two different countries come together to compete for the sport's most coveted prize. Something about this event intoxicates even those from a country who did not qualify. El Salvador had lost its bid to the United States, Mexico, and Honduras last fall, but its people still take interest in the tournament, and many still know which teams they want to win. I had an easier choice, since the team from my homeland did make it.

I missed the game between the United States and England, though, because I spent last weekend visiting some friends in their home in the mountains of Chalatenango. As exciting as the World Cup may be, nothing beats a chance to visit a new place full of clean air, good hiking, trail running, chess playing, and dancing. The village we visited celebrated the day dedicated to its patron saint, and held a dance festival in its honor. Several members came together to show their talents with skits and dances, from traditional to modern. Afterward, they set up a DJ booth and dance lights over the local concrete basketball court. Then we danced. The youth and many adults moved to the hiphop beat, enjoying themselves. The people of this community take pride that they have no problems with violence of any kind, so we spent the evening in the carefree presence of each other, in the open air with a well-placed tarp to protect us from the rain storm lit by periodic flashes of lightning. I felt a peace in that moment, that such a close community could invite and accept me, a stranger who looked and talked differently from everyone, into their celebrations.

On Sunday we headed to a nearby town to attend the Lutheran church before returning to San Salvador. As we arrived early, we immediately launched into a discussion of the latest rounds of the World Cup and flipped on the tube to watch the current match between Ghana and Serbia. But my friends really looked forward to the upcoming game between Germany and Australia. The pastor and his wife had come from Germany as missionaries, and my friends knew they would support the team of their pastor's homeland. Seeing their enthusiasm, I asked if they would join me in support of my team, the United States of America. The unanimous response came without hesitation, "No. We can't."

"Now wait a minute, you're willing to support your pastor's team, but you can't support mine?"

One friend jumped in, "The United States has such bad policy."

I didn't need to ask any more. This friend's brother had died due in a large part to U.S. policy. Another friend had never met his father for the same reason. In fact, most people I know here have family or close friends who have died from Uncle Sam's bullets and bombs, the side effect of spreading freedom and democracy in the world. My well-educated friends also look out and see the United States still pushing its weight around in the world, taking full advantage of its military and economic might, and building walls to separate itself from the world. The World Cup may keep some pastors from attending their meeting, but it can't keep some deep-seeded feelings from overtaking the spirit of international sportsmanship.

I brought this up to another friend who met us at church. She also responded that she couldn't support a team that picks on the poor countries for its own success.

But didn't Germany pick on the whole world at one point?

But, she quickly pointed out, Germany lost, and they have since changed their ways. The United States still maintains its power. I understood what she said, and I did not deny any of these claims, nor did I ask anyone to accept them. I just asked for some help cheering on my soccer team.

As we rode home in the pastor's pickup, those in the cab had the game on the radio. A great shout of joy arose as Germany scored its first goal. Not much later, we'd found a restaurant along the highway where we all watched on a large flatscreen television as Germany cruised to a 4-0 victory over Australia. The pastor and his wife bought lunch for all, and we cheered together in a beautiful display of international fellowship. In the right context, soccer can bring people together.

On Tuesday I found myself hoping that North Korea would come back from their 2-0 deficit against Brazil, and not just because of my natural tendency to pull for the underdog. I realize that sometimes you're from the bad country, the one that causes so much trouble, and that you still need support. For I know deep down that it's just a game of soccer, that each player wants nothing more than to put the ball through the net. We can't judge them for the flag they bear.

As I watch tomorrow's game between the United States and Slovenia, with possible ridicule as I cheer on the red, white, and blue, I will remember that it's just a game. I know what is really important, dancing in the carefree presence of each other, under a rain storm lit by periodic flashes of lightning.

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It's good to get out to the mountains.

Mauricio prepares for a chess battle.

I contemplate my next move. I lost.

Mauricio's sister, Ana María performs a traditional dance at the dance festival.

The community sets up the rig for the dance that evening.

Mission: Impossible?

2010-02-19T13:43:00.000-06:00

Good morning dear reader,

Injustice has spread throughout the world. The hungry find no food, the thirsty find nothing to drink, the strangers find no welcome, the naked find no clothes, the sick find no care, and the prisoners find no one to visit them. The least of God's children have received ignorance in their struggles.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Bring justice to God's creation. Give food to the hungry, give something to drink to the thirsty, welcome in the stranger, give clothing to the naked, take care of the sick, and visit the prisoners. Remember the least of these and join in their struggles.

