Christian's Impressions

Children, children, children – young country
Rainbow in the sky
Poverty
Lush green landscape
Honking of horns
Bicycles
2 lane highway – dangerous passing
Pepsi/ Coca Cola – everywhere
Bill Boards abundant
Fruit stands – bananas, melons, pineapple
Laundry hanging to dry
Grey cinderblocks, pink cinderblock, metal roofs
Emaciated dogs
People standing, people waiting, people walking, people hanging out, people with time
Smiling people, joyful people, interest in foreigners

Ministry of the Church:
Episcopal Church with dual focus: Evangelism, and Social Ministry to people and their communities
Prophetic amazing ministry to people who are HIV positive or with AIDS – offering medical treatment, nutrition education, support groups, meals, employment in a sewing shop so they can have the dignity of work as well as income; particularly important and unique given the stigma people who are HIV positive have to endure
Episcopal Church is well organized; support a number of micro enterprises like a bakery run by number of women…
Lutheran Church more in the hills, on a dirt road in a very poor area, smaller church, fewer resources, but what a joyful group of people; they were so proud to host us, we sang together in Spanish, prayed together; they emphasized “we are a joyful people” and we could see that
Everyone has been extremely hospitable… there is a lot to absorb!