Trinity’s
El Salvador Ministry
Trinity has nurtured partnerships with other Kansas
churches and with the Calvinist Reformed Church of El Salvador so that our
presence in El Salvador has expanded to three towns: Los Talpetates, Rio
Los Bueyes, and Nuevo Calvario. Our friendships thrive as we accompany the
folk in these towns as they walk toward their goals (not our goals for
them!) of community development. An update from our July trip:
In Los Talpetates, we were greeted by school children
who burst out of the classrooms to surprise us with shouts, music from their
school band, and handshakes for all. We received their school report IN
ENGLISH - enrollment is 292 children. We met their new teacher, whose
salary we support; visited their newly roofed classrooms and auditorium
(necessary from Hurricane Stan’s devastation); saw their new desks,
photocopier, and the classroom they’re preparing to house new computers;
admired the re-painted buildings; and applauded their “First Place” in the
Department Band Competition. We also met with the high school scholarship
students. The Casa Materna meeting indicated the midwife/nurses continue
their education and they delight that they have taken drivers’ education to
be able to drive the ambulance – quite an accomplishment in their culture!
The Bank continues loans primarily for farmers’ seed/fertilizer purchases
and decided to forgive the loans for farmers who lost their crops to
Hurricane Stan (see pictures in Trinity’s hallway).
In Rio Los Bueyes, we were greeted with an elaborate
welcome by school and community and met with their teachers and Board of
Directors. We discussed their need for another classroom and freer access
to the only, privately-owned road into town. First Presbyterian, Wichita,
primarily shoulders the financial burden of this partnership.
In Neuvo Calvario, in partnership with the Calvinist
Reformed Church (IRCES), we shared meals, worship, and Communion. We
participated in their health clinic and children’s activities. We toured
the town and met with IRCES about their long range plans to develop a
worship center, youth center including vocational training, school, medical
clinic, sports facilities, and administrative offices. Because of the
$14,700 (from Jensen Bequest and two presbytery [PNK/PSK] grants) we were
able to bring with us, IRCES will: prepare the ground, dig a water well,
provide electricity and sewage facilities, draw up architectural plans for
their church, and begin construction on the church.
We look forward to having several Salvadorans visit us
this winter if we can manage the challenge of obtaining visas. |