This message will self destruct in 10 seconds. I apologize for any damage this may bring to your computer or office equipment. If you receive this message on a plane, please notify the flight crew immediately so they may begin proper safety procedures.

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Nearly two thousand years have passed since Jesus gave this assignment (see Matthew 25:31-46). Since then, the movement founded in his name has become the world's most dominant religion. More people in every part of the globe follow Jesus and seek his guidance than at any time in history. Yet as we look around us, we see the great numbers of people still suffering. How can so many people still lack food, potable water, and personal security? As Christians, all called to mission, we wonder how we can really help. Can we make a difference in a world that only seems to fall apart, even after two thousand years of Christian presence? We see an overwhelming task before us. The mission truly feels impossible.

When I chose to accept my mission to El Salvador, I chose to join the Impossible Missions Force. Fortunately, several mission trips from the Evangelical Lutheran Church have joined me in my quest. They have heard Christ's call and traveled to El Salvador to walk in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Salvadoran Lutheran Church.

One group came from a church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on a scouting mission. They sought ways they can contribute to the construction of a bridge in Usulután.

The community of Santa María built this bridge
to better connect the community.

The original project fell short.

The group, along with Engineers Without Borders,
look for ways to complete the project.

Another group came from two congregations in Northern Minnesota to build a house and a retaining wall for a community that received damages in the November floods.

The new house should resist damages from future floods.

The partners work together to move the blocks up to the site.

The more experienced workers build the walls.

The community and the mission group stand proud of their work.

The group also purchased materials to build a retaining wall
that will protect this threatened house.

A very large group came from all over Minnesota and Wisconsin on a medical mission, providing basic care and medicines to hundreds who normally lack access.

Check out my fellow missionaries' blog for more information. (I was so busy translating that I forgot to take photos.)

All the groups came with a desire to serve the least of God's children, but they also found their own needs met.

The preference to serve the poor and the outcasts lies at the heart of liberation theology, which has long found its fertile ground in Central America. El Salvador alone has given us such theologians as Rutilio Grande, Archbishop Oscar Romero, Ignacio Ellacuría, and Jon Sobrino. The bishop of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, Medardo Gómez, has also written many books on theology, on what he calls the theology of life. He follows liberation theology, but changes how we see "the least of these". Rather than focus on liberating the poor, we ought to focus on liberating those in deepest need. This change in terminology opens the door to include each of us. We all have deep needs, whether they be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual.

In the groups that visited us, many needed to see the abundant hope found in the most difficult areas. Many needed to understand their own place in the harsh realities of the world. Many needed to experience the importance of the mission, to bring back those experiences to their homes with a renewed force. They saw the power of Christ's command bringing justice to the least of God's children.

Though Christians have been challenged with an overwhelming assignment, we can always reach out to those in deepest need, wherever we find them. We might not know if if the mission is possible, but we can certainly choose to accept it.

How do you handle the seemingly impossible mission?

Who would you consider to be the least of God's children?

How can you reach out to the least of these?

As we enter the season of lent, we focus on Jesus' forty days of trials in the desert, found in Luke 4:1-13. In what ways has the tempter kept you from following your mission assignment?

How can you stay focused on the task?

¡Feliz Navidad!

2009-12-20T18:06:00.000-06:00

Following the Christmas service today at the congregation La Concordia in San Salvador, the youth and children presented a Christmas pageant filled with color, dancing, and music. Let us remember our brothers and sisters in El Salvador and in all the world during this joyous season.

Actors portray José, María, and the baby Jesús.

The shepherds come to visit.

The shepherds dance to celebrate the newborn king.

The wise men come from afar bearing gifts.

The Little Drummer Boy brings what gift he has.

After the pageant the children have a fiesta with piñatas.

Everyone gets a chance to take a swing.

Fun and candy are had by all.

Have a merry Christmas everyone!

I will be at Central Christian Church in Pocatello on Sunday, December 27th, for a special presentation on my mission in El Salvador. Please join me if you're interested in learning more.

Advent

2009-12-03T13:41:00.000-06:00

On Sunday I headed to church expecting Advent services. The night before, I had attended a 6-hour vigil that one congregation held for Advent, the start of the church year. During this four-week period, we look for the places in our lives that could use God's presence. That way we will know how how much we need God's gift of the baby Jesus. This community at the church Ríos de Agua Viva identified the need for God in the midst of the terrible violence, the extreme poverty, and the challenging struggles in family life. They identified the need to build a safe, just, and dignified community. We know that God will provide for our needs, just as God provided a baby to save us.

