tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57860198043653569982024-03-20T22:50:16.506-07:00Show us what there yet can beTom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-20314455190844725912015-05-26T13:35:00.003-07:002015-05-26T16:06:04.952-07:00Beatificación de Monseñor Romero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXLnSosm0abltfzv9oHTro43fnxGGtoKVzYyPMyRjpvlKkzLIX1B4IFSd05eJYWkhsJ7_Z9wAoSydXJYw2Dp89HFw-0rQ3dqRYVfsPgrGCTod8X4putzcJEcMzSzjbhEBtlcs6aNsgcI/s1600/oscar_romero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXLnSosm0abltfzv9oHTro43fnxGGtoKVzYyPMyRjpvlKkzLIX1B4IFSd05eJYWkhsJ7_Z9wAoSydXJYw2Dp89HFw-0rQ3dqRYVfsPgrGCTod8X4putzcJEcMzSzjbhEBtlcs6aNsgcI/s320/oscar_romero.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a
wonderful 3 day event it was as we attended Monsignor Romero’s
Beatification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not familiar with
Monsignor Romero you can read a brief history here </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93scar_Romero"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93scar_Romero</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First I want
to thank The CIS (Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad) an NGO that has been serving
the Salvadoran people for over 20 years. The CIS provides language schools, water
filter programs, student scholarship programs, women’s empowerment training and
a host of other seminars and trainings. All of this work done with community
development of the communities involved. To learn more about them you can go
here </span><a href="http://cis-elsalvador.org/index.php/en/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://cis-elsalvador.org/index.php/en/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CIS gave us
an opportunity to join a small delegation they had put together for the
beatification. We attended events Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the
beatification weekend. Everything was well planned and orchestrated and enhanced
our experience. Our new friends were Jean from Missouri, Jill from Wisconsin, Laurie
from Florida, Karen from California and Susan from California, Leslie Schuld
the Director of CIS attended various parts of CIS/Beatification events and
Zulma an employee of CIS who coordinates events for incoming delegations and
she’s also a very good translator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For Dianne
and I to attend this beatification was just a momentous occasion. We’ve been
involved with El Salvador for over 7 years now and Monsignor Romero’s story is
as moving now as the 1<sup>st</sup> time we heard it. His beatification is the fulfillment of
many prayers of the Salvadoran people and people of all countries who know his
humble but strong message that we cannot stand by and watch the marginalized Salvadoran
people be exploited and killed by their government and the rich and powerful
who controlled the government. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As with
almost every story I know about in El Salvador, his martyrdom story and the
long wait for his beatification is very complicated. I would rather not dwell
on the history at this time so I can share with you our experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Thursday
night we attended a Theatrical presentation of Romero’s life at the FESPAD
auditorium in Santa Tecla. It was put on by college students. It consisted of
still photos and short documentary clips on a large screen while various
members of the group sang, danced and portrayed situations of that time. The situations
consisted of soldier harassment of the people and finally the murder of Romero
himself. It was extremely well done and compelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a fantastic way to start the beatification
journey with our group from CIS. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Friday we
went to Bishop Romero’s Chapel where he was martyred, Divina Providencia and we
also visited his house that was also on the grounds. The house is very small
and simple. He chose this house over the more palatial home reserved for the
Bishop of El Salvador as a symbol of his humility before God and the poor
people of San Salvador. I have to admit that although Dianne and I have visited
these hallowed grounds many times I can’t help but become misty eyed when I
think of his utmost sacrifice for his love of the poor and his faith in Jesus’s
message to care for the least of these in this country. He didn’t just believe
in Jesus’s message he died for that message.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
highlight of that day was attending the march to the Vigilia (Vigil) that night
and attending a portion of it. The march started at The San Salvador Cathedral
next to the National Palace. It was a fitting place to start because it was in
this place that during the funeral of Bishop Romero government troops open
fired on the thousands of people who attending the funeral killing over 50 and
injuring many more. Their only crime was attending the funeral of someone the
government and wealthy families of the oligarchy dearly hated. The March ended
at Salvador del Mundo about 3 miles away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we
arrived at about 4 PM for the 5 PM starting time and just took in the sights
and sounds. It was a mass of humanity all full of alegria (happiness). There
were many youth groups carrying banners, church groups and many others. Spontaneous
singing would erupt, then we would hear “Dame un ere” (give me and R) we would
spell out Romero's name and then shout it out with the people. Then the March
started just as the rains came but this wasn’t just rain, this was pouring
rain. The rain did not dampen (excuse the pun) the spirits of the crowd. Trucks
blared religious music, people shouted and laughed as we marched as a soaking
wet throng of believers who wouldn’t trade this opportunity for a moment. Dianne
pointed out that it was truly a crowd of Romero’s people. The poor and
marginalized of El Salvador giving Romero Alabanzas (praises).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We want to
share with you a touching story of Zulma. She was the coordinator of
the group and her mother attended the March with us. Zulma and her mother
stayed the entire night at the vigilia so her mother could be part of the
entire event and have a good spot at the beatification the next day. It was
pouring but they had no intention of leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was moving to see how they shrugged off the weather as it truly meant
nothing for them because they were so happy to be here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day
was the beatification and we arrived at Salvador del Mundo at around 6:30AM for
the 10 AM Mass. The streets were already getting full as we moved forward with
the rest of the “great unwashed” to get as close to the stage as possible. The
streets were full of food vendors and sellers of every imaginable tchotchke of
Romero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romero’s face emblazoned a
million different buttons, hats, balloons, T-shirts and flags. There was even a
Romero on a stick whose arms and legs moved when you pulled a string</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. It was part Carnival, street fair,
food court, and I almost forgot a Beatification Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">105 Bishops
attended, over 1,000 priests and numerous dignitaries from other countries such
as the President and VP of Bolivia and other Central and South America
Countries. Then there were the estimated 200 to 300 thousand Salvadorans.
Communities and Church groups from around the country took buses to the
beatification. There sacrifice to attend the event reminded me of Zulma and her
mothers. The people who took the buses in some cases had the busses park over 7
miles away and then they had to walk to the Mass. Let me assure you there were
more busses than we could count when we left and drove out of the city we saw
bus, after bus, after bus. It was incredible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We ended up
a little more than a hundred yards from the stage and at first the crowd didn’t
seem too bad. Then waves of people came and more waves came crashing in. Now I
love my people in El Salvador but they have honed their skills at pushing and
shoving to get on and off the busses their entire lives. They used those skills
to get closer to the stage. At one point we could barely move our arms and
shifting from foot to foot was the only way to get some relief from constant
standing in the sun with no shade. But the people kept coming. Yes, I know it
sounds like an uncomfortable situation and at times, it was. That said, the
crowd was alive and we were part of it. We sang “Que alegria cuando me dijieron
vamos a la casa del senor” – What a joy when they said, we are going to the
house of the lord. </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaKw7vAH5OA"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaKw7vAH5OA</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
We also sang Demos gracias al Senor- Let us give thanks to the Lord </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCCKAwCbW5U"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCCKAwCbW5U</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
It was spiritually staggering to sing those songs with thousands of our
brothers and sisters in Christ. We had Salvadorans in the crowd come up to us
and thank us for sharing this amazing event with them. As we sang I noticed a few of my Salvadoran
brothers and sisters in Christ look at us with that “hey those gringo’s can
belt out our tunes” looks on their faces and they smiled at me and Dianne and
nodded at us in acceptance. Just remembering these moments make me misty right now
(being a missionary has made me so emotional). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also
witnessed what we and many others believed was a miraculous event. During all
of this all of a sudden people started looking to the sky and a rainbow had
appeared in a halo type pattern. It was as if God was giving us a sign of his
personal blessing on this day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Beatification
ended at around 1:30 and we all started to disperse. It was a strange feeling
as sometimes you are part of something that you think is a remarkable happening
but it ends up being uneventful, it doesn’t meet the built up expectations. But
I guarantee you this exceeded all expectations. The unity we felt can’t be
described. We were emotionally, spiritually and physically drained but very
aware of what we just participated in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Beatification is finally a small sliver of reconciliation for the poor of this
country who were so devastated by the war and I will not lie, they still suffer
very much if not more right now than they did during the war. This doesn’t mean
Romero died for nothing; this doesn’t diminish his martyrdom at all. In the
midst of all this suffering Romero still lives among the people. As Romero said
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"If they kill me, I shall arise in
the Salvadoran people." </b>We saw this resurrection in the crowds of the
Salvadorans there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His death as
many describe was a political order because of his unwavering belief in Jesus’s
message that a special option exists for the poor and thus his death was much
like that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Jesus he attacked the root causes of
injustice and how they worked against the Kingdom of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He proclaimed we must protect and care for the
marginalized of our society regardless of how it changes the social order of
that society, it is commanded of us by Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we know both men died for proclaiming this
message but as we also know the instruments of evil didn’t win. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Standing
with the poor isn’t easy. Many people do it year in and year out. It’s done all
over the world in every corner of every country be it here in El Salvador or in
the streets of my home Worcester, MA. The work never seems to stop and in the
trenches it’s hard to see any progress sometimes but let me leave you with
Bishop Romero’s prayer. It always has helped me realize we are not about
results we are about faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It helps, now and then, to step back<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and take the long view.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kingdom is not only beyond our
efforts,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">it is beyond our vision. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We accomplish in our lifetime only a
tiny fraction of<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">the magnificent enterprise that is
God's work.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing we do is complete,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">which is another way of saying<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">that the kingdom always lies beyond
us. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No statement says all that could be
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No prayer fully expresses our faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No confession brings perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No pastoral visit brings wholeness.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No program accomplishes the church's
mission.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No set of goals and objectives
includes everything. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is what we are about:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We plant seeds that one day will
grow.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We lay foundations that will need
further development.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We provide yeast that produces
effects beyond our capabilities. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We cannot do everything<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and there is a sense of liberation in
realizing that.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This enables us to do something,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and to do it very well.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It may be incomplete, but it is a
beginning, a step along the way,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">an opportunity for God's grace to
enter and do the rest. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We may never see the end results,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">but that is the difference between
the master builder and the worker.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are workers, not master builders,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ministers, not messiahs.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are prophets of a future not our
own.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-54355654701166652762015-04-29T14:52:00.000-07:002015-04-29T14:53:17.178-07:00Doubts and Faith<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKQtStSg2xySBrRvvXY-OdAfAQFysjyLOE9C2T4V7G1g5tm8LcBUQtQNBA2Kz6ic3CHhgEOuLdFZAb2zWe6L41EgVYw7HiDD0q-lakuxTMq3tKPzIuOMX6o6LaWF1wjMM1lIttO6yXMg/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKQtStSg2xySBrRvvXY-OdAfAQFysjyLOE9C2T4V7G1g5tm8LcBUQtQNBA2Kz6ic3CHhgEOuLdFZAb2zWe6L41EgVYw7HiDD0q-lakuxTMq3tKPzIuOMX6o6LaWF1wjMM1lIttO6yXMg/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Santos, Alexa and Marina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">El Maizal has recently welcomed 5 new babies into our
community. We have Alexa, Alison, Alison, Caleb and Esmerelda. When I hold a
new baby I am always amazed at how delicate, precious and tiny they are. It’s
cliché but very true that babies are our future. I love babies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The birth of Alexa has had an added impact on her family and
their story impacted me. Her parents are Santos and Marina Portillo. They are
active members of our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santos
leads our Community Bible studies and Marina participates and has been the
president of the women’s group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As is custom here, after her birth at one of our services Alexa
was presented and her family was blessed (not a baptism yet, that’s later).
Then a week or so later at our Sunday service Santos asked that we all attend a
special service of thanksgiving for her the following Sunday and a small get
together after. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We attended the service and get together the following
Sunday. It was a nice event, the phrase in Spanish goes like this, Siento el
calor del comunidad. Translated it means I feel the heat of the community but
its real meaning is I can feel the emotional warmth of the community. It was a
genuinely happy event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The impact on me came
from a story Santos shared with us about his family and their faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before I get to that let me remind you of what the readings
were after Easter Sunday. We had John’s, the doubting Thomas Gospel and we
had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke’s Gospel of Jesus appearing to
the Disciples showing them his wounds yet, some still doubted. In these Gospels
we see doubts even amongst Jesus’s closest of friends and we see their faith
and hope in the midst of their doubts. It was a very tough and confusing time
for the Apostles and their faith. The significance for me is that by nature we
have doubts but by faith we can overcome the doubts and have hope for the
future. Hope for our future on earth and hope for our eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, let’s get back to Santos. Santos told us how Alexa was
an answer to his and Marina’s prayers. Four years ago they lost a baby girl who
died 15 days after her birth. He and Marina we obviously devastated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t imagine the anguish of burying an infant child.
Santos shared with us, he asked God “why, why, why”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a moment in human life where the faith
is now under fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An unbelievable
tragedy strikes us and we look to God and say why, why me, why her, why??? The
implication is why did you do this to me. This is when faith can be broken, put
on hold for years or maybe strengthened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santos told us that he and Marina maintained
their faith and prayed to God that they be allowed to have another baby. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he became misty eyed and voice a little
shaky, he said Alexa was the answer to their prayers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took four years but God gave them Alexa. I
can tell you that Don Santos was not the only misty eyed person there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don Santos and Marina
proved to me what I thought. In our doubts we can still have faith. It’s hard,
it’s confusing but it’s what we are called to do. Trust in God at all times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-34560232356480064552015-03-26T17:44:00.000-07:002015-03-26T17:44:05.181-07:00Ahhh, the simple life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfA3p_KXRDp8N8_yPPRnAz1sBUzCZDZbWgFnHse_6MZNhvEJaGYlORHzAV89X8G1BfGD57MDKmfYm_rxa_l5shZ-SqwF91I4q6Vk1A6Z9Dmm7_wHq183wsVe4gswePpX6BzJ5_tQsf3Q/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfA3p_KXRDp8N8_yPPRnAz1sBUzCZDZbWgFnHse_6MZNhvEJaGYlORHzAV89X8G1BfGD57MDKmfYm_rxa_l5shZ-SqwF91I4q6Vk1A6Z9Dmm7_wHq183wsVe4gswePpX6BzJ5_tQsf3Q/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La vida sencilla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ahhhh the simple life. The mission got a little
sidetracked. The mission was interrupted for 10 weeks because Dianne was
inflicted with an unusually bad case of Chikungunya.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikungunya"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikungunya</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people have it for 7-10 days and that’s
it. Its name is of African origin and means, walking stooped over. I had it for
about 8 days and that’s what it is like, the pain in my joints had me stooped
over. For Dianne almost all the symptoms went away except for the joint pain.
We ended up back in the U.S. so she could be checked out thoroughly after she
put up with this pain from the middle of November till the New Year. Long story
short she was tested for everything under the sun and it came back as a severe
case of Chikungunya. After 10 weeks of rest in the U.S. she is improving. The
pain is not gone but it’s more manageable for her. Being the way she is, she’s
tried to fight through this but with this joint pain, that doesn’t work. The
Dr. said it could be one to two more months. To her credit she’s decided to
return to the mission and just let it play out. The Doctor said the reason her
case was so bad is because she is a “delicate flower” but that said her
dedication is inspiring, she has more than enough reason to stay home longer
but she may look like a delicate flower but that’s far from the case. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So we landed in El Salvador on March 15<sup>th</sup>. Our
2<sup>nd</sup> year Anniversary of the mission was March 4<sup>th</sup> and in
a way the interruption was a good thing although the reason was not good at
all. An interruption like this gave us time to reflect on what we have learned.
One thing we learned is that we like the simple life of El Maizal. It’s not
easy but it’s simpler.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">One observation is that this simple life is addicting.
Remember, we live in los campos (the country). It’s not remotely like the big
cities of El Salvador. At 6-7 PM this community and the surrounding communities
are finishing supper and preparing for bed. It’s nice and quiet. Even during
the day it’s quiet. There are the buses and cars on the main road but they aren’t
that loud. We mostly notice the chickens clucking along as they graze, the many
beautifully colored birds talking back and forth to each other and the chatter
of kids playing and adults talking. Vida esta tranquilo (life is tranquil)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Life is simpler because most decisions are made sensibly
and prudently. We initially found ourselves shaking our heads in disbelief in
some decisions but we were normally proved wrong. We forget that all the tools
and supplies that we have at our fingertips at home don’t normally exist here.
People improvise here all the time and they are very good at it and since they
are used to it, they don’t get flustered as easy as we would.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We also find it simpler because we rest more, not because we
can but because we must. For a while we were in the full march mode, we must be
productive at all times and be available 24/7. But that’s a quick way of making
service to God become a grind. That’s not conducive to living the message of
our Lord and Savior because you forget to see Jesus in everyone you meet. Well
intentioned friends or strangers become impediments to results. You also don’t
connect to God in prayer or studying scripture as purposely as you should. You
can forget to accompany people with a smile and calming words about life and
faith. After all that is what mission is about first and foremost, accompany
people as their brothers and sisters in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The other noticeable thing that simplifies life is that
literally all plans are not set in stone. We’ve experienced so many plans that get
either cancelled or changed at a moment’s notice that now we expect it. I’m not
saying it didn’t drive us crazy and that on occasion it still does but remember
decisions are made sensibly so if something comes up more important, things
change immediately. They don’t imprison themselves in a system that requires that
you sometimes put more emphasis on maintaining a schedule versus addressing an
immediate need. In fairness to my North American friends the complexity and difficulty
of daily lives here create more emergencies than in the U.S. so it’s much easier
to maintain schedules in the states. There’s a relaxing effect to life when you
can shrug off changes and reschedule meetings and move along instead of being aggravated
and feeling inconvenienced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Our advice based on what we have learned is that we need
to remember to relax and rest sometimes. If you’re the type of person that must
have a daily plan then put rest into the plan.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Mark 6:31 - Then, because so many people were coming and
going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come
with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">En la paz de Dios<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Tomas y Dianna<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-79177471943961847992014-12-31T10:37:00.001-08:002014-12-31T10:37:28.744-08:00Writers Block<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmjlOCtuJIc-5yDB2buTny1dnIZbDHmVQ8kQ2icJ9me_K3oSNKsRBJvmWTRRYG-AoS30XPliuCWyzL7gRcY4fvksqVhcm8h_xxkpB7Y9Zyytau4TuY8AiM0bXXf_rCj2_ZUHl4exphl8/s1600/Pen%20and%20paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmjlOCtuJIc-5yDB2buTny1dnIZbDHmVQ8kQ2icJ9me_K3oSNKsRBJvmWTRRYG-AoS30XPliuCWyzL7gRcY4fvksqVhcm8h_xxkpB7Y9Zyytau4TuY8AiM0bXXf_rCj2_ZUHl4exphl8/s1600/Pen%20and%20paper.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allow me to start by giving my apologies for being an
absentee blogger. I can't believe I haven't blogged for over 5 months. I've
posted lots of pictures and stories to Facebook but the blogging, well I just
wasn't feeling it. I had started 3 different blogs but never finished them and
ended up deleting them. I had a case of writers block.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That said; let’s see if number 4 is the charm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being so far from home unfortunately has not shielded us from
the unrest, racial tensions and just general lack of faith in some institutions
(our police forces and government) in our beloved country. I’m not naïve enough
to think that these issues are just a passing thing or that they are
unjustified. But, as many have and should point out (I’ll get to it also) that
we can’t focus or look at our differences if we think we are going to solve
these problems together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me share a couple of situations that caused me to step
back and think. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We recently had a new well built in our community by Living
Waters International because of the generous donations of New Song Church of
Prairieville, Louisiana. A group of their parishioners including their pastor
came down to help in the construction. They worked hard in this Salvadoran heat
(</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IUDNMlKW1U"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IUDNMlKW1U</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
to bring a constant supply of clean water to El Maizal. They were as pleasant
as could be to the people of our community, especially the children and thanked
us over and over again for our sacrifice as missionaries. I never heard them
complain about anything even though for most of them it was the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
time they’ve ever been to El Salvador and trust me there are things to complain
about in El Salv………, never mind. But do you get my point, what a great group of
people. By the way they are Methodists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what do I do? One night I go online and look up
Methodists because I want to know what they are about. I start reading and I’m
thinking OK, I like that, Hmmmmmmm, I don’t know about that and it continues
until a light goes off in this cavernous head of mine. TOM, you already know
what Methodists are. They are pleasant, hardworking people who are willing to
sacrifice time and money for others, they don’t complain, they appreciate the
sacrifice of others before their own sacrifice and they do it all in the name of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Why was I looking them up and reading about
their faith putting my own judgment on their belief system and if I continued
possibly putting those judgments onto them??? Because, I wasn’t recognizing
what was right in front of me. They are who they are, described by the way they
practice their faith through actions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THAT’S
WHO METHODISTS ARE!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now then, I’m glad I caught myself on that. So then, poor
Dianne has been sick for almost 7 weeks now. She started with Chikungunya whose
fever left after a week but the constant body pain continued, then the fever
came back and she was diagnosed with a bladder infection. She’s not a good
patient because she hates not being able to help out but the only solution is
constant rest. Sooooooooo, where am I going with this? We have a dear friend
who works near our house every day. When she became aware of Dianne’s health
problems she volunteered to wash our clothes for us. I offered to pay her but
she refused, she said we are friends, paying her would be an insult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she comes twice a week and washed our
clothes by hand. I pitifully help but she does most of the work. Keep in mind
her days start at 4 AM, so she can wash her own clothes, cook breakfast for the
family, get her family going for the day, she goes to work for 4 or 5 hours
till noon. Takes a 2 or 3 hour break (after making lunch) and then comes to do
back breaking work at our house. By the way she’s a Jehovah Witness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soooo, we all know that feeling when we hear Jehovah Witness
(no Christmas, no Halloween, no celebrations, what the heck). But that wasn’t
enough for me, I had to go online and see what she and her faith were about. I
started reading and was thinking, I don’t know about this, this sounds kind of
crazy to me when the light bulb went off again. TOM, WHAT ARE YOU
DOING????????? You know what a Jehovah Witness is. They are the type of people
who put their own comforts aside for their family, they work endlessly to keep
their lives and the lives of their families going smooth and when they are
exhausted from a long hard day, they sacrifice even more for friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was doing in the name of her Lord. Why
was I reading about them only reinforcing the stereotype I had in my head?????
I already knew by witnessing with my own eyes what a Jehovah Witness was. They
are who they are, described by the way they practice their faith through
actions (sound familiar). THAT’S WHO JEHOVAH’S ARE!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For a guy who reads the Letter of James at least every
couple of months, you’d think I’d get it by now. So here I was amongst great
people doing great things in the name of God and twice I fell into the trap.
Was it my Tempter (if you don’t get that reference read the Screw tape Letters
by C.S. Lewis, ASAP). I was looking at our differences. Thanks be to God, I
caught myself those times but will I next? As my Jehovah friend pointed out
once as we did wash together “Tom, humans are imperfect” (Can I get an AMEN). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me try to pull this all together. Looking for and
recognizing the differences between us, is a real fast way of creating us and
them scenarios, not a great way to work out solutions to complex problems. What
do we have in common? We’re all human, we’re all imperfect, we all have our
great moments and our shameful ones but we’re all Brothers and Sisters in
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">En la paz de Dios<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom y Dianna Wilson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother,
and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he
said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my
Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-54677075608972289182014-07-14T17:48:00.000-07:002014-07-14T17:48:06.307-07:00God Shows no Partiality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RpRCUH288tO3P2A1sG4T1o90sXT7oUE1UQM8renkwmj0eze-Fa7IpReXv6jA1De3YzEufU_OLEk30esMGCMimfNHlJnNyEa5HSwGa1DWN6vkxS8cVfD_fn1VsdqnqoprUqhScNKtFpk/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RpRCUH288tO3P2A1sG4T1o90sXT7oUE1UQM8renkwmj0eze-Fa7IpReXv6jA1De3YzEufU_OLEk30esMGCMimfNHlJnNyEa5HSwGa1DWN6vkxS8cVfD_fn1VsdqnqoprUqhScNKtFpk/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHkzwz9-M6odqSQezoknCkdJhMnMcAru8Wi3zJWIV8rlxCW3vuEc-rPKf1IrZkZULq5JFOpfND0I8TVH7d-mKYvUVNhmZaw6UyXo115sEy5tcCepCsuOssTjL1vDvmb5Jfj83u3kO5Is/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHkzwz9-M6odqSQezoknCkdJhMnMcAru8Wi3zJWIV8rlxCW3vuEc-rPKf1IrZkZULq5JFOpfND0I8TVH7d-mKYvUVNhmZaw6UyXo115sEy5tcCepCsuOssTjL1vDvmb5Jfj83u3kO5Is/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AJi_v4erYCd6xkb0gCcT6GVwBxFIFei6fOnEoSJXgPEsnEwVGhcDuQsisW5RCToodTwS3fnr0aW3T-sBpIfgdxgbm-jY0Lq3gELenAjZwxgH-x5l0248ZTEDnDKo9ROez2pzD1BYUMk/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AJi_v4erYCd6xkb0gCcT6GVwBxFIFei6fOnEoSJXgPEsnEwVGhcDuQsisW5RCToodTwS3fnr0aW3T-sBpIfgdxgbm-jY0Lq3gELenAjZwxgH-x5l0248ZTEDnDKo9ROez2pzD1BYUMk/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfCvPg-IWMF1HKEntvzv0o-Qq6RMZofF1JaD_wWCl6BEBzhzgfe8JAzLqLjVRPg88egPSvjpVlptYzzRaysZczmJVvnrAWLOucqYD32dLfe4A_c7LSYgwIwwH0Zb4bk73m1rFk-XxeJM/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfCvPg-IWMF1HKEntvzv0o-Qq6RMZofF1JaD_wWCl6BEBzhzgfe8JAzLqLjVRPg88egPSvjpVlptYzzRaysZczmJVvnrAWLOucqYD32dLfe4A_c7LSYgwIwwH0Zb4bk73m1rFk-XxeJM/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyeDXGN2lUApTwsA3S8O81HfaiIgA4gYtczBDlJ8cJVTiH1KKRTwpNM4TnNBvDmjukujJZy0QQMSsv_-AqCZp96bQ13Ug692Y4kSg_S9o03WbE60E_3poo-Sg5xgDmKu4-qKDiVEMDcQ/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyeDXGN2lUApTwsA3S8O81HfaiIgA4gYtczBDlJ8cJVTiH1KKRTwpNM4TnNBvDmjukujJZy0QQMSsv_-AqCZp96bQ13Ug692Y4kSg_S9o03WbE60E_3poo-Sg5xgDmKu4-qKDiVEMDcQ/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In God’s
Mission here in El Salvador, sometimes things come at us so fast it’s hard to
stay focused on anything. Sometimes it’s unexpectedly hard labor, other things
make us break out in smiles, others push us to tears and some are so
spiritually uplifting we thank God he has sent us here. Yesterday was
uplifting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There we are
shaking the hand of retired Bishop Gene Robinson of the Diocese of New Hampshire.
