Helicopter and armed soldiers during Aug 2 2008 military parade
This boa is an apt metaphor for the grip held on El Salvador by the Salvadoran military
Military parade, Aug 2 2008, San Salvador
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Trinkets and religious goods, outside of cathedral in Santa Ana, El Salvador
Pigeons at cathedral gate, Santa Ana, El Salvador
Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, Santa Ana, El Salvador
Vendors outside of cathedral, Santa Ana, El Salvador
Girls sorting seeds, Lobato, near Santa Ana, San Salvador
Children greeting us at Iglesia Luterana San Pablo in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Worship space for Iglesia Luterana San Pablo in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
We gather with members of the community in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Children in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Children of Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Community members in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Children play where a church building once stood. It was destroyed in the 2001 earthquakes. Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Iglesia Luterana San Pablo, Lobato, near Santa Ana, San Salvador
Boys enjoying juice, Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Children posing for a photo, Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador.
Altar of Iglesia Luterana San Pablo, Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Typical home in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Woman in front of her home in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Family in front of their home in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Woman in the kitchen of her home, in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Grandmother and grandson in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Home in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Siblings in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Road through Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Children playing in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Twin brothers in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Girl in Lobato, near Santa Ana, El Salvador
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (the Lutheran cathedral), San Salvador
Iglesia Luterana La Resurecion, San Salvador
The Subversive Cross
Some of the hopes written on the Subversive Cross during time of war: “Do not desecrate the church,“ “No more raids of the people,” and, “That the authorities cease abusing the people of God.”
Some of the sins written on the Subversive Cross during the time of war: Persecution of the church, forced enscription into the army, descrimination against women, hunger
the Subversive Cross at Iglesia Luterana La Resurecion, San Salvador
The altar at Resurection Lutheran Church, San Salvador
“At this altar Monsenior Oscar Romero offered his life to God for his people.” The site of Romero's martyrdom.
Where Oscar Romero, former Archbishop of San Salvador, was killed at he finished saying Mass.
Site of Oscar Romero's martyrdom.
Our group at the chapel where Oscar Romero was killed.
Where the assasin stood to shoot Oscar Romero.
“Massacres in El Salvador.” This panel describes and names the places of massacres from the country's bloody Civil War.
Oscar Romero, martyr, on the memorial of murdered victims of the civil war
Mural at civil war memorial, depicting people imprisoned, mourning Romero
Mural at the civil war memorial in San Salvador, depicting a volcano - the violent fury of El Salvador - and the murder of a campesino, symbolizing the murder and massacre of many indigenous in the 1930s.
one of many panels on of the civil war memorial in San Salvador.
The civil war memorial in San Salvador.
Don Pedros, two blocks from our hotel - our most frequently visited restaurant while in San Salvador
A US-issued rifle used in Vietnam, captured by North Vietnamese troops, and transfered to leftist guerillas in El Salvador to fight the US-funded right-wing military forces.
Religious goods sold outside San Salvador's cathedral
Religious goods sold outside San Salvador's cathedral.
“Yours is the power.” Man prepares a float for the Aug 6 2008 parade. In a nation with many power struggles - including a bloody 12-year civil war - praying “Yours is the power” from the Lord's Prayer is not just a spiritual statement, but a political statement, too.
Statue commemorating Gerardo Barrios, 19th century Salvadoran president and military leader. To the right is a graffiti, “We won and we continue - FMLN” (FMLN is the leftwing political party that led an armed rebellion against the government in the 1980s and early 1990s).
A communist billboard just off the corner of San Salvador's central plaza.
A home in Sochitoto, El Salvador
View of Cerron Grande Resovoir near Sochitoto, El Salvador
View near Sochitoto, El Salvador
View of Cerron Grande Resovoir, near Sochitoto, El Salvador
Cerron Grande Reservoir, near Sochitoto, El Salvador
View from Cerron Grande Reservoir, near Sochitoto
Small fishing village on island in Cerron Grande Reservoir, near Sochitoto, El Salvador
Market in central plaza, Sochitoto, El Salvador
Market in Sochitoto, El Salvador
Church and fountain, Sochitoto, El Salvador
Quite odd that the figurines are holding the baskets with one hand. In real life, Salvadoran women don't need to use their hands! Goods for sale at the Sochitoto market, El Salvador.