The churches I attended on Sunday did not focus on Advent, but broke from the church calendar for special occasions. Yet the promise of God's coming prevailed in these services.

At the church La Resurrección we had the novenario for a young man from Apopa. In the tradition started by the Catholic church in El Salvador, after a burial, people have a period of mourning for nine days. Each day they hold a devotional to recognize the life of the fallen and to give comfort and hope to family and friends. A full funeral service called the novenario comes on the ninth day. On this day, we remembered twenty-one year old Juan Carlos Durán Serrano, who died at the hand of gang violence. Gang members broke into his house and emptied their pistols into his body. The Salvadoran people face this reality every day, but that doesn't make a funeral for the victim any easier.

Pastor Abelina Gómez preached that morning from the lectionary texts, including Luke 21:25-36, where Jesus speaks of the end of the age. All things that have a beginning must have an end. This includes creation, civilizations, and each individual life. Doña Abelina noted how Juan Carlos had lived a life according to faith, a life dedicated to his family and to good works. We can take consolation in knowing that God has given him rest from this world, but we cannot deny the horrors of the violence that caused this tragedy.

Jesus speaks to us about these horrors we face, for even though people "will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world," Jesus tells us to "stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (v. 26, 28 NRSV) All things that have a beginning must have an end. This includes violence.

If we just look for the signs of God's reign, we will see this truth. We must recognize that violence does not come from God. The destitution remaining after massive flooding does not come from God. A system that encourages the powerful to take advantage of those in deepest need does not come from God. These things come from the failure of all humankind. So we need to ask forgiveness from God for our failures. As a society, we need to ask forgiveness for allowing people to live in substandard housing in areas with a high risk of natural disasters. We need to ask forgiveness for our greedy lifestyles that only serve to pollute the earth and exacerbate the destructive forces of nature. We need to ask forgiveness for the system of violence that murdered Juan Carlos. Society should have been alert. As Jesus says, "Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place". (v. 36)

My brief summary of her sermon fails to convey the full sense of power that Pastor Gómez brought to the congregation through her gentle voice. At first, it seems odd that she would have the victims of a crime ask for forgiveness. Can we really place any blame on them? Certainly not. But this act reveals the hope that the situation will change, that we recognize just where we need God's presence in our lives as we anticipate God's gift in the baby Jesus.

Pastor Abelina, who preached as a guest at La Resurrección, serves as the regular pastor at Fe y Esperanza, a church in nearby Nejapa. We headed there next, but Pastor Gómez had little to do, for the youth had decided that they would lead the service. They had also decided to hold a special service, but for a different reason. They had wanted to educate the congregation about HIV and AIDS for World AIDS Day, which was coming up on December 1st.

HIV and AIDS pose a great threat to El Salvador and Latin American cultures. Too often people see those infected as less than human, and shun anyone with the virus. They do not understand that no one can pass the virus by shaking hands or even kissing. They have been told that HIV only infects prostitutes and bad people. They worry that associating with anyone infected would make them bad or possibly infect them as well. So most people will refuse to get checked for HIV. No one can shun them if no one knows about it. They also won't use protection because they fear that people will think that they have AIDS and engage in the activities of the bad people. So those with HIV have to live separate lives, as their own family will often reject them. They can lose their jobs, even though it's against Salvadoran law. Furthermore, they can't afford the medicines and treatment that would help them to stay healthy and to live a more normal life.

The youth at Fe y Esperanza sought to educate the congregation about the reality of HIV and AIDS. If we know how the virus is transmitted, we can protect ourselves by avoiding those situations and having access to protection should the need arise. Furthermore, we can lean how to include those with HIV. The youth sought to teach us that we have nothing to fear and everything to gain by working together, regardless of anything that makes us different. The affirmation that brought us to communion time shows us that commitment.

"We are all God's Creatures.

We have the right to have rights.

Possibly some of us live with HIV and have every right to have access to essential medicines.

We are all God's Creatures.

We are the sexual worker, the drug user, the person with the transgender or transsexual identity, the person with the lesbian, gay, or bisexual orientation, and we all know that we are accepted by God.

We are possibly the single mother who lives with HIV and has every right to adequate treatment.

We are all God's Creatures.

We are the stigmatized, discriminated, and exploited who have the right to healthy food and an adequate health system.