In the words of Bishop Martin Barahona, “Bishop Robinson is a true champion of
human rights and dignity”. If you do not know this man he is the first openly
gay Bishop of the Episcopal Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
Dianne and I this was a momentous occasion. How often do you shake hands with
people who defy the status quo publically to millions, who preach the love of
Jesus <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for all people</b> to millions
regardless of the consequences<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and who
does all this with a consistent trust in Jesus’s words “and surely I am with
you always to the very end of the age”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday we
were invited to a special service presided by Bishop Martin Barahona and Bishop
Gene Robinson in the honor of the LGBTI community in El Salvador and their
friends and families. It was held at San Juan Evangelista in San Salvador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianne and I plus 10 members of the community
went for the 2 PM service to support these brave members of the Episcopal Church
in El Salvador and support the Episcopal Church for having the bravery to stand
with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are oppressed and marginalized here.
It was great to see everyone there and we also met other North Americans who
have been in El Salvador for a Conference on LGBTI rights held by Cristosal
Fundacion who had Bishop Robinson as one of their speakers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we sat
there taking it all in it hit me during Bishop Martin’s sermon exactly what
Bishop Robinson represented. Bishop Martin mentioned how the World Cup was
being decided but we needed to focus on the Eucharist, a symbol of God’s love
that unites all of us as Christians. He also pointed out that in sports you
hear words like humiliation and dignity but is losing a game really humiliating
when compared to humiliation of losing your human rights because of your sexual
orientation. Or, how does winning a game bring dignity to a team or country in
comparison to a man like Bishop Robinson who brought dignity to the important
discussion of Human Rights to all of God’s people. This is not dignity brought on by
the elevated status of being a Bishop but the dignity of being able to express
with truth, honesty and love that human rights for the LGBTI community are a
mandate from God. Bishop Robinson didn’t have to sink to the level of those who
opposed his views, people whose hearts were filled with anger and hate. Bishop
Robinson trusted in Jesus’s message that as disciples of Jesus we can change
people with truth, honesty and Love and Bishop Martin said he had witnessed
this change when Bishop Robinson spoke to supporters of his and those who
opposed him. As in yesterday’s Gospel of the Sower of seeds, Bishop Robinson’s
message delivered with dignity does fall on good soil and many Christians do hear
the message and understand and it will bear fruit multiple times over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bishop Martins point was that a true Champion
isn’t someone who plays sports; a man like Bishop Robinson is a true Champion. As
Bishop Martin said, “It might be hard to imagine Bishop Robinson running up and
down the Futbol field winning the game but he has run all over the world
winning the game of Human Rights. Bishop Robinson is a champion of our faith”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be remiss if I didn’t add this; Iglesia San Juan Evangelista was full of Champions. These champions were the men and woman of the
LGBTI community in El Salvador who have stood up for their rights knowing full
well the danger it puts them in. These are men and women of the Episcopal
Church who trust in God that His justice will prevail. Dianne and I were in the presence of true champions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So there we
are shaking Bishop Robinson’s hand, this Champions hand. All I can say is that it
was uplifting to speak with a man of this bravery who has done so much for our
faith. He thanked Dianne and me for our service to Christ and we thanked him
for being such and inspiration for all of us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 10:34 - So Peter opened his
mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-28494931395049133922014-05-12T16:35:00.001-07:002014-05-12T16:42:52.535-07:00Junk Drawer Continued<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued………………………………………………….</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3ERT7GTyhHqdVkgEpplWqAu-SHpWoZH93gwYXmLpXEiQrazKVSlsu2_J99VW3Xq_Ee5tTJSLmz9CGPA_itpM291z4bfc2u5dsgCRkf2v2OrxRIk0G6-bGQO0e7p8_XkRYiHEzBGHBM4/s1600/junk_drawer_480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3ERT7GTyhHqdVkgEpplWqAu-SHpWoZH93gwYXmLpXEiQrazKVSlsu2_J99VW3Xq_Ee5tTJSLmz9CGPA_itpM291z4bfc2u5dsgCRkf2v2OrxRIk0G6-bGQO0e7p8_XkRYiHEzBGHBM4/s1600/junk_drawer_480.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">36.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Dianne likes to put it, our daily
schedule is like New England weather. Wait 5 minutes and it’ll change.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">37.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We found that clean is very
subjective when it comes to clothes. Dianne maintains a higher level than me
but I’ve been known to let sweaty shirts dry and then wear to work again the
next day if they pass the smell test. (OK, kinda pass)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">38.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know that Salvadoran people are
short? HOW SHORT ARE THEY???????? I can have 4 of our friends in the backseat,
look in my rearview mirror and I don’t even see the tops of their heads </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">39.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If a Salvadoran friend asks for a
quick ride someplace, don’t believe for one second it will be quick. I’ve yet
to leave our community with one person and not returned with at least 2 or 3
more. There’s always a side trip or someone we know someplace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">40.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the check points the police may be
armed to the teeth but if you give your U.S. License, your international
license, your vehicle identification card and your Salvadoran Identification
Card you’re good to go. Very important… when they say “porta arma” (do you have
a gun) say no. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">41.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I’m picking dried corn off the
stalks for processing and one of the guys says, ‘get rid of the gloves it makes
it too hard’. I toss my gloves and he’s right, it’s easier picking now. Then 5 minutes
later he says, watch out for Alacrans (scorpions), you’re going to see a lot of
them on the corn. WHAT THE $@#^&%, that’s why I was wearing gloves!!!!! He
wasn’t kidding either but Demos gracias adios I didn’t get stung.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">42.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our divided highways you can
actually do a U-Turn into the other side of the highway. Of course you must
pull into the right breakdown lane in order to swing into the opening in the highway
dividers that, if you’re lucky, is wider than your car. You’re only crossing 3
lanes of speeding traffic but we’re living proof it can be done safely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">43.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salvadorans eat Pupusas for breakfast
(one of the reasons I love this place), they eat them for supper too (another
reason, I’m lovin it)but they’re hard to find for lunch. I’m told it’s just not
done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">44.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My gas attendant yesterday was
wearing an Uzi, just saying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">45.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
going to work in the fields, you bring your cell phone in case of emergencies.
If I drove to work I have my wallet too. Before you leave the house everything
goes in plastic sandwich bags before they go in your pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One, it might rain and we keep working and
two, you sweat through everything and you don’t want to kill your cellphone and
I hate a soggy wallet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">46.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At
the end of rainy season fields of tiny morning glories appear and they cover
everything and it’s beautiful to see but to the people here they’re just monte
(weeds). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">47.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’re
starting to eat street food and our preference is Pupusas (of course). If you
want to be safe skip the curtido. It’s coleslaw that you don’t know what water
it was washed with and unless you see the salsa cooking skip that too. We
haven’t had a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">48.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh,
my trick of curing the Salsa /curtido bad water problem. When I bring them home
I bring the salsa to a boil before eating and the curtido I add a little water
to and bring it to a good steam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">49.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
favorite street food is fried chicken, I swear they have the process down pat,
I haven’t eaten bad fried chicken yet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">50.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking
of fried chicken you have some Major Players in this franchise battle down
here. Pollo Campero, Pollo Choice and good Old Kentucky Fried Chicken. Pollo
Choice is OK but it’s just not in the same league as the others and KFC just
isn’t doing the U.S. proud. Pollo Campero is the go to place when Dianne and I
want fried chicken. There’s one in Providence RI, East Boston and Chelsea, MA.
Take it from the Missionary Gordito’s, you need to go get some right now.(See
#54)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">51.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: small;">S</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ick
of Chicken talk, I’m not. Until I came to El Salvador I have never seen Chicken
fast food restaurants this big. One side is like a huge children’s indoor
playground and the other serves food either sit-down or take out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both KFC and Pollo Campero have these Chicken
eating children playing wonderlands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">52.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s
the scene OK, you’re in bumper to bumper traffic. You see someone with their
blinker on and they want to change lanes. Sometimes I let them in; sometimes I
don’t. It depends on how PO’ed I am. Don’t let the title Missionary fool you, I
get PO’ed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now then, if the blinker goes
on and the driver rolls his window down and starts pointing to where he’s
going, you better let him in, he’s coming. I’ve done it, it works. I love
driving down here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">53.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sitting
on our porch just zoning out, just soaking up the view, and Dianne asks “can chickens
walk without bobbing their heads????” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
look and I kid you not, they walk and bob their heads, walk and bob, walk and
bob. Maybe we’ve been here to long maybe not but we’ve been watching these guys
for over a year and sometimes these little things pop into your head. Note to
self, Dianne is watching the chickens too closely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">54. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ve
found some great cheese puff snacks called Gorditos. Allow me to explain
“Gordito” loosely defined is “cute little fatty”. Being a cute little fatty, do
they have to remind us what we’re doing to ourselves as we eat? Again, I kid
you not “Gorditos” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">55.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So
I’m getting some diesel fuel at the Gasolinera and the pump stops, I assume
it’s full. The gas attendant says poco mas (a little more), I say va pues
(sure). Well he proceeds to top this off like I’ve never seen, he pumps diesel
then starts rocking the car like he’s tipping a cow. He does this over and over
till he’s put in a full gallon + more. Dianne was in the car and thought she
was in a roller coaster. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">56.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
winning streak against scorpions went by the boards, one of the bastards got
me, yup I said bastard it hurt that much. (Missionary is a title that carries
way too many holier than thou connotations). The scorpion actually had crawled
all the way up my pant leg and got me on my, wait for it…………. Upper inside
thigh, to close for comfort if you know what I mean. Beejeezus did it hurt,
felt like I got stuck by a hot poker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>BUT, I took one Benadryl 2 tylenol and woke up the next day no problem. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">57.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve
become accustomed to seeing difficult situation/things here and I don’t really
react besides the needed prayer. But I can’t help but smile when I see a girl in
her young to midteens holding her Mother or Grandmothers hand at a store
walking along talking, laughing and smiling. BFF’s do this also at all ages and
it’s just so “nice”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">58.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s
one of our inside sarcastic jokes. (Yes, missionaries are sarcastic)When
something that we thought was going to be quick and easy goes to heck in a hand
basket and we’re now waiting endlessly for something to go right. We will look
at each other and say sarcastically “well, what else would we be doing”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">59.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
you want to cause a ruckus in church down here, suggest singing an offertory
hymn as the ending hymn and you’ll be looked at like you’ve lost your mind.
Suggest singing any song out of the normal category and you’ll get that look.
Who says change is hard in El Salvador?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">60.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
elevation of San Salvador is so much higher than El Maizal, that when we drive
there, our ears pop going and coming back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">61.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
neighbor’s dogs had a cough; it went on for a few days. They finally made them
a home remedy. They made necklaces out of slightly burnt corn cobs and tied
them around the dog’s necks. I asked if it was done for humans too. My
neighbors said no and look at me like I was wacky. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop me if I’m wrong but I thought burnt corn
cob necklaces on dogs was kinda wacky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">62.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeing
people out on a family bike ride is common here BUT, they’re all on one bike.
We’ve seen 5 people on a bike. Dad driving with a child on the cross bar, Mom
holding a baby behind him and then a child standing on pegs in the back. I bet
that’s not what you envisioned when you started reading this. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">63.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Motorcycles
are a very popular mode of transportation here but not street bikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the Bikes are mostly 100’s or 125’s. They
have to be the most dangerous modes of transportation I’ve ever witnessed and
quite frankly it’s the driver’s fault. In heavy (not stopped) traffic they will
ride in between lanes, in breakdown lanes and basically weave anyway they want
to get ahead. It’s not real conducive for safety when drivers are trying to
pass or force their ways into other lanes. I’ve seen at least 5 motorcycle
accidents and I’m pretty sure 2 were fatalities. I will never drive or ride on
a motorcycle here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">64.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Does
anyone have a good iguana recipe they want to share???? I see them sold in the
road occasionally but not sure what to do with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">65.</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
saw a Gecko run up one of our walls with ½ a tail. We felt bad for a second
till we thought, OMG, whatever grabbed his tail is in our house!!!!!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">66.</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too
much information alert. We’re adults right??? Well guys pull over down here to
pee along the side of the road, no biggee right? Well, they don’t step into the
woods. There they are, right there feet from the road pee’ing. COME
ON!!!!!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">67.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dinner
on an open porch looking over the Pacific with a wonderful sunset view. I had
the calamari and shrimp rice mix, Dianne had the grilled large shrimp. They
come with rice, salad and tortillas. We also had a few cervezas. The bill
including a generous propina (tip) was $30.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">68.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joya
Ceren is a local Mayan ruin we’ve visited. It’s their smaller version of Pompeii.
Buried in volcanic ash, dust and lava. All interesting stuff but a side note is
that the place was full of Torogoz (National Bird of El Salvador). The Torogoz
build their nests in the soft ground of cliff faces or steep riverbanks. The
way the ruins have been excavated many nesting places have been created. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">69.</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
the U.S. as soon as any little boy can grasp something with his hand, we hand
them a baseball or ball of some sort to throw. Down here, as soon as they can
walk, they start kicking a ball. I like the nuanced differences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">70.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes
it gets a little challenging wondering if we are accomplishing anything. But, I
just read a great quote from a Priest discussing Churches embracing the
principals of the business world to produce more success in ministry. He
reminds us that “We’re called to be faithful, not successful”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Demos gracias a Dios<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-64899047682977170852014-03-04T04:40:00.000-08:002014-03-04T04:40:29.294-08:00It is simply 4 words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbz8DyJ60rbqsJI19AdbrfPSsv-T3Jh_I_2T3TVwqjyNbDkiZH5SmfclYTQuXgjozvCLPp2YsKS4DXnmzBkpn7AEslhOdIJiUC4KFEsU7MrtYThh0m1IDiFbgC0nI7zbssUZI6F79ZUU/s1600/Do-not-be-afraid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbz8DyJ60rbqsJI19AdbrfPSsv-T3Jh_I_2T3TVwqjyNbDkiZH5SmfclYTQuXgjozvCLPp2YsKS4DXnmzBkpn7AEslhOdIJiUC4KFEsU7MrtYThh0m1IDiFbgC0nI7zbssUZI6F79ZUU/s1600/Do-not-be-afraid.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
It's hard to believe but March 4th is our 1 year Anniversary as Missionaries in El Salvador.<br />
<br />
If we can share any insight about God's mission, about hearing God's call to mission, about answering God's call to mission, about doing God's mission.<br />
<br />
It is simply this,<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Do not be afraid"</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
salu<br />
<br />
Tomas y Dianna<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-45195849675121071672014-02-27T06:39:00.001-08:002014-02-27T06:39:47.010-08:00One body many parts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsXyMwKGcwf4SGKIDUFvJf116t3RboHel5AG5TH8HrrSRABzvmSg2iCd0D7cByvPIBwmAENlPAPmz46G7aGhWz0gZDe0aVaS45nAFgEYjp-e9FMdvbyLJZgDPU3B-17hUazsjDdtcQ0E/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsXyMwKGcwf4SGKIDUFvJf116t3RboHel5AG5TH8HrrSRABzvmSg2iCd0D7cByvPIBwmAENlPAPmz46G7aGhWz0gZDe0aVaS45nAFgEYjp-e9FMdvbyLJZgDPU3B-17hUazsjDdtcQ0E/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a>One of the unknown benefits of my mission work is I get to give communion to my congregation. I've come to realize in a very short time that sharing the Eucharist may be a very sacred act of our faith but it's very personal too. It gives me a sense of happiness to give El Cuerpo de Cristo pan de Cielo (The Body of Christ the bread of heaven) to my friends. I see them in line smiling and I have to admit it brings a smile to my face. For the children who receive I dip the hostia (host) in the wine and hand it to them. They have these big smiles with big brown eyes and they love receiving it. I always approached communion formal and somber for this sacred event, nothing wrong with that. Now that I'm on the giving end, I think I've learned this a is a celebration not a formal event and the moment is to be enjoyed. It's what Jesus would want.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Q3E1g0jS6FeIdCjiWpyKA3V_8wlHZ6YKSwpYYRTC4mOUjpCC2hpUGIsr_DwuBuGyjKEiJTldkqCOtHT09T6uyjnbH5o3kqOEJUSrrK_3Vm4bM7oX8pRjwafKOzpH5xM91MJiCaocWXU/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Q3E1g0jS6FeIdCjiWpyKA3V_8wlHZ6YKSwpYYRTC4mOUjpCC2hpUGIsr_DwuBuGyjKEiJTldkqCOtHT09T6uyjnbH5o3kqOEJUSrrK_3Vm4bM7oX8pRjwafKOzpH5xM91MJiCaocWXU/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1WOfYrY6mDfVuRjFHsX2onVSH3WPE2JORB_o-3WbVV5EjMR0D44Ho7akNhRldoOXinvT5eT5fbygy5k2phkX1lHYe9NXSUdDTu0hcOGEmW0oMuNVFUd829PFn0ut24V5xa90sTOJ8co/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1WOfYrY6mDfVuRjFHsX2onVSH3WPE2JORB_o-3WbVV5EjMR0D44Ho7akNhRldoOXinvT5eT5fbygy5k2phkX1lHYe9NXSUdDTu0hcOGEmW0oMuNVFUd829PFn0ut24V5xa90sTOJ8co/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" height="132" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNudhIpXPQufu3Nm4OtDeqOmehMikX5pLz2a8tHWTF3mWhipX58cc9ceY548Kn0HU5G0q_3mhQVS4YftLAa8BeLT_gCRFkSs70X5oGGG2MLauiOHvOlaEAbUPR1TP-8Bc90FawbA1rPP0/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNudhIpXPQufu3Nm4OtDeqOmehMikX5pLz2a8tHWTF3mWhipX58cc9ceY548Kn0HU5G0q_3mhQVS4YftLAa8BeLT_gCRFkSs70X5oGGG2MLauiOHvOlaEAbUPR1TP-8Bc90FawbA1rPP0/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Just after the elections Dianne and I had a group of Election observers from Chicago come visit us and our community. I'm glad to say that they said from their viewpoint they observed nothing alarming to report. They also stated that for the most part they were welcome at the different locations they visited although one spot the people were a little cold or suspicious of them but again they had no problems. This is very good news. These people deserve a huge amount of credit because it can be dangerous. Elections can bring out the worse in people and these observers bravely walk into places they've never seen and report what they see impartially regardless of their own safety. That's brave and God bless them.