Greetings to the group in Concepcion

Greetings to the group in Concepcion from the group in Osorno. Special greeting to Connie from Deborah. Tonight we gathered at the church for a time of fellowship with sopapillas, other foods, and hot wine. During my greetings from the I-K Synod, I discovered that Deborah is here in Osorno. What fun to give her greetings from you. We danced, took many photos, and had much fun. Tomorrow we will have lunch at her home.

Hope you are all well.

J.E.

Reception at Congregacion La Paz, Osorno

This evening the Osorno group went to a reception given to us by the Osorno Congregacion La Paz. Once again, the people were most gracious. Kate and I are staying with a lovely family, Deborah, y Raul, Christina and y Raul (Jr); while Jean, Ruth Ann & Linda are staying with Pastor Izani, her husband and son.

The church´s common area was packed and there was a wealth of conversation taking place, Spanish, English, a few words of French here and there and possibly some German. The talk was on religion, politics, economics, social problem but most espcially about how we are joined by God and his many blessings. A priest from a local parish joined us as well as some people who support some of the congregations sociatal programs.

We also met the oldest member of the congregation, Yolanda, who was a charter member of the congregation 35 years ago. She has just recently moved to be with her daughter and grandchildren but she traveled over an hour to be with us this evening. Yolanda´s son was killed during the "dictatorship" and talk of the "dictatorship" underlies many aspects of all conversation.

But, all of us who have been cold warmed up and were finally able to shed some of our jackets, vests and scarves when Elvis´song "Blue Suede Shoes" was played. Deborah and I just couldn´t keep our feet still and began to twist & shout and before you knew it all the ladies in the room had joined us. And we were told that Osorno didn´t have a night life:) All you had to do was look in the church.

Connie & Deborah traveled to Brazil a few years ago with a Women´s Delegation and to Connie, Deborah say´s hi!

Femicide

Femicide for us is a term we have learned on this trip. It refers to the murders of women as a result of domestic violence. The killer can be a husband, a sweetheart, a boyfriend, a significant other, or a family member, but is usually a male the woman knows well.

Today we had the opportunity to attend and participate in a rally for women´s rights in Osorno. We were able to see the shoes representing the 38 Chilean women who have been murdered since January of this year. We were able to see the tears and anguish of loved ones and friends of these women. Most of those who participated were women, but there were a few men present who support women´s rights. The most emotional time of the rally was when 38 candles were lit and the names, ages, dates, causes of death, and locations were read by 38 individuals, including some of us. For us, this is accompaniment at its fullest.

Our awareness of the tragedy of domestic abuse has been heightened in the last several days. We realize more fully just how international this problem is. It isn´t just a problem for one person, one town, one country, or one socioeconomic group. Femicide is a term that applies to domestic violence in all countries, including the U.S.

Bus Ride to Osorno

On Friday evening, five of us left Santiago by bus to travel to Osorno. We left Santiago about 10:00 p.m. and travelled for just under 11 hours before reaching Osorno just before 9:00 a.m. The trip wasn´t that bad because we rode on a "cama" with large comfortable seats that reclined to make beds. To make us more comfortable, we were each given a large comfy pillow and a warm blanket. So throughout the night we travelled from the cold weather of Santiago to the very cold and rainy weather of Osorno.

The bus ride felt like a train ride in the States as there were very few stops and the ride was very smooth. The stops were to pay tolls. Because this is a toll road, which is very expensive for the majority of people, the primary traffic was buses and trucks for hauling goods and materials. There were VERY few passenger cars. This a very good bus system which accommodates most individuals needing to travel a distance in this area.

While the weather was cold outside, the inside of our bus was toasty warm. Finally, after a good night´s sleep, we were served a simple breakfast. Finally, we arrived in Osorno, where we were greeted by Pastor Izani and given a ride to her home. After having a larger breakfast at her home and meeting her husband and son, we left to go to a rally for women´s rights.

P.S. The group that is now in Osorno is not able to post photos, but once we return to Santiago we will post photos that we have taken.

