El Salvador
The people of Santa Elena have captured Geri Eekhoff’s heart.
Geri Eekhoff is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Port Townsend, Washington. In August 1999, she flew to El Salvador as part of a mission delegation. Through a partnership with Christians for Peace in El Salvador and the Reformed Church of El Salvador, her church was invited to visit Santa Elena.
From the capital, the team traveled for two hours by van on a hot and humid day. By the time they had walked a mile with all their gear to the community center, they were tired, thirsty, and unprepared for the welcome they received. Men, women, and children greeted them enthusiastically. This was the first time visitors from another country had visited their community.
Geri was challenged by new sights, new experiences, and new foods. She planted corn by hand with a crude tool, helped set up medical clinics, sang hymns in Spanish, ate mangoes the children gave her, and found herself eager to return to Santa Elena.
In March 2008, A-BRAZO of El Salvador agreed to be the organization that will enable Geri’s church to continue in partnership with the community of Santa Elena. Geri writes that she will go back because she has been transformed by the people. One woman told her, “Even though it has been a long time since you were here, I remember you and you are in my heart.” Geri responded, “I remember you, too, Maria: wife, mother, and friend. Though I do not know if I could walk in your shoes, you have made me aware of God’s gift of love that comes from sharing in mutual respect.”
Partners/Ministries
Reformed Calvinist Church of El Salvador: The Rev. Santiago Flores, moderator
Berlin Parish in El Salvador
Presbytery Partnership
Presbytery of Des Moines with the Berlin Parish in El Salvador
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Lisa Robbins, GAMC
John Roberts, BOP
God, we thank you for experiences that move us beyond our boundaries and stretch us to see your world from others’ perspectives. Thank you for these opportunities to share in our love with others. Amen.
Ps. 63, 149 Ps. 125, 90
2 Kings 19:21–36
1 Cor. 10:1–13; Matt. 8:18–27
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