2008 El Salvador Delegation Selected Photos

D005

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

SOUTH BAY SANCTUARY COVENANT February 2008 Delegation to El Salvador:
Front row, L – R: Mark Reedy, Rosie (delegation leader and translator), Rachel Buckley,* Maureen Ryan,* Suzanne Wolf,* Linda Buckley. Back row: Chris Nilson,* Karen Skold, Dale Bracey,* Arlene Schaupp, John Bayer.
(* Members of Stone Presbyterian Church)

D009

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

San Salvador market scene.

S292

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

San Salvador market scene.

A018

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Jesus is crucified again when the 6 Jesuits, housekeeper and daughter were assassinated by the oligarchy and Salvadoran army, 11/16/89. Painting in the UCA (University of Central America) Jesuit Chapel.

S232

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Bust of Archbishop Romero outside the UCA chapel. He was assassinated by army death squad, 3/24/80.

MK042

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

At the UCA Chapel, the cross.

S205

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

At the UCA Chapel, a mural.

S206

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

At the UCA Chapel, a mural.

D008

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

At the UCA Chapel, a painting shows Civil War atrocities.

S217

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

UCA Chapel: one of the stations of the cross. Drawing of bodies tortured by Salvadoran soldiers during civil war.

S189

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

UCA Chapel: St. Romero! Here Romero is called a saint! The Vatican still does not honor him in this way.

A001

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Mirtala Lopez, with her two children, won an international award for her human rights work during the civil war. Arlene Schaupp (Palo Alto First Presbyterian) is godmother to the children.

D002

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Mirtala, analyst for the national Legislative Assembly, speaks of the 2009 Elections, great FMLN candidates for president and vice-president, and need for JUST international observers to reduce fraud.

J018

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

The El Despertar Center is where Father (Padre) Octavio Ortiz and 4 youth, part of an overnight youth retreat, were assassinated in 1979 by Salvadoran soldiers, who claimed that they were guerrillas. The delegation is shown outside the Center.

S105

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Salvadoran Cross inside Centro el Despertar.

D001

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Mural of Terror, showing the assassination of Archbishop Romero by oligarchy and army, plus Romero quote: “Faith doesn’t only consist in belief with the head but in dedicating one’s heart and life.”

S109

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

As Romero was shot, his blood turns into flames of the Holy Spirit. Mural is in El Despertar Center.

J022

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Delegation inside Centro El Despertar. The mural is of Octavio Ortiz and the 4 assassinated youth in the El Despertar Center.

MK014

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Mural in front of the El Despertar Center shows statue of Virgin Mary on pedestal in memory of Martyrs of El Despertar, and current activities of classes, eye testing, weddings and dancing, basketball.

S084

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Sign outside the El Despertar Catholic Center announces classes in sewing and tailoring, computers, secretarial skills, etc.

S086

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Girls in their Sunday best walk home after church.

S278

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Health clinic in San Salvador.

D004

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Oscar Luna, National Ombudsman for Human Rights said greatest complaints of human rights abuses are against the police.

D006

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

We worshipped at Iglesia Bambue which features this mural with Archbishop Romero on the left and Padre Octavio Ortiz, 4th from the left.

MN002

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Mural inside Iglesia Bambue reminds people that the spirit of their martyrs is still alive in them.

D007

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

These photos of Padre Octavio Ortiz and the four youth who were assassinated with him, are also in the church, a reminder that many martyrs gave their lives for living their Christian faith.

MK011

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Church women make and sell pupusas after worship to raise money for homeless people.

S050

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Pupusas are delicious. We ate some.

S054

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Making pupusas is an art!

S068

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Pupusas are filled with refried beans and/or grated cheese and sometimes meat.

D003

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

An FMLN (leftist party) Deputy in the Legislative Assembly told that candidates for Pres. & V. Pres. are receiving death threats, but they are great candidates and FMLN is hopeful for victory in 2009.

S149

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Steve is preparing to translate for us.

MK044

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Our guest house in San Salvador served us some meals and provided internet access.

S119

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Suzanne and Chris relaxed at lunch after the visit to the El Despertar Center.