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO0DoIHqR2_quB8uQmtUovfPnXFTAqTG5MFd5QM1eA4iRXy-8xgi0YHpgk-xCBmGsLyplmDoJKHU16hlIBR8sVbP0lxlJOu25luVQZVy19Zd6yOEv6AS0SuWHVR83VmYxUW2vPQcz4i0/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO0DoIHqR2_quB8uQmtUovfPnXFTAqTG5MFd5QM1eA4iRXy-8xgi0YHpgk-xCBmGsLyplmDoJKHU16hlIBR8sVbP0lxlJOu25luVQZVy19Zd6yOEv6AS0SuWHVR83VmYxUW2vPQcz4i0/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaning this trench was not in the Mission Brochure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hzObYx8YyHx8QBxNiORczKyGKH6AAEgYd2As8H0bRDljJz9yL3DKOSLvhRiMnFX0ux_PJtptQhdMzZRA6kVwmLHpprv5Ho0qUiciO2gnDrqimSfRm7z7S61bBZYi_GZL_PL7gsmqLSE/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hzObYx8YyHx8QBxNiORczKyGKH6AAEgYd2As8H0bRDljJz9yL3DKOSLvhRiMnFX0ux_PJtptQhdMzZRA6kVwmLHpprv5Ho0qUiciO2gnDrqimSfRm7z7S61bBZYi_GZL_PL7gsmqLSE/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My companeros enjoying a well deserved break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2alccxObXVV1CuY7YaexrZ3ek1xOYKkgYp2NfRxPOHyAflyOMME0bWIxkUKjIj1R9Fk5t5vYMhvBJMZSX0z_QwxVDGzIqPQlgP9BnC-rCuCsyIohH6I8YaEawx0tEoRopCv6yYc3Bkg/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2alccxObXVV1CuY7YaexrZ3ek1xOYKkgYp2NfRxPOHyAflyOMME0bWIxkUKjIj1R9Fk5t5vYMhvBJMZSX0z_QwxVDGzIqPQlgP9BnC-rCuCsyIohH6I8YaEawx0tEoRopCv6yYc3Bkg/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These boys work shoulder to shoulder with the men</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_2146891052">Here's one of the more glamorous parts of life here. We have a drainage canal in the community that takes our waste and rainwater out from near the homes. Normally it needs to be dredged (dug out by hand) twice a year to keep the water flowing. At times it can smell very swampy and of course is a breeding ground for mosquitos and sancudos (pronounced san-coo-does), a mosquito type insect. The good thing is that none of it is raw sewerage, just mostly rotted vegetable matter, thick stinky mud and assorted trash. What was very gratifying was that this was the first community job I had to round up volunteers for. It's not a fun job but about 7 men and the 2 young men showed up ready to go. Many hands make light work, we finished in a little over and hour and cold gaseosa (soda) was enjoyed by everyone. </span>You'll notice some of the boys helping. This is never an uncommon sight. The boys are constant helpers regardless of how hard or heavy the work is. They impress me with their work ethic (actually everybody does) but work ethic is a consistent characteristic here. These people work hard, harder than I can explain and it starts very, very young. The girls or boys are working very hard at 8 or 9. I'll blog about them someday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLWtx9hGoX15fabEf_3OeNjgTR4eoso3qgN_wSPlH7Tg3UMlu-Oy0otKJCY_2wBwaya1pN1s_V0nAWrIohi4lEfMiRmxx6Vvq96TH4RNqrPQe8U9NI-hy44HSYvkSRCBbmc4FIlh0XEI/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLWtx9hGoX15fabEf_3OeNjgTR4eoso3qgN_wSPlH7Tg3UMlu-Oy0otKJCY_2wBwaya1pN1s_V0nAWrIohi4lEfMiRmxx6Vvq96TH4RNqrPQe8U9NI-hy44HSYvkSRCBbmc4FIlh0XEI/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the stirring line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfeY6TS3rSpe8yMJspINB77nXZNnyuurJ4hyphenhyphenFYQuqiMN4vlNCUZC1p7IH5XjVQ61Z9BftMatVfhfQ6E3PXx-l_5H9lpvEUGeo8ANhIbRMiypc2EHbZuD7PIyw9o-wml7aUwRj2i7RiVw/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfeY6TS3rSpe8yMJspINB77nXZNnyuurJ4hyphenhyphenFYQuqiMN4vlNCUZC1p7IH5XjVQ61Z9BftMatVfhfQ6E3PXx-l_5H9lpvEUGeo8ANhIbRMiypc2EHbZuD7PIyw9o-wml7aUwRj2i7RiVw/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hot work, you can feel the heat on your legs when stirring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwihUMsyTYtmk2kTEZ2qQvpNIgdmB_q1NQN1uL7gNX3Orl9FcqdE00EBBmi7ohDtFLLFYaTM9Tueep4Cgg7ZrWs6e56DD2umzYJ1fYgKiAmAdCKqhzt3tFz6txF3bawmiwExqfCoOfP0/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwihUMsyTYtmk2kTEZ2qQvpNIgdmB_q1NQN1uL7gNX3Orl9FcqdE00EBBmi7ohDtFLLFYaTM9Tueep4Cgg7ZrWs6e56DD2umzYJ1fYgKiAmAdCKqhzt3tFz6txF3bawmiwExqfCoOfP0/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This work is going to give me Popeye arms before I leave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iGk9qxoTSNr05WQXLGZiWJH6EpSqt8cbBZDhvnEEW3HfMrlkwaHqeS-mlFzkkH5Dx9Cp-kq3LVi7w3yr8yYn-tl5Ya0NTC6aQurf6f9bqh606COR3yI0frnLTYjJAoe8alGd-gblCV4/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iGk9qxoTSNr05WQXLGZiWJH6EpSqt8cbBZDhvnEEW3HfMrlkwaHqeS-mlFzkkH5Dx9Cp-kq3LVi7w3yr8yYn-tl5Ya0NTC6aQurf6f9bqh606COR3yI0frnLTYjJAoe8alGd-gblCV4/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curtido - Salvadoreno Cole slaw served with pupusas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsybm4D9pxcPbbGftMhz_q6yddx8mOPOcifLzfoRkXGXcf0IFEtX1EaIOwEis4Kww2my-0947w9Caluq4C2_qzHOPIXSAhR5qmLkZXQDLLlze4KzX-uVNhUPRjhmmkJebs2JmaJAiOMJA/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsybm4D9pxcPbbGftMhz_q6yddx8mOPOcifLzfoRkXGXcf0IFEtX1EaIOwEis4Kww2my-0947w9Caluq4C2_qzHOPIXSAhR5qmLkZXQDLLlze4KzX-uVNhUPRjhmmkJebs2JmaJAiOMJA/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serline and Thelma putting the finishing touches on Curtido</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l4UE3kjDHBXMKnzZUIzx5wFYH6TmWp0ylSYuunP-SeDVE6_LQG_GkYozzdga754E1ClfSlTXjW3i2pb9CobXSJtsDSVflGm6C2TKQCoPnZUZ3uN-kqBLzF8tt57IQDKUO4IDF6Tipkc/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l4UE3kjDHBXMKnzZUIzx5wFYH6TmWp0ylSYuunP-SeDVE6_LQG_GkYozzdga754E1ClfSlTXjW3i2pb9CobXSJtsDSVflGm6C2TKQCoPnZUZ3uN-kqBLzF8tt57IQDKUO4IDF6Tipkc/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan toasted spices that were then milled, mixed with water to make a cold drink called fresca<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT17Mb_JfHYzC6xVyLCs33pFNFXE8xTC0XPyNajL8Fcai2S3Oxi9Izb4JAYZpUil8Ny7JgsspOZTu3cs1xpE0d56VzFmRTWUOYY5tnu6dqCu1d8tu9EB_IP6wiv-8e9NCxkKjjAbwRDD4/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT17Mb_JfHYzC6xVyLCs33pFNFXE8xTC0XPyNajL8Fcai2S3Oxi9Izb4JAYZpUil8Ny7JgsspOZTu3cs1xpE0d56VzFmRTWUOYY5tnu6dqCu1d8tu9EB_IP6wiv-8e9NCxkKjjAbwRDD4/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where all the work came together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left">
These are pictures of our women's group doing some preparation to cook and sell Pupusas during a visit from the Medical Miracles team from the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, more on them later. When we host large events it is an opportunity to raise funds for the Church through negocio (Business). In this case we had a Pupusaria. It was a true community business. We needed 25 lbs of ground corn, 12 lbs of Manteca (lard), 50 tomatoes, 20 Green Peppers, 15 onions, 3 large cabbages (I'm talking Basketball sized), 15 lbs of frijoles, paper plates, paper cups, Quesilla (a specific cheese only used in pupusas), consomme, carrots, hot peppers and I know I've forgotten some items. We had a community meeting, announced the business, where the funds would go and asked that the community please contribute items towards the business. I'm proud to say everything on the list was either contributed or people contributed $'s to pay for items. I want to specifically thank the Agricultural Project run by Senor Cabeza and his Assistant Nelson as they contributed all the tomato's and peppers from what they grow. Dianne and I helped and watched as the woman started preparing everything the night before. Lets just say that for now on I'll appreciate Pupusas even more because it's a huge amount of work. The frijoles by themselves take at least 2 hours to cook and grind properly for use. You can see, the beans are cooked over an open fire and we all take turns stirring so they won't burn. Considering all of their other responsibilities, it was quite the sacrifice they did for the Church of God. To my friends at home, wait till we have a Pupusa party at the Casa de Wilson, you'll have found a new favorite exotic dish that belongs solely to El Salvador.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawQ-KlKyMoF1_A1gtLU1pOjKHgFd1J6Wz2lhEu_wZg13r62pK5rDqhCcJEAcSrRKkjkDlrfSl6msQd-eHdseNkbnX3gnSF6nZgBLI66FakDutg7Stor5r6hD5gfgAU392Gutq5yAe2H0/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawQ-KlKyMoF1_A1gtLU1pOjKHgFd1J6Wz2lhEu_wZg13r62pK5rDqhCcJEAcSrRKkjkDlrfSl6msQd-eHdseNkbnX3gnSF6nZgBLI66FakDutg7Stor5r6hD5gfgAU392Gutq5yAe2H0/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission of Miracles setting up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv2271Bsa19T_XCkGUA7Lwqel44BTJUfpn9SWluHmHE3oSTXEjQedeOHv5HqyfaPwsSU4YUb87gUAB2TCEpwtEv2LPd3WUNmlLTRKC_aPcT4Fl14TKC56yWwM0IHB_Aa9FxOBuLRh20A/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv2271Bsa19T_XCkGUA7Lwqel44BTJUfpn9SWluHmHE3oSTXEjQedeOHv5HqyfaPwsSU4YUb87gUAB2TCEpwtEv2LPd3WUNmlLTRKC_aPcT4Fl14TKC56yWwM0IHB_Aa9FxOBuLRh20A/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The patients get logged in and receive a number</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsdvaHw8AiPd4WcMmQUxssNqQ-_rTY-YRLzy3OZxK-xRFefZK3otTk7TWVCcb5sNw-LNpoA1fCY9Qktn5LGBRtsYWHy_Btpa17aYtnCeKvEG4WoaqIIx2JkKesDVJFoIyuTKi0T6L9RQ/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsdvaHw8AiPd4WcMmQUxssNqQ-_rTY-YRLzy3OZxK-xRFefZK3otTk7TWVCcb5sNw-LNpoA1fCY9Qktn5LGBRtsYWHy_Btpa17aYtnCeKvEG4WoaqIIx2JkKesDVJFoIyuTKi0T6L9RQ/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dental Team sets up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQm_-TTyBoWCvpUkfexjN0WMhxJscD66wZPyMlHuqCeX61jlsVQf4FWCgSeK45ThKokTEy-geLaqTDKGt0dqLh7LVGBs2Zv_r-dEP2WFLaFiuzCO9SrmZSJFWYUExwE-54iLYIaVfZPY/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQm_-TTyBoWCvpUkfexjN0WMhxJscD66wZPyMlHuqCeX61jlsVQf4FWCgSeK45ThKokTEy-geLaqTDKGt0dqLh7LVGBs2Zv_r-dEP2WFLaFiuzCO9SrmZSJFWYUExwE-54iLYIaVfZPY/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MWi7xwVp-inw8CU6qRPbzoOxxcA0oAtEh0yqIG2kV50iHQVj8Sbi3EyWR1ZMAJ6rK1y22LMw4AXVb8ZfJJxm-bKpu8PTRQ28EElYm5DquJfvnVELx-07npvVl9aSKNgLZp1WSIOHSKk/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MWi7xwVp-inw8CU6qRPbzoOxxcA0oAtEh0yqIG2kV50iHQVj8Sbi3EyWR1ZMAJ6rK1y22LMw4AXVb8ZfJJxm-bKpu8PTRQ28EElYm5DquJfvnVELx-07npvVl9aSKNgLZp1WSIOHSKk/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking good, getting things organized<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClqKEYdlo8Hf-YNqriJfiTpR4Bcapc1c8CxikZ4fe_6EdJ10byDgAp8AciPqGVknB5AMQrEKY6aWIBtlCrZeApm0kqksv3FCXDKLAKUzEDSZI7MSg9YqvRFsuuO3-i116c1TdyIaWDZM/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClqKEYdlo8Hf-YNqriJfiTpR4Bcapc1c8CxikZ4fe_6EdJ10byDgAp8AciPqGVknB5AMQrEKY6aWIBtlCrZeApm0kqksv3FCXDKLAKUzEDSZI7MSg9YqvRFsuuO3-i116c1TdyIaWDZM/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting patiently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLoIi2nHHOXANvVCY7H8NvXShw_YIl9tBxaD95Gayuwm0TsnTm6TvtMp-UWj19qcg36VApTqS2pGB20vPdHYseo2XljK2pGK-pF_L7YQMRiHBD0VlupXa8KvNNdGqXZB-45J5iAiXAiU/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLoIi2nHHOXANvVCY7H8NvXShw_YIl9tBxaD95Gayuwm0TsnTm6TvtMp-UWj19qcg36VApTqS2pGB20vPdHYseo2XljK2pGK-pF_L7YQMRiHBD0VlupXa8KvNNdGqXZB-45J5iAiXAiU/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Bromas had a large group waiting for care</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIZB31bw7t2DpFph6Vjm5LWO8QSQN6uBr32On_xDX-skMZqUmsQWU5MJcBEaRM2BpBuGFsJ9jc4fKzmejd7LMaKeXBCGTcwfnxOVC7N_BO7RrsRDZgb48fZ055THMctaGKIjTD1YD82g/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIZB31bw7t2DpFph6Vjm5LWO8QSQN6uBr32On_xDX-skMZqUmsQWU5MJcBEaRM2BpBuGFsJ9jc4fKzmejd7LMaKeXBCGTcwfnxOVC7N_BO7RrsRDZgb48fZ055THMctaGKIjTD1YD82g/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjcyebbX79peiwt3YoibQ5L0KTHDsIXF1g8n13Il-vOLthXF4O41cuZ8uZ5QIuyxCMVxm35Xv4tfFZtayKBznnq6f30CovTaenE_Z-7Pp0741q3K71pRYEVonpCBQb4AK4-rKahOj1IA/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjcyebbX79peiwt3YoibQ5L0KTHDsIXF1g8n13Il-vOLthXF4O41cuZ8uZ5QIuyxCMVxm35Xv4tfFZtayKBznnq6f30CovTaenE_Z-7Pp0741q3K71pRYEVonpCBQb4AK4-rKahOj1IA/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I even found a fellow Red Sox Fan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2N5hNlj50GLsRxc0oOqP1B-kO4DnJOC09Qf1e7jSipGBArDYppUAD_o0vCFs_i267RIaamigIWhDNkbTIZFzsNIVusiModZJ-igwdIbuwqRJqogkwZBjVaGRPGzYOaUZmPniR4w2_aM/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2N5hNlj50GLsRxc0oOqP1B-kO4DnJOC09Qf1e7jSipGBArDYppUAD_o0vCFs_i267RIaamigIWhDNkbTIZFzsNIVusiModZJ-igwdIbuwqRJqogkwZBjVaGRPGzYOaUZmPniR4w2_aM/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even had a clown juggling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsx9S8GbJZaCHhR7GuUpG6CHaxsb_LnQ6LXMrT3UpsTJ0f4Aycc28MC17BGj1YyFsod3mwJu4K6Yxh0zqtgsMIIp2yTJxPwyTTecmkwTc2hVzDjmlmu2Iem_TiYjh-aWvYdznQs5KWrQ/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsx9S8GbJZaCHhR7GuUpG6CHaxsb_LnQ6LXMrT3UpsTJ0f4Aycc28MC17BGj1YyFsod3mwJu4K6Yxh0zqtgsMIIp2yTJxPwyTTecmkwTc2hVzDjmlmu2Iem_TiYjh-aWvYdznQs5KWrQ/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsx9S8GbJZaCHhR7GuUpG6CHaxsb_LnQ6LXMrT3UpsTJ0f4Aycc28MC17BGj1YyFsod3mwJu4K6Yxh0zqtgsMIIp2yTJxPwyTTecmkwTc2hVzDjmlmu2Iem_TiYjh-aWvYdznQs5KWrQ/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsx9S8GbJZaCHhR7GuUpG6CHaxsb_LnQ6LXMrT3UpsTJ0f4Aycc28MC17BGj1YyFsod3mwJu4K6Yxh0zqtgsMIIp2yTJxPwyTTecmkwTc2hVzDjmlmu2Iem_TiYjh-aWvYdznQs5KWrQ/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<div align="left">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsx9S8GbJZaCHhR7GuUpG6CHaxsb_LnQ6LXMrT3UpsTJ0f4Aycc28MC17BGj1YyFsod3mwJu4K6Yxh0zqtgsMIIp2yTJxPwyTTecmkwTc2hVzDjmlmu2Iem_TiYjh-aWvYdznQs5KWrQ/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpvYISti7SrkPejfIBpDjgngh2CrnV1oT4tid4hxuug_Z6aU-UIVURCCNAD5aBbPgC8Mfh8TY5A5i-jeSP0YzylSPByWCPVNhlP71BZ5QjG_GGLWrujEbUVCGTyGJ72WFp808WwgJNOg/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpvYISti7SrkPejfIBpDjgngh2CrnV1oT4tid4hxuug_Z6aU-UIVURCCNAD5aBbPgC8Mfh8TY5A5i-jeSP0YzylSPByWCPVNhlP71BZ5QjG_GGLWrujEbUVCGTyGJ72WFp808WwgJNOg/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Others waited patiently, these ninas waiting cutely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These pictures are from a visit we had from a group from the Diocese of Central New York. Let me explain that they do not just come to visit El Maizal. They coordinate their visit with the Diocesan Health Dept, run by Dr Daniella Flamenco. Their Ministry is named Mission of Miracles and they have been coming to El Salvador for 10 years. Their team provides Dental, General Medical, Psychiatric, Vision and Dental care. The group consisted of Dr's, nurse practitioners and a host of volunteers, they number 30+ people and are here for a week. Their days start early and end late as the crisscross El Salvador bringing care to hundreds of people. In El Maizal I know the number of people treated was between 125 and 150. To learn more about them, this is their website <a href="http://missionofmiracles.org/">http://missionofmiracles.org/</a>. Besides our community we visited them again when they were providing care in the Community of Los Bromas which is close to us. It's like watching a coordinated anthill of activity as they go about their business. It was our please to host their group in our Community.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My point of covering a few different things briefly is that we all play a part in the Mission of our Lord and Savior. We are all called to help those less fortunate and hopefully we do what we can to answer that call. Sometimes it's just digging a ditch, sometimes it's donating some beans, sometimes it's serving a drink, sometimes its watching ballots being counted and sometimes it's caring for the sick. Sometimes the people doing these things are rich, middle class or poor, maybe they are all different races and from different countries. My point is that it's not what you do, it's that you are doing something. It doesn't matter the social status, race or national origin. The call is universal and doesn't target or exclude any of us. Just figure out what you can do and start doing it, it's really that simple. Don't put parameters on what it should be or the impact, Jesus simply wants us to serve and bring his Kingdom closer to us and our world.</div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-11084147256382808322014-01-17T11:52:00.000-08:002014-01-17T11:52:11.491-08:00It's Official<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLPI7eUDBjq0g2DTkk9_GUr6Xp1H-mLROxTC3mtIQp_J5gZDL7gSLg5x-lESNO5s2PrC-HlSFGf_S0-d5eHLBmVvuSGYocNs3gf3QIap5Du8bdpj9cS_UAa91Cxi47FIFDfOLWawVRig/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLPI7eUDBjq0g2DTkk9_GUr6Xp1H-mLROxTC3mtIQp_J5gZDL7gSLg5x-lESNO5s2PrC-HlSFGf_S0-d5eHLBmVvuSGYocNs3gf3QIap5Du8bdpj9cS_UAa91Cxi47FIFDfOLWawVRig/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" height="293" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi08SGMo5G1SWvyX8TW5xEnVmIOW4phSzYFBbWUkwbScQ2rNsKfYR2NHcX3SxGIBiegIM292CgjooB4vcnmgOh26ZD8jlCbmCCzCfuD_8xNlTWy2SA90jicz183zQidceiKTCQDnzRf6Y/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi08SGMo5G1SWvyX8TW5xEnVmIOW4phSzYFBbWUkwbScQ2rNsKfYR2NHcX3SxGIBiegIM292CgjooB4vcnmgOh26ZD8jlCbmCCzCfuD_8xNlTWy2SA90jicz183zQidceiKTCQDnzRf6Y/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" height="312" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQIiKfgbOtusfrqmMkLfatorE6PQ1H6zQhkFsKXT2T4PpgLy_NP_n9g_JMGJ7EdX4xsWWE2PygPSHVlxonUB5G5ZR2kjVID-Ln1NNXODvd_vBMcDdy4AMtTuu_HBqACtBNskVsAEyv-U/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQIiKfgbOtusfrqmMkLfatorE6PQ1H6zQhkFsKXT2T4PpgLy_NP_n9g_JMGJ7EdX4xsWWE2PygPSHVlxonUB5G5ZR2kjVID-Ln1NNXODvd_vBMcDdy4AMtTuu_HBqACtBNskVsAEyv-U/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Last Sunday Dianne and I were officially installed as Lay Missionaries in El Maizal with Pastoral and Administrative responsibilities over El Maizal (Church of Divine Providence), Pacifico de Brizas (Church of the Virgin of Guadalupe) and Acujutla (St Georges Church). We will be conducting Church services in all 3 communities. We will also be visiting all of them to bring them the Word of our Savior and educate people further about the Episcopal Anglican Church of El Salvador. <br />
<br />
It was a wonderful event to share with many of our parishioners and friends in El Maizal. It was surreal for us to read (in espanol) the vows of a new minister on Page 562 of the BCP to the congregation. It's a big step but we don't take it alone and it's calming to listen to Bishop Martin remind us that great things are possible through God. It's very exciting and we ask that you please support us with your intercessory prayers. The following are our installation letters.<br />
<br />
Dianne<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dianne Wilson, lay missionary in the Church of God, you've
been called to work together with your Bishop, Priests and Deacons as lay
missionary, and to participate in the various activities of the Episcopal
Anglican Church of El Salvador. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, in accordance with the Canons, you have been chosen to
serve God together with your husband in all its pastoral responsibilities
devoting yourself especially to the women, boys and girls in the missions of:
The Divine Providence, Our Lady of Guadeloupe, San Jorge and in all the
missionary initiatives that arise in the geographical environment in the
departments of Sonsonate and Ahuachapán. In addition, you take the responsibility
of planning, organizing, promoting, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>managing and of evaluating constantly
everything of significance for the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Community
of El Maizal including the housing project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This letter is evidence that you are fully empowered and
authorized to exercise this Ministry, accepting your privileges and responsibilities
as Missioner Lay Volunteer of this diocese, in communion with your Bishop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having committed yourself to this work, do not forget the
confidence of those who have chosen you. Take care of young and old, strong and
weak, and rich and poor. Proclaim the Gospel, both with your words and in your
life. Love and serve the people of Christ. Sustain it and strengthen it so that
it glorifies God in this life and in the future one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That the Lord, who has given you the will to do these
things, grant you also the grace and the strength to carry them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Signed and sealed in the city of San Salvador, the ninth day
of January of 2014, and in the twenty-first year of my service as Bishop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rvdmo. Martin Barahona, DD<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obispo Diocesano</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Thomas Wilson, lay missionary in the Church of God, you've
been called to work together with your Bishop, Priests and Deacons as lay
missionary, and to participate in the various activities of the Episcopal
Anglican Church of El Salvador. <o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Now, in accordance with the Canons, you have been chosen to
serve God in the missions of: The Divine Providence, Our Lady of Guadeloupe,
San Jorge and in all the missionary initiatives that arise in the geographical
environment in the departments of Sonsonate and Ahuachapán. In addition, you
take the responsibility of planning, organizing, promoting, managing and of
evaluating constantly everything of significance for the Community of El Maizal
including the housing project.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
This letter is evidence that you are fully empowered and
authorized to exercise this Ministry, accepting your privileges and
responsibilities as Missioner Lay Volunteer of this diocese, in communion with
your Bishop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Having committed yourself to this work, do not forget the
confidence of those who have chosen you. Take care of young and old, strong and
weak, and rich and poor. Proclaim the Gospel, both with your words and in your
life. Love and serve the people of Christ. Sustain it and strengthen it so that
it glorifies God in this life and in the future one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
That the Lord, who has given you the will to do these
things, grant you also the grace and the strength to carry them out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Signed and sealed in the city of San Salvador, the ninth day
of January of 2014, and in the twenty-first year of my service as Bishop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Rvdmo. Martin Barahona, DD<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Obispo Diocesano<br />
<br />
<br />
Salu<br />
<br />
Tomas y Dianne<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p> </span><br />
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-35470030731395739422014-01-06T11:35:00.000-08:002014-01-06T11:35:33.719-08:00That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7-6qz0Nko0KN-ucubyc259thFkve6zEzYByZPhKDhEAyV4RSExnEWZldndCG2IfPnnkGFOuE_Ui0Ul2hp4PwIZ8NGbQZmRF8e7Py3SQjGpDQ_WGx8fwTsAD2mAdY3EwegLQ6kuxGkGg/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7-6qz0Nko0KN-ucubyc259thFkve6zEzYByZPhKDhEAyV4RSExnEWZldndCG2IfPnnkGFOuE_Ui0Ul2hp4PwIZ8NGbQZmRF8e7Py3SQjGpDQ_WGx8fwTsAD2mAdY3EwegLQ6kuxGkGg/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSJG08YWncwETp1Qhl0V5eu_W3kYk8pCiw4oHwxcx5VaySNw3b4S_bxQOANJYOj-D78cDGCOUtn7lQ64fBG1OA-OWi6_9TsmKgQeLgYbj7RA7t7o_tvAGooYas7B5IOgIFIgJMCHiym0/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSJG08YWncwETp1Qhl0V5eu_W3kYk8pCiw4oHwxcx5VaySNw3b4S_bxQOANJYOj-D78cDGCOUtn7lQ64fBG1OA-OWi6_9TsmKgQeLgYbj7RA7t7o_tvAGooYas7B5IOgIFIgJMCHiym0/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPlpt9wpPEbTY4oPIxfYje800Q3R5QGsmeHGtr2fhdnVVjueGQsA4uDVgpQXrXXCVkFe_V4i5CvqWvettcDVsWEDsb8nMcLtwp-sDjBlDUbMncZ8SpWkhWl_Evz71_T9qsPZYL-LpsK0/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPlpt9wpPEbTY4oPIxfYje800Q3R5QGsmeHGtr2fhdnVVjueGQsA4uDVgpQXrXXCVkFe_V4i5CvqWvettcDVsWEDsb8nMcLtwp-sDjBlDUbMncZ8SpWkhWl_Evz71_T9qsPZYL-LpsK0/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgr-YDuVC29WcGBgNgX-N-SHc3MifwBFRNLPmoYeNYhofR8awjbPwzn7KeNcBSwO8qtzLIEAPDWxL5n7zhy6dan-bcFw0YVkQyLJlNLzuhVyWENn57p312JyETe_5a2i0yChdIou8jsw/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgr-YDuVC29WcGBgNgX-N-SHc3MifwBFRNLPmoYeNYhofR8awjbPwzn7KeNcBSwO8qtzLIEAPDWxL5n7zhy6dan-bcFw0YVkQyLJlNLzuhVyWENn57p312JyETe_5a2i0yChdIou8jsw/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4gCfPM1UnYIYCrQdhTxeJDlMOxLboBTpAFAbebn9siEZrfo_p3towE27o7zUAY6A809CrUq0n7Q0IQQSm_vPEaN_rc_t7M39D5_w-i0zfV8PfQet2GHQQFrr48yEyg_KIOzocwUu3iE/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4gCfPM1UnYIYCrQdhTxeJDlMOxLboBTpAFAbebn9siEZrfo_p3towE27o7zUAY6A809CrUq0n7Q0IQQSm_vPEaN_rc_t7M39D5_w-i0zfV8PfQet2GHQQFrr48yEyg_KIOzocwUu3iE/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we sat teary eyed at our kitchen table we had to think
hard about what Christmas is all about. You see it started a few weeks before
Christmas, actually right after Thanksgiving. You need to understand that
Christmas down here in El Maizal is different. I mean DIFFERENT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s back up, the
paragraph above was how the blog was started about 2 weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that time we were at the depths of
homesickness and sadness. We felt that there was literally nothing that
reminded us of Christmas. For instance,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weather is totally different; the beginning
of winter is the beginning of Christmas. In our new country it’s sunny and warm
every day. We haven’t had a drop of rain in over a month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As much as we believe the commercialism of
Christmas is a terrible thing , it used to serve a purpose for us. It reminded
us what the season was and it’s hard not to feel the excitement of the season.