We are the people in vulnerable situations and we have the right to receive a dignified care from all human beings.

We are all God's Creatures.

We can raise our heads with dignity and walk the paths of justice."

(Affirmation by Lisandro Orlov)

The youth of Fe y Esperanza inspired me. They wanted to make this taboo subject known, to educate the people, and to help make things better. The have stood up where no one else would. They identified a place where we need God's presence, a need that helps us look forward to God's gift in the baby Jesus.

Even though the church services I attended changed from the standard Advent service, they both managed to convey everything that Advent means. Oh God, we welcome your coming.

What places in your life can you identify a need for God's presence?

What places in your community can you identify a need for God's presence?

What places in society can you identify a need for God's presence?

Pick a lectionary text for Sunday (flip a coin twice if you need to): Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 1:68-79, or Luke 3:1-6. How does this text help you prepare for the changes that will come with God's gift?

I welcome your comments.

Rain

2009-11-16T14:24:00.000-06:00

What a role the rain plays in peoples' lives!

For starters, rain affects schedules.

On Saturday, November 7th, I hopped in a van and headed to San Antonio Grande for a youth camp. We had already postponed this camp once due to a forecast of rain, and we were running out of weekends to hold it. So when we woke up to rain, we threw in our bags and headed out. We would hold this camp come hell or high water.

The rain caused us to arrive late to the small rural community, so the camp leaders immediately had a meeting to change the schedule. We decided to have a devotional, some games, a short hike, and then head back the same day. This light rain hadn't let up for three days now, and even though it hadn't turned into the heavy downpours we were used to, we knew that it could make things very difficult if it did. Even though it cut our camp very short, I'm glad we made this decision. For El Salvador would receive both hell and high water.

The vans full of youth from the south-central region of the Lutheran church emptied into the school grounds where we had planned on staying. After finalizing the schedule, we began our devotional.

We gather under the roof of the school for our activities.

For our devotional, we read from Matthew 19:16-26. As Jesus teaches, a young man approaches Jesus and asks what he needs for eternal life. Upon learning that the man had kept all the important commandments, Jesus says, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." (v. 21 NRSV) The man leaves, grieving, and Jesus makes it clear how "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (v. 24) After opening it up to discussion, the youth felt challenged to live up to Jesus' call to give more to the "poor". Many of these youth consider themselves to be poor, but nonetheless realize that Jesus isn't just talking to Wall Street executives. This makes me wonder, just who are the poor?

After a few activities, we then headed on our walk to the Lempa, El Salvador's biggest river.

Elmer of the church Fe y Esperanza and the Youth Council
leads the way on our trek to the river.

We didn't get the chance to swim in the river. But if we had, we wouldn't have gotten any more wet. On the way there, it had started to rain. Hard.

We hide under a tree to try to keep dry. That failed.

The river still runs high and muddy.

Rain affects our physical state.

The rain continued through our return trip and into the night. I marveled at its power that night on the porch of the Casa Concordia. The rain may have soaked through me that day, but I didn't realize just how much damage occurred all across the country. That took a while to soak in.

I saw some bits on the news. We talked about it on the way to church. We prayed about it at church, the few that could show up that day. I started to get a better grasp on just how much El Salvador hurt from the weekend's storms. And I got a better idea when we drove to a community affected by the floods.

We headed out to Apopa, north of San Salvador, to a poor neighborhood built on a dirt outcropping near the river. The road into the neighborhood sloped downward and turned into mud right at the high-water mark, where we also saw several parts of houses that had been collected from below.

Bishop Medardo Gómez speaks with residents
as he walks down to see the damage.

And from there we headed down.

Bishop Gómez knows the father of a Lutheran pastor.
The floods, here just a few feet deep,
took out the wall to his house.

These houses lost their roofs and pretty much everything inside.

This house also suffered severe damage.

Not much of this house remains at all.

We survey a house that has been completely washed away.

Cristian, a friend of one of the victims,
shows us the change in the river.

The water had been above the trash on the cliffs
just the night before.

Cristian's friend's house also received some damage.

The water level nearly reached the roof.

Cristian points out the water level inside Aldo's house.
Fortunately, nothing other than the electronics
was permanently damaged here.

Aldo's church, La Resurrección, brings food and water
to help his family and the neighborhood.

The relief should help them get by for a while.

The rain can change the way people live.