MK049

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Linda and Arlene and group enjoyed fruit drinks after a visit to the US Embassy. Note the right–wing ARENA supporter on the TV. His shirt celebrates D’Aubisson, who organized Fr. Romero’s murder in 1980.

S437

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

A colorful plaza and a typical way women carry things.

S439

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

This bicycle has been adjusted to carry a large load.

D010

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Dale makes a side trip to Suchitoto, viewing its Cathedral.

D011

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

A view of the harbor from Suchitoto.

A032

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Fantastic welcome to Comunidad Octavio Ortiz (COO), named in memory of Padre Octavio Ortiz. This is the partner community of the South Bay Sanctuary Covenant (SBSC). Community members shared their homes with us for three days.

A054

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

New raised road to the child care center and emergency room in COO that keeps children’s feet out of a swampy area during the rainy season which previously caused foot fungus. Also emergency vehicles can now access this area. Road was paid for by funds from SBSC (South Bay Sanctuary Covenant).

A067

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Boys in the COO child care center are engaged in an action song.

A114

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Ana Josefa is both a dedicated director and teacher in the COO preschool.

MK091

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Third graders are in one of the four classrooms in the COO elementary school which has both a morning and an afternoon session.

A040

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Carmencita and her family hosted Arlene for three days in COO.

A086

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Six-year-old Carmencita swept the steps on her own initiative.

J072

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Jose is a member of Pastor Pinera’s family, who hosted John Bayer during our stay in Comunidad Octavio Ortiz. (Jose is shown wearing John’s hat.)

S325

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

The children in COO warmed our hearts. This is Luciana, age 5, of Suzanne’s host family.

A042

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Twenty–nine villages form United Communities. This mural in the new U.C. office shows their history.

A046

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Mural detail: fleeing from flood of Lempa River.

MK061

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

U.C. office: people learn and use computer skills.

MN026

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

The children are the hope of the future!

A053

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Cooking over a pit fire.

A082

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

COO Pastoral Team and youth choir led in worship.

A105

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Young soloist joined the COO band.

MK149

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

The band plays for worship and celebrations.

R037

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Some danced as the band played.

S320

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

It’s a joy to share music and fun.

S461

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

After worship we played some games.

S519

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

New youth theater group presented “Pay or Die,” about the health care crisis.

S407

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

At a port where pigs were being unloaded, we met with state of Usulutan Human Rights Ombudsman.

MK135

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

COO and 28 other communities are next to the Lempa River, which is very low during dry season and sometimes floods wtih devastating results.

MK156

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Javier (holding bicycle) is head of the COO Village Council. He and his family hosted Mark.

J102

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Cattle are important to the economy. Thanks to generosity of many, SBSC gives money for loans to women to buy calves, a most important contribution.

MK167

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Seen though van window: John, delegation member (left), Roddy, Executive Director of VOTB (center), and Rosie VOTB’s Field Director (right). VOTB facilitates and assures effective use of all donations from SBSC in a manner that empowers the Salvadorans as they grow in self–sufficiency.

MN030

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Children in COO are happy when our SBSC delegation comes for our annual visit.

S321

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Older children play with and help care for the younger ones in COO.

S327

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Rachel Buckley (on left) tried making tortillas.

S376

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

The Pastoral Team with Rosie (2nd from R) our delegation leader and translator.

S448

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Almost every family has a dog.

S449

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Jocelyn and her nephew (shown here), together with her parents, hosted Chris Nilson.

S477

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

This girl is carrying masa (ground corn) to her family for the day’s tortillas.

S484

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Linda Buckley enjoyed the children in her host family.

S492

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Suzanne Wolf stayed with Mirna (4th grade teacher), Chungo and 6 kids.

S503

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

Sweetie Sarah wore her baptismal dress (and Suzanne’s sunglasses) to celebrate our delegation’s presence.

S459

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:00 -0800

This gift to SBSC sums it all up. "FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY: Each year and each day that passes our bonds of friendship unite us more strongly to God with your show of solidaritiy that each of you has for us."