El Salvador Partnership
Ascension members have been visiting El Salvador annually since 2009. Beginning in 2010, we became partners with the Agroferreteria (hardware store) ministry in Usulután. Ascension was one of three groups that helped the hardware store raise the funds necessary to obtain the property and the initial inventory. Since the store opened, Ascension has become the sole partners with Agroferreteria, allowing the store to increase in size and to increase the variety of their inventory. This ministry provides jobs for men and boys in the area, funding for church activities, and low cost hardware and farming supplies to families in need.
In addition to our work with the hardware store, Ascension participates in ministries in the Usulután area, such as the Mission of Healing and assistance with natural disaster relief. Ascension is currently in contemplation about increasing our partnership by becoming sister parishes with San Jorge, also in the Usulután area.
Ascension regularly participates in the activities of the Greater Milwaukee Synod El Salvador committee and sponsors scholarships for the university students from Rutilio Grande. To learn more about partnerships with El Salvador visit http://www.partnerswithelsalvador.org/index.php.
Sarah and Edwin Aparicio are the chairs of Ascension’s El Salvador committee.
San Jorge Partner Church
During the Imagine Ascension campaign, Ascension committed to partner with the Agroferreteríain Usulután. Through our involvement, the Agroferreteria has become successful and is growing. It now provides more jobs and items for families to shop for at a fair price. While we will continue to be a resource for the hardware store, we are now ready to take the next step in establishing a partnership with San Jorge, a congregation in the area where the volcano hit. This will give Ascension more ways to learn about our brothers and sisters of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, by being directly involved with the people of the church. Watch future newsletters for articles on San Jorge and what we, as an entire congregation, can do as a part of this partnership.
Upcoming El Salvador Events & Current News
A delegation from El Salvador visited Ascension and other partner churches in July 2017. The week was packed with activity. We ate. We played at the beach and the bowling alley. We shared the grief of a mom whose son was killed by the gangs one year ago with a quiet memorial service. We learned and shared and planned together. We visited the zoo and a Brewer game and many other area sites including a Wisconsin fish fry. There are too many activities to describe here but the Mission Outreach Facebook page has great photos that describe better than words the joy of the week (www.facebook.com/Ascension.ELCA.MO/).
We are thankful to all who helped make this a huge success: Sarah and Edwin Aparicio for the countless hours of planning and guiding and for translating; Paul Wehmeier for being the official driver; all the Ascension members who participated in activities; the many, many people who donated food and money; the youth of Ascension who bravely stepped forward to be a part of several of the days with the delegates; our pastors and worship leaders; and our partners at Lake Park Church in Milwaukee and Grace in Thiensville. As one of the delegates said: “Our partnership will be forever strengthened.”
We’d love to hear from you and answer any additional questions you have.