Well, today has been an exciting, disappointing, frustrating, and more recently promising one.
My contact in San Salvador has been primarily Carmen Cruz. She has joined us as a translator on several trips and has always promised to help when she can. She knows lots of people in government. Today, her son Napolean called and did most of the communicating. We started on Skype about 10 am. While we were talking he had several calls from various people and gave me some information that Carmen had gathered earlier in the day.
Carmen had been told that the only way the containers would ever be released is to pay for a complete audit of the goods on the containers—every item. The audit had to be witnessed by a notary, which in El Salvador means a lawyer. There are literally tens of thousands of items in the trucks, and I knew that was very bad news. Then came the question: “Are you ready to abandon them and just let us get rid of the stuff”? My answer, of course, was “no”. I asked Napolean to please get the name and phone number of the person who was making those statements. He made some calls and came back with Carlos Cativo, Deputy Director of the Customs Storage Office in San Bartolo, a suburb of San Salvador.
Napolean then called Carlos and asked him some questions:
Is this persecution of the Church of Christ?
Are you ready to stand by this decision in the face of International news teams?
Are you ready to drive donations to the poor of your country to other countries by your actions which are in defiance of the President’s authorization to release the containers?
What is your party affiliation? We have been told that this is “payback” to the Arena Party for their actions when they were in power. (Note here: the shipping broker had heard a discussion between the boss of Carlos and Tito, the Mayor of La Palma in which it was stated that this was payback to Arena party. Napolean called Tito and verified that that had been said to him.)
Their conversation was quite long, and of course I could not understand most of it.
Napo told me that Carlos is a 4th layer beaurocrat who claims he has no party affiliation (Napo calls him a “Commie!) He said he was enforcing the law strictly and there would be no exceptions and he would never release the containers unless we did what he said as long as he held the position he was in. He said it was not persecution of the church but the church did not have the proper incorporation papers completed (they have been in process for quite a while) and the law allowed him to do it exactly his way.
About the time we finished that conversation someone called Carmen and told her to bring copies of the papers signed by the President to the customs office “immediately”. She complied. She had held the papers since Saturday because the customs people did not want them when she took them there earlier.
We visited some more and Carlos threatened to confiscate the goods and tax them as he had said he would earlier. Again, I asked what the basis of taxation was and he said the audit that we were going to pay for would determine that.
I then wrote a 2 page letter to the consulate in Chicago, as posted earlier, and faxed it to her, Patricia Maza, and to the consulate in Washington DC, Senator Bond, Senator McCaskill, Congressman Blunt, and Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee who is on the foreign relations committee.
At 2:20 pm I got a call from Napo to read the last email from him. Here is what it said. One more piece of news:
I have just been informed that the containers were unloaded without our authorization in a very arbitrary act and decision taken by the officers at the customs facility. That particular facility is famous for the levels of corruption and disappearance of goods. Thieves operate at their will and the lack of security is well known. They claim that they were authorized to do so, Tito says he did not authorize it, Estela de Escobar (An assistant at Customs who has helped us before) says that she didn't authorize it either. By the way this is totally arbitrary and against the law. As stated in the customs norms, removing contents without authorization carries a fine to the person who did this anomaly.
As of this moment the contents are out on the open, Carlos Cativo says that they will put them in a safe place. God bless us if by the time the goods are picked up we find them in one piece!
Jose Napoleon Montano
I immediately faxed that email to Patricia and was ready to fax it to the others when Napo called back and said that it was a mistake—the containers were still sealed. Carmen was with him and he showed her that the trucks were sealed. (I believe this was a last ditch effort to get us to just give in and walk away from the whole thing.) I called Patricia and notified her of the mistake.
About 3 pm Patricia’s office called me and said that Patricia was on the phone with Carlos and he was apologizing for the inconvenience, that there was nothing political in any of his decisions, that the only delay was in the final processing, that he was sorry for any bad thoughts we might have about him, that he was ready to cooperate and help in any way, that he realizes we are good people trying to help his people, and that he is glad that arrangements have been made to keep us from having to pay extended storage costs. Patricia is to send me an email tonight or tomorrow morning and tell me what happened and what is going to happen.
It ain’t over till it’s over!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Mid afternoon Friday:
More delays and more frustrations and stress! I got the name and phone number of the holdup, and it appears to be purely political. I have to wonder who is really running the country when a 4th level beaurocrat can defy the President's approval to release the containers - twice! But he has.
Here is the letter that has been sent to everyone that I can think of who can help in some way including Geraldo at Fox News. By the way, I did an interview with KY3 for posting on Monday morning or later--unless something changes.
August 1, 2009
Dear Patricia Maza:
It appeared for a day or two that the release of the containers was going to happen. However, I just spoke with Napolean (503-2248-4718) and he gave me this information:
The person blocking the release is Carlos Cativo, Deputy Director of Customs Storage Office, San Bartolo, ES. His phone number is 503-2244-5072. It appears that he is a 4th level bureaucrat, but he is taking it upon himself to defy the orders of the President of the Republic of El Salvador who has twice signed documents releasing the shipment. He (Carlos) says he is simply enforcing the law when he requires that we pay for the unloading of the containers and having an item-by-item inventory made with a lawyer/notary present to verify it. (Note here that the inventory we provided of the goods is not enough—he wants the number of red men’s shirts, the number of blue men’s shirts, etc. For the record, our inventory shows inventory shows 254 bags/boxes/barrels of clothing.)
In a previous conversation with his boss present, he (Carlos) is reported to have told the Mayor of La Palma that this is payback time because that is the way Arena used to treat FMLN shipments. Carlos now denies making that statement. Again, I want to state that we as the Church of Christ have remained non-political. We have distributed goods, medicines, medical treatment, clothing, school supplies, etc to everyone based on need regardless of social status, religion, or any other affiliation. This can be verified by contacting people in the municipality. We welcome your audit or a visit to the area, and please have anyone and everyone involved come visit us while we are there in September for verification that the above statement is true.