Goods for sale at the Sochitoto market, El Salvador
Che Guevarra, and the leftist FMLN are very popular in El Salvador. Photo taken at Sochitoto market, El Salvador.
Trinkets at Sochitoto market, El Salvador.
Alongside the central church in Sochitoto, El Salvador
Fountain in central plaza, Sochitoto, El Salvador
Church in Sochitoto, El Salvador
Boy wearing a shirt of my favorite team, and a hat of my second favorite team. Sochitoto, El Salvador.
Market in Sochitoto, El Salvador.
Altar at Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios, outside of San Salvador.
Sign showing worship times for Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios, near San Salvador, El Salvador.
Altar at Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios, near San Salvador, El Salvador.
Pastor Norma served as our guide and host for the trip. Pictured with her husband, Pastor Rafael, and their three children.
Our group, along with some members of Cordero de Dios, at Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios near San Salvador, El Salvador.
In preparation for the August 6 San Salvador celebrations, this pillar and globe are erected outside of the Cathedral in San Salvador. On the 6th the globe would open up and the Savior of the World would come out of it. Also pictured is the National Palace, on the main plaza in San Salvador.
Roman Catholic Cathedral in San Salvador. I could have just sat there for hours. What a beautiful place.
Altar at San Salvador's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
Cross over the altar at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in San Salvador.
Cross over the altar, Roman Catholic Cathedral, San Salvador.
Savior of the World statue, San Salvador, El Salvador.
Savior of the World Statue, San Salvador, El Salvador.
Lutheran Bishop Gomez, kneeling before the altar at the beginning of a Service of Ordination, August 5 2008. Iglesia Luterana La Resurecion, San Salvador.
Our group meeting with Bishop Gomez in his office at Iglesia Luterana La Resurecion, San Salvador.
Pastor Mike, in preparation for the pilgrimage in honor of the 22nd anniversary of the Lutheran Episcopate in El Salvador. San Salvador.
Youth and adults prepare for the August 6 pilgrimage in honor of the 22nd anniversary of the Lutheran Episcopate in El Salvador.
Preparations for the August 6 pilgrimage. San Salvador.
Lutheran school students prepare to march. San Salvador.
Lutheran students prepare to march in the pilgrimage.
Musicans warm up for the pilgrimage. San Salvador.
Foreigners join with Salvadorans for the pilgrimage in honor of the 22nd anniversary of the Lutheran Episcopate in El Salvador. San Salvador.
Bishop Gomez, preparing to join over 4000 at the pilgrimage in honor of the Lutheran Episcopate in El Salvador. San Salvador.
Lutherans marching in the annual pilgrimage. San Salvador.
Bishop Gomez (at right), the Bishop Emeritus, and other pastors marchin the pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage in honor of the Lutheran Episcopate. San Salvador.
Bishop Gomez, leading the pilgrimage. San Salvador.
The pilgrimage. San Salvador.
Ceremonies at the 22nd anniversary celebration of the Lutheran Episcopate in El Salvador. San Salvador.
Flags making the celebration even brighter at the Lutheran pilgrimage, San Salvador.
Banners and flags in front of the rostrum at the Lutheran pilgrimage. San Salvador.
“NO to the privitization of healthcare.” San Salvador.
Pastor Jorge and Pastor Vilma, husband and wife ministry team in and around Santa Ana, El Salvador. Photo taken at sister congregation celebration, August 6, San Salvador.
Hammocks on display, artisan market, San Salvador.
Lutheran youth cranking out the drums, the night of the pilgrimage and celebration of sister congregations. San Salvador.
Goods for sale at artisan market, San Salvador.
Foliage atop Quetzaltepec volcano, San Salvador.
From Quetzaltepec volcano, San Salvador.
Looking into the crater of Quetzaltepec volcano, San Salvador.
Atop Quetzaltepec volcano, San Salvador.
Crater of Quetzaltepec volcano, San Salvador.
Looking down into crater of Quetzaltepec volcano, San Salvador.
Looking across Quetzaltepec volcano crater, San Salvador.
Precolombian pottery, National Anthropology Museum, San Salvador.
Statue, National Athropology Museum, San Salvador.
Snake carving, National Anthropology Museum, San Salvador.