On TV here we noticed very few commercials that reminded you it was Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We couldn’t find a radio station here that
played non-stop Christmas music and Carols. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We didn’t see many Christmas TV shows or movies
that were a tradition of home. Miracle on 34<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Street, Rudolph, The
Grinch, Elf or my personal favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas lights in the local towns and
communities are far and few between<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even Church is different. We didn’t have Advent
Music. At home the Church is busy with the Living Gift Market and all the
different Mission drives to help people during Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There wasn’t a Christmas Party to attend every
week starting right after Thanksgiving. The evenings of laughing, sharing
stories, eating and drinking didn’t happen for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We didn’t buy our Christmas tree with our
Granddaughter who lives with us, for the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We didn’t experience our many family holiday
traditions that we took for granted till we didn’t do them<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to now we did a great job of getting accustomed to our
new life. Of course we missed family, friends and all the major events and
holiday back home but this was different. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By themselves the smaller events at home like
family parties on holidays and even birthdays didn’t have the impact of missing
Christmas. The list above is all traditions (it’s really just the tip of the
iceberg on family traditions) that aren’t just a part of our previous culture
it was all part of our lives. Missing all these things overwhelmed us like the
incoming tide. It was very subtle but slowly but surely the homesickness had us
over our heads and we didn’t see the tide rising. Could we have maintained some
traditions? Possibly but traditions without friends and family are just hollow
formalities, they don’t replace the feelings of love that sometimes can only be
generated by those whom you’ve shared the traditions with for many years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well we cried 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> and missed home but then we
reached out to our Mission team, Dick, Julie, MaryAnn, Rich, Lori, Dianne and a
few others ( They mean more to us than they realize). We had to share for the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
time in our Mission that we were really hurting inside. One thing we learned
was that in Mission you need to be ready to ask and receive help, not just
answer the call to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our
Mission team’s thoughtful and kind words we started to regroup. We forgot that
Advent is a time of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">waiting</b>, the
world waited for God’s Son to help redeem us of our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A week after our mini meltdown our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">waiting</b> for God’s help was answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Starting on Dec 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd </span></sup>we had a solid week of the
Christmas, not exactly as our list but of what the list represents family, love
and tradition. On the 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>, 24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 26<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> we
had events at our local Churches in Divina Providencia (El Maizal), San Pedro y
San Pablo (Positos) and La Virgen deGuadalupe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each event started with a service, after which
we had piñatas and the surprise conclusion was me being in a Full Santa suit.
Dianne and I handed out gifts to all the children and older teen and young
adult. Dianne also served as the photographer. The excitement was electric in
the air, the children’s smiles and laughs were priceless and of course there
was the children scared of Santa but that’s tradition too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In El Maizal a local family made Chuco and shared it with
the community at the family event in our community. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chuco is a slightly sour drink made from black
corn (slightly rotten) and water that’s served in a cup,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a scoop of beans in the cup is next then on
top a slightly greenish sauce is put on and you eat it with a piece of bread.
It’s a<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> tradition</b> of only El
Salvador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Christmas Eve (Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve
in El Salvador, not Christmas Day) we were invited to have dinner with our
friends Elyseo y Claudia and Padre Mario also joined us. We had a traditional
meal of roasted Chicken, rice, ensalada (salad), tortilla and bread (Chicken
tomales are also a very common meal on Christmas Eve. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the meal we sat and listened to everyone
chat (we understood a little). We excused ourselves as we also visited other
friends. One of the interesting footnotes to this Holiday is that fireworks are
a prominent way to celebrate. All night long you hear fireworks building till
the crescendo of Midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We returned home before midnight to our humble casa. We have
a small wreath and lights set up on one of our outside windows and we had a
Christmas tree. We<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> waited</b> till midnight;
we even had a couple of rum and cokes and enjoyed the fireworks at midnight celebrating
the birth of our Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know the blog was kind of rambling, the thoughts got mixed
and scrambled but that was the type of Christmas it was for us. Our Christmas
ended well. We learned that waiting is the key. There are times we all will be
hurting but God is there, sometimes we just have to wait till we can see and
hear Him clearly, He’s always there but we just aren’t ready. We also learned
new traditions and maybe leaning too hard on the past traditions to make you
happy, you miss the things happening in the present that can create just as
much alegria (happiness). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, maybe
we need to just remember that all these different traditions during this season
are wonderful gifts from God but that the greatest gift was simply the birth of
a child whom is our savior. Believe that, live that and the happiness and love He
brings will always be there to help us all.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pn10FF-FQfs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-36306004658219342772013-11-21T05:30:00.001-08:002013-11-21T05:30:44.877-08:00The Junk Drawer of our Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ufYYw9qtgGTZCjlfNeiMnHeFDrkHwW3zj8hQO1-PEe81OobOO6bv8eqq_zSEfm1sBn85OaL6MnGLBqYFW8TpEe8n3fTWB0WKlXVAFci41uOM3InNg7iKThzG-qxGqzDWFCjVXM8PDGc/s1600/junk_drawer_480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ufYYw9qtgGTZCjlfNeiMnHeFDrkHwW3zj8hQO1-PEe81OobOO6bv8eqq_zSEfm1sBn85OaL6MnGLBqYFW8TpEe8n3fTWB0WKlXVAFci41uOM3InNg7iKThzG-qxGqzDWFCjVXM8PDGc/s320/junk_drawer_480.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emptying out the junk drawer of our Minds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tons of things are sold in plastic bags and not
the sealable ones (Cut fruit, uncut fruit, water and Juices). Sooooo, all these
bags are tied tight. I’ve got Cro-magnon fingers and can’t untie any of them,
Thank God I have Dianne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you buy gas, you stand close to the
attendant while he does it and make sure he puts the gas cap back on. I’ve been
told; some of the attendants steal and re-sell them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sooooo, in many of the public bathrooms and even
in some restaurants and business the toilets don’t have seats. When I asked
why, I was told they were stolen. How the heck to you steal a toilet seat
without anyone knowing? I know that desperation causes people to do lots of things
but stealing toilet seats???????????????<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking of public bathrooms if they have toilet
paper, many of them have dispensers near the sinks, that’s not to dry your
hands, that’s your toilet paper. Grab some before you do your business or your S#*t
out of luck. Excuse the pun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When going out always carry some tissues with
you in case there is no toilet paper wherever you visit. Or again, you might be,
see the pun in #4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before going to stores learn the phrase “Solo
mirando”, it means only looking. Down here as soon as you enter a store a clerk
is going to ask you what you want or do you need help. A quick Solo mirando,
gracias, does the trick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When people stop at your house to say hello or when
they see you outside and come over to say hello. You immediately get out your
plastic chairs and offer them a seat, a drink and something to eat. It’s rude
if you don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you ask, how are you, como estas usted
(don’t forget the usted) down here, unlike in the U.S., you actually mean it
and be prepared to listen to peoples sickness or bad day. We care down here and
we share are problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you come to visit during the right time of
year in El Maizal, we have black moths that are huge and you’d swear they are
bats, please don’t freak out. By the way, we have bats too, try not to freak out when they come around.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The big red ants are creepy looking but don’t
bite, it’s the darn tiny ones that bite the heck out of you. Don’t freak out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have Geckos like you read about. They are
totally harmless and eat tons of bugs but they can startle you running up and
down the walls. Don’t freak out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’ve followed our facebook pages you’ll
know we have Alacrans too (scorpions). Just move away before you “Freak Out”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’re on the bus and see someone holding
something that looks like a bunch of crabs and they’re selling them. That’s
what it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When waiting in line for the bus, when the bus
pulls up you find out you weren’t in a line at all, it’s every man, woman and
child for themselves. You’ll be pushed to the pavement by that Grandmotherly
woman behind you before you can say excuse me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the sign of peace get ready to shake
everybody’s hand. At large services, it’s a workout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You think we talk fast in Espanol. Wait till you
pray with us. By the end of the Credo Niceno, you’ll be trying to catch your
breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In some showers and sinks there are 2 faucets,
the one on the left is Cold and the one on the right is, wait for
it>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cold. We call it refreshing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you’re on the bus and it looks like you
literally most climb over people to get on and off. Well, yes that’s what we
all do and nobody gets mad. You can’t either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">19)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We found out where all the old school buses in
the United States went to die. You have 3 guesses the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> 2 don’t
count.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">20)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s the main driving tip for down here. You
must drive very aggressively but always in a careful way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once they found out I was an accountant, all the
guys have assumed I don’t know anything about manual labor. It’s funny at first
but gets tiring fast. I do know how to shovel and rake without instructions by
the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">22)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody
loves us and wants to help us but sometimes you do feel like saying “Leave me
alone”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">23)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The metric system is in full use here. Gas is by
the liter, soda is by the liter, we travel kilometers and the land is measured
in Hectares. But, go buy some Chicken, beef, rice or beans, it’s by the
pound?????? Go figure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">24)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know the dollar coins that we refuse to
embrace and use in the U.S.? That’s all we use here, I don’t remember the last
time I’ve seen a dollar bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">25)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since we’re on money. Even though many things
can be bought with change, pennies just don’t get used much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">26)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buying margarine that doesn’t require
refrigeration take some getting used to. The yellow dye and the fact it only
melts at very high temps is also very different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">27)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never so many varieties of Tang in all my
life. It’s not just orange. You can get it in Cinnamon, passion fruit and
tropical flavors we’ve never heard of. There’s even a milky sweet one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">28)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
I’ve died and gone to heaven because in the Campos, hot dogs seem to be one of
the staples and they are individually wrapped. If you haven’t figured it out, I
love Hot Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">29)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If anyone ever offers you Pacaya, just say NO.
Don’t think, Hmmm that sounds exotic, Hmmm maybe just a taste. We’re telling
you right now, say NO. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">30)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our personal record for passengers inside our 4
door pickup is 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four in the front six
in the back. It was pouring so no one was in the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">31)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes I’m so filthy and sweaty from working
in the fields, I empty my pockets, take off my belt, glasses and shoes and walk
directly into the show to rinse the filth off the clothes and then off me.
That’s just the rinse cycle, Dianne must still wash them to get them clean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">32)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you ladies want to get rid of or avoid
getting bat wings, start doing laundry by hand. Diannes arms are getting
ripped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">33)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first starting using a corbo (Machete)and was
pruning trees, on a missed swing, I must have flung it 20 feet. It might
explain #21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">34)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If we knew then what we know now, 5 years ago we
would have come here and opened up a tienda selling only Hair Gel (Boys and
men) and dark eyeliner pencils and hair ties for the women. We’d be retired
right now eating Papusas and sipping Pilsners by the playa.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">35)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You don’t like cold showers, then don’t shower
in the morning after the water in the storage tank has cooled off. You shower in
the late afternoon when that tanks been sitting in the sun all day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued………………………………………………….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Salu<br />
<br />
Tom y DiannaTom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-21517286307993097102013-11-12T04:53:00.000-08:002013-11-12T16:00:25.680-08:00For you are all one in Christ Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt2EwDtE4cXucxArbgtv2nUUprCZzUVA6BkmqFbzw4FWTQS6l6h4r9FvIXSrUJV8Tu2xMISoWibRTPC_kmbDUV1lxlZLO2EjrMZQfnzBcvGlNBQDBZuFJpTV-vokEP8XfZ7rQY4ewJ40/s1600/tijuana-border-04-743128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt2EwDtE4cXucxArbgtv2nUUprCZzUVA6BkmqFbzw4FWTQS6l6h4r9FvIXSrUJV8Tu2xMISoWibRTPC_kmbDUV1lxlZLO2EjrMZQfnzBcvGlNBQDBZuFJpTV-vokEP8XfZ7rQY4ewJ40/s320/tijuana-border-04-743128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She has such a beautiful smile; it’s one of those smiles
that make her whole face beam happiness when it appears. It’s never forced and
she wears it well. We all know people like this; the smile is just a natural
part of their appearance. That’s why when I saw her sitting at the table
talking with our local Sacerdote (priest), hands cradling her forehead as she
looked down speaking softly, it was sorrowful to see. A face that was always a
source of an infectious smile was now desperate and worried a source of instant
concern. You see, her father has left the family in order to better their
lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She’s the middle daughter who’s around 16, her older sister is
17 or 18 and the youngest daughter is 13. The family is headed by 2
hardworking, loving and caring parents. They run a local tienda and they farm a
Manzana (about ¾ of an acre) of land they use for Maiz, Maisillo y frijoles
(corn, livestock feed and beans). They also maintain a productive yard of a few
banana trees, a mango tree and a large flock of chickens. This is not a family
that sits still waiting for life to get better or get worse; they make way the
best they can. The family also attends our local church and the daughters
regularly attend bible study with us. They regularly participate as lectors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The older daughter works as a nanny for a family that live
outside of our community, she leaves before 8AM and doesn’t get home till after
5:30PM. The two younger daughters run the store. Their tienda (store) will
always hold a special place for me and Dianne because it’s the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
place we made our presence known in the community outside the church. We’d go
there to buy a bag of rice, beans or zanahorias (carrots, no lie, that’s the
word for carrots) but it was the process that was fun. Why you ask? Well, we
had to try out our espanol on the 2 younger daughters. In my best espanol I’d
say, como estan ustedes, quieres arroz y frijoles, puedo tengo un libra de
ambos? How are you, do you have rice and beans, may I have a pound of both.
That’s when they’d look back at me with a look of utter bewilderment. My
Massachusetts accent and terrible pronunciation made my espanol sound like a
rare form of Klingon used in only the remotest part of our universe. They would
giggle and respond back and we would give them our bewildered look because we
didn’t understand a word of what they said and these two gringos now fully
understood what immersion in another language meant. The whole communication
process broke down into finger pointing, head nods, with interjections of my
espanol, their giggles and them finally counting out my money for me because of
course I couldn’t understand what sietenta y cinco was (.75 cents). That’s not
all either; Dianne and I would now take the walk of shame. As we left the store
to walk home we’d hear both girls talking, giggling and full-fledged laughing.
I’d look at Dianne and say, “you know that’s about us” and she’d respond “you
think” and we’d have our laughing moment. It wasn’t discouraging it was
actually lots of fun communicating with these young girls, that I looked
forward to (I think they did too) and now it’s no big deal at all. On a final
note it wouldn’t have been so much fun if they weren’t so kind and
compassionate to Dianne and I as strangers that they didn’t know. They helped
us learn the language but we also learned from them the relief of receiving the
love of God, the kindness and compassion in a helpless situation that Jesus
calls us to give all our brothers and sisters in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their dad was one of my working campaneros. He was a tireless
worker who wielded his corbo (machete) with ease on any task whether we were
cutting grass or framing the new greenhouse. He also showed me how to properly
clean and sharpen it. At first he didn’t talk much to me but as he saw me using
my terrible espanol to talk with the other workers, he soon was looking at me
smiling and shaking his head in amusement. I considered that progress. Then it
finally happened, he started telling me how to use the corbo with better
technique and that this was how you cared for it. I barely understood what he
said because he talked with machine gun speed and others had to translate my
enspanol to him but we were friends now. He respected my work ethic and he was one
of my mentors that I depended on in the campos. He’s also the caring dad who
walks his daughters down to the bus when they must go shopping and stays with
them till the bus comes, so he knows that part of their trip is safe. When they
return he goes down and walks them home. Not all that different from us
protective dads in the U.S. It’s touching to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Mom, well as all you Mom’s at home know, she is the glue
that holds it all together. She works in the tienda, works in their field,
washes the clothes and cooks. The daughters all help but as usual Mom is the
anonymous presence that makes everything look easy because she goes from one
labor intensive job to another because she loves her family and everything else
suffers if she isn’t that tireless worker too. Plus Mom is the one who
sometimes gives us extra Papusas’s when we occasionally buy them on Sundays.
The girls got their smile from mom tambien (also)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unbeknownst to that family they are a part of our life. That’s
why when we recently returned from a weeklong stay in San Salvador we
immediately noticed the father wasn’t around. We didn’t see him working, he
wasn’t at the tienda, and his presence was noticeably missing. I finally asked
a friend where he was, we were afraid he fell ill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We found out that he had been thinking for quite some time
about emigrating to the U.S. in order to earn substantially higher wages to
help his family. In El Salvador as a laborer he can make $4 to $6 per day if he
is lucky. He knew that in the United States a laborer with his skill set can
make $6 to $10 per hour. I won’t insult you all by doing the math; the financial
benefit of this decision is tremendous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what do you do when you decide to go to the U.S.? You
contact a coyote and pay upwards of $6,000 for passage to the U.S. and you tell
no one till you leave. You travel by different modes and if you are lucky you
walk into the U.S. 8 days later. If you aren’t lucky it can take anywhere from
15 to 30 days. If things go badly you can be arrested and jailed wherever you
are, you get arrested and deported, you injure yourself or get sick and you are
abandoned to fend for yourself or you potentially die during the trip for
various reasons including untreated injuries/sickness, exposure to the elements
or murder. During all this time the immigrant cannot have any phone contact
with anyone. The family never hears from the traveler till they reach the U.S.
The family must wait and pray that a phone call comes and as I pointed out
sometimes you never get the call and the family is left to wonder what
happened. In regards to when the father will return home, no sabemos (we don’t
know). Getting back is just as dangerous as getting in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure some people
think they know about this but you don’t know about it, you only know the
stereotyped story that labels the immigrant as an illegal. The immigrant story
most of you hear is in the sole context that they are a threat to our way of
life in the U.S. (that statement screams entitlement of the privileged), they are
criminals and a drain on our system (a statement that is very debatable when
you look at independent studies of the financial pros and cons) or they are
coming to solely live off our welfare system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">None of these apply to my friend and the argument can be
made that they don’t apply to the vast majority of illegal immigrants. Our
friend knows what he needs to do in order to help his family. He’s being courageous,
willing to risk life and limb to get this done. What father presented with the
same situation and limited options wouldn’t consider taking the same risks? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A wife is missing her husband, children are missing their
doting father and a man must take risks that most of us know nothing about for
his love of family. I’ve seen the daughter’s tears caused by the pain of
missing their Papi (Daddy). People need to stop believing these lies about
immigrants with descriptions that only breed, resentment, hate and fear of our
fellow man. Its political rhetoric meant to garner support of some voters by
filling them with fear and hate of complete strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called scapegoating by creating a
narrative about people that’s false but it’s effective because few people know
the truth or many deny the truth so they can deny their responsibilities to
their fellow man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the same
story about one of neighbors who lives behind us. She left her son, husband and
mother to work in the U.S. We don't know if she arrived safely or not. It's
more than sad to think people must make these sacrifices and take these risks to
just improve their family’s lives from miserable poverty to livable poverty.
Let me point out nobody is getting rich except for those who traffic our fellow
brothers and sisters who are in desperate situations. These stories are quite
common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had concerns about blogging on this because of it being a political hot button but in reality we are very close to a reasonable reform if our politicians who call themselves
Christians remember "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ
Jesus."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Galatians 3:28.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If men of political power lived their faith
instead of professing it to garner votes, many of our social problems could be
reasonably resolved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Put immigration on a personal level. Look at the families of
your closest friends and neighbors and imagine them being torn apart like this.
We didn’t imagine it we saw it and we knew what we had to do. We visited them
with our Books of Common Prayer and together we all prayed for loved ones, for
protection and for travelers. If Dianne and I have learned anything that we can
share with you it is this. Don’t believe the narratives of the poor, the
immigrants or any strangers that you’ve been fed all these years. These
stereotypical descriptions tend to be steeped in hate and fear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of our faith and not the stereotypes
next time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 John 2:9-11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or
sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister
lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But
anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the
darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom & Dianne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-60787734690056152822013-11-05T08:20:00.000-08:002013-11-06T04:01:01.063-08:00Our constant companion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyy44XiEwgB08iTFfFCvu5Itnyx3ZkSoziBj338rrUoFUU4OAAzm0e9vn77drwz3etuyKqBcK7gig7PuzQnuwZe0Cj_nDifDYIeoVCVgPItsYLaVl00Pv0Ph9XL6VbccJucSBCbyOkMk/s1600/Gustavo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyy44XiEwgB08iTFfFCvu5Itnyx3ZkSoziBj338rrUoFUU4OAAzm0e9vn77drwz3etuyKqBcK7gig7PuzQnuwZe0Cj_nDifDYIeoVCVgPItsYLaVl00Pv0Ph9XL6VbccJucSBCbyOkMk/s400/Gustavo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He that believeth hath everlasting Life</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sadly last night we found ourselves sitting at another final
memorial service for a young friend who had passed away. These services are
normally 9 days after the death or burial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Thursday night of October 23rd we found out that a young
man who attended bible study with us in a neighboring community (Positos) passed
away. Gustavo Enrique Nunez was only 15 and his mother Victoria hosted bible
study at her house, which we have attended many times. He was also the brother
and Brother-in-Law (Yerno) of our friends Yuri and Alfredo (our previous
Deacon). Thursday at about 5PM Fr. Mario came to our house and told us the news
and our help was needed. We spent from 5 PM to 1:30 AM driving back and forth
to a Hospital in the City of Santa Ana so the family could make arrangements
for the body. I didn't drive but a community member who knows the country very
well did. When we returned from Santa Ana the grieving mother, Victoria, rode
in our truck. Dianne and I listened as she spoke about her son to our friend
Alberto, the driver. It was heartbreaking as she talked about how he just
bought a bicycle and as she told the story and repeated how he said “Por favor
Mami”when he requested permission, she broke down and cried remembering that
moment, we did also. Gustavo was her last child, the baby of the family and the
only child who was still living at home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day Dianne and I travelled to the next town Cara
Sucio to transport family members back to Victoria’s house. Early that morning in
their grief they took the bus to that town to purchase food for all the people
who would be visiting the house. We went back to Victoria’s to drop everyone off.
We were surprised to find that Gustavo’s’ body was already at the house. One room
was adorned with flowers, candles and a large Cross at the head of his casket.
Gustavo’s Casket was in the center with a framed picture of him sitting on top.
Gustavo was a handsome young man with a bright smile that he wore almost every
time I saw him. He was a good boy who attended school, bible study and church
regularly. He was very interested in attending the English classes Dianne and I
will be starting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in that community. He
also was aware of the gang activity in that community and avoided it by staying
at home with his friends instead of being in the streets exposed to recruiting
by the gangs. From what I knew of him, he had his head on straight for a young
boy and wanted to better himself. Two key attributes I believe you need to
possess in this country if you want to have a chance of improving on your
current situation. We paid our respects and visited with his mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we visited and waited to see what schedule would be for
the next couple of days, as is common thoughts of the departed goes through your
mind. For instance last Sunday was the last time I saw Gustavo, I was showing
him and other kids my truck. I remember having to go up to him and say "
Mi amigo, lo siento, yo no recordar tu nombre" my friend, I'm sorry I
don't remember your name. With a broad smile he said Gustavo and extended his
hand for a shake. That's the last time I saw or spoke to him. It’s amazing how
a simple meeting can end up sticking with you with an attached value that you
didn’t realize at the time. Soon after we took everyone back to El Maizal as
the wake would be all day and many members of the community wanted to attend
the wake that night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday night we were supposed to bring 15 members of the
community to Positos but unfortunately it started pouring buckets at 5PM and
never really let up till 7PM. We had to confer with Father Mario and call off
the trip because the roads would have been too hazardous. It was a very
difficult decision as we know this denied Victoria additional company in this
time of need. There are many harsh realities and something as simple as rain
and dirt roads can deny people help when needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday morning was the funeral. We brought members of the
community to the home and we all assembled our vehicles for the procession. The
procession was made up of pick-ups and small flatbeds equipped with frames in
the back to allow the most passengers as possible. The cemetery was farther
away than the last one we attended so nobody walked and the procession moved
much faster. It was interesting to see the procession would stop to pick up
more passengers, the vehicles were crammed with mourners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we arrived at the cemetery we all walked in. Like the
last cemetery we visited it was mostly above ground vaults but this cemetery
was even larger. Let me point out that during these funerals because of the
cramped quarters it is customary to walk on people’s graves (vaults) and even
use them as a higher vantage point to view the actual ceremony. I was standing
on a high vault with about 6 other people in order to view the service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because of Gustavo’s age he had many classmates there, most
of them in their school uniforms. It was very moving to watch them all file by
the vault paying their last respects. The grief stricken family was last. It
was exceedingly difficult to watch friends suffer like this; Dianne and I were
moved to grief ourselves. After his vault was sealed we all returned to our homes
and our thoughts were with Victoria and hoping somehow the void in her heart
could be filled while the memories could slowly go from grief to cherished
moments of his life. We have never experienced such grief but that hope is all
we could pray for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the recent deaths in the communities we live and share
Gods mission with, I found myself concerned with the fact that maybe the
tragedy of young unnecessary deaths might be our constant companion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a few days to realize I was looking
at this all wrong. Of course these deaths are tragic and we should never be
accustomed or accepting to the fact that in many cases in this country and many
like it they are caused indirectly and sometimes directly by social injustice. The
reality is that if we live in this world we will always experience death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as a Christian I believe I gave
death too much emphasis in our lives. It’s not a comrade or friend, words
associated with companion. It is merely something closely related to our state
of being or part of our life cycle, no more, no less.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we look closer at any tragedy our companion is not
death, it is not grief, it is not suffering. It is the One who gives us hope.