Life in Santiago

After our trip to EPES and the women's shelter we had a lot of free time before leaving for Concepcion and Osorno. As can be seen from the picture we were able to experience the rich culture of Santiago as well as wonderful Chilean cuisine.

Trip to EPES

Our trip to EPES was very enlightening. For the last 25 years EPES has been educating the people of Chile about health issues in the country. EPES has been training people to run their own public health projects all over the country. EPES has developed games, videos, and other materials that are being used in over 30 other countries.
When we arrived we were greeted by a wonderful lunch, followed by a video presentation. The video was a 5 minute informational video about EPES. Also, some of the staff members presented all the materials that EPES has produced. They had various pamphlets and other written informational materials, as well as games. The games ranged from sexuality over sixty to HIV/AIDS information.

Day two

Well, this morning after an early breakfast at which most of us ordered traditional dinner plates by accident :), we visited a center for victims of domestic violence. I have to say that I was extremely moved by these women and the work that they do, not only in the therapy, support groups and workshops that are their bread and butter, but also in the public advocacy that they do. They are a daring voice among the silent, those who ignore the issues of violence among women. They have coined a new word--"femicide"--to refer specifically to violent death among women caused by domestic partners and also to women who commit suicide to escape such abusive situations. I was particularly shocked by the inadequacy of existing laws in protecting women and children from domestic abuse--in fact, they told us that there are no laws that protect children, and the laws that protect women are only enforced at the discretion of the police who arrive at the scene. There are also very few shelters and those are only available to women who are in a court process of pressing charges against their abusers, so women who are in immediate danger of their lives in the middle of the night who might have to leave their homes immediately in order to protect themselves would have no place to go. And those shelters that do exist do not provide psychological services, or any services, really. So the work of this center and its women is so needed in this community. It was wonderful to hear about people truly making a difference in their environment and in their government through active participation and advocacy, very inspiring. I hope to be as brave as these women and can be an advocate for the needy in my own country.

Presentation of the financial gift

At the end of the event and the large meal they had in our honor, Jean Eisen and Odette Salman presented Pastora Gloria Rojas with a check for the pre-school on behalf of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Congregations.

Buen Samaritano

When we arrived at the pre-school we were greeted with a presentation by the intermediate class. Their presentation was touching to all of us becuase of the time and effort they put into it just for us.

Arrival

After our long filght we were met at the airport by Pastora Gloria Rojas and Kate Lawler. We all took a moment and thought of Pastor Bill. Even though he wasn´t there in person we still took a little part of him with us.

P.S. All of our luggage arrived safe and on time. Well kind of safe.

What a night!

After leaving we found ourselves in the massive Atlanta airport. We had a glorious meal of Chinese food and Qudoba´s. Soon after we made our way to our gate to be met with a short one hour delay. While waiting to board our flight we watched the news of the bridge in Minneapolis collapsing. As they called our section for boarding a gate attendant came running from behind us shouting to stop the boarding of the plane. Luckily it was a small gateway malfunction we boarded shortly after. Other than a little turbulance the picture pretty much shows how the flight went.

Ambassadors for Christ

I have just returned from the Indianapolis airport where I had the joy and privilege of reading scripture, praying with and blessing this group of travelers...right there in front of the Delta ticket desk. We read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, which provides a strong reminder that, thanks to the reconciling work of Christ, "we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us." The beauty of this trip is that these ambassadors will be welcomed and hosted by Chilean ambassadors for Christ and then return to Indiana and Kentucky as ambassadors for Christ and for the companionship between the IELCH and the IN-KY Synod among their family, friends, congregations, and all sorts of other folks.

Two symbols of this new ambassadorial creation can be seen in the photo above: a ceramic cross that will be the gift of this group to the leadership of the church in Chile and the book which has given this trip its name, "God In Between." These signs will accompany the travelers and serve as reminders of what this trip is all about.

