El Salvador trip makes mark on missioners; return visit under consideration for 2012
A year after returning from El Salvador, parishioners who made the trip are still feeling its effects.
“The trip to El Salvador was one of those events in life that truly impacted the way I think about things like serving others, trying to be generous and valuing my Catholic faith,” said Marty Zachlin, one of 12 St. John Neumann parishioners to visit the Central American nation. “I have thought about and prayed for the people in Chiltiupán every day since we returned.”
“More than anything, visiting El Salvador was like going to the moon and looking back,” observed Bill Scheible. “It made me realize the enormity and diversity of God’s creation and how—even in the most desperate of circumstances—each of us has a role to play in His church.”
The mission group in January 2010 spent four nights at a modern hotel with all comforts and conveniences on a Pacific beach. While there, they traveled to the mountain village of Chiltiupán, where they met many residents, local business leaders and school children. Time was balanced between educational meetings, a service project and social events to build relationships with residents.
The parish’s El Salvador mission team is considering another trip in early 2012. Salvadoran weather in January is warm and dry, a welcome getaway from a Cleveland winter. Physical demands are minimal, so the trip can be made easily by everyone from high school-aged students through seniors.
“The trip was a chance of a lifetime,” said Alexa Davis, one of two parish staff members to travel with the group. “To see people who have virtually nothing—but are still happy—gives you a greater appreciation for all the things we have. Meeting the people was truly the best part of the trip.”
“They were the poorest and yet the most faith-filled people I have ever met,” continued Zachlin. “I am so glad I went on the mission trip and I highly recommend the opportunity to anyone else who is considering going on the second mission trip.”
“El Salvador means ‘Our Savior,’ or ‘Our Deliverer’,” explained Scheible, “and my visit to El Salvador delivered me from complacency and narrow-mindedness in my comfortable life. I will return when God shows me the way back because I left a part of myself in Chiltiupán.”
Anyone who is interested in making a trip to Chiltiupán in 2012 or has questions about the itinerary is asked to contact parishioner Joe Wollet at (440) 846-8080 or jwollet@gmail.com. Space is limited to 12–15 persons, so call or email Wollet soon to express your interest.
“The trip to El Salvador was one of those events in life that truly impacted the way I think about things like serving others, trying to be generous and valuing my Catholic faith,” said Marty Zachlin, one of 12 St. John Neumann parishioners to visit the Central American nation. “I have thought about and prayed for the people in Chiltiupán every day since we returned.”
“More than anything, visiting El Salvador was like going to the moon and looking back,” observed Bill Scheible. “It made me realize the enormity and diversity of God’s creation and how—even in the most desperate of circumstances—each of us has a role to play in His church.”
The mission group in January 2010 spent four nights at a modern hotel with all comforts and conveniences on a Pacific beach. While there, they traveled to the mountain village of Chiltiupán, where they met many residents, local business leaders and school children. Time was balanced between educational meetings, a service project and social events to build relationships with residents.
The parish’s El Salvador mission team is considering another trip in early 2012. Salvadoran weather in January is warm and dry, a welcome getaway from a Cleveland winter. Physical demands are minimal, so the trip can be made easily by everyone from high school-aged students through seniors.
“The trip was a chance of a lifetime,” said Alexa Davis, one of two parish staff members to travel with the group. “To see people who have virtually nothing—but are still happy—gives you a greater appreciation for all the things we have. Meeting the people was truly the best part of the trip.”
“They were the poorest and yet the most faith-filled people I have ever met,” continued Zachlin. “I am so glad I went on the mission trip and I highly recommend the opportunity to anyone else who is considering going on the second mission trip.”
“El Salvador means ‘Our Savior,’ or ‘Our Deliverer’,” explained Scheible, “and my visit to El Salvador delivered me from complacency and narrow-mindedness in my comfortable life. I will return when God shows me the way back because I left a part of myself in Chiltiupán.”
Anyone who is interested in making a trip to Chiltiupán in 2012 or has questions about the itinerary is asked to contact parishioner Joe Wollet at (440) 846-8080 or jwollet@gmail.com. Space is limited to 12–15 persons, so call or email Wollet soon to express your interest.
posted by Joe Wollet at 11:12 AM
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