It is the Christ that will never leave our sides. He can’t stop our human suffering
at these times but He gave us this message to give us Fortaleza (strength) <span style="color: red;">“I am with you always, even to the end of age”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>We need to grieve, it is part of our
healing, it is part of our human existence but we can’t forget who our true Companion
is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-38333589014694008622013-10-25T16:18:00.003-07:002013-10-25T16:18:56.574-07:00He’s had a long journey but he’s home now
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwHmgL5V_CGoYF-zPnpbA0Vd3nzZ7KvkqS1lWDUj_NqYShbO-FSSRllnc7gaee9D-GggtoORl_sHHWcvJmsiLm9N0WX4tTFJ1_7ZENL7J6rSRSvtIE5apyQpi6o0Yw8rihUrnvk-P0H4/s1600/CrosswithLiliesClipart1_jpg_w300h405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwHmgL5V_CGoYF-zPnpbA0Vd3nzZ7KvkqS1lWDUj_NqYShbO-FSSRllnc7gaee9D-GggtoORl_sHHWcvJmsiLm9N0WX4tTFJ1_7ZENL7J6rSRSvtIE5apyQpi6o0Yw8rihUrnvk-P0H4/s320/CrosswithLiliesClipart1_jpg_w300h405.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About 3 months ago our neighbors Don Florencio, Dona Lydia
and their family found out that their Grandson, Marvin Gonzalo Hernandez
Aquino, was struck by a car and killed in Mexico. He was only 21 years old. It
was an extremely sad time for them but also a financial crisis. His body was in
Mexico and there was no way to get it returned to El Salvador. The cost was
going to be considerable and the dollars were needed right away or the body
would be discarded. This family not only had to deal with the suffering of loss
but also the possibility not being able to bury a family member with the care
and love we would want for all our loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was very hard for everyone but fortunately they found an agency that
was able to help them retrieve Marvin’s body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was not easy, as they had to travel various times to San Salvador
to fill out applications and provide documentation. All the while the body was
held in Mexico. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dianne and I witness the many challenges of people born into
poverty like this but this was one aspect we never considered. The need for
jobs causes people to leave their home countries but what happens if there’s a
tragedy like this? Unfortunately most people, in this situation, don’t have the funds or know
anyone who can help them. Sometimes a loved one is simply discarded. It’s a harsh reality to
swallow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Dianne and I have found out numerous times since we have
accepted this mission, our Lord truly works in mysterious ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We spent this past week in San Salvador finalizing
immigration papers, meeting with Bishop Barahona about the Mission in El Maizal
and we thought we were going to have a meeting about buying a car in the near
future. The meeting about purchasing a vehicle was not about the future, it was
about us buying one, right then and there. We’re now the happy owners of an
Isuzu Pickup. We thought to ourselves, wow was that fast and thought of all the
things we needed and could do in the future. Otra vez (again) the future was
now. There was a great need in the community that we were not even aware of yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I called our community to tell them the news and when
we were returning, Nelson told me that Marvin’s (Florencios Grandson) body was
being returned on Friday, the same day we were coming back to El Maizal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday was a world wind of a day. I drove from
San Salvador to El Maizal, then El Maizal to San Salvador, back to El Maizal
before we could find out what the schedule was for Marvin’s services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God fast tracked the truck for a reason. Our help was needed
to transport family members back from the cemetery where they were preparing
the grave and then go to another community to see about renting a canopy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, Dianne and I attended Marvin’s
funeral service. At that time a member of the family asked if I would transport
the Casket, Don Florencio and Dona Lydia to the cemetery the following morning.
I was caught off guard because of it being such and out of the ordinary
request.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly agreed to such and
honor and responsibility, the thought of helping them like that was quite
moving, to be honest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Evening Service was a combination wake and funeral. When
we arrived at the Church the casket was on display with a picture of Marvin, he
was a handsome young man; it’s such a sad loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The casket was in the center of the church with the pews to the side and
chairs set up in their place. Many people were outside talking, eating and
drinking while some of us sat in the church. We waited almost 2 to 3 hours for
the 5PM service to start and during that time family and friends came in and
out of the church to view the casket and pay their respects. It was a great
sense of community and family with so many people and children milling about.
The service was Burial of the Dead Rite one and I was given the privilege of
reading Salmo 1. The only difference was at the end the visiting priest had us
say the Hail Mary with our closing prayers. The strong Catholic presence in
Central America is ever present even in an Episcopal service. I’m a former
Catholic and praying to Mary during times of trouble has always had an appeal
and calming effect for me. I still say Hail Mary’s in time of trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The service was followed by a family all-night vigil at the
church. Mattresses were brought in so people could rest but much of the time
was spent just being together. Dianne and I didn’t attend the vigil but visited
for a short period after the service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following morning was the burial. The family had left
the vigil, freshened up, ate and returned to the Church. It was very sad to see
our neighbors go through such sadness; in particular Lydia was very overwrought
and crying. We couldn’t help but cry ourselves. Grandparents are not supposed
to bury their grandchildren. Marvin’s Uncles were the Pall bearers and they
carried the Casket to my truck and placed it in the back, surrounded it with
the flowers and tied it in place. In my truck Florencio, Lydia and 2 of their
grandchildren travelled with Dianne and I. The procession was our vehicle 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>,
followed by 2 other trucks and a number of people walking. I drove far to the
right at a walking pace with emergency lights flashing. I want to mention that
as cars passed us and people on the side of the road watched, many of them made
signs of the cross in prayer for the dead and the family. As we crept along
trailers and motorists passed us at breakneck speeds but we solemnly kept our
pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cemetery was about 3 miles down the road. We had to
weave through a small community to a soccer field that was also the entrance to
the cemetery. The cemetery was bursting with mostly above the ground vaults, no
more than a foot apart. In some areas the vaults are in front of each other and
I have no idea how people get to the vaults in the back except by standing on
the ones in front. A few graves were just mounds of dirt but most are cement
vaults. What’s interesting is that the families make and maintain these vaults.
That’s what the men were doing the night before when I picked them up there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I’m describing something very foreign
but in a way very beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Numerous
vaults are either painted very nicely of a solid color or have tiles that make
up the outside and many have flowers placed on them. You can see and feel the
respect that people have for their passed loved ones by viewing how some of
them are maintained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The path into the
cemetery is so small that you need to back in and then drive out. I tried my
best to back in but eventually one of the men in the family volunteered to back
in. I gladly handed him my keys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In no
place on the path do you have much more than a foot or 2 of clearance on both
sides and in many places it’s only 6 inches to a foot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me add the path is not recto (straight). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The vault was about a hundred yards into the cemetery and
when we arrived, saw horses were put in place so the Casket could then be
placed there surrounded by flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Pall bearers somberly brought the Casket to its place and the grave side
service commenced. It was not an Episcopal nor Catolica Romano (Roman
Catholic), I believe it was Evangelical. The preacher spoke enthusiastically
for over 1 ½ hours only interrupted by some standard prayers and hymns. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we listened I couldn’t help but notice that
a frozen ice vendor had followed us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this heat he was doing good business. I avoid them because it’s simply a big
block of ice (of unknown origin) being shaved into a cup with syrup put on
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks tasty but not worth the
risk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the service came to an end the family performs its final
acts of respect for Marvin. The family places the casket into the shallow vault
using ropes. The family then places bouquets inside the vault. Then as we all
watch, braces are placed just above the casket, on the braces a sheet of
corrugated aluminum is fitted into places, on top of that is a welded grate and
then paper is stuffed into any openings on the side. The men of the family then
mix a large pile of cement, by hand on the ground next to the vault. Two men
shovel and mix while others add water, once the correct thickness is obtained
they then take turns shoveling it on top of the grates. It’s finally smoothed
over. The men then use bricks to create a form of a cross next to the vault and
fill it with cement, when it’s hardened that cross will be put on the vault. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly the family places the remaining flowers
either on or around the grave and leave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I drove out, there was a sense of finality for Florencio
and Lydia. They talked normally and even chuckled about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night before a family member said they
personally were over the suffering but now just wanted this whole tragedy to be
put to a close. 3 Months is a long time to deal with any tragedy let alone the
death of a young family member.. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many, many things about this struck me but the devotion the
family showed each other struck me most. The Grandmother constantly had one of
her children or grandchildren with her. The brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles
all consoled one another but also shared the good memories they had. I believe
this to be true because of the laughter I heard coming from the vigil. Yes
families grieve but we also know that even during the grief someone is going to
say, Remember when we did this, or he did that” and the great memories flood
back and our tears turn to laughter and smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A final interesting note is that when we all went to the
cemetery many attendees had lemons with them. They’d rub them in their hands,
some were partially peeled and the people where smelling them. I thought maybe
they were to cover foul smells but I didn’t notice any. We finally found out
later. When everything was over and we were at our house, Nelson came over. He
wanted us to bring the clothes we were wearing earlier. They had a fire going
and they were burning Lemons leaves creating smoke. They believe that the smoke
from the lemon leaves killed off any germs from the dead bodies we were exposed
to. We smoked our clothes then we stood in the smoke also. They were sniffing
the lemons because they thought it would kill the germs in the air. Maybe it’s
just legend or maybe it works but as they say when in Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was all quite the experience on many levels (again). I
hope you will all say a prayer for Marvin, as his short journey on earth is now
over. His family’s journey continues on without him and may we all have the
solace that Marvin now has the joy and gladness of God’s Kingdom that awaits
all of us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom and Dianne <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-28850555855143388672013-10-15T10:53:00.000-07:002013-10-15T10:54:59.096-07:00Witnessing life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGIRqInW76m2_4tYr0pFFSACnXVfWqW1d2hMQN-fGOC39qbU7sg4iBeYZw2yyIi1vKfomKrukRQX_rGR9WwTyrYv5dvHPe4S7Xe8L7xGLFMnLHCAcwpB9z6k7AfXyQcQUlfvpLiu1oGk/s1600/Caera+download+8-2012+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGIRqInW76m2_4tYr0pFFSACnXVfWqW1d2hMQN-fGOC39qbU7sg4iBeYZw2yyIi1vKfomKrukRQX_rGR9WwTyrYv5dvHPe4S7Xe8L7xGLFMnLHCAcwpB9z6k7AfXyQcQUlfvpLiu1oGk/s320/Caera+download+8-2012+104.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karla, Nelson, David y Gloria<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was
starting my blogs with idioms but I ran out. I finally have a new one. When you
are talking about doing hard work in present, past or future tense, you say “yucca” while wiping your hand across your forehead (like you are wiping
sweat). Yes, it’s yucca the vegetable similar to potato. It was explained to me
that harvesting yucca is very, very hard because of the size and depths of the
roots you are pulling out of the ground. When you do the action and say the word, people know what you mean. I count myself lucky that we don’t
grow yucca in El Maizal, yet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last month
our good friend Neslon Caranza, our companero, our constant source of help
during our transition to our new country and home, accompanied us to the City
of Sonsanate for some shopping. We joke that he is our personal security guard
although in reality, he actually is. In previous years he worked as a security
guard in San Salvador and Acajutla. As we shopped and chatted we noticed his
demeanor was different. When we finally asked him about it he said he was
infermo (sick). We left the mall and headed home, it’s a two bus trip that
takes an hour, mas y menos (more or less). By the time we got to the terminal
for our transfer he was burning up. When we finally arrived home, he was walking
in extreme pain. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went to
visit him the following day and his family told us he was at the Hospital. Luckily
we saw him when he returned on the bus that evening. He was still sick and was
tired from the bus rides. Keep in mind that as sick as he was he took 4 buses
and spent over 2 hours on buses today just to see the Doctor and return home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hospital wanted him to be admitted but he
doesn’t have the money for that. He had to return home with medicine and
descanso (rest). He has problems with his kidneys diagnosed as a severe
infection. One of the problems is that healthcare is limited for the poor. They
can go to the free clinics but they have little to no medicines or equipment to
help diagnose what they are seeing. The poor can go to the better hospitals but
then they don’t have the money to take advantage of the better medicines,
testing and certainly can’t afford to be hospitalized. It’s a vicious circle
that doesn’t help much at all unless you have insurance or have personal
wealth. In our new country neither is common for most people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He’s a young
man only 35 but this is a common medical problem for men in El Salvador and can
have deadly consequences. For instance he is one of 3 friends that we know who
is dealing with this and we’ve only been here 7 months, they are just the ones
we know about. A man like Nelson makes his living off the land like many men in
this country. It requires hard physical work to be conducted in the very hot
sun. Dehydration is a constant issue and many times the water they drink is not
clean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of that they are exposed
to the toxic effects of herbicides and insecticides that are used with little
regard to its exposure to the workers. They themselves don’t always understand
the dangers of handling these materials with no safety equipment like gloves or
masks to filter out the <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our lives
here are a great experience but we’re not here to soak in the sights and
sounds. One of the things we have done is become part of the community and be
their friends. It all sounds great and it is until you realize you don’t just
experience and see the good things. It’s also about witnessing life in poverty,
the structural injustices that deprive our friends of basic human rights
(including healthcare) and knowing it just doesn’t have to be with way. There’s
a feeling of helplessness in the face of these man made situations our world
puts people in, be it here in El Maizal or Worcester, MA. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know at
home what a flashpoint universal healthcare is but just put the dollars aside
for one minute and think about the suffering that no healthcare causes. These
are real people that we impose suffering on so casually, when we protect our
tax dollars before we provide healthcare to the least of those in society.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matthew
25:40<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"The
King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom &
Dianne<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-7083676695542632792013-08-29T04:53:00.001-07:002013-08-29T04:53:52.789-07:00El Proyecto de Agricola – The past, the present, the future and the hope.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphl4SpYsiPYu9B1o3IVyalAXr3vkPf4sxJUYF5oD2ZWt7NzZT2yGNiTYOgB5gJLwCHapFHVpMhBOnVGBHpglEM9DHZj6PyxV8jsYLPp_rTVR5AveykGNaZMrQGQ4UfH33TYY57Y9ZBKY/s1600/DSC_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphl4SpYsiPYu9B1o3IVyalAXr3vkPf4sxJUYF5oD2ZWt7NzZT2yGNiTYOgB5gJLwCHapFHVpMhBOnVGBHpglEM9DHZj6PyxV8jsYLPp_rTVR5AveykGNaZMrQGQ4UfH33TYY57Y9ZBKY/s320/DSC_0177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youths from El Maizal & Izalco and Nelson Caranza Asst. Director<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This picture is from an event our agricultural project held
recently. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Senor</span> Cabeza is the head of the
Diocesan Agricultural projects and has been working with the Diocese for 12+ years.
His Assistant is Senor Nelson Caranza, Nelson lives in our Community of El Maizal. Senor Cabeza's original main task was overseeing the Centro de Capacion, El Maizal Divina
Providencia, (The El Maizal Divine Providence Training Center). In his tenure
as Director he has expanded the project to include 4 other communities; Congo,
Izalco, Cuilapa and Amatal. Under his guidance and with the hard work of many
dedicated members of the project, they have maximized the agricultural
resources of the communities through extensive training in all phases of
agriculture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw4l1BXQQ0oiE8Iq88XZQ3wXZO_pGfppLc4msii7CejXUAa_yPKOdTwbmn_s5vtY0zFfVKyzNO20Nz5ROCGYiguYYLq7WCIxOwgKrVEOX2NO91J08t6Xo-XmKMkRDvB0bDzrEKkBL_aM/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw4l1BXQQ0oiE8Iq88XZQ3wXZO_pGfppLc4msii7CejXUAa_yPKOdTwbmn_s5vtY0zFfVKyzNO20Nz5ROCGYiguYYLq7WCIxOwgKrVEOX2NO91J08t6Xo-XmKMkRDvB0bDzrEKkBL_aM/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right - Senor Cabeza and Senor Nelson Caranza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTenvMXsreSZm4en12iGtySX9Uxah-Rg0m_3QLPVjTglDgESGsv9HVdeH-bFNjmhCzNgbB2Cln-v9CCI5vHIBTRu71tw3IGkEaHBRo-4m8hL7SuWXoEWyqJYjycIaFUN9kNc-l2EwIu8/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTenvMXsreSZm4en12iGtySX9Uxah-Rg0m_3QLPVjTglDgESGsv9HVdeH-bFNjmhCzNgbB2Cln-v9CCI5vHIBTRu71tw3IGkEaHBRo-4m8hL7SuWXoEWyqJYjycIaFUN9kNc-l2EwIu8/s320/DSC_0179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Ladies of the Youth Agriculture Project<br />
On the far left is Cristina, President of the youth Project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Initially the training was for all interested community
members. Then the training was aimed at the jovenes (youths) and mujeres
(women). The youths of the community belong to the 4C’s, Corazon (heart),
Cabeza (head), Conicimiento (knowledge) and Cooperacion (Cooperation). Between
the 5 communities there are almost 50 youths involved in the programs,
with 17 members being from El Maizal. The house next to ours is used as a large
storage shed for all their supplies. Dianne and I get to see them daily. The
womens group has 100 members with 20 of them from El Maizal. To give them
their own identities and promote their own autonomy both groups are trained
separately with meetings happening almost every week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ42mSSYypJUzRf_a6N-uGkQSEIA6ac7nr2T7Sz0J1R41mDxhqzR2Mc6ypBi8P9Pqagtdb9iEZzYm_184ULEJBPRTBhKLyZM8HlEshYsm_RvCPH16Kp-L8_ATV306-LI1LnWXLjcb2c4/s1600/007+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ42mSSYypJUzRf_a6N-uGkQSEIA6ac7nr2T7Sz0J1R41mDxhqzR2Mc6ypBi8P9Pqagtdb9iEZzYm_184ULEJBPRTBhKLyZM8HlEshYsm_RvCPH16Kp-L8_ATV306-LI1LnWXLjcb2c4/s320/007+-+Copy.JPG" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Women's Agriculture Project logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the Agricultural project was 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> started in
approximately 2002, Mr. Cabeza had the foresight that in order to be a steady
revenue source for the Diocese, part of the project should be the forestry of hardwoods.
With funding from ERD, U.S. Dioceses and U.S. Churches, in El Maizal we now have
stands of Teak, Eucalyptus and African hardwoods. These were al</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">l planted at different
times so there will be multiple harvests going into the future. These stands
are self-sustaining as the saplings at the base of the trees are dug up and
used to start other stands. It’s always fun to speak with people from the U.S.
who have visited El Maizal and some tell us how they were part of Mission
Service groups who planted the original Teak Trees. Those same trees are only
about 6 years from harvest and most of them stand over 20 feet tall now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyE2b1p7J3G6xHhHtPYU09tSUzzmKrpTqBMgAvb8HXyCpiWntJWoIX2mDSJ4MFpvG5J9AwBmCUN5-RGD9B3sUkqsmUKmWiyRGIgx2bPknCVn8i25LCPk0gFXsABWkToFtfQwWUCANn74/s1600/Caera+download+8-2012+144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyE2b1p7J3G6xHhHtPYU09tSUzzmKrpTqBMgAvb8HXyCpiWntJWoIX2mDSJ4MFpvG5J9AwBmCUN5-RGD9B3sUkqsmUKmWiyRGIgx2bPknCVn8i25LCPk0gFXsABWkToFtfQwWUCANn74/s320/Caera+download+8-2012+144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvesting Teak saplings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also have Mango, Lime, and Coconut tree groves (you put
the lime and the coconut and drink it all up, oops I digress). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s also Avocado, Black Pepper, Maringas
(trees of life), Cinnamon (Canela), Guava, Jocote (local fruit), Plantain, Banana
trees and Orange trees. They aren’t full-fledged groves but there are many of
them in proximity to the groves I mentioned. Most of these trees you’ll
recognize but you probably don’t know that they aren’t all native to El
Salvador. They are the fruit (excuse the pun but I just had too) of one of Mr
Cabeza’s ideas. He wanted to look at other areas of the world with similar climates,
identify what they grow there and decide how they might benefit the people of
El Salvador. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqLFJRBK7kg1IBysbyv-s77o3a3u442T9vz3kyvvm_VrzSe__F-CI7P6J2VVC_PJFWDZbLgRFd6OsTXYDCtmoxiK0eNXBxKR5ByrsTGYmUb8dR7Bf4EbbwG6CCdb1vz1QpcNVkebfPGI/s1600/Caera+download+8-2012+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqLFJRBK7kg1IBysbyv-s77o3a3u442T9vz3kyvvm_VrzSe__F-CI7P6J2VVC_PJFWDZbLgRFd6OsTXYDCtmoxiK0eNXBxKR5ByrsTGYmUb8dR7Bf4EbbwG6CCdb1vz1QpcNVkebfPGI/s320/Caera+download+8-2012+098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother and Child working the rice paddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are also vegetables grown in our 2 greenhouses. The
greenhouses are large bamboo framed structures covered with heavy duty white
netting that allows in sun and rain in but protects the vegetables from the
very strong direct sunlight. In the greenhouse we grow various types of tomatos,
pepinos (cucumbers), lechuga (lettuce), repillo (cabbage), cauliflower and
radishes. Surrounding the Greenhouse, pinas (pineapples) are grown and another
section is devoted to various spices such as chives, oregano, rosemary, spearmint
and other. In this same area is a relatively large section reserved for
planting of corn, in an area that is prone to collecting water run off there is
a rice paddy and I recently helped plant soy in another area. All of these
areas that I have mentioned are used as living classrooms for the 4C’s, the
women’s group and other interested parties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s all wonderful work and has improved the lives of the
communities in many ways. In communities that rely heavily on Corn to feed
themselves the fruits and vegetables provide additional vitamin rich food
options to ward off malnutrition. This knowledge has allowed people who must
watch every last penny to save money by increasing their harvests and growing
additional foods instead of buying them. Finally as any farmer knows better than I, there’s a certain
sense of accomplishment when cosecha (harvest) time comes and you see the
production of all your labor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There's a part that I don't want overlooked. It's the future that is being built here. In many poor communities planning for the future is overlooked because trying to just achieve the daily needs takes all your time. Planning is a luxury of free time that they don't have. In El Maizal it's not just the investment in trees, vegetables and fruits that will produce a brighter future, it's the investment in people. Between the women's and youths groups there are 150 people who now know or are in the process of learning how to better feed themselves and their families, invaluable life skills. All of them can take pride in their hard work and what they have accomplished. In the 150 people are 50 youths who have been given an option and opportunity (opportunity - another luxury not seen in poor communities) to improve their and their families future. Often the youths are described by a single story in El Salvador, Gangs and lives of crime. Projects like these help remove that stigma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This project has planted seeds in more ways than one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is what we are about:<br /> We plant seeds that one day will grow.<br /> We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ArchBishop - Oscar Romero</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomas y Dianna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-89719472465456617682013-08-11T10:30:00.001-07:002013-08-12T16:46:13.646-07:00Mano en Mano<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlSx3f3UpuhAMNOas4DPnE37GUUF5B_pC82R_E_w9wY0b0Ld2eDYx93jhFkoB7ciosEy3OTUiim7gHtoflTSghyTJfASCXZq8LIUpTlKmiAyJSSMxi7Bq05EFqeLFCA9L_rdOCDz8VSY/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlSx3f3UpuhAMNOas4DPnE37GUUF5B_pC82R_E_w9wY0b0Ld2eDYx93jhFkoB7ciosEy3OTUiim7gHtoflTSghyTJfASCXZq8LIUpTlKmiAyJSSMxi7Bq05EFqeLFCA9L_rdOCDz8VSY/s320/015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My essentials in the campos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3k1uhuZtmivF8QICJkpsWPlklaZFrFF7b5lVRNZAHhvUflfhkz3U54UYyy9v74QGSAjJhJ9uEU38Fryl5JBLmC0uWTGhChTLZjusODSyCaLdneD_GpCAck8oXBT7yRW4FKEtHdh2jZA/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3k1uhuZtmivF8QICJkpsWPlklaZFrFF7b5lVRNZAHhvUflfhkz3U54UYyy9v74QGSAjJhJ9uEU38Fryl5JBLmC0uWTGhChTLZjusODSyCaLdneD_GpCAck8oXBT7yRW4FKEtHdh2jZA/s320/DSC_0074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raul & Francisco (check out the height of the grass)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHq-ZkdyGIL3mUrIupPCZbRIRnDHEFESgqzA66ugI9zV9dKTIFF6-g-0_gycGytVLfy1rMJNcYbhJrr2YLiEJqDPhkEiB461qeImEZSvZ7EmRL5RYlnfIAiIMn10tm1LYKd4-NlVzfR4/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHq-ZkdyGIL3mUrIupPCZbRIRnDHEFESgqzA66ugI9zV9dKTIFF6-g-0_gycGytVLfy1rMJNcYbhJrr2YLiEJqDPhkEiB461qeImEZSvZ7EmRL5RYlnfIAiIMn10tm1LYKd4-NlVzfR4/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They spend much of their time bent over like on the right, their stamina is amazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I walk through the waist high grass at 7:30 AM, already
soaked through all my clothes with sweat, a roll of hay hanging over my head on
my trienche (pitchfork), praying that a scorpion or arana (spider) doesn’t drop
on me, I say to myself, “self”, you asked for it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCyWZ9K2e0-Oc2Ktlq346GqYIdje0Loivs6w_X-XvqRxdtlLVIOXC_WFIpguIBwDISbcJJdW34we3gj-BrrV5suYANaluXh7de2-kWEwA7lZZZ8H6KCnqbi3DgSWpZSWRVSagRBfiTIQ/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCyWZ9K2e0-Oc2Ktlq346GqYIdje0Loivs6w_X-XvqRxdtlLVIOXC_WFIpguIBwDISbcJJdW34we3gj-BrrV5suYANaluXh7de2-kWEwA7lZZZ8H6KCnqbi3DgSWpZSWRVSagRBfiTIQ/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmRs9It6ibEZSukr4hClv_eozMPpCw3YSgp8p9WXZNBJaY1iscB9LNAquOfEwHF_wQSF6gis18JhXjrVmUg_kYGd-KD4IbFYnFbYZKekjOjfclFsKCOC3n1tVsCKaAruR7T2YAsIKULc/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmRs9It6ibEZSukr4hClv_eozMPpCw3YSgp8p9WXZNBJaY1iscB9LNAquOfEwHF_wQSF6gis18JhXjrVmUg_kYGd-KD4IbFYnFbYZKekjOjfclFsKCOC3n1tVsCKaAruR7T2YAsIKULc/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see about 2 weeks ago I started asking mi amigo Nelson
(Assistant Director of the Agricultural Project) if I could work with the project.