News poured in from around the country. The damage was astounding. Over 150 dead, hundreds more missing, and tens of thousands who have lost everything. Delegations who had come early for the International Partner Encounter changed their plans to better understand these events.

On Tuesday, November 10th, I went with Bishop Medardo Gómez and the delegation from Finland to Verapaz, one of the most affect areas. Verapaz sits in the shadow of Chichontepec, a magnificent volcano in San Vicente.

We walk forward, led by a local Lutheran pastor and his family.

We survey some of the leftover mud from the flood.

Some residents try to dig their house free.

Farther up the road we encounter a new kind of damage.

The bishop from Finland views the damage of the landslide.

Just a few days before, this was a neighborhood full of houses.

The rains brought these boulders down from the Volcano.

Huge chunks of the mountain broke away and came to the village.

A member of the Lutheran Church shares his story with us.

We head down the road, crossing what was once a house.

Here we can see the road, and the walls and foundation of a house.

The floods still take their toll farther down.

People collect the things they can.

The damage stuns us all.

Bishop Medardo Gómez comforts a woman who lost everything.

We all felt shaken by this experience. How can this happen? So many people have lost everything in the floods. The destruction came in a night, but will take years to repair. Where is God? As Bishop Gómez often says, in these times, when we see more suffering than we can bear, how much more will we see hope. It has been over a week since this tragedy, but the pain continues. The victims need relief. We have seen an inundation of horrors, but we have seen an outpouring of compassion. Who are the poor? Those who live day to day struggling to feed their families have risen to give aid, clothing, water, and comfort to their neighbors. So I ask to all who read this, where is God? Will we take Jesus' challenge to sell all and give to the poor, or will we simply grieve and walk away?

The rain affects our call to mission.

Stay tuned to this website and to globalministries.org to find out how you can help. After all, "for God all things are possible." (Mt 19:26)

News from the Moon

2009-10-02T15:13:00.000-06:00

This just in.....

The dust remains undisturbed yet again. The craters remain ever-calm as the rocks retain their form. Reporters at the Sea of Tranquility have confirmed that it has lived up to its name. Our pollsters have calculated that the level of uncertainty hovers right at 0%.

We have no reports of violence. Unemployment has reached an all-time low. We have no instability, no corruption, no gangs, no drugs, no exploitation, no oppression, no fear, no dengue, no swine flu, no death. Everything remains as it was. The dust remains undisturbed yet again.

And news from around the Solar System...

Our nearest neighbor is over 238,800 miles away. We report that Honduras has deteriorated into chaos, leaving its people with complete uncertainty about their government and their way of life, but it's too far away and too remote to cause us any concern. We report that global climate change continues to threaten the entire population, but we've done a pretty good job at keeping our atmospheric emissions to 0%, of anything, and have nothing to fear.

And speaking of atmosphere, here's the weather...

It looks like sunny skies for the next few days, followed by fourteen days of darkness. Temperatures will stay right around 220°F with a 0% percent chance of precipitation. We have no rain. We have no lightning. We have no clouds. We have no atmosphere. We cannot appreciate the movement of the wind, the torrential waters, the magnificent displays of light. The dust remains undisturbed yet again.

And now our special report...

Many of you have heard about these missionaries that wander around Earth, searching for God's presence in the midst of the suffering. You may have heard how they work with global missions partners such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of El Salvador, who seek justice in all areas of people's lives. You may have heard how these partners labor constantly for human rights, stewardship of the environment, health for all, and worldwide witness through education, ecumenicism, and inclusion of all God's children.

We know that many of you have felt compelled by these stories of hope. Fortunately for us, we don't need mission. We don't need to worry ourselves about things so far away. We don't need to offer ourselves for others while we have our own worries here. We don't need to feel the power of the storms. We don't need the saving power of Jesus Christ. We don't need this lunacy.

Thank you and good night...

---------------

I live in the guest house of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, situated right next to the central offices. The house itself is a work of the church. It houses several college students from outside the city, acting as a more affordable dorm. Its kitchen serves lunch to all the workers and guests at the central offices. It also houses those who work in the kitchen and their children. The house, called Casa Concordia, also serves as a home base for work trips from sister churches abroad and refugees who can find no other place to stay.

I have developed a jovial relationship with my friends at the Casa Concordia. When I wander around aimlessly, as I often do, we say that my body may be in El Salvador, but my mind is on the moon. My friends have begun to greet me by asking about the latest news from the moon. My answers soon grew trite as nothing really changed. It's still dry. It's still dusty.