Patricia, please help us on this matter. It is frustrating and expensive to be attempting to do the will of God and have political hurdles such as this. The Government shuts down in a few hours for a week of vacation, so we have little hope of any release today. The cost of $100 per day for the two containers continues. That money cannot be spent helping people in El Salvador.
Another message coming from the Customs office is that we should simply abandon the shipment and let ‘them’ take care of it. That option is not acceptable to us, as the recipients are intended to be the poor people of the La Palma region.
One more note: Included in the shipment are 4 boxes of glasses donated by Rotary International and to be donated to the new Optical Department at the University of San Salvador. Rotary International also donated the 3 children’s wheel chairs, the three exam tables, and many of the other medical items. It is unfortunate that those items are being held up along with the rest.
I will be contacting the Senators and Congressmen copied on the earlier document. I will also be contacting the major news networks and the Secretary of State to bring this matter to the attention of as many people and agencies as possible.
Sincerely,
Ralph McClurg
417-849-0245
More delays and more frustrations and stress! I got the name and phone number of the holdup, and it appears to be purely political. I have to wonder who is really running the country when a 4th level beaurocrat can defy the President's approval to release the containers - twice! But he has.
Here is the letter that has been sent to everyone that I can think of who can help in some way including Geraldo at Fox News. By the way, I did an interview with KY3 for posting on Monday morning or later--unless something changes.
August 1, 2009
Dear Patricia Maza:
It appeared for a day or two that the release of the containers was going to happen. However, I just spoke with Napolean (503-2248-4718) and he gave me this information:
The person blocking the release is Carlos Cativo, Deputy Director of Customs Storage Office, San Bartolo, ES. His phone number is 503-2244-5072. It appears that he is a 4th level bureaucrat, but he is taking it upon himself to defy the orders of the President of the Republic of El Salvador who has twice signed documents releasing the shipment. He (Carlos) says he is simply enforcing the law when he requires that we pay for the unloading of the containers and having an item-by-item inventory made with a lawyer/notary present to verify it. (Note here that the inventory we provided of the goods is not enough—he wants the number of red men’s shirts, the number of blue men’s shirts, etc. For the record, our inventory shows inventory shows 254 bags/boxes/barrels of clothing.)
In a previous conversation with his boss present, he (Carlos) is reported to have told the Mayor of La Palma that this is payback time because that is the way Arena used to treat FMLN shipments. Carlos now denies making that statement. Again, I want to state that we as the Church of Christ have remained non-political. We have distributed goods, medicines, medical treatment, clothing, school supplies, etc to everyone based on need regardless of social status, religion, or any other affiliation. This can be verified by contacting people in the municipality. We welcome your audit or a visit to the area, and please have anyone and everyone involved come visit us while we are there in September for verification that the above statement is true.
Patricia, please help us on this matter. It is frustrating and expensive to be attempting to do the will of God and have political hurdles such as this. The Government shuts down in a few hours for a week of vacation, so we have little hope of any release today. The cost of $100 per day for the two containers continues. That money cannot be spent helping people in El Salvador.
Another message coming from the Customs office is that we should simply abandon the shipment and let ‘them’ take care of it. That option is not acceptable to us, as the recipients are intended to be the poor people of the La Palma region.
One more note: Included in the shipment are 4 boxes of glasses donated by Rotary International and to be donated to the new Optical Department at the University of San Salvador. Rotary International also donated the 3 children’s wheel chairs, the three exam tables, and many of the other medical items. It is unfortunate that those items are being held up along with the rest.
I will be contacting the Senators and Congressmen copied on the earlier document. I will also be contacting the major news networks and the Secretary of State to bring this matter to the attention of as many people and agencies as possible.
Sincerely,
Ralph McClurg
417-849-0245
Thursday, July 30, 2009
From the Executive Digest:
Honduras: Micheletti Urges Further Talks – 30 July 0900
Interim President Roberto Micheletti is reported to be pressing Costa Rican president Oscar Arias to reopen talks on resolving the crisis that has arisen over the 28 June ouster of leftist president Manuel Zelaya. Reportedly, he has suggested that Arias send Enrique V. Iglesias, a former president of the Inter-American Development Bank, to Honduras to begin a dialogue with “all sectors of civil society.”
The interim government seems to be seeking a deal that would abrogate the arrest order against Zelaya, and allow him to return to Honduras, but not as president. It also apparently is offering to move up the date of the next presidential election, which currently is scheduled for November, and Micheletti appears to be prepared to resign and turn over the reins of government to another person, perhaps a judge acceptable to both sides.
The interim government is not feeling domestic pressure, since pro-Zelaya protests have dwindled. It is, however, feeling international pressure, with the United States this week having cancelled the diplomatic visas of four of its members. The Obama administration also has cut off $16.5 million in military aid, and has threatened, but not enacted, economic sanctions.
Zelaya, meanwhile, remains in Nicaragua. He put a foot on Honduran soil 24 and 25 July but quickly returned to the Nicaraguan border town of Ocotal, where he remains ensconced with a dwindling band of followers.
Zelaya and his chief backer, Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez, have stepped up their criticism of Washington, saying that it was “stalling” the ousted president’s return. Chavez has referred to mediation efforts by Costa Rican president Oscar Arias as a trap organized by the Obama administration.
Honduras: Micheletti Urges Further Talks – 30 July 0900
Interim President Roberto Micheletti is reported to be pressing Costa Rican president Oscar Arias to reopen talks on resolving the crisis that has arisen over the 28 June ouster of leftist president Manuel Zelaya. Reportedly, he has suggested that Arias send Enrique V. Iglesias, a former president of the Inter-American Development Bank, to Honduras to begin a dialogue with “all sectors of civil society.”
