Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40 El Salvador Mission Trip, Part UNO

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Proper 14 C August 11, 2013 Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Chanhassen, Minnesota Pastor Kristie Hennig Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40 El Salvador Mission Trip, Part UNO This sermon is part

We ve been back from our mission trip less than a week, and we are brimming with stories. And pictures. Sit back and let Mark Laven s exquisite photos speak to you.

1 Proper 14 C August 11, 2013 Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Chanhassen, Minnesota Pastor Kristie Hennig Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40 El Salvador Mission Trip, Part UNO This sermon is part uno in a series of dos on the adventure that took 30 of us 7 adults plus 23 high school and college students -- to El Salvador. We ve been back from our mission trip less than a week, and we are brimming with stories. And pictures. Sit back and let Mark Laven s exquisite photos speak to you. Our trip began in the dark at 3:15 a.m. As we gathered at FOC and made our way to the airport for our 5:30 flight. There were 29 passengers and 29 free checked suitcases to wrangle and keep track of. The bags were filled with donations from you and others in our community: backpacks and books and school supplies, soccer uniforms and equipment, letters from you who are sponsors in the Seeds of Hope program, a few used laptops for the Salvadoran leaders, ball caps, and more. Everyone and everything made it to San Salvador by mid-day. 1 P a g e

2 Thanks be to God...and Delta Airlines. We loaded our gear and climbed onto a coaster and a couple of microbuses, and headed for a funky surfing beach, where we had lunch and took pictures. We were excited and maybe a bit apprehensive. Sipping on smoothies or limonadas, each wondered what lay ahead. 2 P a g e

We were pleased with our colorful little hotel neat and clean and tiny, nestled in a tranquil

We rested a bit, then dove in to the suitcases to arrange our gifts for the sponsorship party

Full and plenty tired, most of us we slept well on that first night.

We loaded the vehicles with our gifts for Pastor Matias 5 church communities in the hills of

3 We were pleased with our colorful little hotel neat and clean and tiny, nestled in a tranquil neighborhood of San Salvador. We rested a bit, then dove in to the suitcases to arrange our gifts for the sponsorship party the very next day. The food at Hotel Tazumal was delicious and plentiful. Full and plenty tired, most of us we slept well on that first night. The next day was Saturday. We loaded the vehicles with our gifts for Pastor Matias 5 church communities in the hills of Guazapa. To get there we took a 45-minute ride on both good and not-so-good roads to a remote, rural region of the country where survivors from the long civil war of the 1980 s and 90 s settled on their way home from the refugee camps of Honduras and Nicaragua. 3 P a g e

The sponsored students and their families were waiting for us at Spirit of Joy church.

glad to see us. For our part, we felt our hearts starting to melt.

Leann, Noah, and Ellie Thompson met their sponsored student for the first time after years of

4 The sponsored students and their families were waiting for us at Spirit of Joy church. We could tell from their shy smiles, warm hugs, and the palm branch-and-balloon decorations that they were glad to see us. For our part, we felt our hearts starting to melt. And it wasn t just because of the 95 degree heat and 90% humidity. Leann, Noah, and Ellie Thompson met their sponsored student for the first time after years of correspondence. Marvin s mom invited his sponsor, Karen Walker, and some others to visit their home, a few steps from the church. Karen was surprised by the dirt floor AND the gracious hospitality they found there. 4 P a g e

Mark and Julie Laven found their student.

Leah Moat from Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hopkins enjoyed

She made a connection with a congregation she wants her church

That congregation is made up of single mothers whose children

5 Mark and Julie Laven found their student. Ingrid is studying at a university to be a teacher. Leah Moat from Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hopkins enjoyed practicing her Spanish. She made a connection with a congregation she wants her church to partner with. That congregation is made up of single mothers whose children have special needs, mostly mental health issues. Kids everywhere love to have their photos taken. Here is a mom reading a student named Anderson the letter we brought from his sponsors. 5 P a g e

Danielle Wegner had been waiting for years to meet Melby, one of her family s

Callie Fischer helped a little girl pick a book at her reading level.

