In the Beginning.....

On Good Friday nine members of the Growing in Grace youth group will be traveling to El Salvador. A few summers ago the group explored the relationship of faith to environmental stewardship during our annual vacation bible school. We received matching grant funds from the Diocese of Olympia’s Commission for the Church in the World to support a new water pump for the village of El Carmen, Usulután Province, El Salvador. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work raising money for the pump.  With support from our two church communities, Christ Episcopal Church and Celebration Lutheran, we potted and sold plants at the Anacortes Farmer’s Market, held spaghetti dinners and car washes and before we knew it we had reached our goal! 

Selling our potted plants at the Farmer's Market

The pump project was coordinated by the Foundation Cristosal (http://www.cristosal.org/ )a faith-based organization of Anglican roots dedicated to human rights and community development work in El Salvador.

Water Pump in El Carmen

Bishop of El Salvador, Martin Barahona was visiting the Northwest that fall and accepted an invitation to meet our group.  He was so happy with our work that he invited us to visit El Salvador to continue to build our relationship with the Salvadoran people.  More than three years later we are ready to go!

Bishop Martin Barahona visits us.

    Thanks to everyone who supports us in this journey…spaghetti makers, pancake flippers, blackberry jam makers and eaters, check writers… and above all those who continue to hold us in their prayers and in their hearts…