The interim government seems to be seeking a deal that would abrogate the arrest order against Zelaya, and allow him to return to Honduras, but not as president. It also apparently is offering to move up the date of the next presidential election, which currently is scheduled for November, and Micheletti appears to be prepared to resign and turn over the reins of government to another person, perhaps a judge acceptable to both sides.
The interim government is not feeling domestic pressure, since pro-Zelaya protests have dwindled. It is, however, feeling international pressure, with the United States this week having cancelled the diplomatic visas of four of its members. The Obama administration also has cut off $16.5 million in military aid, and has threatened, but not enacted, economic sanctions.
Zelaya, meanwhile, remains in Nicaragua. He put a foot on Honduran soil 24 and 25 July but quickly returned to the Nicaraguan border town of Ocotal, where he remains ensconced with a dwindling band of followers.
Zelaya and his chief backer, Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez, have stepped up their criticism of Washington, saying that it was “stalling” the ousted president’s return. Chavez has referred to mediation efforts by Costa Rican president Oscar Arias as a trap organized by the Obama administration.
OK, the paperwork process is moving and we have some apologies for the way it has been handled. Note that the trucks are not moving yet; just the paperwork.
There are also some people who have said we should not have to pay the extra money for the delay and they will work it out.
More info when it occurs, but the stress level is reduced.
God bless you,
Ralph
There are also some people who have said we should not have to pay the extra money for the delay and they will work it out.
More info when it occurs, but the stress level is reduced.
God bless you,
Ralph
Good morning! Sorry for the delay in updates, but I am still calling people and trying to find out the 'scoop'.
The El Salvadoran Consulate in Chicago has made some things happen. Apparently there has been some screaming and hollering and blaming and finger-pointing within the new government and most everyone wants to get this deal over with and behind them. I am to call back at mid-afternoon to find out the status.
Keep praying that God will make the deal happen and that HE will be glorified in the process.
The El Salvadoran Consulate in Chicago has made some things happen. Apparently there has been some screaming and hollering and blaming and finger-pointing within the new government and most everyone wants to get this deal over with and behind them. I am to call back at mid-afternoon to find out the status.
Keep praying that God will make the deal happen and that HE will be glorified in the process.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Well, the Devil is really in this fight to stay and win! Last night the Customs guy said, "that the best you can do is give it up and abandon the containers", which would mean that the folks there would pilfer the trailers and take everything to use or sell. This is after the President had signed the release last Friday. So, it remains to be seen who is really running the country right now.
We and the people of La Palma have a lot at stake here. First is the principle of giving to help the poor, and second is the tremendous amount of time and money it has taken to get this far in the collection, storing, and shipping process.
I just faxed the following letter to the following people/agencies and will soon start calling to follow up on the letters. Please feel free to contact anyone you know who might also help, and feel free to use the info in this letter. I have also asked the Rotary International people for help. At this point we are still hesitant to contact the press, but that may have to happen. As you know, I do not usually refer to myself--rather to the team--but in this case I had to introduce myself to them to let them know about me. Here it is:
Dear Friend:
This is to inform you of a serious situation that we believe you can help with, and we sincerely ask for your help in the matter.
I am Ralph McClurg, representing the Monett, MO Church of Christ. I retired from the military in 2004 and have chosen to help the people of El Salvador and Honduras rather than hunt, fish, or travel. I am self-supporting in this work, as are the others who are involved. We have no paid administrative staff. The Monett church began helping the people of La Palma, El Salvador in 2004 by providing space for a church and by helping the poor people of the area with clothing, medical supplies and equipment, and other comfort and educational items. In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 we conducted major medical campaigns by providing doctors, nurses, and free medicines to thousands of poor people. In 2006, 2007, and 2008 we shipped, at our expense, 40 foot containers of food, medical equipment and supplies, clothing, shoes, school supplies and furniture, and other household items—and these were distributed by our teams even though the consignment of the shipments were to the office of the Mayor. The Monett church continues to lead the work there, although there are now 10 churches and hundreds of individuals supporting the total work.
In 2005 we began a sponsor program to help children stay in school. This program provides food, clothing, medical help, and school supplies to 85 children whose parents will commit to keeping them in school (the government does not require them to attend school at all!).
In February 2007 we established a private school to help the poor children get an education. This school works with the full cooperation of the Ministry of Education, and continues today with 70 children enrolled. It is the school of choice in the town of La Palma. In 2009 we built a new auditorium and rented a larger facility to help the school expand to more grades- now K-6 and adding one grade per year.
.
The La Palma Church of Christ is known for its benevolence and has remained totally non-political. Today there are several people using wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and other medical help that was supplied by our teams. The medical clinics have benefited by donations of equipment. We also donated an ambulance to the community and trained 15 of the people there on EMT procedures.
On May 20, 2009, we shipped 2 containers of school supplies, medical supplies and equipment, clothing and shoes, and furniture for the school. (The shipment included several computers which were intended to replace the 13 computers that were stolen from our school earlier in the year and disappeared without a trace.) These containers were arranged by Dole Corporation and paid for by our working fund. The initial shipping charges were about $7500. The containers arrived at San Salvador Customs on June 6. On June 8 we began incurring a fee of $50/day per container until they were released and unloaded. On June 1, 2009, a new president, Mauricio Funes, took office and a new staff of ministers took over the government. With all new people in place, some delay could be expected, but as of July 28, 2009, the containers are still in customs and have not been released to be moved to La Palma for distribution of the contents. The paperwork for them has gone back and forth and we appear to be facing some “stonewalling” efforts. The original consignee, the Office of the Mayor of La Palma, has been changed to the Church of Christ in Usulatan, a registered, incorporated entity. This change was made to avoid the political laws and prevent misuse of donated goods. The President signed the documents for release of the containers on July 24 and the documents were hand delivered to the Customs office on July 25, yet the Customs office will not release the containers and now says they are going to charge a “Value Added” tax of 13% on the contents. We have not been told how the valuation is going to be determined, and we have no value determination since almost every thing was donated.
