Update from Cindy Dostal: March 29, 2022

CURRENT EVENTS

This morning I received an email from Pr. Margarita.  She asked for our prayers due to a recent increase in violence in El Salvador; “We are in prayer for the safety of El Salvador, we have an upsurge in violence, with many people dead and with new security plans.”  It is very unusual for Pr. Margarita to comment on anything like this in her emails.

If you would like to read more about the recent violence and the government response please check out our friend Tim Muth’s blog: https://www.elsalvadorperspectives.com/2022/03/tidal-wave-of-murders-leads-to.html?fbclid=IwAR0SbK__cY_kSrvmZkyF30ct0GRtD3gLBdeDzGd0VOCVbwYIlxc5Qaizgdo OR this summary on CNN:  https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/27/world/el-salvador-state-of-emergency-homicides-intl-latam/index.html

For many reasons, human rights activists have been concerned about the government of El Salvador, which seems to be turning from a democracy into an authoritarian state.  At any rate, it is clear that the rights of the citizens are being curtailed during the surge of murders and punitive measures are being taken against gang members in prison.  

Tepeagua is very remote and has few resources to attract gang attention.  While Tepeagua is only a few miles from the city of La Libertad, the roads are very bad and time to travel is quite lengthy.  If our Tepeagua community has gang problems, it generally occurs when a trip is made to another area.  

Our students after 6th grade must leave Tepeagua and go to La Libertad for middle and high school.  University attendance requires hours of bus travel to San Salvador. Most schools in El Salvador remain in hybrid mode with some face-to-face learning and also on-line at-home learning to supplement.  Schools around the country often close for a week or so when local covid-rates are felt to be high.  (I use this terminology, as the government generally does not share reliable or current Covid-infection rates.)

TWO DAYS IN TEPEAGUA

It is now a month since Pr. Kevin, Katy, and I returned from a week in El Salvador.  It was a blessing to be back with our friends In Tepeagua. We worshipped together on Sunday and returned to the community with the whole team to provide a health clinic on Wednesday.

One change we greatly enjoyed was the presence of wi-fi in Tepeagua.  We were able to do some video broadcasts while in Tepeagua and want to thank Milton Flores for his technical assistance!  (Milton is currently in his 5th year of Library Studies at the University of El Salvador.)  We have encouraged Milton to consider pastoral training upon completion of his degree.  We met Milton’s mother for the first time during this visit.  After our conversation, Milton’s mother returned to their home and picked a large bag of mandarin oranges from a tree outside their home.  She brought the fruit to our lunch table.  The oranges were incredible; but the love and offering of the food was even more meaningful!

Pr. Kevin was asked to officiate over two baptisms.  One child who was baptized was Douglas, who is sponsored by Doug and Diane Hoskins.  Douglas has always been present when I am in Tepeauga, he has excellent grade reports and writes articulate meaningful letters.  

The other baptized child was Alicia, toddler daughter of Gloria.  Gloria has been sponsored by Ron & Candy Nemke for many years and is attempting to complete high school at present.  Alicia’s father is legally in the United States and has worked here successfully for some time.  In the future he plans to bring Gloria and Alicia to the U.S.  Gloria is the third generation of women in her family to support the Lutheran Church in Tepeagua.  It is heart-breaking for these grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and sisters to know this part of the family will not grow up or live near them.  But, they are joyful for the opportunities that are in Gloria’s future.  

Pr. Margarita shared that 66 youth from Tepeagua are currently attempting the migration trail into the United States.  The town population is less than 900 people; nearly every family is impacted by this event.  This is an expensive and dangerous path in search of a better life and an escape of violence.  The leaders of Tepeagua have long been concerned about the lack of employment opportunities in the community.  We continued these conversations with the Adesco (town council) and the Water Board on Sunday.  Pr. Margarita shared dreams to bring more technical training into Tepeagua, such as metal-working, masonry, or agriculture to support tourism needs in nearby La Libertad.

Following church services on Sunday we met with each sponsored student and passed out your letters.  We had provided funds to give a meal to all attendees, and it was a joyful time.  As a nutritionist, I was thrilled to see everyone with a plate of chicken, rice, and vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.)  The typical Salvadoran diet is mostly corn flour tortillas, rice, and beans.  They may go weeks without any meat or vegetables.  (So, I was very happy!)  The town leadership had also arranged to provide a cup of ice cream to everyone – and WOW!  Refrigeration is hard to come by and this was an exceptional treat!

We had the opportunity to hike to the well site and water tower.  The water tower is on the highest hill in town.  It is obvious from nearly everywhere and shines like a white beacon of hope and evidence of God’s Presence.  We would share the road there with a herd of cows. 

This Sunday in the community was a fun, joy-filled day!  Days like this are rare; an important lesson on what is important in life and abundant reminders that the Holy Spirit leads, especially when times are not easy.  Read to the end of this overly-long email to get details on upcoming opportunities to visit Tepeagua and El Salvador.

As of this morning, the water is still not turned on In Tepeagua.  The electrical power was not sufficient for the well on the south side of the town.  The power company came and started the work for a few days.  They then halted and presented a bill for $1,200 and gave a 7-day window for payment.  We were able to wire funds from our El Salvador Water Project account to move this ahead.  Ruth Ramirez, chair of the town council, shared that after payment she was then required to provide even more documentation to resume the work.  She hopes this takes place soon.  In other news, the funds for the latrine project should have arrived for the San Salvador Rotary Club.  The latrines prevent any contamination from entering the ground and have a two-part composting system.  I have used this type of latrine in other parts of El Salvador, they are quite pleasant and free of odors.