Nelson would smile and say Tomas, manana (tomorrow) or le llamarle’ (I’ll call
you). Tomorrow comes and no Nelson, no call. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played this game a couple times till I told
him, I’m here to help, let me help. He smiled and said manana and I thought
here we go again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow comes and this time Nelson shows up and my active
membership in the Agricola Proyecto (Agricultural Project) starts (be careful
what you ask for).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then I’ve
planted Teak saplings with Claudia, another member of the project. We planted
about 50 trees over 2 days. I’ve also pruned Teak arboles (trees) with Nelson
using our corbos (machetes). I’ve planted corn, soy and also fertilized the
churches corn crop with Santos, Gloria, Yury and Laura. With Erick and Nelson’s
help our park was cleared for the kids to use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally here I am waist deep in grass. For the last 4 days
Raul, Francisco and I have cleared ½ of a soccer field so it can be used. We
started every day between 6:30 to 7:00 AM, stopping at 11:30 or 12. The grass
and weeds were 2 feet to 6 feet high. Raul and Francisco use a hooked stick to hold
up the grass while swinging the corbo to cut right along the ground. As they
progress they use the stick to pull the cut grass behind them and move forward.
This is where I come in. I use the pitchfork as a rake and roll the grass till
I’ve formed a decent sized roll, then I take one end and twist it back over the
roll and stab it down into the middle. You lift it up and you have what looks
like a big bunch of cotton candy that I pile up at the edges of the field. The
bundles weigh from 20 to 40 lbs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkx4v4HvK85OHnZ8FCv4jsIz1pMhI-fJHo0ycpYRIBYDq3EuN5b6Ooolukqt3qLhYFHFpE1tKbP0ddl6bjhQ-MVP-n0q9UiuzpDB0zVhNMLvZO60vTgc6ikRYZNt-f7PBIIW3ybfHV3E/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkx4v4HvK85OHnZ8FCv4jsIz1pMhI-fJHo0ycpYRIBYDq3EuN5b6Ooolukqt3qLhYFHFpE1tKbP0ddl6bjhQ-MVP-n0q9UiuzpDB0zVhNMLvZO60vTgc6ikRYZNt-f7PBIIW3ybfHV3E/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A job well done and they cut it to within an inch of the ground with a corbo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2gLDGy81WG6LJWNq8LqAuBX_jsrcu__wxtkGRgClbX93TyvwxNyAcz7IAhrUXeiASTkj_wIno1eunl8GFnciwcL9b1hIg3wZaCtqi0A4b0ALX2ffqFtH27YRZAzwVzGARPoDBRoHhHs/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2gLDGy81WG6LJWNq8LqAuBX_jsrcu__wxtkGRgClbX93TyvwxNyAcz7IAhrUXeiASTkj_wIno1eunl8GFnciwcL9b1hIg3wZaCtqi0A4b0ALX2ffqFtH27YRZAzwVzGARPoDBRoHhHs/s320/DSC_0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cleared Goal<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7f8OS_k269QWOKpAcohYKK8ubh0s8yKIpnX-hUywKv7sMtV7-5sasgB08HTpBJez8QC7N5EoeB4VVqsuQSk8FIJb7IknHNMsREjURvMAyOKOqwyGXehJ-dsKCvkoA_740Ezf-Um5FkI/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7f8OS_k269QWOKpAcohYKK8ubh0s8yKIpnX-hUywKv7sMtV7-5sasgB08HTpBJez8QC7N5EoeB4VVqsuQSk8FIJb7IknHNMsREjURvMAyOKOqwyGXehJ-dsKCvkoA_740Ezf-Um5FkI/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
The view from midfield at the goal in the uncleared area<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been one of my best experiences here because I made two
friends by being present. The reason we only work 4-5 hours is because when we
start the heat index is in the high 80’s and by the time we stop it’s crept to
the low 100’s (101 to 105). In this heat doing this work you work for 45
minutes and rest 15 minutes slowly filling up on water (don’t gulp water in
this heat). The actual work was a struggle between the heat, the sun and
because of the previous nights of rain we worked in either a couple of inches
of water, mud or normally both. It was very important not because of the end
result but because I was earning respect from my campaneros de trabajo. First
because I was actually doing this work but they came to realize I could
communicate in espanol and that we had many mutual interests. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the field when they found snakes, we talked about snakes.
They found turtles we talked about turtles. They noticed (everybody notices)
that I sweat so much I dripped from head to toe they joked about it saying, “I
was leaking”. During the breaks it was more of the same, we talked about our
families, sports, food and the good and bad things about El Salvador and my
country the U.S. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raul worked in the U.S.
for 2 years in California and knew a little English which helped facilitate the
conversations. Francisco at first was very quiet but with Raul explaining my
Spanglish, soon Francisco was also talking to me. That was a big moment for me
because I don’t think he realized I could communicate. Don’t get me wrong, my
Spanish is terrible, absolutely terrible. It’s all 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> person
present tense, I can only hope that ½ my verb conjugations are right and pray
that ½ the words I use mean what I think they mean. The point is that it
doesn’t matter. We had some great laughs (most at my expense) but I became one
of the guys (and gals, there’s as many women as men in the project) during all
this work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mano en Mano means hand in hand, in this case you could
assume it’s because we were working hard and needed each other’s support. The
reality was we reached out for each other’s hands in friendship by sharing the
information of our lives. Everybody I’ve worked with knows more about me and me
about them now and we all shared smiles and laughs. For me in mission this is
what being present means, this is what accompaniment means and this is what it
means when you hear people talk about the process being more important than the
job. Every home, school, hospital built or skill taught is extremely important
in impoverished nations but if you’re not present, if you don’t accompany the
people and if you don’t take the time to make real friends (not based on being
the giver and them the receiver) along the way, you’ve missed one of the great
gifts God gives us when He calls us to serve. It’s the gift of giving and
receiving, not of tangible assets but of ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“As we begin to strip ourselves of false securities, finding
in God our true and only identity, daring to be open and vulnerable to each
other, we’ll begin to live as pilgrims on a journey, discovering the God of
surprises who leads us into roads which we have not travelled and we’ll find true
companions on the way.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quote – Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomas y Dianna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-82022289910129841952013-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:002013-07-22T09:30:03.241-07:00La Quinceanera
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Saturday
July 6, 2013 we had the great honor of attending the Quinceanera of Diane
Vanessa Marquez Reyes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The translation is
“One whom is fifteen” but culturally it means so much more. It is an Aztec
Tradition that dates back to 500 B.C. and commemorates a young girl leaving her
childhood behind and becoming a young adult. My friends and family who read
this might think young adult at 15?? From what we’ve witnessed in El Maizal, it’s
not rushed it’s very necessary. Both boys and girls grow up very fast because
of the work and responsibilities they must take on to help their families
survive and get by day to day. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXK5s57LcyRgCtA548_xL8eDHAX0yyLGuc-uJUDFx9nUURA2327xBPobKHYgCjCTw27Q1i5EJKm-vL_k5INEWaXGtRbAoClk5zkOyXTSFlguW5lenXvoCHSOaN_rg2At5pkpXvn5GDXw/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXK5s57LcyRgCtA548_xL8eDHAX0yyLGuc-uJUDFx9nUURA2327xBPobKHYgCjCTw27Q1i5EJKm-vL_k5INEWaXGtRbAoClk5zkOyXTSFlguW5lenXvoCHSOaN_rg2At5pkpXvn5GDXw/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Invitation as presented</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozfa8UvQAdb0_eSR-fKT1T3LnYN9oEhsc9pRiV42o4nNTImPYsH4ij8RuU_vAYMGyy5KGK6fDnd4HTQNpI7DtyESxD9UaNvyzPKjeDchOwOfVJ8_cU6PqO6swlXNYPMB4UUu86gG0WyA/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozfa8UvQAdb0_eSR-fKT1T3LnYN9oEhsc9pRiV42o4nNTImPYsH4ij8RuU_vAYMGyy5KGK6fDnd4HTQNpI7DtyESxD9UaNvyzPKjeDchOwOfVJ8_cU6PqO6swlXNYPMB4UUu86gG0WyA/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The invitation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me back
up to the Estudia Biblia that was held at Diane parents’ house when we were
invited. Just before we left she gave us a beautiful invitation and our Deacon
explained to us that the family and young girl were inviting us to the
Quinceanera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diane was smiling ear to
ear as she gave it to us with her parents standing behind her. It was just a
sweet, sweet moment for us to be included like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Wednesday and the celebration was
Saturday. We scrambled for a gift, card and gift box (there’s no CVS or Mall
nearby as you might imagine).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianne was
able to put together a gift of perfume, cross turquoise earnings in a gold box,
I printed a card off the internet and we were good to go. The cross earnings
were a great idea by Dianne because the religious part of the celebration is
very important to the family. Gifts of a religious nature are always a good
idea at a Quinceanera’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1ZYzd7gR5IQ25g9bmbHye3v9SEykLs3jSbfVvAqu4nMYRVpenvGJNA5skDLQBZEo3-e282IIy8v-gfLCWJUg8nFcomPj7-01kkMB1V33nVk3ljag1-IqaDdxY0gfRDayz4D6Myl1728/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1ZYzd7gR5IQ25g9bmbHye3v9SEykLs3jSbfVvAqu4nMYRVpenvGJNA5skDLQBZEo3-e282IIy8v-gfLCWJUg8nFcomPj7-01kkMB1V33nVk3ljag1-IqaDdxY0gfRDayz4D6Myl1728/s320/041.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrX3RP3ugSHjGdwxPCO1Oz16ULMubk_Lq0hc_OSWJp-V7pc1w8fMU5SNSOikoDx1Wwca4ysnwQpBB-ItCluwTwuHkj6cBnFB0MOG9RTUCSqyV3BojS4geaJcw0P5lGQXACHT-t0xHnHpQ/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrX3RP3ugSHjGdwxPCO1Oz16ULMubk_Lq0hc_OSWJp-V7pc1w8fMU5SNSOikoDx1Wwca4ysnwQpBB-ItCluwTwuHkj6cBnFB0MOG9RTUCSqyV3BojS4geaJcw0P5lGQXACHT-t0xHnHpQ/s320/042.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Saturday
the Church service started at 4 PM (OK, closer to 4:45 but we’re kind of
getting used to hanging around). As we walked to the church we saw that its
entrance was decorated with woven palms around the entrance way and inside
bunches of purple balloons adorned the windows and pews. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was very
beautiful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZpCjmLxCsK3qo3BCPKU1eVV9zfjjMW_zgPmlJZD8Ewfp18ynuc4163FKsYRG2QXTVjY_d59PzeQ0tA_4C7QAUMJRQCmz7dMzytGS7QIagbmqj-gPS7CqSDjiht6bxigcQfI34pp-ih4/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZpCjmLxCsK3qo3BCPKU1eVV9zfjjMW_zgPmlJZD8Ewfp18ynuc4163FKsYRG2QXTVjY_d59PzeQ0tA_4C7QAUMJRQCmz7dMzytGS7QIagbmqj-gPS7CqSDjiht6bxigcQfI34pp-ih4/s320/043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvbMKPC5WpKxYpT1oTbHiWwlipZnyMvfQSwztGfjpQxCH2UMOABWXQlgvKULsPpE118QbRGTujvYtrc1WSJDGbx168Q7dH-ar_zplg-4BJos3v9qp42qkayKbbxZ8riw2FIG_e867JqA/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvbMKPC5WpKxYpT1oTbHiWwlipZnyMvfQSwztGfjpQxCH2UMOABWXQlgvKULsPpE118QbRGTujvYtrc1WSJDGbx168Q7dH-ar_zplg-4BJos3v9qp42qkayKbbxZ8riw2FIG_e867JqA/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwbHbCpoKr5ilEeDtZg-afOhBWYxMx0QMSpo9GiOSoEbTDhIInjkEjfNRntF9Bukqm50QDP0-tFx_mbBLY3WnV3zQCIAfkn_8F5ILphHAFFCZ6aKZxvM0HJlE23TUmy8bn0m5MW2docM/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwbHbCpoKr5ilEeDtZg-afOhBWYxMx0QMSpo9GiOSoEbTDhIInjkEjfNRntF9Bukqm50QDP0-tFx_mbBLY3WnV3zQCIAfkn_8F5ILphHAFFCZ6aKZxvM0HJlE23TUmy8bn0m5MW2docM/s320/045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The church
slowly but surely filled and additional chairs were brought in to accommodate
the overflowing crowd. There was a commotion outside and Fr. Mario explained
that the march was starting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The march
is much like a wedding march, there’s 2 young girls who lead the march (just
days before I was playing baseball with them, today they looked like princesa’s),
followed by a little boy dressed in an ornate white and gold uniform with a
matching hat. A court of honor made up of 8 couples was next. Then there was
the Quineanera and her proud father. The girls were in lovely purple and lavender
dress’s with their hair done the same way. The boys were in black slacks, black
vests and purple shirts. They were very charming looking. You may have figured
out that purple was her color theme.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvASne1raUOVKjkqcKaRxjYjCAz86sR5X-G2AkDZVfBPqQwethdlYajlbdTQ2f0mR_eGKarPKy_zpeOrxctyjBHxaHOq8LHcO8S5XxUSfZOZBWJw755y0gUaiE30_vFXNCLj2Nkw0U2o/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvASne1raUOVKjkqcKaRxjYjCAz86sR5X-G2AkDZVfBPqQwethdlYajlbdTQ2f0mR_eGKarPKy_zpeOrxctyjBHxaHOq8LHcO8S5XxUSfZOZBWJw755y0gUaiE30_vFXNCLj2Nkw0U2o/s320/047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Court of Honor Arch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYmGBH8msEumRk60QIYaLwgQ0Q316NGi7oNLKM8UJ7mDikKavBcxPZNCNTP9gtMv8nhqyfr7wex5JBMSNR9j9rOol1u7A5d2xEDJoLnr4gEhkndpl-lHYTSXgmkIp3JSpAEBSI2KPuO8/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYmGBH8msEumRk60QIYaLwgQ0Q316NGi7oNLKM8UJ7mDikKavBcxPZNCNTP9gtMv8nhqyfr7wex5JBMSNR9j9rOol1u7A5d2xEDJoLnr4gEhkndpl-lHYTSXgmkIp3JSpAEBSI2KPuO8/s320/051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinceanera Blessing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99cR1AzYeDhNw1FexLhJQWoT6Sa-9rPX0ADVoN8Z4VNs5KWnbYv6ODHhKBbWFuFfT1tbV3mj3C5SCr9-ED_pO5KWMnuwyi3GE3fZz5mqAHaVDqkND965DOMIrkl6ererL16VBwPLAEq8/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99cR1AzYeDhNw1FexLhJQWoT6Sa-9rPX0ADVoN8Z4VNs5KWnbYv6ODHhKBbWFuFfT1tbV3mj3C5SCr9-ED_pO5KWMnuwyi3GE3fZz5mqAHaVDqkND965DOMIrkl6ererL16VBwPLAEq8/s320/052.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmX0_JpgYwkA8rfqCDqbm-0N_KdOvS1GvBXtUXMnciZFqQFzp1jWFQ5y2gvyUUxrC10xe6SFtOrTRDj9DoxjSNMqbvxSxncaPgTVgo32bovrOgUm5SPW3s3FVy_eLUvj7d0S0uiwoFG8/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmX0_JpgYwkA8rfqCDqbm-0N_KdOvS1GvBXtUXMnciZFqQFzp1jWFQ5y2gvyUUxrC10xe6SFtOrTRDj9DoxjSNMqbvxSxncaPgTVgo32bovrOgUm5SPW3s3FVy_eLUvj7d0S0uiwoFG8/s320/054.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOY3n4m7SZYniLvIYChEq1zy7vWW6xoYkIAN7-Q4yLWisnPA6cCpJ6-rLHvnm3SmJj1zINTjgFf2FQbEDVWqhHg5G3rfLRMCcj5M6N6zPCCBzVx3Zqog_yi-VACwKt_QzRPyRB5RgMmQ/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOY3n4m7SZYniLvIYChEq1zy7vWW6xoYkIAN7-Q4yLWisnPA6cCpJ6-rLHvnm3SmJj1zINTjgFf2FQbEDVWqhHg5G3rfLRMCcj5M6N6zPCCBzVx3Zqog_yi-VACwKt_QzRPyRB5RgMmQ/s320/057.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_43ggt2sSHRjdvtpFx5gvGJi9Ek94SGzW50q8eGaUn340XbrqJXYWaW_e6Qrlh-umgvCyBoZQCnZVtgdY2V3-Q1nuuDkIFvrAgN7EDBW-x7l54zezN8oP8yC54zdupPo2hUmaR1vI98/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_43ggt2sSHRjdvtpFx5gvGJi9Ek94SGzW50q8eGaUn340XbrqJXYWaW_e6Qrlh-umgvCyBoZQCnZVtgdY2V3-Q1nuuDkIFvrAgN7EDBW-x7l54zezN8oP8yC54zdupPo2hUmaR1vI98/s320/056.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The honor
court entered the church 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> and with extended arms they created and
arch that the Quinceanera and her father walked through. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the service they are seated in the
middle aisle with her in a special chair of honor. How cute that like a bride
our Quince (short for Quineanera) needs help with her gown to sit because of
its fullness. As the service progress’s there are various stages related to the
traditions of the celebrations. To start the service there is a specific
blessing for her performed by the priest. One of the lessons is read by
Quineanera and the sermon is about the importance of her moving from childhood
into being a young woman. At the end of the Offertory the Quinceanera and her father
approach the alter and we all watch as she takes 15 one dollar coins from her father’s
hand and places them into the basket one at a time as the lay person counts
them off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before the end of the
ceremony her Godmother approaches the altar and presents a ring to the
Quinceanera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ring represents the
circle of life and how she is now moving into womanhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end they file out much like one of our
marriage ceremonies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this is done
in a very tasteful and respectful way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
should mention that the entire event was being filmed by a photographer that
the family had hired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l2EtXq80-xFzmERVE96RZ5iZJP10xhPYCi1ID3qS5AeXJQJGOzj_BTHWKQGqVYIStbOmWHReWSakLgbjJktYegMc4qvJheaInRx2AO5UWiCIECF8Ccmw8g7b8VnirrWV0bxa3MWx_R0/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l2EtXq80-xFzmERVE96RZ5iZJP10xhPYCi1ID3qS5AeXJQJGOzj_BTHWKQGqVYIStbOmWHReWSakLgbjJktYegMc4qvJheaInRx2AO5UWiCIECF8Ccmw8g7b8VnirrWV0bxa3MWx_R0/s320/064.JPG" width="274" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Following
the service there was the traditional photo op’s with Padre Mario, her many
family members and friends. People milled around snapping pictures, smiling and
talking. It’s such a happy event for everyone. After the pictures the parents
had made arrangements for all of us to board a bus and bring us to a restaurant
where the reception would take place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-TNV_lDIUuYKo34UhImHr0bgWTZyrp3wBJogoIXLWrhis0M34DQ4k5l6tEnf93dTzHi_tslDm6dwfGFgAa0CrVod21bbreQTFmnX-WbDmvKyZSBfR-jnJwgHUG9q-0BOTKtHu1v704A/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-TNV_lDIUuYKo34UhImHr0bgWTZyrp3wBJogoIXLWrhis0M34DQ4k5l6tEnf93dTzHi_tslDm6dwfGFgAa0CrVod21bbreQTFmnX-WbDmvKyZSBfR-jnJwgHUG9q-0BOTKtHu1v704A/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we
arrived people milled about and slowly filed in. The restaurant was decorated
in, you guessed it, purple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
several mirror balls with colored lights reflecting off them and there was a
DJ. We sat at long tables with beautiful handmade centerpieces whose colors
matched her dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUyy1SHDnpnJ2bjdkmXzzqTDVLlv5KYgaAUIPAxNcr4LbB3HSDoqe02yaOhAmZUGshUVCW3H3wNn3b9wjHwEg2a02XY9Uk39Zf5RCG0_c4CfX8BHzYLPs-xwxy8Z_wjE9Qv1BaU39Ses/s1600/069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUyy1SHDnpnJ2bjdkmXzzqTDVLlv5KYgaAUIPAxNcr4LbB3HSDoqe02yaOhAmZUGshUVCW3H3wNn3b9wjHwEg2a02XY9Uk39Zf5RCG0_c4CfX8BHzYLPs-xwxy8Z_wjE9Qv1BaU39Ses/s320/069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The moment
arrived and our Quinceanera was ready to enter the hall. Her court came in 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
and she followed with her father. A short speech was made by her father and the
DJ (I apologize but I don’t have the translation) and what came next we all
would recognize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was the father of
the Quinceanera dance. It was tender moment to witness and most people in attendance
surrounded the dance floor to watch. After it was done we all took our seats
and awaited a wonderful meal. It started with soup and a meal of marinated
chicken breast, tortillas, arroz (rice) and a steamed mix of vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a delicious meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkb2cBHc3SKXA_pD9RsczxHiKmtK8xL9MbH-auUInXThci429uo2KmgfPz2XkfrY2GtN40F8f-wMYJ2QvIzNyrbHAoGYzej6MMjQp_kZZvweN9qIJVnR3JtdrvXIowyMJVqz6s20NCMk/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkb2cBHc3SKXA_pD9RsczxHiKmtK8xL9MbH-auUInXThci429uo2KmgfPz2XkfrY2GtN40F8f-wMYJ2QvIzNyrbHAoGYzej6MMjQp_kZZvweN9qIJVnR3JtdrvXIowyMJVqz6s20NCMk/s320/070.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLhulj9rXSlfFbVFpOGYNlnP7Y6mEodPtTEjYlkcH5WD_RdPNJzqye2zs8YUfk2zszvz7MNUVz1zGBqKQHtqR9PQTG3swP1AZ40qaVIngBgzTiTrV5mZTbBTfonNvQMcnUKD6GhbORNs/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLhulj9rXSlfFbVFpOGYNlnP7Y6mEodPtTEjYlkcH5WD_RdPNJzqye2zs8YUfk2zszvz7MNUVz1zGBqKQHtqR9PQTG3swP1AZ40qaVIngBgzTiTrV5mZTbBTfonNvQMcnUKD6GhbORNs/s320/076.JPG" width="294" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVENnLdFFeMvIuADhMXDLJFOxhFEph5JYuKkxw7VK85-qUyFv4CzuC9oVAUHcF0yDGxu31l-E0QErXLe2NawRat7wNRiQRZxEYFcYUyeXA-1ir3ulSCUnNlCQY-hxdfHmE4tKamgMKZlk/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVENnLdFFeMvIuADhMXDLJFOxhFEph5JYuKkxw7VK85-qUyFv4CzuC9oVAUHcF0yDGxu31l-E0QErXLe2NawRat7wNRiQRZxEYFcYUyeXA-1ir3ulSCUnNlCQY-hxdfHmE4tKamgMKZlk/s320/078.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon after
the meal the festivities increased in momentum as there was still much to do in
the remainder of the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
tradition that the Quinceanera and her court hold several choreographed dances
to mark the importance of the occasion, which they performed. They were
practicing these for a few weeks in our community. What followed was a phone
call that was fed in over the speakers from a relative who couldn’t attend,
from the Quince’s tearful reaction it was obviously someone very important to her,
it was a moving moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dancing for everyone
ensued but was then interrupted by another special moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone left the dance floor and again it
was surrounded by onlookers as her father presented her with a large
Quinceanera doll. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is dressed like our
Quinceanera and it represents her last gift as a little girl as she enters the
next phase of life as a young woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
idea is reinforced by the additional tradition of her giving this doll to one
of her younger sisters representing her leaving her childhood toys behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a powerful moment to watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvUEn5WHWNs1f3SQ5Gr36__lpA6S4_OWrs2ogVs6hnLv8CWOOzbs00HfMBKkY7gmcTQyynsF3xm_l-ueE7pgetDj26mSxMCUUCYv5NF_5n_m_KQ6ZFrAdGtvYwntL1Dbd5tHJ-4ym5mo/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvUEn5WHWNs1f3SQ5Gr36__lpA6S4_OWrs2ogVs6hnLv8CWOOzbs00HfMBKkY7gmcTQyynsF3xm_l-ueE7pgetDj26mSxMCUUCYv5NF_5n_m_KQ6ZFrAdGtvYwntL1Dbd5tHJ-4ym5mo/s320/068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL2gsuZS4tKNi9_Yl8uUxuWCxGpJTPS5Pne2cBK3p8QMBbxL4f7aWqviw96YHsjuaAegY5GtGhXhS_neAvBIJAQ9TAfKEsog0EQOnK_UP6DybxVcwOGAvL1b1bTuaKd_hJH76kfbdXMs/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL2gsuZS4tKNi9_Yl8uUxuWCxGpJTPS5Pne2cBK3p8QMBbxL4f7aWqviw96YHsjuaAegY5GtGhXhS_neAvBIJAQ9TAfKEsog0EQOnK_UP6DybxVcwOGAvL1b1bTuaKd_hJH76kfbdXMs/s320/079.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was now
time for the cutting of the cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
father made a small speech and the Quinceanera and her escort for the evening
approached the cake, stopped for the necessary photos and then cut to the cake
to our applause. It was a beautifully decorated cake and was delicious as well.
