The Presbytery of Des Moines
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| Urban, suburban, and rural churches in the Presbytery of Des Moines are working together to help Our Sister Parish in the cantons of the Pueblo of Berlin, El Salvador. A designated missionary to El Salvador, the Rev. Robert Cook began Our Sister Parish Mission when there was deep despair in the lives of people living in eastern El Salvador. Mr. Cook says, “Today, they know we are here to stay and that God’s love will continue to lift them.”
In 1990 Mr. Cook, then the presbytery’s hunger action enabler, visited El Tablon, a canton (a dirt-floor-home community). After his visit, the presbytery established a sister relationship with El Tablon. Des Moines made grants for agricultural development and rebuilt the elementary school. In 1993, a delegation traveled to the community, and by raising money through Presbyterian Women the group helped clothe children and provide sewing classes. The goal of this ministry is resource development for the seventeen cantons in the St. Joseph Parish. Delegations have since delivered sewing machines and solar panels for the sewing center. For the first time, families have electricity from solar panels. By developing solar capacity, they are closer to stopping deforestation. Members of First Presbyterian Church in Corning drew on their business connections to find a supplier of portable water purifiers that run on either hand or battery power. The congregation responded by purchasing three water purification units and providing training in their use. Iowa churches are helping the canton’s labor force by supporting economic development projects like Blanchard Court Bags, Don Justo Coffee with Dignity and Just Light Soy Candles. Not only do families benefit by becoming self-sufficient, but alternative free trade incomes are provided for the community. By establishing sister parish relationships and planning for future delegations, these churches and other denominations from Iowa continue the mission from age to age. The Presbytery of Des Moines has 64 congregations with 10,959 members. |
 Elder Pamila G. Deichmann, member, GAC Presbytery Staff Rev. Philip W. Barrett, general presbyter, stated clerk Elder Jennifer Hines, office manager Deacon Kim Coulter, director of communications Elder Nancy Lister-Settle, hunger action enabler Rev. Robert Cook, designated missionary to El Salvador Rev. Goanar Chol, coordinator of Sudanese ministries PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Sandra R. Sanders, CMD Theresa Sanders, BOP Marisol Santiago, BOP |
 From the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). |
 Ps. 32, 130, 139, 148 Hos. 13:9–16 Acts 28:1–16; Luke 9:28–36 |