Monsenior Romero Center at Central American University, San Salvador. Site where six Jesuit priests were killed by a right wing death squad in 1989.
“The voice of those without a voice.” Romero Center at Central American University. San Salvador.
“The Crucified God,” by Jurgen Moltmann. Saturated in the blood of a maryted priest. This book belonged to Jon Sobrino, theologian, who was also targeted by the death squads but who happened to be out of town that day.
Painting showing the death of Archbishop Oscar Romero, but also illustrating his belief that, “If they crucify me, I will resurrect in the people of El Salvador.” At the Romero Center, Central American University, San Salvador.
Chapel of the Central American University, San Salvador.
Chapel of the Central American University, San Salvador. Pictures of suffering and tourture line the back wall of the church, as if to remind worshippers of the suffering to which they are returning, to which they are called to proclaim the Gospel, and in which they are to see the suffering of Christ.
Chapel at the Central American University, San Salvador.
Making tortillas at a local comedor (eatery) in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The entrance to a restuarant, San Salvador.
The cross at a Lutheran Church in San Lorenzo, El Salvador.
Getting ready to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Lutheran community in San Lorenzo, coastal region of El El Salvador.
Cinderblock home in San Lorenzo.
Verdant streets of San Lorenzo!
A young candidate for Queen of San Lorenzo, at the 6th anniversary celebration of the community and congregation.
Children getting ready to lead a procession in San Lorenzo.
A boy in San Lorenzo.
A home in San Lorenzo.
Bishop Gomez preaching in San Lorenzo.
Children about to begin a song for the anniversary celebration of San Lorenzo.
Children dancing and singing in San Lorenzo.
Candidates for Queen of San Lorenzo.
The church building is hidden by trees and borrowed canopies in San Lorenzo.
Plaza Bavaria celebrating the contributions of the Bavarian Lutheran Church to the development of San Lorenzo. The construction of San Lorenzo was mostly funded by European Lutherans following the 2001 earthquakes which had a devestating impact on large parts of El Salvador.
Lutheran World Federation Street, honoring the contributions of worldwide Lutherans in the development of San Lorenzo.
A home near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Gathering with members of a community outside of Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Hearing from the community presentident, outside of Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Some members of the community, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Members of the community posing for photos, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Members of the community, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Community president, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Man and girl, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Woman and child, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Sisters, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Man cutting down coconuts for a snack, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Man cutting down coconuts, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Enjoying coconuts, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Drinking coconut water, fresh from the source, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Walking among Coconut Trees, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Coconut tree, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
House near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Campo, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador
Children in community along Guatemalan border, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Children in community near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Three generations of community members, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
A house in a community near Cara Sucia, El Salvador. This house is in a flood plane. One community member told me that it costs $125 to buy the materials to build such a house. In a community where there is no steady work, that is a high price.
Looking across a small river into Guatemala, near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
A girl near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Chicken on a bike. A second earlier it was on the seat! I wasn't quick enough to get that photo, however . . . Near Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
That's me, in the Pacific Ocean. Bola del Monte, El Salvador.
Bola del Monte, a fishing village. El Salvador.
Bola del Monte, El Salvador.
Fishing village - not touristy bars - Bola del Monte, El Salvador.
Fishing boats, Bola del Monte, El Salvador.
Me, prior to worship, at Iglesia Luterana Bendicion de Dios, Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Pastor Jorge and family, Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Me and Pastor Jorge, Cara Sucia, El Salvador.
Food festival at Juayua, El Salvador.
Food festival, Juayua, El Salvador.
Woman carrying handicrafts on her head, Juayua, El Salvador.
Lunch. Food festival, Juayua, El Salvador.
Church in Juayua, El Salvador. Interestingly, this church has a “black Christ” - a dark-skinned Jesus on a crucifix - above the altar.
Church in Juayua, El Salvador.
Black Christ at church in Juayua, El Salvador.
Another black Christ, at rear of church, in Juayua, El Salvador.
Items for sale at market in Juayua, El Salvador.
Fountain and church, Juayua, El Salvador.
Church and fountain, Juayua, El Salvador.
Me and Pastor Norma, our host and companion during the trip, San Salvador.
Me and Mauricio, our fearless and skillful driver.