The last tradition was a formal toast of only the Court of Honor, the
Quineanera and her escort as we all looked on. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
remainder of the evening was for dancing and a great time was had by all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTqPthopl6_O0ebrd1JRM3ClMILMs_9_Fmykb5dE610don1q2vB7KAjhpOD5k-3Ce9RnHVy4TjoyBi5t42SU9_fs0Sl5xzyd-0QuJ2xpUrAJP0YOchRzknQAb5mSYP6fjmRC-vAeopa4/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTqPthopl6_O0ebrd1JRM3ClMILMs_9_Fmykb5dE610don1q2vB7KAjhpOD5k-3Ce9RnHVy4TjoyBi5t42SU9_fs0Sl5xzyd-0QuJ2xpUrAJP0YOchRzknQAb5mSYP6fjmRC-vAeopa4/s320/072.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-A9_OQCs5V0SVktqBguZDJ8zLCT8RocF5vwQVOqjWTAdm7FueKAU4e0uz_FOLl8zvezX_CDDt9qBd2JTeD1_TiWUEOCqlkGi0arQ6ysvc5R_-5hKCp97pcMPkFbMc9B0LpJdCshQZZY/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-A9_OQCs5V0SVktqBguZDJ8zLCT8RocF5vwQVOqjWTAdm7FueKAU4e0uz_FOLl8zvezX_CDDt9qBd2JTeD1_TiWUEOCqlkGi0arQ6ysvc5R_-5hKCp97pcMPkFbMc9B0LpJdCshQZZY/s320/073.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI9I0u3tEW-BFc4MDpa4F5x7FGU35Wk7Mnf686AxkNLS7CwmjOL45RvwPgTefDEzWsrpIRADcgdyRPh2hJXShBfqhbdp64k42FWcgYFGkfwIy-_KkVl0m_RBdxuH7iNZpxsqjVXtBmrw/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI9I0u3tEW-BFc4MDpa4F5x7FGU35Wk7Mnf686AxkNLS7CwmjOL45RvwPgTefDEzWsrpIRADcgdyRPh2hJXShBfqhbdp64k42FWcgYFGkfwIy-_KkVl0m_RBdxuH7iNZpxsqjVXtBmrw/s320/074.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was an
evening of new experiences for Dianne and I but also one touching moment after
another. I looked at the other Fathers and soon to be Quinceanera’s and
wondered what tender thoughts of the future were in their minds. I smiled to
myself when I saw the Father of the Quince laughing and joking with his Futbol
buddies who sat at our table. How many Moms out there can sympathize with her
mom. The event much like our weddings can focus on the Dad when it’s been the mom
planning this moment for months and probably years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes as we enter and experience different cultures we can focus on our differences. Not because we are judging but because it's easy to see the differences; like language, dress, food and rituals but as a Rector I know used to say, we need to dig deeper. The Quinceanera showed us we are all very much the same when it comes Loving God, our families, friends and maintaining our traditions. When we combine all four no matter where we live, we become one with our brothers and sisters in Christ no matter where they live.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In honor of Diane
Vanessa Marquez Reyes;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span>BCP - Prayers for Young Persons</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God our
Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world:
Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that
following you is better than chasing after selfish goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help them to take failure, not as a measure
of their worth, but as a chance for a new start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give them strength to hold their faith in
you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless
you Diane<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomas y
Dianna</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-10394621157205653302013-07-07T07:18:00.002-07:002013-07-07T07:18:55.349-07:00There and back in 3 weeks
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we are just returned from a 3 week visit to Los Estados
Unidos. One week visiting our family, friends and St Francis Church in Holden,
MA. Then we spent 2 weeks in Missionary training at the Stony Point Conference
Center in Stony Point NY, along the Hudson River just north of NYC.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUjzVpXTyPMvJIpbIJ-rVo7XWrqZrRdMXNsK_Jb8pY_VvBXP0Mxe9QLY7V399DSG6cIp4zK76eVuLKDo8RDMHdscGEZU6WddIUNXeiItppymMvNpxzxdJnLRRRyj5XEFu3TpwqXKwHg8/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUjzVpXTyPMvJIpbIJ-rVo7XWrqZrRdMXNsK_Jb8pY_VvBXP0Mxe9QLY7V399DSG6cIp4zK76eVuLKDo8RDMHdscGEZU6WddIUNXeiItppymMvNpxzxdJnLRRRyj5XEFu3TpwqXKwHg8/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ-UfP7iEr-LQROp0CPf9se9AlJymPXcCsuVdE94AuH1AnQ1ByU9mYg2Cu3jb2lFsybnThd7CigRfBNaDaX48eYuB_wVuZftzDK440dbltgbvtG_KeWiwYuTTQiyqSyPLEcjrvLgD5wQ/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ-UfP7iEr-LQROp0CPf9se9AlJymPXcCsuVdE94AuH1AnQ1ByU9mYg2Cu3jb2lFsybnThd7CigRfBNaDaX48eYuB_wVuZftzDK440dbltgbvtG_KeWiwYuTTQiyqSyPLEcjrvLgD5wQ/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhQq6GLkvmWW-PU5nimqTtM7MFW3CRTZ8ujJgvrTjoydoKyRvQK3BMjQ0M7KZEIcy3IamJlBxsMmGbpZ0Gyv4izOADfkbQ0S1Xo942Dv2v0EuaOzDZ3W_1xLWsT_KCmtPhdtetxYH1Ww/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhQq6GLkvmWW-PU5nimqTtM7MFW3CRTZ8ujJgvrTjoydoKyRvQK3BMjQ0M7KZEIcy3IamJlBxsMmGbpZ0Gyv4izOADfkbQ0S1Xo942Dv2v0EuaOzDZ3W_1xLWsT_KCmtPhdtetxYH1Ww/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtcsk5KF_UmRDPx_31CkoEKz4rf3l5oMDOZi-tA_kSS-pl99UIHKNWz6yRgbrkMwVwQ1pWxfN5DGbdvg1R6q6xZmnlxr70ygB210I_NcUYvgQ1dK3tddi4rPVUvm3aQ8BU9_sXIVWYzg/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtcsk5KF_UmRDPx_31CkoEKz4rf3l5oMDOZi-tA_kSS-pl99UIHKNWz6yRgbrkMwVwQ1pWxfN5DGbdvg1R6q6xZmnlxr70ygB210I_NcUYvgQ1dK3tddi4rPVUvm3aQ8BU9_sXIVWYzg/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where does the time go is the perfect phrase to show the
differences between our home culture of the U.S.A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the one we now call home, El Salvador. As
much as we loved seeing our family and friends, everything seemed rapido,
rapido rapido (fast, fast, fast with a touch of stress).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is in no way a criticism but just a
statement of fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to fit into
peoples schedules to see us, in official meetings we had a set amount of time
with people and the clock had more importance than what we had experienced in
the previous 3 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as we had
time to relax the increased speed of life made it hard to relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching the clock entered our lives again
and I’m not sure we liked it that much. Not that we don’t have schedules aqui
(here) in El Salvador but there’s a sense of suave (soft, smooth, tranquil, all
right, fine) in our life here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless of increased speed there’s also an increased appreciation of
seeing those we hold dear. We had a wonderful time with them all. Dianne and
the girls had a nails day together, I sang Karaoke with mi nieta
(granddaughter), fished with mi yerno (my son in law) and debated with my
favorite Republican, my son Phillip. As I write this, we still and will always
miss them every day as we serve so far away. Above are pictures of a Bar-B-Q we
all enjoyed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3T81_v6oHLytUwlSTESuFB9IoNmfyLaLII4ws8CR2ONqLhJ7kyPqZJCllNbPaemWB79QCXEL7MmvZHCU6V9Am1Ra_QUbtzoG83EWQW6l-3LDdMwQMqtHyka_Xb9qwJPLc3_4BpRl_vc/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3T81_v6oHLytUwlSTESuFB9IoNmfyLaLII4ws8CR2ONqLhJ7kyPqZJCllNbPaemWB79QCXEL7MmvZHCU6V9Am1Ra_QUbtzoG83EWQW6l-3LDdMwQMqtHyka_Xb9qwJPLc3_4BpRl_vc/s320/IMG_4473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_47h3KYBMr2gpQfOVNZUcPYxsdQGZxc33VPfsSF6rbCrJBN_DJKDWzlgIFYzFHq3SGc7PNHd1LMFX9ZurhO91YsG7A3MmXRmcs8O0Od2VraJIcVgfgGFbv-Sac2rG5wWovW7S8HHO-ys/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_47h3KYBMr2gpQfOVNZUcPYxsdQGZxc33VPfsSF6rbCrJBN_DJKDWzlgIFYzFHq3SGc7PNHd1LMFX9ZurhO91YsG7A3MmXRmcs8O0Od2VraJIcVgfgGFbv-Sac2rG5wWovW7S8HHO-ys/s320/DSC_0187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y7hrvpurEv-OsowBwPWHwjyOHgJl83O2sWXlD2d3wWxKzPrm7vJApHlAZKrHOWane-CD9jQccg9hxyQdDblDf0LV1sdBetevn8tqGq6ZP9DDTBdDkm7-_ckA4XMGoH7UHGXsChGlULY/s1600/DSC_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y7hrvpurEv-OsowBwPWHwjyOHgJl83O2sWXlD2d3wWxKzPrm7vJApHlAZKrHOWane-CD9jQccg9hxyQdDblDf0LV1sdBetevn8tqGq6ZP9DDTBdDkm7-_ckA4XMGoH7UHGXsChGlULY/s320/DSC_0280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uy-eADm62lwdNJ4of-Z-Ty52K86frIqmCgPqbseQrFTuiW-TUm4ia1dCocEwy3g57Bzsfs41Nxhx8dVD1hTsawsBg-6RjlePB1zKIstu3U1uvcB0NAskjpwTJz4Mci7q2ASzFZ5Cm9k/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uy-eADm62lwdNJ4of-Z-Ty52K86frIqmCgPqbseQrFTuiW-TUm4ia1dCocEwy3g57Bzsfs41Nxhx8dVD1hTsawsBg-6RjlePB1zKIstu3U1uvcB0NAskjpwTJz4Mci7q2ASzFZ5Cm9k/s320/DSC_0258.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
The week with our family ended much too soon and we found
ourselves in Stony Point, NY at a Missionary training conference with approx.
21 other missionaries 90% of them half our ages, more on that later. I’ll be
honest Dianne and I had hoped we could avoid this conference since we had
already been serving in El Salvador. Luckily the Lord and our Jefe (Boss)
Father David Copley felt differently. We regret feeling that way as it truly
would have been our loss if we didn’t attend. The presenters and content was
very good. In my opinion it was a mix of lectures (50%) and group
discussions/activities (50%). This mix made the time go by smoothly and
promoted good discussions and allowed for relationship building for all
involved. The young adults were YASC members (Young Adult Service Corp) of the
Episcopal Church <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/young-adult-service-corps"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/young-adult-service-corps</span></a>.
AKA, Yascers. They are just like lots of young people in their early to mid-20’s,
with one major difference. They are giving up one year of their lives to serve
God and his Church abroad in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How appropriate that this Sunday we will hear the story of the 70 being
sent out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Yascers Diaspora will span
from Japan to the Philippines, Haiti to Hong Kong, South Africa to Honduras,
Korea to Tanzania and from El Salvador to Panama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I missed a destination, forgive me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conference allowed us to meet the Yascers
who’ll be serving near us and plans are underway for a Christmas get together
in El Maizal, they are our missionary kids. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are young men and women of deep faith,
high intelligence and driven to attempt great things in strength and courage
with gladness and singleness of heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were an inspiring group and shed a
different light on mission that I previously didn’t see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Now we are back and will be in it for the long haul. We
won’t be returning till late summer of 2014. It’s a little more exciting now
because the previous 3 months got our feet wet and we really only had 4 weeks
with our community of El Maizal. We had just started ESL classes and these 3
weeks away allowed us to look at what we were doing and tweak it a bit to make
it better for our students and us. Our struggles with learning Espanol will
slowly subside as our involvement in the community naturally increases. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our missionary training and experiences at the
conference also reinforced things we knew and brought to light to things we
need to remember as we continue this path.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
For all Missionaries,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are
few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his
harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TzBH72vuucXD9TZsGKaLsDK82nhLN5bkrkGYtVkrpH_S8xfoQjrZo9OKRHQWgAmPlcVvA-NwjtF5WqeIwdKo87GuXBUMEKaPTGRYl5NfAYmQ-Xi7nMCKHH6ea80npWqKoLMoUV6u4-g/s1600/James_Tissot_Christ_sending_out_the_seventy_disciples_two_by_two_525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TzBH72vuucXD9TZsGKaLsDK82nhLN5bkrkGYtVkrpH_S8xfoQjrZo9OKRHQWgAmPlcVvA-NwjtF5WqeIwdKo87GuXBUMEKaPTGRYl5NfAYmQ-Xi7nMCKHH6ea80npWqKoLMoUV6u4-g/s320/James_Tissot_Christ_sending_out_the_seventy_disciples_two_by_two_525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Salu<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Tom & Dianne<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-8765769189879527052013-07-03T14:11:00.002-07:002013-07-03T14:11:25.091-07:00Happy Mother’s and Father’s Day from El Maizal (belatedly)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqR1748gSi0rX8JPN1wLr2yrYBnwq3P7DTj2PWonSJnQcq4bFw2A20EtLWdDMFHAgy3rUpu-MWYoi7zE6Ue9YbXtEE4psrbOvyr83TUe-s60uxxsABxhX0mHRKFmywOM3vHgBykAAJ9A/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqR1748gSi0rX8JPN1wLr2yrYBnwq3P7DTj2PWonSJnQcq4bFw2A20EtLWdDMFHAgy3rUpu-MWYoi7zE6Ue9YbXtEE4psrbOvyr83TUe-s60uxxsABxhX0mHRKFmywOM3vHgBykAAJ9A/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome Dear Mothers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhsWToV1E6uyxlZDEp1pBKy8Q4H-lmvHluGPyiD7iqacG52R-4mCLM9cU-_AtA5vPX_zaSY9qnGXLc8j6hfDWYP6H10I96tWjy1_rmzhXG0Z8C8Jc0_S5xuyAmu0_VD1UU5HvEwUhtdg/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhsWToV1E6uyxlZDEp1pBKy8Q4H-lmvHluGPyiD7iqacG52R-4mCLM9cU-_AtA5vPX_zaSY9qnGXLc8j6hfDWYP6H10I96tWjy1_rmzhXG0Z8C8Jc0_S5xuyAmu0_VD1UU5HvEwUhtdg/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A heartfelt serenade to the Moms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1UxjgNcY_0dKuKs1Hj-THnr-H00XI2xi8Oh-5crViKz6N-cgCLRt_rxVCgt3WR8WqN4JofXSKZ3yBS-dJe29T9oY-MeB-CGLO1RkujoGYtvsHE2I8soGKNxReaI5rD37iNd4h7oJlvY/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1UxjgNcY_0dKuKs1Hj-THnr-H00XI2xi8Oh-5crViKz6N-cgCLRt_rxVCgt3WR8WqN4JofXSKZ3yBS-dJe29T9oY-MeB-CGLO1RkujoGYtvsHE2I8soGKNxReaI5rD37iNd4h7oJlvY/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangnam Style at Mothers Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xP5FikWwBBdgAOhv5zaxtZIzsMYAFxfzVoivsCUIvd4FH5MxoNUDB_T7IPjkCjb7LbQgCJJ2lePopNC73RrzmcnLvjk5Xaddn_olX2hpAciWeCG8Oubjq6XZ3F6E7c9y4DWHANoA9Wk/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xP5FikWwBBdgAOhv5zaxtZIzsMYAFxfzVoivsCUIvd4FH5MxoNUDB_T7IPjkCjb7LbQgCJJ2lePopNC73RrzmcnLvjk5Xaddn_olX2hpAciWeCG8Oubjq6XZ3F6E7c9y4DWHANoA9Wk/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Dads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzbcG9Wh0XBs_NSKyhIQFqloQVvG8ydpTOqxbUHTTJN8y2G8yG71WU-IGyBfMLkuV1Xop4NVvKWwY2m6vrrg2x2wdyJVH4DwEoWt0fKaTBdsuMk9QbvFO1Pae3Vdy6r3zUmlJKmIYdTY/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzbcG9Wh0XBs_NSKyhIQFqloQVvG8ydpTOqxbUHTTJN8y2G8yG71WU-IGyBfMLkuV1Xop4NVvKWwY2m6vrrg2x2wdyJVH4DwEoWt0fKaTBdsuMk9QbvFO1Pae3Vdy6r3zUmlJKmIYdTY/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master of Ceremonies, Gloria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K5LGhMh0k94FxEsdcHHVz5yvIrpR69XYEi9k_d0klj3pqUxj6cnqoVX7j4jJZHUvaKCdB7Gfuj_w-qaRkh_LOnbtSESDBtpfiLiSMTJBzNhi3lxlcnqmnd1lp2GGWAourOKGqGvumiY/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K5LGhMh0k94FxEsdcHHVz5yvIrpR69XYEi9k_d0klj3pqUxj6cnqoVX7j4jJZHUvaKCdB7Gfuj_w-qaRkh_LOnbtSESDBtpfiLiSMTJBzNhi3lxlcnqmnd1lp2GGWAourOKGqGvumiY/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They danced better than us Dads who joined them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnXc24ADW2wzf1YvieLvzTDQ08ft_N_17sFrPKdWN5nIFJz-vew56sdv63kwAaN26GVZ6n5kiivyJWbFGKk-J2qBQoEW5yiEOqISxpEeYq3GCrsMY8aepkhDQE5BLxYvuf-ZEilhxmNY/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnXc24ADW2wzf1YvieLvzTDQ08ft_N_17sFrPKdWN5nIFJz-vew56sdv63kwAaN26GVZ6n5kiivyJWbFGKk-J2qBQoEW5yiEOqISxpEeYq3GCrsMY8aepkhDQE5BLxYvuf-ZEilhxmNY/s320/034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad for my 1st time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I apologize
for the lack of posting and communication. We spent the last 3 weeks in Los
Estados Unidos. One week with our family and 2 weeks at training for new
missionaries. Although Mothers and Father’s day have passed I wanted to share
these important community events with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Sunday
May 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and Saturday June 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> we celebrated Mothers and
Father’s day respectively. Yes Father’s day was early but the community knew of
my travels and planned it so I wouldn’t miss the fiesta. I said no but they
insisted and I was truly touched by their caring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These
celebrations are community wide and are a lot of fun. The agenda for both were
basically the same but with some twists. 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> of all the young girls
and the older girls display their baile talentos (dancing talents). They danced
to gangnam style, new kids on the block and Latin American favorites (I assume
they are favorites because adults and children knew the words). The girls enjoy
dancing and have confidence in front of groups of people. Its fun to watch them
dance and they appreciate the applause. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
just the ladies dance, we have a young man David who knows how to cut a rug. He
just turned 11 and knows that it’s all in the hips when it comes to Latin
American dancing. He also happens to be our tortilla delivery boy, his mother
sells us tortillas weekly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the
Mother’s day celebration the mujeres (ladies/women) had the pleasure of Deacon
Alfredo Lopez serenading them with a few songs. I knew enough Espanol to know
that the songs were about loving our mothers and our mother’s loving corazones
(hearts). He has a good voice and it was a touching moment to be part of. We
also had raffle drawings during the fiesta where all the ladies won a gift and
in some cases two. Dianne won a set of 4 drinking glasses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the
Father’s day fiesta they also had drawings and I was lucky enough to win a
coffee cup, drinking glass, shampoo and candies. Even though the ladies didn’t
sing for us they did have a few tricks up their sleeves. When the young ladies
danced, they danced into the crowd of dad’s and took a few of us onto the dance
floor to show our moves. Yes, I gladly danced even though I don’t have “the
moves like Jagger”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ladies also had
us play musical chairs for one of our drawings. I didn’t fare well in that one
but it was great fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At both
celebrations we had special ordered cakes that I believe were tres leche torta
(3 milk cake), very sweet, very moist and beautifully decorated. They were
delicious. Then the finale of each event was very special. We had piñatas for
both fiestas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These aren’t
the safety made piñatas that has you pull strings for safety sake (and
alleviates any fun). These are real piñatas that are hung from the ceiling with
ropes, the contestants are blindfolded and given a stick (I wouldn’t want to be
hit by this stick). When it starts the piñata is raised and lowered, as the
participant swings and everyone is yelling out instructions IZQUIERDO (left) or
DERECHO (right). The important safety tip is stay away from the participant
swinging. These aren’t light taps, these are swing for the fences swings meant
to break open the piñata.It’s chaotic and fun but the mayhem starts when the candy
drops. Children and adults dive into the scrum. Dianne and I wisely stayed to
the side picking up the odd piece of candy that bounced our direction. The kids
were so sweet because some came over and gave us a few pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To sum it
up, it was two great days of community revelry. The adults had fun, the kids
had fun and the sense of community for new members like Dianne and I, it’s
wonderful to witness and be part of. We all set up, we all party, we all take
down and then we talk about it for a few days. It’s a good reminder that when a
community lacks resources, you can’t overlook the best resource we have. That’s
the community and each other. A little food, music, dancing, each other and a
whole lot of love is all you need. As the song says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There's
nothing you can know that isn't known. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing you
can see that isn't shown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nowhere you
can be that isn't where you're meant to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you need is love, all you need is love, all
you need is love, love, love is all you need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lennon &
McCartney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We know this
is where we were meant to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom &
Dianne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-50729712118757228412013-05-24T11:51:00.000-07:002013-05-24T11:51:58.448-07:00Pentecost II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq5uxvdpCaxDVf9st0xS1E9TyXMtHpR0oDbH9dXiEj2OEeUx-EdQoyII7FSEHKQ-NtoS6eoLfT2HqOuTMpO_MS8OfQN_rFi0LeEjx5dfVlq7LZ4fVcwDXiFCehM148KBOlf81Tq7TkWM/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq5uxvdpCaxDVf9st0xS1E9TyXMtHpR0oDbH9dXiEj2OEeUx-EdQoyII7FSEHKQ-NtoS6eoLfT2HqOuTMpO_MS8OfQN_rFi0LeEjx5dfVlq7LZ4fVcwDXiFCehM148KBOlf81Tq7TkWM/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhED5xmCln5DTJh3vkP9SxpsChAYR24PytqpBtiH-thoSYN-igttaXG5WV75gWo1ZGZ_a3HqzLynShN9x_HRAiD_dfZWCJMYhq06zyAgfTc1FPEVJ1Y-vxL62DDpK5_gvPTaeEC6JrU5ZM/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhED5xmCln5DTJh3vkP9SxpsChAYR24PytqpBtiH-thoSYN-igttaXG5WV75gWo1ZGZ_a3HqzLynShN9x_HRAiD_dfZWCJMYhq06zyAgfTc1FPEVJ1Y-vxL62DDpK5_gvPTaeEC6JrU5ZM/s320/039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCc9VyKFtkm5GR7UqIJ57bHVa8F1vYghBv8WXqWieFP3fV5_JaaEvqU0_TIdwGV1y0mC4c9IbFpY-olSqadyQnPOqJMrRAiskx0GSgjj_9xBX_QBD0CFbYBxzh0EkNsnlMVg1pkaKuak/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCc9VyKFtkm5GR7UqIJ57bHVa8F1vYghBv8WXqWieFP3fV5_JaaEvqU0_TIdwGV1y0mC4c9IbFpY-olSqadyQnPOqJMrRAiskx0GSgjj_9xBX_QBD0CFbYBxzh0EkNsnlMVg1pkaKuak/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKS-URT9AFyRvRztISW3NVcCjXip_vGsN4ylifwLrdnsgs1K4rhMsBdNKqPkIKrJZoe2aKQlx9wqdsbVPoIEKYXb96jJ4a8auXn-aq1LOMCrKHqsEqRqfCgBZX6RuuPL7pTn0-W1_dN7g/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKS-URT9AFyRvRztISW3NVcCjXip_vGsN4ylifwLrdnsgs1K4rhMsBdNKqPkIKrJZoe2aKQlx9wqdsbVPoIEKYXb96jJ4a8auXn-aq1LOMCrKHqsEqRqfCgBZX6RuuPL7pTn0-W1_dN7g/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZw5VYFyznR-DfvHcO7c2l9iw8ROM6u_LKrHURgLMF7F2eui1QXqtg8ESjyioTgkO-jusY5RSKZnmribIGaku_wTSV4MESj-A51Q2DS4wi_u2Ve5qxVbSUk1Mf_du-V7nvQjwYsPpAv0/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZw5VYFyznR-DfvHcO7c2l9iw8ROM6u_LKrHURgLMF7F2eui1QXqtg8ESjyioTgkO-jusY5RSKZnmribIGaku_wTSV4MESj-A51Q2DS4wi_u2Ve5qxVbSUk1Mf_du-V7nvQjwYsPpAv0/s320/036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjFN60VgI7PuLbAap-WVZa6dCCJ_8DCFDtI9cd1MnVypx2pK2WSWwrgr_EPM8oTwxt2Eku-GTEOgRUkn37x79BnKXnazrys2yTfFalyxKYR1hz1khAxqxPYZTLds8QL4cgL9QAbPupDo/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjFN60VgI7PuLbAap-WVZa6dCCJ_8DCFDtI9cd1MnVypx2pK2WSWwrgr_EPM8oTwxt2Eku-GTEOgRUkn37x79BnKXnazrys2yTfFalyxKYR1hz1khAxqxPYZTLds8QL4cgL9QAbPupDo/s320/034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEkjlQX4K73FlPJJard6r7eIKtBDxc8-SncM-vB7dcNaV650MFJmNDRcoi2BVwwK0uBL6x4Balt1fXm3Dy4P4P1s7Vf4-mTVqo1nJirCdL9AH7dJAor8if2Q8rHIDeUWLbFGmZUMkyFY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEkjlQX4K73FlPJJard6r7eIKtBDxc8-SncM-vB7dcNaV650MFJmNDRcoi2BVwwK0uBL6x4Balt1fXm3Dy4P4P1s7Vf4-mTVqo1nJirCdL9AH7dJAor8if2Q8rHIDeUWLbFGmZUMkyFY/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pentecost II – English as a second language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had our 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> couple of Classes for adults and the
youth. We had 21 attending the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> class and 23 the 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>.