For kids who have few if any books at home, and seldom get anything new, this

6 Danielle Wegner had been waiting for years to meet Melby, one of her family s students. He was excited to meet her, too. Callie Fischer helped a little girl pick a book at her reading level. We brought enough books so that each of the 380 students could choose one. For kids who have few if any books at home, and seldom get anything new, this was a rare treat. Along with our partners at Trinity Lutheran in Long Lake, we provided a meal for the students 6 P a g e

Backpacks were donated by two generous couples, one from each church.

With nearly half of our group proficient in Spanish, we had meaningful conversations

Ellie Augustine translated for Diane Fillips as she got to know Sofia, her sponsored

7 Backpacks were donated by two generous couples, one from each church. Here is Elena Schneiderhan giving a boy a choice of two colors. With nearly half of our group proficient in Spanish, we had meaningful conversations and made lots of new friends. Ellie Augustine translated for Diane Fillips as she got to know Sofia, her sponsored student. Amy Eiden made some new friends. They were fascinated by her blond hair and super-cute facial expressions, and they found out what a loving heart she has, too. 7 P a g e

A second party for the Hope House and Emmaus kids took place at Casa Concordia on Sunday

There were many words of appreciation offered.

8 A second party for the Hope House and Emmaus kids took place at Casa Concordia on Sunday afternoon. Here Megan Sattervall and Sydney McClure are served their fried chicken lunch. The Salvadorans had gifts for us, too. They sang, and danced, and performed skits of stories from the Bible. There were many words of appreciation offered. Please tell the sponsors how much we appreciate their help so that we can go to school. Thank YOU [they said to our group] for coming to be with us. These sentiments were echoed over and over by the pastors, the students, and their parents. 8 P a g e

Gary Dosdall got to meet one of his family s students.

school, we found him another little girl to sponsor.

Trinity led our singing at Casa Concordia And Danielle and

9 Gary Dosdall got to meet one of his family s students. When he discovered their other student was no longer in school, we found him another little girl to sponsor. Our own Leann Thompson, and Pastor Brian and Kim from Trinity led our singing at Casa Concordia And Danielle and Ellie Thompson painted fingernails while they got acquainted with some of the girls. After the party on Sunday, teams of gringos and Salvadorans were formed for a friendly game of soccer. 9 P a g e

from flattened oil drums flanked in stucco and drywall. It still has bullet holes in it from the war.

10 Gary claims he had never played soccer before. Turns out, he has outstanding skills as a goalee. We worshiped Sunday morning with the congregation at Bishop Gomez s church, Resurrection -- the tin cathedral of the Lutheran Church of El Salvador constructed decades ago from flattened oil drums flanked in stucco and drywall. It still has bullet holes in it from the war. Soon, we hope, the congregation will have clearance from the city to demolish the rickety old structure and rebuild a proper, safe building on that site. Our little choir sang during the service. Ashley Costello and I are trying to keep up with our buddy Dean from Trinity, who could really belt out the praise. 10 P a g e

Erik Olson and Lauren Schaeferle celebrated birthdays on the trip, so they got to put a coin in the basket for every year as a sign of gratitude

The worship liturgy is Lutheran and very familiar. Here we are passing the peace, just as we do here.

During the civil war years, she was labeled by the government an enemy sympathizer and her name appeared on the wanted list of their death squad.