This is to request your assistance in the matter. We have been unable to get the containers released. The cost of shipping, extra storage, and any tax that might be applied make it totally prohibitive to consider helping the poor people of the region in the future. In fact, some donors are already suggesting that we look for other countries to help instead of continuing the work in El Salvador. We request that you take any action possible to help effect the release immediately (the entire government shuts down for vacation next week) including withholding US Millennium Challenge Account funds until the government acts on this matter. We further request that US Millennium Challenge Account funds be used to help cover the additional costs incurred because of the delay in action.
Note: There may be political motives involved in the delay, but the ones being hurt are 8 year old Emerson who badly needs one of the three children’s wheelchairs in the shipment, Marina—who needs one of the hospital beds, and dozens of elderly who need the adult diapers included, as well as the school children who are unable to learn computer skills.
Again, we have remained non-political in our work, but we must now involve your offices to get the matter resolved.
Sincerely,
Ralph McClurg
417-235-3058 home
417-849-0245 cell
417-235-6494 fax
rmcclurg@mo-net.com
TO:
Senator Kit Bond -fax 202-224-8149, phone 202-224-5721
Senator Claire McCaskill - fax 202-228-6326, phone 202-224-6154
Representative Roy Blunt – fax 202-225- 5604, phone 202-225-6536
El Salvador Consulate, Washington, D. C. – fax 202-337-2038
phone 202-225-4404
El Salvador Consulate, Chicago, IL – fax 312-332-4446
phone 312- 332-1393/578-5390
We and the people of La Palma have a lot at stake here. First is the principle of giving to help the poor, and second is the tremendous amount of time and money it has taken to get this far in the collection, storing, and shipping process.
I just faxed the following letter to the following people/agencies and will soon start calling to follow up on the letters. Please feel free to contact anyone you know who might also help, and feel free to use the info in this letter. I have also asked the Rotary International people for help. At this point we are still hesitant to contact the press, but that may have to happen. As you know, I do not usually refer to myself--rather to the team--but in this case I had to introduce myself to them to let them know about me. Here it is:
Dear Friend:
This is to inform you of a serious situation that we believe you can help with, and we sincerely ask for your help in the matter.
I am Ralph McClurg, representing the Monett, MO Church of Christ. I retired from the military in 2004 and have chosen to help the people of El Salvador and Honduras rather than hunt, fish, or travel. I am self-supporting in this work, as are the others who are involved. We have no paid administrative staff. The Monett church began helping the people of La Palma, El Salvador in 2004 by providing space for a church and by helping the poor people of the area with clothing, medical supplies and equipment, and other comfort and educational items. In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 we conducted major medical campaigns by providing doctors, nurses, and free medicines to thousands of poor people. In 2006, 2007, and 2008 we shipped, at our expense, 40 foot containers of food, medical equipment and supplies, clothing, shoes, school supplies and furniture, and other household items—and these were distributed by our teams even though the consignment of the shipments were to the office of the Mayor. The Monett church continues to lead the work there, although there are now 10 churches and hundreds of individuals supporting the total work.
In 2005 we began a sponsor program to help children stay in school. This program provides food, clothing, medical help, and school supplies to 85 children whose parents will commit to keeping them in school (the government does not require them to attend school at all!).
In February 2007 we established a private school to help the poor children get an education. This school works with the full cooperation of the Ministry of Education, and continues today with 70 children enrolled. It is the school of choice in the town of La Palma. In 2009 we built a new auditorium and rented a larger facility to help the school expand to more grades- now K-6 and adding one grade per year.
.
The La Palma Church of Christ is known for its benevolence and has remained totally non-political. Today there are several people using wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and other medical help that was supplied by our teams. The medical clinics have benefited by donations of equipment. We also donated an ambulance to the community and trained 15 of the people there on EMT procedures.
On May 20, 2009, we shipped 2 containers of school supplies, medical supplies and equipment, clothing and shoes, and furniture for the school. (The shipment included several computers which were intended to replace the 13 computers that were stolen from our school earlier in the year and disappeared without a trace.) These containers were arranged by Dole Corporation and paid for by our working fund. The initial shipping charges were about $7500. The containers arrived at San Salvador Customs on June 6. On June 8 we began incurring a fee of $50/day per container until they were released and unloaded. On June 1, 2009, a new president, Mauricio Funes, took office and a new staff of ministers took over the government. With all new people in place, some delay could be expected, but as of July 28, 2009, the containers are still in customs and have not been released to be moved to La Palma for distribution of the contents. The paperwork for them has gone back and forth and we appear to be facing some “stonewalling” efforts. The original consignee, the Office of the Mayor of La Palma, has been changed to the Church of Christ in Usulatan, a registered, incorporated entity. This change was made to avoid the political laws and prevent misuse of donated goods. The President signed the documents for release of the containers on July 24 and the documents were hand delivered to the Customs office on July 25, yet the Customs office will not release the containers and now says they are going to charge a “Value Added” tax of 13% on the contents. We have not been told how the valuation is going to be determined, and we have no value determination since almost every thing was donated.
This is to request your assistance in the matter. We have been unable to get the containers released. The cost of shipping, extra storage, and any tax that might be applied make it totally prohibitive to consider helping the poor people of the region in the future. In fact, some donors are already suggesting that we look for other countries to help instead of continuing the work in El Salvador. We request that you take any action possible to help effect the release immediately (the entire government shuts down for vacation next week) including withholding US Millennium Challenge Account funds until the government acts on this matter. We further request that US Millennium Challenge Account funds be used to help cover the additional costs incurred because of the delay in action.