As Melissa pointed out in her blog posting this morning, their flight leaves about 5:00 p.m. EDT today and they will arrive in Santiago, Chile about 7:00 tomorrow morning. As they travel, we pray:

O God, our beginning and our end, you kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, you led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star you led the magi to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide these ambassadors as they travel. Make their ways safe and their homecomings joyful, and bring them at last to their heavenly home, where you dwell in glory with our Lord Jesus Christ and the life-giving Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen

[adapted from "Responsive Prayer," Evangelical Lutheran Worship]

this is it!!

This is the day we've all been waiting for! I couldn't sleep this morning so I decided to get up and post a quick blog about our plans for today...which you could probably figure out consist mainly of standing and waiting, sitting and waiting, sitting and flying, and maybe (just maybe) a little catnap before we wrrive in Chile tomorrow morning. But just so you know...

We're meeting at the airport in Indianapolis at 2:00 this afternoon and our flight leaves for Atlanta at 5. Thankfully, we have a long layover in Atlanta (I say thankfully, for those of you who have never experienced this piece of airport joy, because sometimes you have to run all over the airport just to miss your connecting flight). We leave for Santiago at 10, and arrive at 7 AM, at which point we will transfer to our hotel, the City Hotel. I posted a link to the hotel website so you can see the pictures of where we'll be staying while in Santiago.

This will be my first trip to the Southern Hemisphere so I'm kind of excited about it being winter there. How cool is that??? Do they make jokes about snow in December like we make them about snow in July? Anyway, the weather forecast said it will be upper 50s to lower 60s for the highs, with the lows around 30. So packing wasn't as much of a challenge as I had thought it would be. Now watch me have brought the worst clothes possible. I'm still trying to find a way to take more stuff out of my suitcase!

Hotel City

Here we go...

This is for sure one of the most exciting things to happen in my life. My name is Odette and I am looking forward to going to Chile. I can't wait to share with the people and of course help them in any way I can. I hope to be able to grow our companionship though this trip. I am praying for God's blessing on our journey.

Let's Roll...

Tomorrow is the day. I woke up this morning and began packing my suitcase. I soon realized that we are going to be traveling to a different hemisphere of the planet and there it is indeed winter, so I began re-packing my suitcase.
After packing my suitcase I thought I would check the flight information just to know what to expect as far as how long the plane ride is going to be. I have to be honest... I wasn't expecting to see that our plane ride is going to be nine and a half hours. Well if we don't know each other yet, we sure will soon.
I have decided that I am going to have a very important job on this trip. I know that we are going on this trip to serve others, but I am making it my personal responsibility to make sure that everyone has a good time. Just because we are going to do service doesn't mean we can't have a good time while doing it.
In conclusion, I imagine that apart from the nine hour plane ride this trip is going to be a very fun and rewarding experience for everyone. For those of you who are reading this and staying at home and not coming with us all I have to say is I'm glad I'm not you. No offense, but you all are going to miss one heck of a good time. For those of you going I would just like to say good luck to us all and may the Force be with us.

-Jon Salman

Good morning - I'm Karen & am ready to go. For those of you who know me you can see I've reverted back to my high school hair cut. To simplify my trip I'm wash & go.

Yesterday I had a send off from my home church, St. Mark's in Evansville, IN. VBS, Avalanch Ranch, just finished & we made wooden cross necklaces. I will be wearing mine on our trip to Chile knowing I am in the prayers of my family & friends.

Thanks to our Music Director, Tom he reminded me that I will be in a new hemisphere and will see stars that I've never seen before. What an awsome thought!

Ready to go

Hi, I'm Linda. Just three days to go and we'll be on our way. It doesn't seem possible that after planning for this trip for the last five months that the moment has come to pack our bags and do those last minutes things that are always waiting to be done.

For me, this is a very exciting time in my life. After having taught ESL to university students from 62 countries, I'm now at a stage in my life where I want to travel and experience God's wonderfully diverse world. In addition, my relationships with my students have led me to see God's presence worldwide in new and different ways, and, therefore, has aided me in my personal spiritual growth. On this trip to Chile, I look forward to seeing what God is doing in Chile and to find ways that we can work together to make God's presence and his love known in the world and our home communities.

P.S. The photo was taken this July at Elefantenhof in Platschow, Germany.