We also had our 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> Children’s class at the school. Because of a prior
commitment to attend a health checkup clinic many of the children could not
attend our class. Four could attend but what it lacked in numbers it made up in
enthusiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not sure who got more out of it, them or us. What I am
sure of is that there’s a lot more than learning English for them and learning Spanish
for us going on. Exactly what that is, well I can’t define it but I know it’s
all good. Maybe it’s Espiritu Santo (the Holy Spirit) in our midst. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile
speaks them all”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">---- Stephen King<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom & Dianne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-61197244332976194122013-05-21T19:33:00.002-07:002013-05-21T19:33:13.665-07:00Pentecost <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SgFZhLS_J5xhVQ4oNjAxBvN7h7o3lLRHShX1VcBNOqgfUjfNXrQBSE0Q2-m-4z5Q3z8J1Tjc06Dp6d7-3_nYx0aw5wQ4Oq3ZCHiw9p708wAby86mf4HhRww4JRzYCWfnMEi80_zI26k/s1600/pentecost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SgFZhLS_J5xhVQ4oNjAxBvN7h7o3lLRHShX1VcBNOqgfUjfNXrQBSE0Q2-m-4z5Q3z8J1Tjc06Dp6d7-3_nYx0aw5wQ4Oq3ZCHiw9p708wAby86mf4HhRww4JRzYCWfnMEi80_zI26k/s400/pentecost.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Pentecost
Blog, I know it’s kind of cliché. Dianne and I are in a foreign land, learning a
new language but here’s a funny short story. We went to Bible Study last
Miercoles (Wednesday) and one reading was Acts Chapt 2: 1-11 (Pentecost Story). Alfredo,
facilitates bible study by asking members what they think. Normally he has
Dianne or I read a text in Spanish or English to help us become part of the
group. Not this week, this week he asked other people questions they answered
and then he looked at me and said "que mas Tomas"? (what more, is the direct
translation but in this usage it’s “what else”) Gulp, OMG I don’t even know
what the other people said, what am I supposed to say so I blurted out “Yo
pienso, necesito el Espiritu Santo tambien”, I think I need the Holy Spirit
also”. I was relieved when everyone laughed because at least they understood me
and if you want to be part of a Bible Study Group, you can be scholarly but I
think funny is better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All kidding
aside we do need the Holy Spirit to help us with Espanol. I know we get help
every day from our Creator, just waking up healthy is gift enough, Dianne and I
know this. On some days we just feel plain old stupido (stupid). It’s tough not
knowing a language when we want to say and understand so much but you can’t
rush it. It takes time, practice, more time and more practice. I can speak
Espanol enough to communicate to a point but understanding it when it is spoken
to me is a totally different story, I freeze up. Dianne on the other hand doesn’t speak it
as well as me but she picks up on what they say to us, go figure. Thank God we
have each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight is
our 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> ESL (English as a second language) with the adults and
jovenes (youth) of the community. Our Schedule is Tuesday &Thursdays 6 PM
with adults and youth. Wednesday & Viernes (Friday) 1 PM with the K-3
children. We’re expecting at least 10 or more in the older group and probably
at least that many in the younger group. Everyone is very enthusiastic about
learning English knowing the opportunities it will provide them. We are excited
as well because now we’ll be interacting with many more of the community. At
the immersion school we attended one of the teachers reminded us, “we are all
learning, we are all teaching”. That will be our motto here in El Maizal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our method of teaching will be to introduce
common words and phrases in the beginning, while also reciting and writing
vocabulary for them to write down and study. We’ll also have constant review
that will require the usage of the English the students learned. We’ll do this
until we can have very simple talks about our community and our interests in
English. It’s how the immersion school did it and it makes sense to us. From
there you keep expanding the vocabulary, introduce verb conjugation, proper
grammar, better pronunciation, the alphabet and it all builds on itself. While
in class, little to no Espanol will be allowed. All the while they will be
learning how to help us learn more Espanol. It tends to be a lot of fun because
as teachers we’ll need to act out words, draw pictures and do whatever we have
to in order to answer their questions without using Espanol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The real
benefit won’t be any of us learning a language, although I know we all will.
The benefit will be that we’ll have to learn how to work together in order to
learn. It’ll be different cultures, different languages and different
backgrounds coming together. Can’t you just hear from Heaven that rushing
mighty wind filling our classroom where we sit. (For those not up on the
Pentecost story see Acts Chap. 2 verse 2).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to
finish by sharing a brief conversation I had with Bishop Barahona last year
when Dianne and I were still wondering if this was our call. I expressed to the
Obispo (Bishop) our concern that we don’t know the language. He said to me “Tom,
many people speak the same language but they don’t communicate, just
communicate the best you can and with God’s help it will be fine”, he was
right. We struggle mightily but we communicate and we wouldn’t want to serve
God any other way, any other place or speak any other language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomas y
Dianna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-19662391471615540562013-05-09T21:26:00.000-07:002013-05-10T12:16:43.761-07:002013 GEMN Conference, Bogota, Columbia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ_xRO1HIPya6XNKZJyZBSAGPdieifwh7tJ2mT2l7ev3ZRY5BpM59OGC8eHAI-gbCNxe0PkA0sKVCsr5YRR8yFqUXi1lLvYQ63tI2noj6yLqoXq6U1PBWgAbBOlXNvaPhESurV2C4490/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ_xRO1HIPya6XNKZJyZBSAGPdieifwh7tJ2mT2l7ev3ZRY5BpM59OGC8eHAI-gbCNxe0PkA0sKVCsr5YRR8yFqUXi1lLvYQ63tI2noj6yLqoXq6U1PBWgAbBOlXNvaPhESurV2C4490/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group at the Church of Divine Salvation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9OEhvik6HhOGMDR_CSVpPPxJQXwfF3pdn1hWdgv5jJfzJRgzN-JumBjh938u3imbPM6UdOcClsXLlSHxCuwfMHVFxBkcqvUkw9LInGdPKU0v6CNpupoJk8VDHCpaMtwS_tBXmeE3KrM/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9OEhvik6HhOGMDR_CSVpPPxJQXwfF3pdn1hWdgv5jJfzJRgzN-JumBjh938u3imbPM6UdOcClsXLlSHxCuwfMHVFxBkcqvUkw9LInGdPKU0v6CNpupoJk8VDHCpaMtwS_tBXmeE3KrM/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop Holguin Khoury livening up the crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dwE1s2ktELCWJq63IzOkB8Sdq0g-Rp5MHHara_3nH2mR6AYmPA_Y6tzv3cRgMc3mjjLXfekWyOv6GUzDrGcLbLT5XQxMstCkZpEVRuZU0uMct2XqibNkFzsHLYNyy2D4fTPmn0gAFv4/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dwE1s2ktELCWJq63IzOkB8Sdq0g-Rp5MHHara_3nH2mR6AYmPA_Y6tzv3cRgMc3mjjLXfekWyOv6GUzDrGcLbLT5XQxMstCkZpEVRuZU0uMct2XqibNkFzsHLYNyy2D4fTPmn0gAFv4/s320/040.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teacher is here and he calls you</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwmlCopnfHvDXXm3fFtdVQXDzgXg6ZzlW4wa6IyyN_lhxOT3GKq0aKOrQACm9O5dPFxbw84aYaS7VGIEkFCzOqx1Dlv20Guwf1pNj5cqpgxnbVSi4oWzvJqNflbcJILVrkbfGLIIoKuI/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwmlCopnfHvDXXm3fFtdVQXDzgXg6ZzlW4wa6IyyN_lhxOT3GKq0aKOrQACm9O5dPFxbw84aYaS7VGIEkFCzOqx1Dlv20Guwf1pNj5cqpgxnbVSi4oWzvJqNflbcJILVrkbfGLIIoKuI/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop WilfredoRamos (Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Connecticut) and Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrSpJXKdZGTMHnhdJiusaLmjGcjgLDl52APIIPBGryiT9ONH5rkfx-HBs59oQN0Iwe_qsICUxm9ShzgU5sylVgabAFkyE6W8_YWvfwn4dDeCAsekfEEXhyphenhyphenhb0aXp7cxnwP_vuq9y3xqY/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrSpJXKdZGTMHnhdJiusaLmjGcjgLDl52APIIPBGryiT9ONH5rkfx-HBs59oQN0Iwe_qsICUxm9ShzgU5sylVgabAFkyE6W8_YWvfwn4dDeCAsekfEEXhyphenhyphenhb0aXp7cxnwP_vuq9y3xqY/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group picture with the presiding Bishop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGhMobtmWzgQpVbBzNvzL6dv0NUX-5Q8zSg6ksDD7BqgWV4RuSlqNtHLGKkV3uC0qKOVFLdPvK43it19HmWm0qBipyOd9hssGVJU6JytpUNB_DOPcZhKmePDQszfVKquC3GnSX6TIPbg/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGhMobtmWzgQpVbBzNvzL6dv0NUX-5Q8zSg6ksDD7BqgWV4RuSlqNtHLGKkV3uC0qKOVFLdPvK43it19HmWm0qBipyOd9hssGVJU6JytpUNB_DOPcZhKmePDQszfVKquC3GnSX6TIPbg/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GEMN Board of Directors<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">We spent May 4</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> through the 11</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> at
the GEMN Conference in Bogota Columbia. GEMN stands for “The Global Episcopal
Mission Network” but what it represents is much, much more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GEMN:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facilitates and strengthens mission programs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Provides a training curriculum for Global Mission Agents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sponsors an annual mission conference (Institute) for education, training and exchange of global mission ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Foster and support mutually responsible and interdependent relationships and accountability among mission-minded individuals, organizations and dioceses within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">To learn
more here is their website link </span><a href="http://gemn.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">http://gemn.org/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">
and their Facebook page </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Global-Episcopal-Mission-Network/185203758195045?fref=ts"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Global-Episcopal-Mission-Network/185203758195045?fref=ts</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a
rough start as we flew from El Salvador to the United States and then Columbia
starting at 5:30 AM landing at 7:30 PM and our luggage was missing. The
airlines assured us it would be rectified soon and Demos Gracias a Dios (Thanks
be to God) it arrived Monday night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The conference
does cover all the bullet points. The main way it achieves these goals is by
allowing us to network in an atmosphere of education and motivation among a
group of like-minded people. The added bonus is that all of us differ in age,
education, race, cultural backgrounds and professional experiences. You get to
hear perspectives from totally different backgrounds which are a huge benefit
in discussions. We also share all of the funny stories and challenges of
stumbling through new languages, cultures, bad water, cold showers and foreign
foods that have become our staples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
conference has a host of speakers and presenters. All of them well known in
their fields of economics, theology and motivation to name just a few of the
speakers talents. The most valuable thing they share with us is their love for
their fellow man. For example one speaker with many credentials in Theology
started his presentation by bringing mission down to the simplest of
statements, he said “Remember mission is not theoretical, it is not
philosophical, it doesn’t start with our heads, it’s all in our feet. Where are
you standing? If you aren’t with the people you want to serve then you need to
rethink your view of mission”. I liked that very much because nothing prods my
feelings of frustration (and anger) more than when I hear long winded
explanations of what mission is, of how to change things, change people, make
immediate impact, blah, blah, blah and these harangues never mention the
importance of physically being with those who need help. You can’t empower
people, teach them self-advocacy or love them by talking about it. You have to
be there. You don’t need to be in El Salvador, Columbia or The Dominican
Republic but where ever you are; you need to put your feet in front of the
people who need your help. After that, everything else, with God’s help, will
fall into place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The programs
have ranged from micro loans, liberation theology to how to plan and execute a
proper project. In order to help us get to know each other we also split into
small groups to do a 1 hour bible study on selected verses that apply to
mission. We had site visits to Churches that turned struggles to successes,
agricultural projects that feed and bring income into communities and a women’s
group that fights injustice, violence and oppression on a daily basis to help
their families survive. Sometimes the women win, sometimes they lose but they
don’t lose their will to fight for themselves and their families. Inspiration
is not a strong enough word to describe how they conduct themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the next 2
days, the conference will wrap up. Our Presiding Bishop Katherine Jeffers
Schori will preside over our closing Eucharist with Bishop Ramos of Puerto
Rico. I’m looking forward to hearing her speak to us about mission and feed off
her insights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally we’ll
say our goodbyes and head our separate ways with the knowledge that we are part
of a bigger community. Conferences like these remind us we are not alone and we
should never feel that way. The power of community in Christ shouldn’t be
underestimated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hebrews
10:24<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And let us
consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom &
Dianne<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-18913432096309872672013-04-28T09:21:00.001-07:002013-04-28T09:21:29.370-07:00Stuff just gets done down here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IQPFNlMNgRDE5pXpNt2cwS-MclOBw6wJspn0KekkHo2KnAy2ISrnjd_4LJ4W0SkZbMUML7MhDCg5x46IsnLduZDedcPJg6E3F6f9yGD8KEkYpOeze8aMzzXsCkSO7BaXR3dVQa0AYcQ/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IQPFNlMNgRDE5pXpNt2cwS-MclOBw6wJspn0KekkHo2KnAy2ISrnjd_4LJ4W0SkZbMUML7MhDCg5x46IsnLduZDedcPJg6E3F6f9yGD8KEkYpOeze8aMzzXsCkSO7BaXR3dVQa0AYcQ/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrsIjUFl2KJVvJRFIH3tG3ZGVZj8Ka4oY9YDVPsEFx1449I4l1q9Ax6lWt1Kdjzsy8uegFUatHL-soSgkNY88TwHFghX0uUwMW9muiStPREOEc4905vpK27rAFSmgZpVI3a8sreh_1h4/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrsIjUFl2KJVvJRFIH3tG3ZGVZj8Ka4oY9YDVPsEFx1449I4l1q9Ax6lWt1Kdjzsy8uegFUatHL-soSgkNY88TwHFghX0uUwMW9muiStPREOEc4905vpK27rAFSmgZpVI3a8sreh_1h4/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7a0RcYjW3LbfUoGIQa46XM3_IJebmLS3bu8t4omum2fcPPOml4DTmBceJwmRU0gOIS-wNV_zrD4oJtv8y4xuRmg084jiy7uBf7FAMJgtc3cz3d7dQg7EMwDqCG-S1nonwOG7ThsYgMc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7a0RcYjW3LbfUoGIQa46XM3_IJebmLS3bu8t4omum2fcPPOml4DTmBceJwmRU0gOIS-wNV_zrD4oJtv8y4xuRmg084jiy7uBf7FAMJgtc3cz3d7dQg7EMwDqCG-S1nonwOG7ThsYgMc/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfEeouX0EcyACqErH0rTkBs3RSucCUF0nvHH9wIdCI5k-a0XkywVziBrD5s5rLnUozBu-KDULWLZ0iuiScksqD4opeI5CoxwWWgqFwSnnl6AnKV4x1xwF3ziEjSzvag26pdzkxhBH1KI/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfEeouX0EcyACqErH0rTkBs3RSucCUF0nvHH9wIdCI5k-a0XkywVziBrD5s5rLnUozBu-KDULWLZ0iuiScksqD4opeI5CoxwWWgqFwSnnl6AnKV4x1xwF3ziEjSzvag26pdzkxhBH1KI/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finished school and have gone marathon shopping with
Miriam (she’s a shrewd shopper) and Willian’s the driver (you don’t waste time
in traffic with him, he knows El Salvador like the back of his hand and has
never lost a game of chicken and probably never will)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finishing school was bittersweet. We loved CIS, the teachers
and we had a great host family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving
them was like leaving family. We all worked well together and there was a
comfort in their company. Like we all know, life marches on so we said our
goodbyes and put our shopping shoes on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the previous weeks we did pick up a lot of small stuff, I
mean a lot. We still needed a comedor (dining room table and chairs, chinadora
(China Cabinet where you keep your dishes, utensils, small appliances,
cubiertos, (knives forks and spoons) and all food stuffs. We also purchased a box
spring, mattress, end table, amario (a free standing wooden closet),
refrigerator, stove with a horno (oven, all of it run on bottled propane),
living room set and air conditioner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So the timeline was on Monday by 1 PM we were out just
pricing things. Miriam was a great help and did I mention a “shrewd” shopper.
We decided that we shopped on Monday but Tuesday we buy. On Tuesday we were in
the downtown shopping area of San Salvador, bright and early. It reminded me of
the scenes from New York City in the early 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> century immigrant
open market areas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beehive of
activity. You name it and there was a shop or someone out of the back of a
truck selling it. Food, furniture, linens, plastic products and cleaning
supplies were all being sold. Bikes, cars, trucks, carts and were everywhere.
But furniture was our mission (excuse the pun).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By 11:30 everything was bought and delivered except for large appliances,
the bed and air conditioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miriam kept
us moving and buy 2 PM everything else was purchased and being delivered, sans
the air conditioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Wednesday the
air conditioner, paint for the inside of the house, some groceries for the week
were purchased and the moving truck was scheduled for Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Thursday the moving truck was late for a variety of
reasons and we didn’t get <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">packing
till 1 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch I hear them say the moving truck
is here, I walk out and my jaw drops. This was no 24 foot box truck. It was an
open truck of about 17 feet bars on the sides. My thought was “Are you, kidding
me, ARE YOU (fill in the blank) KIDDING ME?”. About 1 ½ hour later it and Willian’s
truck were loaded with everything we purchased, our luggage and the six totes
of other supplies we brought. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t
want to play tetris with these guys. Every nook and cranny of the camionetas (pickup
trucks) had something in it. If something was hanging over the edge (sticking
way out) we tied it down with rope (rope that I think was used by Columbus).
Think Beverly Hillbillies. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">I’m not being
critical of how things are done. I’m making the point that stuff just gets done
down here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time this
Estadounidense thinks, “are you kidding me” they say no and prove me
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing what you can do with
little resources and it’s a testament to the human mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t see the Salvadorans throwing up their
hands and saying nope, we’re stuck. They critically troubleshoot and </span>problem
solve based on the resources at hand and it generally works. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad was like that, he was a great
depression kid, meaning frugal who didn’t waste a thing. He could fix anything
with electric tape (duct tape was too expensive), a wire coat hanger and a
staple gun. That lineage will come in handy down here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Long story short we have landed in El Maizal safe and sound.
The community helped unload and we already feel like family. They’ve given us
mangos, papayas, tortillas and best of all, their friendship and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romans 12:2 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomas y Dianna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786019804365356998.post-70331045780215179282013-04-24T19:00:00.002-07:002013-04-24T19:00:46.610-07:00Did anyone else know that teaching is hard?????????<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3G6N4aOIpD3anzIwRFIMhvWUeTtj1WHQll_ugLKVxN3UQmKs1FXhM3gOmfUx86SKLkuni9jZY1sGKu7v85ab7ao9bvMgbs2uvXI1VwM-_6hyphenhyphenuTjZcFfMS4O6NsOV8pQ_7DGgiclGUIA/s1600/john-baptist-de-la-salle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3G6N4aOIpD3anzIwRFIMhvWUeTtj1WHQll_ugLKVxN3UQmKs1FXhM3gOmfUx86SKLkuni9jZY1sGKu7v85ab7ao9bvMgbs2uvXI1VwM-_6hyphenhyphenuTjZcFfMS4O6NsOV8pQ_7DGgiclGUIA/s320/john-baptist-de-la-salle.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeane-Baptiste De La Salle<br />
<div class="Normal-P">
<span class="Normal-C10"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">A Saint for Teachers and School
Administrators</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">
</span><span class="Normal-C10"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">A Saint with a Charism for the whole
Church.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">
</span><span class="Normal-C10"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">He led the way in developing the
theology of the lay teacher's vocation, as an important part of the ministry of
the Church and a continuation of the ministry of Jesus.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Normal-C10"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Normal-C10"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I didn’t forget idiom’s - here’s a doozy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ojo de me cara, eye of my face. In the United
States we’d say, that costs an arm and a leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here I’d say Cuesta <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>el ojo de me
cara, it costs the eye of my face. Me and Wilmer had a long discussion (in
Espanol) about what would be worse.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: small;">We were recently blessed by having our Spanish Immersion
School (CIS) ask us if we wanted to attend an ESL teaching workshop for their
new teachers. They knew that our Mission was going to focus on Teaching ESL and
we had no experience. Just one catch, one of their teachers needed a week off
and they asked could we fill in? How could we say no, not to mention it would
be good practice.<o:p></o:p></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">We learned their method which is a popular education method
created by Paolo Freire </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and further reinforced by Dr Stephen Krashen </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Krashen"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Krashen</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></o:p> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The method is actually fairly simple but very different from
how I learned English in school. It is how we learned English from our family
and friends before we ever went to school, we acquired. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t have the background to promote
it except to say I like it, it makes sense to me and it seems like a fun way to
teach and learn. The results are proven by studies and I can vouch for its
results because they’ve used it in teaching Dianne and I Espanol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Now back to
the class plan. The suggested template is to have small group work and
discussion, an activity that reinforces the lesson that leads to group
discussion, make sure everything revolves around a social issue that has
meaning to them and then do review and give homework related to the class work.
How hard can it be? Well it took Dianne and I all of Friday afternoon to do this
for all 3 classes that only last 1 ½ hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do real teachers plan an entire
week??????????????????? God bless you!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We had our 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;">
class and it went pretty well except we move along too fast and we got to verb
tense review before we thought. Quick progress sounds good except we hadn’t
reviewed them ourselves. How would you like to explain the Future Perfect
Continuous tense without being sure what it is?? Of course that was when we
looked at our watch saw there was 5 minutes left and said, we need to get you
better examples and let’s do it tomorrow. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky
than good.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;">
class was very motivating not because of the work. We worked through the tenses
and explanations the best we could all went very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our motivation came from the introduction, we
forgot to do on the 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> day. The students shared some of their lives
and why they were here. It’s difficult to share the experience of hearing
people explain the poverty they were raised in but also smile a little when one
person says, you weren’t poor, I was poor and they tell a worse story. The
stories are not funny but the interaction was. Some people had days of no food,
others had days of just beans and most of them had families with no means at
all of providing much of anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately these are not extraordinary stories in El Salvador;
actually they are very common, too common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is extraordinary is that out of these conditions we have these
adults who expressed to us the knowledge that they needed to better themselves
and that learning English was one of the steps they were taking. Most of the
students had steady jobs and some were fulltime students at the Universidad. I
was a little overwhelmed to listen to their accomplishments and their inner
knowledge that their journeys were not over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How can you not be motivated by a small group who don’t see themselves
as victims but as authors of their own futures? I don’t believe everyone born
in these conditions can rise above them, there’s just to many variables that
can shut a person down when they are that vulnerable but these people through
the grace of God are extraordinary in my opinion.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: small;">Our last
class was definitely the most fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
all needed a break from tenses so we decided to jump into Phrasal Verbs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Phrasal verb is a phrase or sentence that
can’t be understood based on the individual meaning of each word but must be
looked at as a whole. For example,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <u>ran
into</u> an old friend <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(ran into is the
phrasal verb. )As Estadounidenses we use them so much we don’t even know what
they are but they make perfect sense. Espanol has no phrases that are of
comparison so they have no idea what they mean because they are trying to
translate them directly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you” run
into someone” and have it mean you met them???<o:p></o:p></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The class
split into two team’s women v/s men. We drew a numbered chart on the board, the
teams selected a number, we read the corresponding phrasal verb and they had 1
minute to either use it in a sentence that made sense or define it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the team got it wrong the other team could
answer and get the point. Imagine as an English speaker saying to a student OK,
here’s the phrasal verb “set off” and they look back as if I said "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>. We all had some good
laughs at their expense, each team needling the other and finally the women
beating the men on the final turn. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s the
moments like the ones we shared with our class this week that remind us how the
benefits of this service keep coming and are unpredictable. We experienced for
the 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> time the fulfillment of explaining something over and over
again to students and all of a sudden one of them looks at you, uses that
future perfect continuous tense correctly and you see the proverbial light bulb
go on over their heads as they say “I GOT IT, I GOT IT” smiling ear to ear with
well-deserved self-satisfaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a
2 for 1 blessing if I ever saw one. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: small;">For all our
teacher friends let us tell you right now “WE GOT IT, WE GOT IT”, now we know
why most of you love your work regardless of the crap and criticisms you get.
Passing on knowledge has to be one of the most noble and fulfilling things a
person can do. You’ll forever have our utmost respect.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p>A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for
others. ~Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, translated from Turkish</o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p>Salu</o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p>Tomas y Dianna<!--unattributed saying Beaver's teacher quoted on Leave it to Beaver, see also aug11 mail--></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span class="Normal-C10"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Normal-C10"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></span></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Tom and Dianne Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146887528098514387noreply@blogger.com1