80 choco-bananas later...

The past two weeks have been oober memorable for me. I will try not to make this post seven pages long. :)


Last weekend our group split up to visit different communities throughout El Salvador for a "church accompaniment weekend." Three of us traveled to Usulután, a city a few hours away from San Salvador. We spent the weekend riding around in the back of a pickup truck, visiting surrounding communities and their church events. Not only did I get to learn more about the Lutheran church in El Salvador (which is fairly new  and pretty small), but also we got to see a lot of the area. We visited one of the smaller churches and its shrimp hatchery in the back. During "shrimp season" the youth collect the shrimp and sell it to raise money for youth and community funds. Also, we saw some flood damage in another community. We could only drive a little ways on the street into the community before we ran into acres of water. We were informed that beyond the water was a community of 180 people and five more communities beyond that. Many of the people were living on rafts, refusing to leave in fear of losing their homes and belongings. After this, we drove through a river-sometimes-road to get to Pastor's home. There was water everywhere, both due to flooding and just due to a casual rainfall (the road is a river when it rains and a bumpy dirt road when not raining). We stayed in the pastor's brother's abandoned house (his brother is in the US), just a few hundred feet away from his house. We had two fun nights falling asleep under the shadows of fluttering bats, to the feeling of ants crawling about our legs, and to constant rooster crows, cow moans, and dog barks. We learned a lot about "liberation theology in action." The church was very much focused on its youth. We visited a youth group session that included a Bible study and some games. So fun. :) Many of their goals also include raising the funds to hold retreats and birthday parties, especially for the youth. The church's goals including events to unite the multiple communities. Sometimes it was hard to see how this church community lied within "liberation theology," mostly because there seems to be a lot of need in the area--due to hunger, flooding, sustaining themselves, etc. But I am realizing now there is a lot of legitimacy in their efforts to unite and empower their church. I hope their efforts keep growing and result in even greater transformation in their communities. 

Our church accompaniment

Some of the flood damage (and a not-so-happy vaca)

This past weekend provided another great adventure to another great community. We traveled as a group to the community of Nueva Esperanza (in English, "New Hope") in the Bajo Lempa region of the country. I LOVED this community, which 500 people call home. To me, the people of this community are the epitome of liberation theology. They are truly united as a community, working together to do some great things for themselves. Some of these include going to the government to fight for their rights to dry land--Bajo Lempa lies on the Lempa River which has flooded the near communities many times (probably multiple times a year).  The severity and frequency of the flooding is due to discharge from a hydroelectric dam. They have asked these discharges to be regulated. This year only 3% of their corn sustained the floods. They simply want to be able to grow their food and live safely in their homes without so much water all the time. We also visited with a "Health Emergency Fund," an organization that helps residents travel to the city for their check-ups, provides events for the older residents, and even has worked to partner with Venezuela in a program that allows Salvadorans to travel to Venezuela for cataract surgery for free. We also toured the coconut and sugar cane fields (including some sipping of coco milk and gnawing on sugar cane...mmm, so good!) The community has also been focused on the youth, providing many opportunities to get involved in soccer tournaments and music groups. Whenever we walked around the community, we could always hear a band practicing or would run into a teenage boy walking down the road, practicing his flute. A highlight of my weekend was also finally being beneath a clear night sky, with zero clouds and limited light pollution. Two nights we found ourselves lying in the soccer field, counting shooting stars. :) One night we also had a great view of a late-night futbol match from the top of the water tower. Every day also included one or two (or six...) visits to the choco-banana woman. She made 80 choco-bananas before we got there on Thursday...they were gone by Sunday morning. :)

Sipping some coconut milk
and eating coconut meat

Gnawing on some deliciously sweet sugar cane

A musical group from Nueva Esperanza
performing for us (they were so good!)

Oh, did I mention the adventures we've had on our days off? :) Last monday: a day of relaxing in hammocks and frisbee on the beach. Yesterday: a hike up the tallest Volcano in El Salvador. Tonight: bowling. :)

Pacific Ocean :)

The crater of Santa Anna Volcano -- the tallest volcano in El Salvador

There is so much I haven't included...(including a visit to a great photo exhibit about immigration, a talk with the head of the religion department of the UCA, and some great class sessions.) Overall, I'm still having the time of my life. Every day is an adventure...and an amazing learning experience. 


Cómo estás? Let me know how YOU are doing! (I'd also like to know that someone is actually reading these posts!) I really welcome questions and/or comments. :) Thanks for reading! Hasta la próxima!