11 Erik Olson and Lauren Schaeferle celebrated birthdays on the trip, so they got to put a coin in the basket for every year as a sign of gratitude for their lives and we sang to them. Put a microphone in the bishop s hand and he turns into a rock star! The worship liturgy is Lutheran and very familiar. Here we are passing the peace, just as we do here. Sunday evening we listened to Maria Trinidad s testimony. During the civil war years, she was labeled by the government an enemy sympathizer and her name appeared on the wanted list of their death squad. She was arrested three times, tortured, and jailed. At one point, she turned herself in to authorities rather than be shot on sight. She suffered the loss of her husband and oldest son, who were guerrilla fighters killed in battle. Eventually, she and her five surviving children found their way to a refugee camp, 11 P a g e

12 where she encountered Lutherans, and re-dedicated herself to work for LIFE through the ministries of the church. Trini personally brought hundreds of children out of war zones and into the safety of refugee camps. She and her large extended family continue to work to car for the poorest of the poor in El Salvador. Our own Julie Laven, on Trini s left, will be a college senior this year. Julie made all our on-the-ground arrangements and served as translator for the group. I can t say enough good about Julie s leadership skills. She has a great big heart for the Salvadoran people, too. During the week, we visited La Casa de Esperanza -- Hope House which is directed by Maria Trinidad. There, 4 days a week, the homeless of San Salvador are able to get a meal, wash themselves and their clothes, and hang out with their friends. They are invited to worship together and can attend an AA meeting, too, if they want. A long-time missionary turned volunteer, Helmut, serves as pastor, with his good wife, Valtrout, by his side. They are from the Lutheran Church in Germany. 12 P a g e

Some in our group talked with the guests as they gathered for the meal.

and were deported back to the country of their birth when it was discovered that they had no legal documents.

That discovery changed her life and her faith.

13 Some in our group talked with the guests as they gathered for the meal. Conversation is easier than you might think: some of the guys have spent years in the U.S. and were deported back to the country of their birth when it was discovered that they had no legal documents. In her testimony at our closing worship, Lauren told us that at Hope House she discovered that God lives in people. That discovery changed her life and her faith. She met Eddie there, and their conversation made her feel welcome in El Salvador for the first time in the trip. I felt like I made a difference in someone s life that day, she said. We played with the kids hanging out at Hope House, and we helped serve the meal. 13 P a g e

Ryan Rendall said that it made him angry to realize that he came to El Salvador

In his testimony, Ryan said, We brought food and drink to them, and they gave us back

I decided I can hold onto the hot coal of my anger, or we could make a fire around it

14 Ryan Rendall said that it made him angry to realize that he came to El Salvador thinking he would be helping the Salvadorans, but ending up gaining more than he gave. In his testimony, Ryan said, We brought food and drink to them, and they gave us back food and drink that will never be exhausted. I decided I can hold onto the hot coal of my anger, or we could make a fire around it so that people can find their way home. Jessie and Maren helped in the kitchen, which must have been more than 120 degrees. 14 P a g e

Helmut challenged our group to think about hope. What do you hope for? he asked. When those living on the street wake up in the morning, he said, they hope that Hope House will be open.

Many of us were inspired by Helmut and Valtrout.

15 Helmut challenged our group to think about hope. What do you hope for? he asked. When those living on the street wake up in the morning, he said, they hope that Hope House will be open. They hope that the city water is running, so they can get cleaned up. They hope they will see their friends, that their friends made it through the night. It s dangerous living outside. Many of us were inspired by Helmut and Valtrout. They could be living more comfortably in retirement in Germany, but they have decided they want to be with the people at Hope House who give more to them, they say, than they give. Gary Dosdall s question for all of us was and is a poignant one: Why do we give? If our Seeds of Hope school sponsorship program can keep people from darkening Helmut s door, Gary said, that s a win. But he reminded us that God loves the homeless addicts the same as the cute students. Praying for hungry people isn t enough, Helmut said. Giving money is good, but that s not enough either. Systems that keep people in poverty must be changed. Our choices matter. Julie said, The education we receive must be used to serve others P a g e

Some of us saw men reach into their pockets and put everything they had into the offering basket as it went by.

