Thursday, January 17
El Salvador
Community members in La Mediagua measure out bean seeds. Photo by Kristi Van Nostran.
Storms had devastated crops, and in the months that followed families that live off what little they are able to harvest began to wonder how they could get seed for the coming season. In small communities like La Mediagua, a village of approximately 40 farming families in the province of Usulután, individuals were desperately searching for vendors willing to sell even a small quantity of bean seed at a reasonable price.
They came together to organize a community development association, hoping to secure seeds on a larger scale. With the accompaniment of the pastoral team in the city of Berlín, the Directive of La Mediagua joined leaders from 23 neighboring villages to assess needs, propose solutions, and solicit support. Just as the window for planting was coming to a close, their efforts paid off; enough bean seed was purchased so that families in each of the 24 communities could plant that season.
Each family in La Mediagua was to receive 25 pounds of seed, which could render as much as 250 pounds of edible beans. However, when the truck arrived, it became apparent that four families were not on the list. Rather than lay blame or bicker, all who were present to receive seeds agreed to offer two pounds from their family’s portion in order that every family would benefit. Problem solved—in community.
—Kristi Van Nostran, PC(USA) mission co-worker, San Salvador, El Salvador
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Kristin Van Nostran, facilitator for Joining Hands El Salvador
Partners/Ministries
Joining Hands El Salvador: Doris Evangelista, coordinator • Reformed Calvinist Church of El Salvador: Rev. Joel Berdugo, moderator
Presbytery Partnerships: Presbytery of Des Moines, with the Berlin Parish in San Salvador; Presbytery of Riverside, with Joining Hands El Salvador
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Amgad Beblawi, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Rev. Lee Beckhusen, Presbyterian Foundation
Let us pray
God our sustainer, we hear the voice of Jesus instructing us to give, to become vulnerable and available to the world around us, trusting in your promise of abundance. Still we wonder, “Are we enough?” May your Spirit fill us to overflowing, empowering us to share all that we are and all that we have, until every wanting heart, mind, stomach, and soul is satisfied. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 97; 147:12-20
First Reading Isaiah 41:17-29
Second Reading Ephesians 2:11-22
Gospel Reading Mark 2:1-12
Evening Psalms 16; 62