I noticed how this life on the moon contrasted with the life I actually felt, especially as I would sit on the house's porch to enjoy the many night storms we experience. I enjoy watching the downpour from underneath the safe cover of the awning. I enjoy the gentle breeze and the mist that makes it through to me.

I have had the opportunity to visit several places in El Salvador and talk with several people about their experiences. The Salvadoran people have some tough struggles. Also, I have felt deep concern for the people of Honduras, our next door neighbor. They live in a time of total uncertainty right now. Before all this surfaced I had planned to attend an ecumenical gathering of young adults in Honduras starting today, but we have canceled these plans because we don't want to take the chances. Fortunately, El Salvador continues to struggle at the same pace, with uncertainty but at least with stability.

How does this "News from the Moon" compare to your own life right now?

In what ways do you feel like the lunar beings (lunatics?) watching the broadcast, apart from any of the suffering on planet earth?

In what ways do you feel like the earthlings, ignored by those living in peace?

One of our Lectionary texts this week is Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12. How does this compare to our news from the moon?

As I did some minimal research on the moon for this blog, I discovered that the lunar surface does receive some wake up calls from meteors fairly frequently. How would a meteor impact affect tomorrow's "News from the Moon"? Could we use a wake up call of our own?

Nick hangs out with some friends on the porch at the Casa Concordia:

Home sweet home.

Marisol takes a break with one of her friends from the University.

Jorge, the P.E. major, actually does some homework.

A visitor from the moon.

Pray for El Salvador

2009-09-22T15:55:00.000-06:00

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. My most recent task has been writing the Global Ministries prayer for El Salvador. Every week we pray for a different partner around the world, and this week we pray for El Salvador and the Evangelical Lutheran Church here.

Check it out:
http://globalministries.org
http://globalministries.org/prayer/27september2009.html

As always, I welcome your comments and discussion.

Random photo:

The Salvadoran Synod celebrates its 37th Anniversary

in the congregation La Resurrección

Here's another:

Bishop Medardo Gómez gives the offering meditation
during the church service.

Bloggin' time!

2009-09-07T15:56:00.000-06:00

Last Monday I had the opportunity to attend a forum evaluating the first hundred days of the new president of El Salvador. What had the first left-leaning president in the country's history accomplished in his first three months in office? The many people gathered in that hotel conference room all wanted to know what he'd done to confront the problems of the society. What had he done to help those who struggled with unemployment, ill health, poor education, violence, and gangs? After a series of lengthy, detailed presentations, the forum came to the striking conclusion that not enough can happen to make any sort of judgment in a mere three months.

In my travels and conversations, I have had the chance to see and hear some of the struggle, but not a whole lot. I have had the chance to see the countryside, to talk with the people, and to learn and grow with the people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of El Salvador. After all this, I have come to the striking conclusion that I cannot make a proper evaluation of my mission here in a mere four weeks.

My friends, I welcome you to my blog. In this place I hope to provide you with a lens into my activities here with the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. I would like you to meet my new friends, and see the places I see. I would like you to become a part of the mission that called me here, a mission greater than businesses, greater than gangs, and greater than governments. For God calls us all to mission, and God's love knows no borders.

What exactly is that mission? After four weeks, I still seek to understand it fully. I came here to work with the youth of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, but also to communicate with my friends, my family, my home church, and to any who feel the call for a greater justice. I hope that this blog will help provide that communication.

What can I tell you after four weeks? Last Monday, I visited a forum that concluded that changes take time. That was Monday. On Thursday, I attended a function launching President Mauricio Funes' greatest achievement so far in office, the Economic and Social Council. Rafael Menjívar, a pastor in the Lutheran church and a memeber of the new council, says he hopes that this bipartisan council will bring all voices to the table to create the dialogue necessary to pave the way forward. He hopes that this dialogue will help to solve the crisis and begin to bring people up from the spiraling injustice. In a similar fashion, I did not come to achieve any goal, but to open a dialogue that might help us all to understand each other better.

What does mission mean to you?

How can we search for God's call to mission?

How can we work to help others when we can't see the fruits of our labors for some time?

One of our Lectionary texts this week is from James 2:1-17. In what ways does this text shed light on our understanding of mission?

What hopes do you have for me and my mission in El Salvador? What do you hope to find in this blog?

I invite any questions, comments, or prayers you might have. I thank you for all your support. Stay tuned. If you're lucky, you might get some pictures!