I am catching up on two days. All have been packed with visits and events. Each day, we start before sunrise and conclude late into the evening. For me, this is not tiring but invigorating.
Let’s start with the dedication of the Anglican Communion Forest in Central America located at El Maizal in El Salvador. It was a two-hour drive from San Salvador, and we were warned it would be warm (minor understatement). The drive was spectacular, and the people are beautiful. I feel so at home in Latin America.
The faithful traveled from various parts of the diocese, and the service was an outdoor Eucharist filled with singing. The warning about the heat was an understatement. The humidity hovered around 88%, and well into the third hour, the “feels like” temperature read 106.
We traveled another hour and had lunch on the Pacific Ocean at a restaurant that leases on property owned by the Diocese of El Salvador. The view and the food were spectacular. Following lunch, we drove 45 minutes to visit with the staff and clients of Cristosal. If you have not read about their work, I will provide a link at the end. Hearing these women's stories was heartbreaking, and I am in awe of their courage.
It was a day of hope, humidity, and heartbreak. We returned late to the hotel and prepared to depart the following morning. The bus was scheduled to pick us up at 2:45 a.m. for a 5:00 a.m. departure to Panama City. In bed by 11 and up at 1:45 a.m. As you know, I am an early morning person and was the only one revved up and talking on the way to the airport. All seemed to look at me as if I was off my rocker.
The offering was beautiful. Many gave everything, money, food, corn, and seeds.
Panama City is filled with skyscrapers, and the view upon arrival from the air is jolting. To see the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico on opposite sides of the airplane window is an experience I will not soon forget. We landed, traveled to the hotel, and began another series of meetings. The work of the Anglican Communion, the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and the Compass Rose Society has just begun.
I will leave you with pictures of the dedication.
