Visit to Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Santa Ana

Due to the unavailability of Pastor Wilma Sunday because of a Clergy meeting in San Salvador (the capitol), our visit to Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Santa Ana was moved to Tuesday afternoon, August 8.  We went to visit after leaving work a little earlier and cleaning up first.  Santa Ana is about a 1-hour drive from Ahuachapan.  Pastor Wilma's husband, Pastor Carlos, was unable to make it to the Tuesday activities.  However, his health is pretty good after heart surgery last year.

 The front gate of Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Lutheran Church.  Good Shepherd volunteers and supporters helped construct its foundation in 2014.  It was hard work consisting of moving lots of dirt and packing it in place to have concrete poured on it.  
We helped to build this church's one foundation.

Inside the front doors of Cristo Rey.  The hanging chains are used to open and close the slatted glass windows visible above.  The church has lights, but no heating or cooling.

Marilyn finds a new friend quickly, named Jimena.  She seems very happy to be with Marilyn, and vice-versa, even though they have never met before.

Pastor Wilma leads a worship service, and gives a sermon from the altar.  A song of greeting posted on the white board opened the service.  Everyone sang to each other, and we walked about greeting everyone.  It took several minutes.  Bienvenido means "Welcome".

The youngsters put on a play for us on Noah's Ark to music.  It is quite clear that they worked hard on this, making costumes, practicing dances, and singing along.  We were very impressed with their efforts and dedication - all for us visitors.

The Youth Directors then led the kids in another play about the devil, God, and angels.  Again singing and choreography with costumes, and several participants.

Jimena and Marilyn enjoy the plays together.

 

God the Father conquers the devil, and the angels honor him.

 Pastor Wilma thanks the Angels.

The Angels, the King of Heaven, the devil, and us, plus Pastor Wilma, and a little girl who is probably someone's sister.  It is an unusual combination.

Bob and I are joined by Pastor Wilma and an enthusiastic little girl.

Rene is the guy from church who is always there.  You might call him the sextant.  He unlocks and locks everything, makes sure chairs and hymn books are in order, and is the first to arrive, and the last to leave, and always wears this hat.  I was very happy to finally meet him and learn his name.   He is a dear man, deeply devoted to the church and community, and recalled our other previous three visits.

Our group and everyone in church that Tuesday afternoon.  We were so very happy to see each other.  The kids are always thrilled to greet us.
We helped build this.

Marilyn makes friends with a woman who introduces herself as "Maria Teresa Martinez, Vdo".  Maria is a widow.  She is very friendly and talkative, and Marilyn will try to write her a letter.   Dean volunteers to get it translated into Spanish for her.

Dean and Pastor Wilma.  The slatted windows are open in the background.

Jim with his old buddy, Luis, who Jim has seen probably about 5 years in a row.  The year we worked on the church build, 2014, Luis collected extra tortillas, and once had a collection of about a dozen of the grilled cornbread items.

 Our own Angel duo, Francis and Flor, on the way back to Ahuachapan.  They really took care of us well, and we are grateful for them.  Flor typically works the east side of El Salvador, and Francis the west, since she lives in Ahuachapan at her Mom's Bakery and home.  We came to call Flor "The Francis of the East".