Sexism kills women
What have been the reactions of people here when we speak of the “machismo mata” rallies in Chile? People have expressions of shock when they learn that 38 women have been killed due to sexism this year in Chile, then even more upset when they hear of some of the methods used.
A link: http://www.nuestroblog.net/2007/08/el-machismo-mata.html
What are you finding in your communication circles?
Monday, August 20, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Greetings & Giftings
As Chair of the Global Mission Committee of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, I had several opportunities to extend greetings on behalf of Bishop James Stuck, Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Bill Gafkjen, and all the people of the IK Synod. I also had opportunities to officially present and receive material type gifts at churches, schools, and all of the official visits we made. I thank you and God for those opportunities.I also want to bring greetings to Bishop Stuck, to Rev. Bill Gafkjen, and to all the people of the Indiana Kentucky Synod from Bishop Pastora Gloria Rojas, the staff of the IELCH office, and the people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile. We were so warmly received and greeted and those greetings extend to you as well.
The group of travelers had a wonderful time in Chile experiencing new friendships as God filled the space between. We carried several gifts from various congregations including clerical stoles (enough for each of the 10 pastors to receive one), 20 small blankets, and Teddy bears. We also carried a poster signed by people from around the country who attended the National Via de Cristo Secretariat meeting in Indianapolis just before our departure. Ruth Ann Hendrix (far right in the photo) attended this VDC meeting and brought this poster along with the greetings.
We so frequently think of gifting in the material sense. I am reminded however of scripture in Romans 12:4-8 and the use of the many gifts we have been given by God. Though we come from various backgrounds, we shared the gifts of music and dance, friendship, stories, warmth, and hope. Here are just a few pictures of sharing gifts.
We hope to share with the congregations of the IK Synod, through presentations to your congregationa, some of gifts we've received through stories and photos. We also brought back gifts of red clerical stoles for Bishop Stuck and Rev. Bill Gafkjen. The Belén O'Higgins School also sent a cross and a wall hanging with photos of their students.
A few years ago the Women's organization of theIK synod and the Global Mission Committee partnered to raise money for some women's projects in Chile. One of those projects is a sewing group that makes altar paraments. We brought back a 2-piece set that is reversible for the Advent and Christmas seasons. These paraments will be available for display with our presentations.
Five years ago at the Synod Assembly held in Louisville, the decision was made to provide hymnals and Bibles to the Lutheran churches in Chile. I am happy to report that every congregation we visited was using those gifts.
Peace,
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Welcome Forward!
Here they are in the Indianapolis airport, having flown through the night from Chile by way of Atlanta. Exhausted, filled with 
memories, hopeful that they will be able to share the profound ways in which their lives have changed from their sojourn between the mountains and the sea, ambassadors for Christ and the church, both in Chile and the USA.
memories, hopeful that they will be able to share the profound ways in which their lives have changed from their sojourn between the mountains and the sea, ambassadors for Christ and the church, both in Chile and the USA. Thank you, sisters and brother, for serving the church in this way. Thank you for seeking and seeing and sharing God in between with our sisters and brothers in Chile. Thank you for your willingness to seek and see and share God in between with your sisters and brothers here in Indiana and Kentucky and beyond.
And thanks be to God for a safe journey, for the wonder and delight of being a part of the global body of Christ, and for work to do that is inspired, at least in part, by the witness of the people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile.
Monday, August 13, 2007
We've returned!
We returned to the U.S. today safely. Sunday was a very busy day, returning to the hotel only an hour before we planned to leave for the airport. We actually left the hotel early and made it to the airport shortly after 5:00 pm for an 8:40 flight to Atlanta. Most of us were in the very back of the plane. It was not a completely full flight which allowed us to spread out just a bit. We arrived in Atlanta just after 6 am and it took about 1 1/2 hours to get through immigration and customs and rechecking baggage and security and... and... Unfortunately we were all so tired yet happy to be so close to being home that we forgot Mary would be heading to a different gate. Thus we forgot to say our goodbyes and give lots of hugs. Sorry Mary! That was such a terrible way to say "Thanks" for all your contributions on this trip.
We boarded the flight for the final leg to Indianapolis. The flight was quite routine and arrived on time. We were all happy to see Pastor Gafkjen waiting for us as we came out of the secured area and later to find more family and friends waiting for us in the baggage area. When the baggage turnstiles quit bringing luggage, we found there was one bag that had not yet arrived. I certainly hope that by now it has been found and arrived at its proper home.
Thanks to all for your prayers and posted comments during our journey to Chile. We may be back in the States but the blog continues as we reflect on and process this journey. We have formed some wonderful friendships and look forward to sharing more stories with you. I'll get a picture of our return posted tomorrow. For now, I need some rest.
Blessings and Peace.
We boarded the flight for the final leg to Indianapolis. The flight was quite routine and arrived on time. We were all happy to see Pastor Gafkjen waiting for us as we came out of the secured area and later to find more family and friends waiting for us in the baggage area. When the baggage turnstiles quit bringing luggage, we found there was one bag that had not yet arrived. I certainly hope that by now it has been found and arrived at its proper home.
