A delegation of 14 visited Berlin between Jan. 28th and Feb. 4th 2005. We had six youth, 5 first timers, 9 repeaters with 5 of us who have been to Berlin 3 or more times. Wow.
We arrived in San Salvador after dark and spent the night at the International Guest House. The next morning we visited the UCA (University of Central America), CIS (Center for International Solidarity - a must stop for orientation and information about the country), and the Divina Providencia (seeing the small residence where Romero lived and the chapel in which he was assassinated). These visits are almost imperative to learn a little about Oscar Romero and the history of El Salvador and to prepare ourselves for the journey ahead.
We then traveled to Berlin. It is always a joy to enter the Pastoral Team's house. We are received as family with open arms and joy filled hearts.
While in Berlin, we visited and toured the Instituto (High School), 3 marginalized elementary schools and the women's prison. We had such a delightful time visiting the women in the prison that we made a return trip later in the week. Some of us left with names for future 'pen pal' communication!
We journeyed with the Pastoral Team to Ciudad Barrios to visit Oscar Romero's birth town and childhood home. We visited the church where Romero worked and worshiped as a child, saw the funeral home where he also worked and heard anecdotal stories of his youth. Did you know that Romero liked to make flutes out of bamboo shoots and play them while walking through town? (Ask me where else he would play those hand-made flutes!)
While in Ciudad Barrios, we were able to walk and talk with the director/operator of the radio station set up in the hills above town. We visited the station and learned of its importance in a country that is known for its lack of freedom of speech. Then Bob Cook and 3 members of the Pastoral Team were interviewed as was our very own Pastor Mark! We were live on the air for about 45 minutes during the noon hour!
The highlight of a Heartland trip is always our visit to El Tablón. This year was made more special because Bill Fisher and Joie Hand chose to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with their friends and 'family' in El Tablón.
The Pastoral Team went above and beyond to make this celebration a reality! They planned and organized decorations and food for all the 800 expected guests…as well as the 'usual' difficult preparations for a sleepover for 14 in a remote canton.
We felt blessed that we were able to assist the Team with food preparation. We skinned and chopped buckets full of chicken and peeled & chopped pounds and pounds of potatoes and carrots. When we thought we were almost done, out came another sack of potatoes! When it came time to serve our 500 guests, all of our youth dove in to help! I think we ALL learned the blessings of living in service!!
Pastor Mark Davis delivered a service enjoyed by all. He told a bit of a story with some humor to help keep the children engaged but poignant enough to make a bunch of us weep.
As if the re-covenanting ceremony were not special enough, Bill and Joie invited members of the community of El Tablón, the Pastoral Team, the Directiva of El Tablón and a member of Heartland Presbyterian to stand with them as a symbol of our covenant with each other. We celebrated the joys of our past walk as well as the joy of re-commitment as we begin a new long term relationship with El Tablón with the guidance and support of the Pastoral Team.
It was nothing short of a miracle to stand together in solidarity in front of a community of witnesses.
Heartland's journey ahead will be to work through the Pastoral Team with the leaders of the community of El Tablón to "grow" their elementary school from a K-6 building to a K-9. We began with that first most difficult step of creating a common vision; emphasizing the need to work together - Heartland, the Pastoral Team, the Directiva of El Tablón and the entire community of El Tablón.
The walking paths in the mountains surrounding Berlin can be rocky, narrow and precarious. But with perseverance, open hearts and minds and willing hands working together in solidarity, there is hope for a better future for the children and families of El Tablón.
Les Dios bendiga.
Kathy Mahler
Please contact me if you would like more details! I'm always happy to share the joy of this mission!
Kathymahler111@msn.com