Note: There may be political motives involved in the delay, but the ones being hurt are 8 year old Emerson who badly needs one of the three children’s wheelchairs in the shipment, Marina—who needs one of the hospital beds, and dozens of elderly who need the adult diapers included, as well as the school children who are unable to learn computer skills.
Again, we have remained non-political in our work, but we must now involve your offices to get the matter resolved.
Sincerely,
Ralph McClurg
417-235-3058 home
417-849-0245 cell
417-235-6494 fax
rmcclurg@mo-net.com
TO:
Senator Kit Bond -fax 202-224-8149, phone 202-224-5721
Senator Claire McCaskill - fax 202-228-6326, phone 202-224-6154
Representative Roy Blunt – fax 202-225- 5604, phone 202-225-6536
El Salvador Consulate, Washington, D. C. – fax 202-337-2038
phone 202-225-4404
El Salvador Consulate, Chicago, IL – fax 312-332-4446
phone 312- 332-1393/578-5390
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you that the trucks went up the hill today. New hurdles came along and delayed it once again. I hope to post something in mid-morning about it. Here is some news from another source:
Beginning on Monday, July 27, classes at El Salvador's schools and universities will be suspended for two weeks until August 9 according to news reports. The measure was put in place by Salvadoran health authorities to stop the spread of H1N1 flu. (Classes would not have been in session during the week of August 2 in any event since that is the week of August vacations associated with the feast of El Salvador del Mundo, the patron saint of the country). El Salvador has 469 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, including 6 deaths.
Story heard in El Salvador last week:A wolf, a lion and a pig were debating who was the greatest and most fearsome animal. The wolf declared, "I am the greatest. When I howl the people shake with fear." The lion retorted, "No, it is I who am the greatest. When I roar, all of the people run away."The pig then said, "That's nothing. When I sneeze, everyone dies."
Beginning on Monday, July 27, classes at El Salvador's schools and universities will be suspended for two weeks until August 9 according to news reports. The measure was put in place by Salvadoran health authorities to stop the spread of H1N1 flu. (Classes would not have been in session during the week of August 2 in any event since that is the week of August vacations associated with the feast of El Salvador del Mundo, the patron saint of the country). El Salvador has 469 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, including 6 deaths.
Story heard in El Salvador last week:A wolf, a lion and a pig were debating who was the greatest and most fearsome animal. The wolf declared, "I am the greatest. When I howl the people shake with fear." The lion retorted, "No, it is I who am the greatest. When I roar, all of the people run away."The pig then said, "That's nothing. When I sneeze, everyone dies."
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Latest from Honduras
MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Ousted President Manuel Zelaya stood on the edge of his country and called on his fellow Hondurans to resist the coup-installed government.
Then he quickly retreated back to Nicaraguan territory, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed and give negotiations another try.
His foray Friday brought the Honduran political crisis no closer to a resolution — and irritated some foreign leaders who are trying to help Zelaya reclaim his post.
Still, his brief but dramatic excursion a few feet into his homeland kept up the pressure on the interim government and the international community, highlighting the threat of unrest if the two sides cannot resolve the crisis through negotiations.
Thousands of Hondurans flocked to the border town of El Paraiso to support Zelaya when he planted his cowboy boots on home soil for less than 30 minutes. Defying a curfew, the demonstrators clashed with security forces who fired tear gas.
Shaded by his white cowboy hat, Zelaya encouraged them, saying protesters facing tear gas should "grab the canister and throw it back." He warned security forces they would pay for obeying the regime that sent him into exile: "You are risking your careers as police and soldiers."
Many miles away in the northern Honduras city of San Pedro Sula, thousands of Zelaya opponents staged their own protest, holding signs reading "Zelaya can return, but to jail."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Zelaya's trip "reckless" and said it would not help restore democratic and constitutional order in Honduras. Organization of American States Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza had urged Zelaya not to go home without an agreement out of fear it would lead to bloodshed.
Zelaya, a rich rancher who moved to the left and allied himself with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after being elected, said he had no choice after U.S.-backed talks failed to reinstate him. He insisted his lightning trip showed the government of interim President Roberto Micheletti was losing control and would be forced to negotiate.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Ousted President Manuel Zelaya stood on the edge of his country and called on his fellow Hondurans to resist the coup-installed government.
Then he quickly retreated back to Nicaraguan territory, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed and give negotiations another try.
His foray Friday brought the Honduran political crisis no closer to a resolution — and irritated some foreign leaders who are trying to help Zelaya reclaim his post.
Still, his brief but dramatic excursion a few feet into his homeland kept up the pressure on the interim government and the international community, highlighting the threat of unrest if the two sides cannot resolve the crisis through negotiations.
Thousands of Hondurans flocked to the border town of El Paraiso to support Zelaya when he planted his cowboy boots on home soil for less than 30 minutes. Defying a curfew, the demonstrators clashed with security forces who fired tear gas.
Shaded by his white cowboy hat, Zelaya encouraged them, saying protesters facing tear gas should "grab the canister and throw it back." He warned security forces they would pay for obeying the regime that sent him into exile: "You are risking your careers as police and soldiers."
Many miles away in the northern Honduras city of San Pedro Sula, thousands of Zelaya opponents staged their own protest, holding signs reading "Zelaya can return, but to jail."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Zelaya's trip "reckless" and said it would not help restore democratic and constitutional order in Honduras. Organization of American States Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza had urged Zelaya not to go home without an agreement out of fear it would lead to bloodshed.
Zelaya, a rich rancher who moved to the left and allied himself with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after being elected, said he had no choice after U.S.-backed talks failed to reinstate him. He insisted his lightning trip showed the government of interim President Roberto Micheletti was losing control and would be forced to negotiate.