Thanks to all for your prayers and posted comments during our journey to Chile. We may be back in the States but the blog continues as we reflect on and process this journey. We have formed some wonderful friendships and look forward to sharing more stories with you. I'll get a picture of our return posted tomorrow. For now, I need some rest.
Blessings and Peace.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Muy frio!
We've heard of the heat wave hitting the states, especially Indiana and Kentucky. Before coming on this journey to Chile, we were told it is a hard winter here. Several of us had looked on the internet and were expecting to have highs in the 50´s and low´s around 30. It has been much colder than we were expecting, even with the warnings that the weather is cold. Today we even had some snow. Some have needed to buy warmer clothes.
It makes me very grateful that we are able to afford warmer clothes and can heat our homes. Many of the people we´ve visited heat their home with just one central wood burning stove, and this at quite an expense. Many people cannot financially afford to have a lot of heat in their homes. When this happens, they just add another couple layers of clothing. I am also thankful that I brought my hiking boots.
The windows in the hotel have normal type curtains but they also have wooded slat type curtains or shutters that we let down at night to help keep out the cold. They also make the room nice and dark for sleeping.
While you are sweltering, think of us in the cold and let God fill the space between.
It makes me very grateful that we are able to afford warmer clothes and can heat our homes. Many of the people we´ve visited heat their home with just one central wood burning stove, and this at quite an expense. Many people cannot financially afford to have a lot of heat in their homes. When this happens, they just add another couple layers of clothing. I am also thankful that I brought my hiking boots.
The windows in the hotel have normal type curtains but they also have wooded slat type curtains or shutters that we let down at night to help keep out the cold. They also make the room nice and dark for sleeping.
While you are sweltering, think of us in the cold and let God fill the space between.
Villa Grimaldi
Today was a most moving day. Our group visited Villa Grimaldi which was a place of interrogation, torture and death during the Pinochet dictatorship. What once had been a place of incredible horror, is now transforming into a park of healing and peace.
Upon entering the site, prisoners could only see a tiled pathway from beneath their blindfolds. Today that tile has been transformed into a piece of artwork which looks like flames. The flames represent pain and suffering. While the flames were a beginning place of pain they ultimately lead the way to water, life.
Just a couple of days ago in Osorno our group spoke to Yolanda whose son had been taken to Grimaldi and whose body has never been found. Today pray for not only her pain but of the pain of all who were affected by the dictatorship of Chile and the oppressed everywhere.
God´s Peace Be With You
Sunday in Concepcion
Sunday brought a day of worship!
Our group traveled about 2 blocks from our hotel to worship at Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Martin Luther in downtown Conception. We first worshipped with the German congregation. Pastor Eduardo Rojas wore his black cassock and white 'preaching tabs.' The service was entirely in German, which none of us spoke. However, we had no trouble following along and singing with enthusiasm. During the announcements Melissa introduced our delegation in Spanish and I asked her to have Pastor Eduardo translate. Everyone laughed because they all speak Spanish! Melissa told us that the German service helped her to understand what we who speak little or no Spanish are experiencing here.
The second service at the same church was in Spanish, which some of us could understand. My Spanish is getting better, but still very limited. The love of God and His people was very present here as everywhere.
Afterwards we all went to lunch at the German Club with the church council of Martin Luther church. That evening we attended church at Congregation Vida Nueva -- Pastor Oscar's church -- Mary has described that service in her blog.
On the way back to our hotel Jon mentioned that if we were to die, we would surely arrive safely in heaven -- 3 services in ONE DAY! :-)
I met many other church leaders and congregational presidents. In one meeting I was in a room with 5 congregation presidents from churches in Chile and USA. It happened that all 5 of us were single!!! Earlier I had met Alfred and Hector, presidents of their congregations, and their wives. Being single is not a requirement.
This has been an exhausting and exhilarating visit to Chile and our sister churches here.... And it is not over yet!!!!
Our group traveled about 2 blocks from our hotel to worship at Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Martin Luther in downtown Conception. We first worshipped with the German congregation. Pastor Eduardo Rojas wore his black cassock and white 'preaching tabs.' The service was entirely in German, which none of us spoke. However, we had no trouble following along and singing with enthusiasm. During the announcements Melissa introduced our delegation in Spanish and I asked her to have Pastor Eduardo translate. Everyone laughed because they all speak Spanish! Melissa told us that the German service helped her to understand what we who speak little or no Spanish are experiencing here.
The second service at the same church was in Spanish, which some of us could understand. My Spanish is getting better, but still very limited. The love of God and His people was very present here as everywhere.
Afterwards we all went to lunch at the German Club with the church council of Martin Luther church. That evening we attended church at Congregation Vida Nueva -- Pastor Oscar's church -- Mary has described that service in her blog.
On the way back to our hotel Jon mentioned that if we were to die, we would surely arrive safely in heaven -- 3 services in ONE DAY! :-)
I met many other church leaders and congregational presidents. In one meeting I was in a room with 5 congregation presidents from churches in Chile and USA. It happened that all 5 of us were single!!! Earlier I had met Alfred and Hector, presidents of their congregations, and their wives. Being single is not a requirement.
This has been an exhausting and exhilarating visit to Chile and our sister churches here.... And it is not over yet!!!!
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