In preparation for a service trip to El Salvador, Rainbow Mennonite Church's Outreach Coordinator, Joel Goering, shared this message with the congregation. I think others might find it interesting to read as well...
Why are we going?
Jesus calls us to be servants and to be peacemakers. This understanding is central to our Anabaptist and Christian faith. It provides the foundation for not only our words (“what we teach”), but also for our actions (“what we do”).
It is in this vein that a group from Rainbow Mennonite will be traveling to El Salvador later this month to serve and be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in that country. Continuing a Rainbow tradition, this will be at least the fifth service trip to Central America in the past 10 years. This time, we will be working with Habitat for Humanity alongside local residents, helping to construct simple, decent, and affordable homes.
There is a critical housing crisis in El Salvador. An already dire situation has been exacerbated by natural disasters, including Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and two major earthquakes in 2001. Approximately 600,000 Salvadoran families are in need of decent, affordable housing. Because of the population growth rate, an additional 35,000 houses are needed each year.
We are also going on this trip to build community – not only with our Salvadoran hosts – but also amongst ourselves. By living and working together for a week, we’ll be able to take a break from our busy lives in the U.S. and get to know each other better. And, through reporting on our experiences after we return, the entire congregation will be enriched and strengthened.
Finally, we are going on this trip to learn. Short-term service trips such as this one can be problematic if undertaken with the wrong attitude. El Salvador’s history of colonialism and its complicated relationship with the U.S. make it essential for North American visitors to possess a spirit of humility and openness. It is also important to realize that most often it is the people who are “doing service” that actually end up being served by those they thought they were serving. We will benefit greatly from this experience. This trip will teach us about El Salvador, its people and culture, and about each other and how we work together.
What does Habitat do?
Like Habitat affiliates throughout the world, Habitat El Salvador builds simple, decent, affordable homes for low-income families, offering all people regardless of religion, political party, or race an opportunity to put their faith and love into action. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. This is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Who is going on the service trip?
Lonnie Buerge
Joelle Jantzen
Bob Carlson
Rod Kliewer
Phyllis Carlson
Amy Kliewer
Greg Gaeddert
Emily Kliewer
Terri Gaeddert
Doug Kliewer
David Gaeddert
Jim Martin
Joel Gaeddert
Darin Penner
Crystal Gaeddert
Marsha Rhoads
Joel Goering
Terry Rouse
Eric Jantzen
Lance Slabach