Friday, July 24, 2009
More information: The Jiminez family was attending a large Catholic celebration in the San Ignacio park. There are several very large trees there. There was no storm and no wind. Suddenly a branch broke off one of the trees and killed Franklin almost instantly.
On another subject, the President signed the documents today and the trucks can roll up the hill on Monday unless another hurdle springs up!!
Please be in prayer on both of these subjects.
On another subject, the President signed the documents today and the trucks can roll up the hill on Monday unless another hurdle springs up!!
Please be in prayer on both of these subjects.
News! New prayer request. This news by phone from Jose. Last night the Jiminez family was working in the park in San Ignacio. A tree fell and injured Alissa slightly (she was treated and released at the clinic). Franklin was crushed and killed.
The wake is tonight and the church will be there for it. The burial is planned for tomorrow.
Please be in prayer for the family - including his father and brother and children and wife.
God bless,
Ralph
The wake is tonight and the church will be there for it. The burial is planned for tomorrow.
Please be in prayer for the family - including his father and brother and children and wife.
God bless,
Ralph
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
OK, here we go again. The president and his staff of ministers agreed to these terms: the shipments are being changed from 'consigned to the mayor of La Palma' to 'consigned to the Church of Christ in Usulatan', an incorporated church. The designee of the Usulatan church has agreed to send it to La Palma as originally planned, but the mayor has to present an original document with his signature releasing the shipments from his control to the church. This will take a 'few days' to complete, but there is agreement from all involved parties that it will happen. The prayers are working but God acts in His time. Keep them going up to God to make the right things happen. 6:30 pm on Wednesday the 22nd.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
In last night's posting, I became a little sarcastic. During the night I became vindictive! If the containers are not released very soon, I plan a blitz of communications to our senators and congressmen, then a trip to San Salvador. I will get in contact with some people from the press and explain:
We have conducted FIVE large medical campaigns in La Palma and surrounding communities which helped THOUSANDS of people. Everyone who came got free vitamins and parasite treatments in addition to any meds they might have needed. Our nurses and doctors make dozens of house calls every time we are there. Again, free meds for the poor.
We shipped three previous containers to La Palma and have helped thousands with clothing from that. We shipped several medical equipment items including an Xray unit. We shipped hundreds of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, etc and have photos of the help those people received.
We shipped lots of school supplies and distributed them. We equipped the La Palma Christian School. We HAD 13 working computers in the school and were teaching the children how to use them until someone stole all 13 of them-including monitors, keyboards, power strips, uninterruptible power supplies, and printers. THIRTEEN of them were stolen and the local police can't find them! In the containers are some replacements for those computers, but they do the children NO GOOD while they sit in the trucks awaiting someone to release them.
The 2008 container had a valuation of over 1/2 million dollars and was GIVEN to the poor people. These two containers have perhaps that much value, and yet have no value until the goods get there.
We have photos of previous distributions that the press would like to see.
I will tell of little Emerson in La Palma, waiting for one of the children's wheel chairs in the containers. I will show the photo of Julio and how happy he was to receive the personal energy transport (PET) last year--how it enabled him to get around better than walking on his hands.
Do I want to do that? No. Do I owe it to the people of La Palma and the people here who worked so hard to gather and store those items, then load them on the trucks? Yes!
If other mayors have abused the system and taken donated goods for their own gain, then prosecute them and punish them. Don't punish the poor people by repeatedly and systematically denying the release of these containers. And don't discourage future donations by this stall tactic which has become very expensive to us and robs the people of money that might be used otherwise.
I don't think the government wants this kind of news reported, but it is very close to happening. Let's pray that God will touch someone even today and effect the release. Ralph
We have conducted FIVE large medical campaigns in La Palma and surrounding communities which helped THOUSANDS of people. Everyone who came got free vitamins and parasite treatments in addition to any meds they might have needed. Our nurses and doctors make dozens of house calls every time we are there. Again, free meds for the poor.
We shipped three previous containers to La Palma and have helped thousands with clothing from that. We shipped several medical equipment items including an Xray unit. We shipped hundreds of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, etc and have photos of the help those people received.
We shipped lots of school supplies and distributed them. We equipped the La Palma Christian School. We HAD 13 working computers in the school and were teaching the children how to use them until someone stole all 13 of them-including monitors, keyboards, power strips, uninterruptible power supplies, and printers. THIRTEEN of them were stolen and the local police can't find them! In the containers are some replacements for those computers, but they do the children NO GOOD while they sit in the trucks awaiting someone to release them.
The 2008 container had a valuation of over 1/2 million dollars and was GIVEN to the poor people. These two containers have perhaps that much value, and yet have no value until the goods get there.
We have photos of previous distributions that the press would like to see.
I will tell of little Emerson in La Palma, waiting for one of the children's wheel chairs in the containers. I will show the photo of Julio and how happy he was to receive the personal energy transport (PET) last year--how it enabled him to get around better than walking on his hands.
Do I want to do that? No. Do I owe it to the people of La Palma and the people here who worked so hard to gather and store those items, then load them on the trucks? Yes!
If other mayors have abused the system and taken donated goods for their own gain, then prosecute them and punish them. Don't punish the poor people by repeatedly and systematically denying the release of these containers. And don't discourage future donations by this stall tactic which has become very expensive to us and robs the people of money that might be used otherwise.
I don't think the government wants this kind of news reported, but it is very close to happening. Let's pray that God will touch someone even today and effect the release. Ralph
Monday, July 20, 2009
Update! Today the government decided that they could not release the containers to the school after all. It needs to be a church with proper papers of incorporation. Jose is taking the papers from one of the churches in San Salvador to the White House tomorrow. I keep calling and they keep stalling. When will it happen?
Well, the press is going to hear about it and then what?
God bless the people of countries with Socialist leaders, Ralph
Well, the press is going to hear about it and then what?
God bless the people of countries with Socialist leaders, Ralph
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Good morning!
