Monday, February 24, 2014

This week has been so full of new things to see, to learn and experience, that it's a bit overwhelming for a first-timer.  Some things have been very disturbing. Other experiences have provided insight into a rich and beautiful culture. Most of all, there are the people--the wonderfully welcoming, loving people!

We began this morning riding, once again, in the back of the pickup. Our destination was the elementary school at San Isidro. When we pulled up many of the children were watching us closely, excited to see us arrive.  We had brought with us a supply of new toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste to hand out to each child.  Dru was going to talk to them about the importance of cleaning their teeth. She even had a pair of clacking teeth to demonstrate! But when we walked around the corner of the school, there were the primary children--four to six year olds--all brushing their teeth. In their classroom, hanging on the wall, was an apron with pockets for each of their brushes.  They were very proud to show us where to hang them. We left the brushes and toothpaste for the teacher to distribute then followed Sharon's lead in a rousing song of "Father Abraham" enthusiastically including all the arm, leg and head motions. Some children joined in at first, but soon gave up and just stared at these crazy adults with all their arms and legs pumping and heads nodding. Hilarious! We repeated the performance for the middle and upper level classes with a bit more participation from the middle group and a few more arched eyebrows from the elder group. 

After leaving more brushes and toothpaste with the older groups' teachers, we gathered with the children on the playground. Reverend Dave rejoined us there dressed to give his mime performance of Noah's Ark. He 'chose' several of our group to play roles such as elephant, monkey or bird and in turn we each chose a child to be our partner in going two-by-two onto the ark. What fun! The children thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The proof was in all of the smiles and hugs we received as we prepared to leave.

Our next stop was the San Isidro Church to purchase hand-made jewelry created by high school girls from the area. There were so many beautiful pieces, it was hard to make our selections. A quick look inside the church, then on to a delicious papusa lunch served at tables set up outside the home of Miguel in Casa de Zacate. From there we proceeded to the Community House for the truly important business of the day--the signing of the contracts between Casa de Zacate, Casa de Zinc, la Casa Pastoral, Companeros, and those of us at Trinity. This was a momentous occasion dignified by a white tablecloth solemnly placed on the table. A thorough reading of the contract, followed by signatures of representatives from all interested parties was documented by the numerous pictures taken of the occasion. 

The serious business completed, the celebration party began. Dave E. began making balloon animals for the children. The moment he pulled the balloons out he was flooded with a flock of children clamoring to be first in line. With the help of Larry and Maurice to blow them up, balloon animals were soon in the possession of each child. Maurice even enlisted the aid of some of the older boys to get them blown up. When the last animal had been created the children turned around to find the girls' piñata had been hung, waiting for the first girl to take her first swing. Older girls were blindfolded and spun before making their assault on the piñata. The smaller ones had no blindfolds, but the stick was so large and heavy, a number of them had difficulty just lifting it to swing. That didn't deter them however. After all, there was candy involved here! The girls' candy collected, it was the boys turn. They attacked with enthusiasm equal, or maybe even higher than the girls. After several had a turn, Dave K. Was asked to give it a try.  He gamely went forward to be blindfolded and enthusiastically began to swing. The only problem was that he did not realize when the piñata had broken and many of the young boys began to dive in for the scattering candies as he continued to swing. He was quickly apprised of the situation and the boys admonished to wait until it was safe. More group pictures and it was time to say our final goodbyes for this trip to the wonderful people of Casa de Zinc and Casa de Zacate. We left amid many, many handshakes, hugs, smiles and wishes that we come again.

Rebecca Swainey 

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Greetings from Berlin, Usulutan, El Salvador,

Today we travelled to Casa De Zacate, which is our newest community.  It has several young- to middle-aged families.  They are very open and have very open arms and hearts...and lots of beautiful, dark-eyed little ones.

We delivered our gifts and was served a delicious fresh chicken dinner,    I say fresh, as this chicken had been walking in the yard upon our arrival.  The final thing we did was go with the Directiva down a very steep, dusty and rutted road to see where the wash out was happening. Due to very sharp tuns, some of us stayed at the top of the road as less weight was needed in the back. Dru and I had already been stuffed in the cab with Alejandro, the driver.   After another rough and rugged ride back home, Katherine and Balmore led us in a Communion worship service.   It was an early bedtime for most of us.

Sharon

Sunday, February 23, 2014

What an amazing experience to be here.  As a "First-timer" as we are so lovingly called,  I had no idea what this trip would be like.  Sure, I had seen pictures and my brothers and sisters from Trinity provided lots of literature for me to study but none of that really gives you real perspective....... not like being here.  In comparison to poverty in Iowa, I could only compare it to those living under bridges or in tents or make-shift huts such as those along the Des Moines river.  The people of Zinc and Zacate are different still, more like my grandparents in the respect that they are poor rural farmers that work hard, have pride, and are grateful for what they have. 

We attended Mass this morning in Berlin with approximately 600 others.  I SO wish I knew Spanish!  Being from a congregation that considers music to be a very important part of worship, the music stood out to me.  I also took notice of how many children took part in the service.  I was told we were there about an hour and 20 minutes, but you couldn't prove it by me.

The market near the square was not one of my best experiences.  I was approached several times by beggars and it's so hard to turn away.  I'm also not accustomed to fish being sold on the street and in the heat.  The produce, on the other hand, was unbelievably great!

