The last trip to El Salvador

The last trip to El Salvador

Reports

Now at the end of 2024 and leading into 2025 is a good time to catch you up on what has happened over the last while, both in the country and new developments with the Word and Deed Project explained in the video.

I made a ten-day trip in January/February, timed for me to be an International Election Observer of the El Salvador presidential elections for the sixth time over twenty-seven years.  “New Ideas” Party Nayib Bukele was re-elected on a contrived re-interpretation of the Constitution allowing him to run again.  I encourage you to do your own investigation of what that has meant for the country.  Time magazine recently had a five page report titled “Iron First.”  Having jailed tens of thousands, Bukele is very popular for crime reduction, but at the possible cost of democratic rule.  I want here to move on to further reasons for my trip.

Over the last while with national leaders we have worked at changes that I call a “re-alignment.”  In the past it was the small Christian Reformed churches in direct relation to me, Lou Wagenveld, to support them in agreed upon projects.  To the extent we could avoid “dependency” that was fine, but for various considerations – our move, my age, and my decision to make that my last trip – it was time to restructure relationships.   It was felt that things could be done more structurally, namely, through a national non-profit agency related to Resonate (formerly CRC World Missions) That is Casa Semillas de Nueva Creación (Office of Seeds of New Creation).  Fundraising will continue….

In meetings with all the interested parties we came to an agreement that over the last two years has gotten worked out.  Just recently I got a report that a scholarship program for four young musicians concluded successfully; that will enhance the worship services in the church activities.  An agricultural program is now also underway.  Other communications also said that plans and budgets for new projects are being submitted; the churches will work directly with Executive Director Gerardo Reyes for approval and implementation with that interdenominational office. Some money will go directly to support this agency, and other funds via them to the mutually agreed upon projects.

I’m asking you to consider  your giving for both what was essentially the Word and Deed Project and now for Casa Semillas.  Now the support will go to and via the office and programs of Casa Semillas.  They have my full confidence as I’ve known them for many years; they give institutional assurance and credibility.  Church members include a founder of Semillas, and the pastors are partners.

Sorry we don’t have a “give button” capability; kindly  make/send a check to: 

 ARMA (memo line El Salvador)      [A 501 c 3 non-profit; tax deductible receipts issued]

4544Van Buren St.
Hudsonville, MI  49426

See other tabs for more background and information.

I’d very much like to be in personal touch – “Lou”:     wagenlma@aol.com    (616) 392-9079

We see through a glass darkly

We see through a glass darkly

Reports

“We see through a glass darkly” – St. Paul 

YOU  HAVE ACCESSED the home page of the North America support effort for the Christian Reformed Church of El Salvador, and other related ministries; “bienvenido“!  This support is in both mentoring and monetary dimensions, please join in prayer and partnership.

 

INTRODUCING myself and this ministry effort:  Yes, welcome to this site, from former missionary to El Salvador, Rev. Lou Wagenveld (D.Min.) 1995-1999.   Other places of service with wife Mary Anne have been Argentina (13 years), California (15), and Mexico (2).  Please spend a little while with me on these pages.

 BACKGROUND:  Some will remember the 12 year civil war in the 1980s, and the major earthquake of January 2001 in El Salvador that killed over 1000 people, most just a mile away from the Christian Reformed Church of Santa Tecla. The old colonial era building was so badly damaged it had to be razed to the ground.  This was a building that a Michigan work team had helped restore and refurbish just two years earlier and where a new congregation was forming.  During my time of ministry in El Salvador, I was privileged to meet and mentor two young leaders who have since been ordained:  Rev. Joaquin Ordonez and  Rev. Carlos Mejia. 
 Joaquin was leading the rural town church in Huizucar. Carlos in his initial contact with our mission,  made it plain that he is convinced that the Christian faith from a Reformed world and life view perspective is what his country very much needs. 

 THE LEADERS: With his small but growing congregation and new leaders in training, Rev. Mejia sees a hopeful future and a real role for the Reformed faith in Salvadoran life.  While the lack of an adequate facility severely hampered congregational life and growth, the new building has given them renewed vision and expectation (see below). The current President of the ES CRC is the recently ordained Rev. Ordonez, pastor in the rural town of Huizucar. 

 THE OPPORTUNITIES: We – you who read this and I – can help. If you love the reformed and evangelical faith, and have a heart for this small country and church, you can be part of the picture.  Next are two pictures of the new building to replace the old one in Santa Tecla (the city church).

After the earthquake of 2001 – promised help never came… 

 

 

 In the picture are some of the leaders; Pastor Carlos Mejia on the left, next to him elder and longtime leader Samuel Montano and wife. In the middle, in gray; yours truly, Lou Wagenveld.

 

 Dedication of the new building April 2006

 

 

 

 On the right is Rev. Eduardo Aparicio from the Costa Rican Christian Reformed Church, who earlier had examined and ordained Pastor Carlos. Later Pastor Aparicio helped prepare Joaquin Ordonez for ordination.

 

This is the front (notice the CRC symbol) of the Huizucar CR Church which was started in 1979.  It is led by Pastor Joaquin Ordonez (white shirt and cap) and his equally hard working wife Gloria Rosario (seated).  With elder Alfredo Palacios (blue shirt) they are leaving in the back of a pick up truck after the morning service to attend to another recently started church in Maria Victoria. The town of 4000 is the municipality for another 10,000 people living in small villages and hamlets scattered around in the hilly coffee plantations up to 3 hour walks away.  The name of the town in Nahuat means “Thorny Path” and the church has experienced some of that as well, so see the Christian School tab for more.