El Salvador - Pan de Vida

We were pleased to have Rip McManus from Grace Lutheran Church in Mequon with us on El Salvador Celebration Sunday, May 22nd. Along with visuals, Rip gave informative temple talks, plus spoke at the Adult Forum. Traditional snacks were served and special music added to the services. We thank one and all for making this Pan de Vida sister Parish celebration a success.

 

Our fund-raising efforts continue to defray travel expenses for Abiding Savior delegates, Marianne Newman and Pastor Mike. To date ( May 16) given towards the Noisy Offering  total is $ 1518.04  of which $ 212.43 applies to our attempt to match a generous offer to match dollar for dollar giving up to a total of $500. 

 

The purpose of this trip by Marianne Newman and Pastor Mike is to strengthen our relationship with our brothers and sisters at Pan de Vida Lutheran Church in El Salvador!   Thank You for your generous support thus far. If you would like to make a donation,  please use a gold envelope and mark it Trip to El Salvador.

Experiencing El Salvador

By Marianne Newman

  

A report on Pastor Mike and Marianne’s trip to El Salvador August 5-12, 2011 with a group from the Greater Milwaukee Synod.

 

My time in El Salvador was time that I will never forget. No matter how many times I go back to El Salvador, my first trip will forever be the trip that changed how I viewed my life and the world around me. There’s something to be said for walking in someone else’s shoes. When I say that now, I don’t mean that lightly. This Agape Delegation trip of accompaniment to El Salvador truly showed me how to see, understand and internalize, and then take action on what I had learned as a result of this journey.

 

So what did I learn during my time in El Salvador?

 

The people of El Salvador, our brothers and sisters of the Lutheran church, are incredibly warm, welcoming, and committed to their faith. They are public about their spirituality and invite others to walk with them in Christ. Imagine if we were to go beyond our comfort zone and publicly profess our faith in everyday conversations with friends, family members, and colleagues! They can do amazing things with little to nothing. Their happiness is not dependent or synonymous with material wealth but through spiritual “fullness”. How have you filled up your proverbial tank today? How do you measure happiness in your own life? Through material possessions, or through giving to others and your community?

 

As I walked with and spent time with the student that we sponsor at Rutillio Grande, Yoni, these things were never more evident. Yoni is a quiet, intelligent, thoughtful young man. He has a brother and sister and enjoys playing baseball. His dream is to not just become a lawyer and “move up” in the world, but become a lawyer to make his world, and his community a better place for future generations. Yoni is not alone in his reasons for pursuing higher education. Everyone in this village is committed to bettering their community. Can we say the same for how we approach giving back to our community? What could we, will we do differently as we move forward for the rest of 2011 to make our community a better, more welcoming place? How will we all make Abiding Savior a welcoming place?

 

Peace and blessings,

Marianne Newman

Mt. Meru
Due to the rapid rise of the expenses associated with  coffee farming, the Mt. Meru coffee prices will be raised to $10.00 for 12 oz and $ 45.00 for 4 lbs.