We finished the morning at Lookout Point with a beautiful view of the Berlin valley.  God is truly in this place!  Praise be to God.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Casa de Zinc, El Salvador

Since 2004 Trinity and Casa de Zinc have been in partnership.  It's been an evolving partnership. It's been a partnership dictated by the personality of the community itself.

Trinity is also in a partnership with Casa de Zacate a neighboring community to Casa de Zinc. The two are strikingly different. Zacate is outgoing, organized and extroverted. Zinc is reserved, introverted and much less organized.

Zinc is similar in nature to rural farming communities in Iowa that found its center as the rural school. I grew up on the site of the former Round Grove  Community School. All the surrounding farms were known as being in the Round Grove Community. So it is for the folks of Casa de Zinc. Spread out over an area these independent farmers are isolated from one another.

In fact, as we made house to house visits delivering gifts to each home our delegation drove to each house. In Zacate we would be able to walk to each house in the community.  The distance between each house in Zinc seemingly contributes to a different attitude.  The organization of the community is much less defined than Zacate.

As a result of this different attitude Trinity's relationship has been challenging. However, and this is a rather big however, this year seemingly changed. We were greeted more warmly than in past visits. We were met with more smiles.  We were invited into people's homes as we delivered gifts. There was a community decision and a promise to be more regular in attendance at community meetings held at the pastoral house. 

This change was more noticeable after we completed our door to door visits.  As the final preparations were being made, a long line of children formed as Dave Endriss started making balloon animals.  Assisted by Larry Lepper and Linda O'Connell. While Dave truly created animals like hummingbirds and dogs and bears climbing trees Larry's creations consisted of a snake, simply a balloon that was blown up. Larry also had his own animal making kit which consisted of a blown up balloon where the recipient made his or her own animal.  The children loved the balloons as much as they loved breaking the piñatas, one each for the girls and one for the boys.

It was remarkable to see the change from the last visit Trinity made to Casa de Zinc. There was no change, however, in one aspect.  There was universal gratitude for the support that has been offered and received from members of Trinity, Dexter-Greenfield, Allerton, and the churches in the South Central Partnership.  Thanks to all who have contributed monies I and prayers in support of our brothers and sisters in Casa de Zinc. You have truly made a difference.

Maurice

February 20, 2014

To our dear Brothers and Sisters of the universe that was created by God the Almighty Father, redeemed by His son, Jesus the Christ and comforted by the Holy Spirit, greetings from Dru and Sharon

On Thursday we visited the guerilla museum. This museum houses newspaper articles, photos and an actual mock up of the type of encampments used during the civil war. This museum also was the location of the U.N. Peace accord that ended the 12 year civil war. 

Prior to that our first stop was the massacre site and memorial at El Mozote. In 1981, the government militia, that was trained with the assistance of the U.S.A., massacred over 1000 members of the community of El Mozote and residents of the neighboring areas.  The youngest was 3 days old.  No one was spared. Prior to the killings was torture, and also rape of younger girls starting at age 10. Since 2012, a new memorial was raised. Estella, the guide for us asked us to tell the story in hopes that it will never happen again.  The new memorial is down the road and around 3000 feet above sea level and the view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It makes it so hard to understand why such cruelty could exist. 

A new El Mozote memorial. 

On the ride back, Dru and I decided, while drying our tears, to use Psalms 121, " I will lift up mine eyes

to the hills from which comes my help, it comes from The Lord."

The rest of night was spent packing for the next day's visit to Casa de Zinc.

.

Day two - San Salvador

Awoke early the sounds of foreign birds - the perfect start to a day of introduction into the history of this beautiful country. Did Betty mention yesterday how green things are here? THAT was a welcome change! We checked out of our wonderful guest house and put ourselves into the capable hands of Alfredo our bus driver, who wound his way through the busy city streets to access the sites we would visit.

Our first stop was at the Monument of Memory and Truth - a memorial wall for those murdered or missing during the recent 12-year civil war. It was very sobering to hear our tour guide/host Katherine describing the history of the political climate and events that lead to these massacres. Archbishop Romero's name was among those listed.

Then we went to the Cathedral where Romero is entombed. This is an impressive, huge white
building in the midst of a run-down area of the city. We drove through block after block of street
market stalls on our way. The bronze effigy where he is interred was stunning. See for yourself!

After leaving the Cathedral, we went to the Romero home which was incredibly modest at his request. He felt that, considering the poverty of his people, he should not live, in luxury. One of the nuns who cares for the site gave us a talk and insights a into this modest and giving man.

Next we had a very sobering talk from a nun in the chapel where Romero was murdered. She was very soft-spoken and you could have heard a pin drop.

Then we headed up the mountains to the Pastoral House where we met the team and learned of our next task - dividing up the goodies we brought to give the families into separate packages. Here we are starting to get organized...

Dave Endriss wrapped up the day with a devotional on transformation and we headed to bed with the promise of another day of growth and learning tomorrow.

We made it!

After getting up anywhere from 12:45 to 1:30 am, we all made it to the airport for our 5:30 am flight. Took off a half hour late after de-icing, but made up time. Walked to our gate in Houston & got in line with the rest of the passengers to board our plane to San Salvador. Arrived close to on time & found all of our many, many pieces of luggage. All made it.

We have all crashed now but me, so think I'll join them. Been up for 22 1/2 hours.

More when we've rested a bit.

Betty

P.S. We're all blessed to be traveling together. What a wonderful group of folks are on this trip!