I just visited with San Salvador people and have this information. The people at Customs were afraid that the Mayor of La Palma would take the items on the trucks and sell them for his own benefit--other mayors have been known to do that.
The suggestion that we might go to our Senators and Congressmen and press for action/investigation heightened the concern, and the entire consignment is now being changed from the Mayor of La Palma to the La Palma Christian School. Jose is taking the school incorporation papers to San Salvador today to show that the legal process that has been accomplished. That removes the concern about potential corruption, and allows the documents to go forward. Probably, probably, possibly, the release can be made by Wednesday and the items will move 'up the hill'. Continue to pray that God will be glorified in all of this!
Those trucks left Monett on May 20, just about 2 months ago.
God bless you,
Ralph
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Still no release on the containers. It appears to be a political struggle that the new president cannot control, or else he is so tied up with Honduras that he has no time for it. The customs people are blackmailing the Mayor, apparently.
If you can, please call your congressman and have them contact the embassy and ask for action or recommend to withhold "Millenium Funds" which are financial support to El Salvador.
God bless you,
Ralph
If you can, please call your congressman and have them contact the embassy and ask for action or recommend to withhold "Millenium Funds" which are financial support to El Salvador.
God bless you,
Ralph
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Per Jose, Customs is checking every item on the list. I don't know if that means they are unloading the trucks and physically looking at each item, or if they are just looking at the list. They told him they may release the trucks today! Same story, second verse! Frustrating and discouraging at best. Keep praying.
Ralph
Ralph
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Again I ask you to pray for a quick and peaceful resolution to the Honduras government problem. To me it appears that the former president ignored the constitution (at the urging of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela), ignored the Congress including members of his own party, ignored the Supreme Court, and ignored the proper use of the Military. The Supreme Court legally asked the military support the constitiution and removed him, and they did. However, he was a Socialist, and Socialists back each other, so he got support from presidents of several countries including OUR OWN! The former president was popular with poor people because he had given them money that they did not earn or have before (sound familiar?).
The immediate result to the churches there is the curfew prohibits them from assembling for worship after sunset, and that is when most of them meet. The Ocotepeque church has had to rearrange it's worship schedule, which was on Sunday night.
Again, pray. God bless the people of Honduras, Ralph
The immediate result to the churches there is the curfew prohibits them from assembling for worship after sunset, and that is when most of them meet. The Ocotepeque church has had to rearrange it's worship schedule, which was on Sunday night.
Again, pray. God bless the people of Honduras, Ralph
Monday, July 6, 2009
I went to the sink and drank a glass of water this morning, remembering how we could not do that in La Palma. Clean drinking water is a privilege that we take for granted here. We should praise God for little blessings that we enjoy, and that one is really not a LITTLE blessing--it is a great big one.
There still is no word on La Palma on the container delivery. Still waiting.
Ralph
There still is no word on La Palma on the container delivery. Still waiting.
Ralph
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Dear Friends of La Palma. Once again I failed to get the beaurocracy of this new government to move as needed. The papers were signed by the President yesterday afternoon and taken to the Customs office for administrative approval and checking.
They took all day today, and with me waiting very impatiently at 5:00 pm they told me that they would start again Monday on the paperwork. I threw a fit and told her that I probably would never again come back to this country where the government will not allow us to help the poor. For a while I was very upset and frustrated, but continued to cool down and wondered what would happen if we really did not come back.
Anyway, we visited some more and I thought about little Emerson who needs a wheelchair, and nurse Iliana who continues to ask when the boxes of adult diapers will get here and the old man I saw walking with a home-made crutch that was very awkward, etc. Then I thanked her (she really was trying to help us) and wished her well and told her I appreciated what she is doing to help us, even though it was not effective today. She said ours was the very first approval of goods coming into the country since the new President took office on June 1, and that the previous government had done very little in it’s last month of office. I call it very bad timing, but that is one of the lessons we have to learn.
My visa expires Sunday night, and although I could extend it by going to the airport and paying another $10, I am going home Sunday. I have lots to do when I get back, including some kickback and relax time. I am also scheduled to speak to the Katy, Texas church Sunday the 12th about the work here. They are the home congregation of Jaime and Gladys and have been very active supporters of the work in La Palma and Ocotepeque.
The mayor has donated a building to store the goods in when they do finally get here. We agreed on the items that would be distributed immediately and the rest will go to storage until our trip in September when we will make final distribution. That is only 2 months away now and it gives us a clear focus to work on from day 1. People from the church and a crew from the mayor’s staff will unload the items and store them. Jose and Jesus will have control of the building and plenty of clothing to give away as needed. Little Emerson will get his child-size wheel chair, too.
When I think of the beatings that the Apostle Paul received for being a Christian, this seems like a very miniscule setback. God bless you, Ralph
They took all day today, and with me waiting very impatiently at 5:00 pm they told me that they would start again Monday on the paperwork. I threw a fit and told her that I probably would never again come back to this country where the government will not allow us to help the poor. For a while I was very upset and frustrated, but continued to cool down and wondered what would happen if we really did not come back.
Anyway, we visited some more and I thought about little Emerson who needs a wheelchair, and nurse Iliana who continues to ask when the boxes of adult diapers will get here and the old man I saw walking with a home-made crutch that was very awkward, etc. Then I thanked her (she really was trying to help us) and wished her well and told her I appreciated what she is doing to help us, even though it was not effective today. She said ours was the very first approval of goods coming into the country since the new President took office on June 1, and that the previous government had done very little in it’s last month of office. I call it very bad timing, but that is one of the lessons we have to learn.
My visa expires Sunday night, and although I could extend it by going to the airport and paying another $10, I am going home Sunday. I have lots to do when I get back, including some kickback and relax time. I am also scheduled to speak to the Katy, Texas church Sunday the 12th about the work here. They are the home congregation of Jaime and Gladys and have been very active supporters of the work in La Palma and Ocotepeque.