16 And, I would add, to change this world for good. As the saying goes, We must be the change we want to see in the world. That will take deliberate, concrete actions. Faith, hope, generosity. A willingness to share our power. We worshipped with the Hope House guys. Some of us saw men reach into their pockets and put everything they had into the offering basket as it went by. One man, who had no shoes, put in two coins. It made us think. Danielle said, We found hope in a place we thought was so hopeless. We contributed to the local economy by shopping. The ladies bought jewelry. 16 P a g e

17 The men bought machetes. We learned about Archbishop Oscar Romero prophet and martyr, as he is known to his people. A saint in anybody s book, and a palpable presence in El Salvador, 33 years after his assassination. The world s cutest nun showed us around Romero s home, the humble Little House built for him by Bernadette s order when he came to live at Divine Providence cancer hospital as archbishop. It was in the chapel there that Monsignor was assassinated during mass. 17 P a g e

We found Oscar Arnulfo Romero on the wall of memory in Cuscatlán Park under

Only about 30,000 of the 75,000 people who died in the civil war are listed on

A lot of God s beloved children whose lives were sacrificed as Cold War

We were glad to see our friend artist Christian Chavarria (He was the one who

18 We found Oscar Arnulfo Romero on the wall of memory in Cuscatlán Park under Murdered, 1980 another name among many. Only about 30,000 of the 75,000 people who died in the civil war are listed on the Wall of Memory. But that s still a lot of names. A lot of God s beloved children whose lives were sacrificed as Cold War politics played out in El Salvador. We were glad to see our friend artist Christian Chavarria (He was the one who painted our cross here.) Christian was himself a survivor of the war that robbed him of his childhood; now he is an international activist for peace, clean water, and other human rights. 18 P a g e

It will be so great to have him with us again! Jessie Berry found crosses she liked at Christian s gallery. So did Erik.

19 Christian recently opened a gallery and workshop for his art. He is planning another visit to the United States to visit congregations who have supported the ministries of the Lutheran Church in El Salvador. He ll be in Minnesota October 14-16, the way it looks. It will be so great to have him with us again! Jessie Berry found crosses she liked at Christian s gallery. So did Erik. Ellie Knowles said she saw God in Christian s smile and in the bright colors he uses in his painting. She saw God in Trini s strength and in the selflessness of the Salvadoran people she met. Our church s mission is Making Disciples Making a Difference, she said. Now I understand what that means. We can make a difference in the lives of others, and that makes a difference in our lives. The Salvadorans have shown me what it is to have a passion for loving others. [black slide] 19 P a g e

20 Bishop Gomez often will greet first-time visitors to El Salvador with this wry warning: Watch out for the Salvadorans. They are thieves They ll steal your hearts. Is it stealing if we give them up willingly?!? Listen to what Jesus says in this morning s reading from Luke s gospel: Don t worry, you sheep, about your stuff. God the Father will provide for you, and through you God will provide for others. The kingdom of God is closer than you think. Invest your hearts and live fully into God s reign. Instead of living in fear, live in readiness to receive from God and to give to others. This is God s good will for you. In El Salvador this summer, we learned that those who know God s generosity must be ready to receive AND to give. AS the children heard today, Cuscutlán is the native name for the land the Spaniards named El Salvador. It means Land of Treasures. Beneath the volcanoes and lush tropical landscape, lies gold and lots of it. But we discovered many other treasures as well. For this opportunity to learn and serve and receive from the greatest treasure El Salvador has: its beautiful, resilient, hope-filled people Thanks be to God! 20 P a g e

Does he wave a magic wand and voila! a banquet appears? No, he uses what is available: a child s brown bag lunch.

Does he wave a magic wand and voila! a banquet appears? No, he uses what is available: a child s brown bag lunch. Proper 12 B July 29, 2012 Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Chanhassen, Minnesota Pastor Kristie Hennig Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6: 1-14 -- Bread of Life 1 John s story of the feeding of the crowd is about