Sunday, 18 Oct 2015 -

Dean Olson; about 8:30 p.m.

Town of Ahuachapan

Jim and I are in our room in the Mamapan Hotel (really La Casa de Mamapan).  The town of Ahuachapan is in the department of the same name, one of 14 state-like municipalities in El Salvador.  We are west-most in the country and at an altitude of about 5500 feet.  Jim asked me if having the Cubs game on TV was bothersome while I typed, and I remarked that: first, it’s just baseball; and second, it’s in Spanish – though I did just hear the name Bill Murray, who I gather is at the game in New York City – a world away.  The Spanish-speaking announcer does say “Swing!”, or more accurately, “Sweeeeeeeng!”

Our morning began in San Salvador with a surprisingly good shower!  Hot and cold running water at a normal pressure that did not fluctuate or diminish to a trickle made for a pleasant experience.  Suspicious of how the remainder of the week is likely to play out, Jim and I both concluded, “that will probably be the last of that”.  A brief jaunt brings us through the drizzle from the old part of the Crowne Plaza to its new part, a fabulous breakfast was seen laid out in a large room by the outdoor pool.  We just gave our room numbers and walked into the buffet, the matter of payment all taken care of by Habitat Para La Humanidad El Salvador.  Breakfast was whatever you wanted of sliced fresh fruit (oranges, papaya, watermelon, pineapple), French toast, plantains, sausage, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, several juices, and omelets made to order, among several choices of pastries.  We checked out at the front desk, and gathered in the lobby to depart for Santa Ana and church at Cristo Rey Lutheran – in a steady rain.  Though probably never above 80 degrees in temperature since we arrived, the rain has persisted.

Joe Davis has just walked in and somehow switched the ball game to English, but it didn’t help change the score; Cubs still down 4 to 1.

I believe San Salvador itself was at about 1500 feet of elevation, so we went up some more in elevation to get to Santa Ana, which people here pronounce “Santana”.  We see many street vendors along the highway selling oranges, coconuts, plantains, bananas, and beverages.  Families including kids and dogs wander about the roadside, and we see horses, cows, and goats grazing, but always tethered on a rope attached to a post, tree, or stake in the ground.  Crops are mostly corn, sugar cane, and other things we cannot quite discern through the rain.  Joining us in the van were Karla, a contracted translator who Habitat hires frequently, plus Briseida from Habitat.  In the van, the eight of us and our luggage, plus Karla, Briseida, Francis, and Ricardo, our driver again today.  Gas was $2.57 per gallon.  Distances are in kilometers and speeds in kph.

We saw two guys on a motorcycle and as we approached to pass them, we could see a medium-sized dog straddled across the seat between the driver and the passenger.  The dog was perfectly content going down the highway.  Only the humans had helmets.

We arrived in Santa Ana a little early and took a quick turn around town square with the opera house on one side, city hall on another and the Santa Ana Cathedral dominating it all.  Street vendors were out in droves, and mass was taking place in the church.  Our service at Cristo Rey was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and we arrived with time to look around at our earlier work.  Jim, Luke, and I were impressed with how much different the place looked with finished walls, windows, doors, and a roof.  But we knew deep down that it all rested on the soil we prepared, and the rebar we painstakingly assembled into shape last October.  Thanks to all at Good Shepherd who were involved in that endeavor, and thanks for the gratifying moment for us here in Santa Ana today.

People gathered for the 10:30 service.  Pastor Carlos greeted everyone at the front door.  At 10:30, the church bell rang, and nothing happened.  Yes, life here is less driven by the clock than we’re used to, and we know that.  At around 5 before 11, Pastor Carlos announced he had to go get communion wine.  He promptly got in his Honda and drove away.  (Our van and his car were the only vehicles present.)  At 11 a.m., the church bell was rung again.  Nothing happened.  Pastor Carlos returned about 20 min later and had clearly been to a store to buy sacramental wine – exactly the same brand Laurie Johnson bought him last year as a gift. 

Pastor Carlos then gave a greeting which Briseida translated spontaneously.  He was very gracious and thanked us for our work on the church last year, and for the funds raised over several years.  He declared it the most beautiful Lutheran Church in all of El Salvador, which it no doubt is.

After getting dressed, Pastor Carlos was ready, the bell was rung again, and with some 50 people in attendance, the service began.  There’s no choir, no organ, no piano, and today, no electricity and no sound system.  The service is still conducted entirely out of the books that Good Shepherd provided, and Don and Gail Block dedicated to the memory of their daughter, Erin.  Her lovely photo still graces each copy.  An old woman named Emma sat next to me and read the dedication to Erin quietly before the service (it’s in English and Spanish).  She says she comes every Sunday.

The service was simple with readings from the Psalms ((Tim in English), two lessons (Zack and Jodi), and the Gospel (Dean).  Pastor Carlos gave a sermon speaking to the Gospel story of the disciples wanting to be sent, and the faith it took, much like it took the faith of many to build the Cristo Rey Church.  The service included communion (by intinction with wafers, and Pastor Carlos placing the wafer on your tongue).  Afterward, Jim presented Pastor Carlos with some Altar linens, one of which was a Christ the King theme.  People gathered around and admired them, and you could tell they were happy to have them.  Pastor Carlos seemed surprised and thankful for everything.

Lunch was at the Santa Ana office of Habitat.  Ana Maria Montoya prepared it herself.  She simply tossed together a meal of rice, steamed vegetables, and chicken stuffed with cheese and ham!  She knew it was called Chicken Kiev elsewhere.  She topped off the meal with a lemon gelato.  The office has an kitchen, and a garage area where they park two Habitat pick-up trucks.

We drove to Ahuachapan in about 90 minutes, again, mostly in the rain.  We have not seen much in the area due to the rain.  Dinner at the hotel was burritos and a salad.  We later shared devotions written by Barbara Hack – thanks, Barb!  We also discussed some topics in a diary booklet provided by Thrivent. 

All for now, and thanks for having enough interest in our trip to read about our exploits.