The mayor has donated a building to store the goods in when they do finally get here. We agreed on the items that would be distributed immediately and the rest will go to storage until our trip in September when we will make final distribution. That is only 2 months away now and it gives us a clear focus to work on from day 1. People from the church and a crew from the mayor’s staff will unload the items and store them. Jose and Jesus will have control of the building and plenty of clothing to give away as needed. Little Emerson will get his child-size wheel chair, too.
When I think of the beatings that the Apostle Paul received for being a Christian, this seems like a very miniscule setback. God bless you, Ralph
Friday evening...
Friday evening update from Ralph:
Although the President signed the documents yesterday, customs did not release the container today. Ralph is evaluating the options and will update with more information when he can. Please continue to pray for the situation.
Although the President signed the documents yesterday, customs did not release the container today. Ralph is evaluating the options and will update with more information when he can. Please continue to pray for the situation.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Still quite quiet here, although trucks are rolling again--just not very many. They say the borders are totally open but the backlog is going to take a long time to clear.
The President and his staff are in closed session regarding the Honduras situation. Although FOX and CNN are not reporting much, there is a lot going on to support the previous President. The weekend will be interesting.
The bad news in that is that the containers have not received the signature required to release them. We are evaluating options about the situation we find ourselves in. I have been promised (again) that our document is at the top of a big pile waiting for signatures. He will not delegate authority to anyone else to approve incoming goods. The long-term effect is going to significant, and our timing was horrible.
Keep praying for GOOD to come of this!
God bless you, Ralph
The President and his staff are in closed session regarding the Honduras situation. Although FOX and CNN are not reporting much, there is a lot going on to support the previous President. The weekend will be interesting.
The bad news in that is that the containers have not received the signature required to release them. We are evaluating options about the situation we find ourselves in. I have been promised (again) that our document is at the top of a big pile waiting for signatures. He will not delegate authority to anyone else to approve incoming goods. The long-term effect is going to significant, and our timing was horrible.
Keep praying for GOOD to come of this!
God bless you, Ralph
Thursday morning in La Palma. There have been no trucks on the highway yet. El Salvador closed the border to commercial traffic for 2 days- Tuesday. All propane for El Salvador- a lot- comes from Honduras, so there will be a shortaage of cooking fuel soon. CNN and FOX news are not reporting much. The local people here are not concerned about the problem in Honduras yet. It is quiet.
I am waiting for word that the Pres has signed the container release. Keep up your prayers. God bless you, Ralph
I am waiting for word that the Pres has signed the container release. Keep up your prayers. God bless you, Ralph
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Forgot to mention that I visited Erika and family a couple times today. She is quite sick from the Chemo. She is beginning to lose her hair, and the doctor told her she might lose her fingernails and toenails! He told her it is working well and doing what it is supposed to do.
They have a new pet--an agouti (sp?). It is still very small. They look like a combination of a rat, squirrel, and ground hog. They grow to about the size of a jack rabbit. They have no tail.
Just so you know that I am not suffering physically, I will show you where I am staying. It is not 5 star, but it ain't bad! Very comfortable place to WAIT, especially if you don't WAIT well. The food is terrific as well.I have PATIENTLY WAITED all day for news. It came about an hour ago from the President's lawyer. Everything is ready and waiting. The President was out of the country all day today but plans to be in the office tomorrow. The lawyer said he personally would make sure that signing the document is first on the agenda, and then we can get things moving. My VISA is about to expire, so I hope the lawyer is telling the truth (no jokes here please).
I could not imagine that a coup in a neighboring country could occupy so much time and effort, but the the Honduras deal is BIG in this area. The other presidents do not want it to set a precedent!
I could not imagine that a coup in a neighboring country could occupy so much time and effort, but the the Honduras deal is BIG in this area. The other presidents do not want it to set a precedent!
I am well and occupied. Thanks for the prayers and notes. God bless you, Ralph
The highway is still very quiet this morning with no big truck traffic. The border just north of here is closed to commercial traffic until tomorrow morning. I wonder how long the backlog of traffic and the resulting logjam will take to clear out. Traffic will probably be very heavy once it starts moving.
Salvador, the hotel owner is calling his friend in the White house right now to find out what he can.
Psalm 121
Salvador, the hotel owner is calling his friend in the White house right now to find out what he can.
Psalm 121
Good morning! Another day to wait and wonder. In my mind I unloaded both of the containers last night. I could see each item and where it goes!
As Jose and I were visiting last night, Glenda called and wanted to study the Bible some more. After only a few minutes she said she wanted Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and asked to be baptized. We will do that this morning. She was warned that her family problems will not instantly go away but she will be better able to handle them and she will have a new family to help and love her. Her husband continues to refuse to commit himself and she will go on without him. Maybe that is why I am still here!
More promises today from the hotel owner. He says the papers are ready and it will only take a few minutes-probably by 8:30 this morning.
I appreciate the emails of encouragement and prayer. My Outlook program will not send any of the outgoing mail, for some reason that I cannot figure out yet, so I will not be responding to them. Mucho Gracias.
As Jose and I were visiting last night, Glenda called and wanted to study the Bible some more. After only a few minutes she said she wanted Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and asked to be baptized. We will do that this morning. She was warned that her family problems will not instantly go away but she will be better able to handle them and she will have a new family to help and love her. Her husband continues to refuse to commit himself and she will go on without him. Maybe that is why I am still here!
More promises today from the hotel owner. He says the papers are ready and it will only take a few minutes-probably by 8:30 this morning.
I appreciate the emails of encouragement and prayer. My Outlook program will not send any of the outgoing mail, for some reason that I cannot figure out yet, so I will not be responding to them. Mucho Gracias.
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