The community saw, for the first
time, the video production that focuses on its remarkable efforts
to create not only homes but community from a failed chicken farm.
There, on the big monitor's screen, was Gloria and there was Oscar,
there were the students from the Campus Christian Crusade interviewing
the potential recipients, there were the children in the school
run by the local Catholic church, there were those who were elected
to the assembly of representatives, and there were the masons
guiding the mutual help work. It was a time of thanks and celebration.
The advisory council members also visited the new potential site
for 150 more homes. It is land surrounded by forests full of fruit
trees purchased by the city of Soyapango also for housing for
those who lost their homes in the earthquakes of 2001. It is called
"El Bosque," meaning “The Forest.” Splitting
the terrain in half is a four-acre forest which we hope will become
a park. The site already has water, electric, and sewage infrastructure
installed. These have yet to materialize in Regalo de Dios due
to political and bureaucratic obstacles. If the Presbyterian Church
decides to go forward with this project, Julie and I will soon
be busy again with the initial planning, selection of families,
creating a governing structure with the families; all the first
steps in community development for a new housing project.
This week work begins on the construction of the new school in
Regalo de Dios. It will be named the Marta Elena Rodriguez school
for the mayor we first worked with to get the housing project
up and running. There are 500 children in Regalo de Dios. The
school will be a tremendous blessing.
We are glad to see that several Regalo de Dios residents are
becoming quite proficient at reflexology. They plan to practice
it on a regular basis and have already had great results alleviating
back trouble, headaches, sciatic problems, stomach disorders,
etc. We have also been asked by the Salvadoran Red Cross to teach
their community workers and community leaders how to build the
no-cost improved wood-burning stove. We will be taking 15 of them
on a tour in a few weeks to a community where a workshop we led
has resulted in many more stoves being replicated by the workshop
participants. It is great to see the multiplying effect at work
with appropriate solutions.
Our Toyota Land Cruiser has had to undergo major surgery once
again. This time we hope we solved its overheating problems for
good. We are thinking that if we return for another term of service
in El Salvador we will need to look for another vehicle, as we
really put it through a lot of wear and tear. We want to thank
you who pray for our safety on the road as we have been blessed
not to be involved in any highway accidents.
We thank you for your friendship and solidarity.
Shalom,
Julie and Bob
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.243
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