Positive Thoughts in Preparation for our March 2011 Delegation

Prayers and/or Positive Thoughts and Visualization for

El Salvador Delegation

In support for and anticipation of our trip, please pray and/or have positive thoughts and visualization relating to our preparation for, time in El Salvador, and action when we return on our South Bay Sanctuary Covenant (SBSC) Delegation, led by Voices on the Border.

Many find it helpful to make prayers and thoughts positive – not asking for protection from potential dangers, but rather affirming and giving thanks/visualizing being protected and that our experience will be a blessing for all.  Here are suggestions of what to pray for/have positive visualizations about.  Please include whatever appeals to you and use wording with which you are comfortable.

1.  Thanks (God) that we on our delegation to El Salvador March 18/19 - 27 will be a blessing to each other, to those whom we meet, and to people in the US with whom we will share our experiences.

2.  Thanks (God) for Archbishop Oscar Romero, the way he followed Christ, cared for the poor and oppressed, spoke out against evil and the systems of evil, that he is living in his people now, and that we are celebrating Romero alive in his people on the 31st anniversary of his martyrdom, March 24, 2011.   (Delegation will participate in commemoration events of Archbishop Romero.)

3.  Thanks (God) that people of Cabañas (where activists were murdered in their peaceful struggle against metallic mining) are being helped to resist injustice, are being protected from killings, threats, and fears, and being given courage and faith.  Thanks that our SBSC delegation will meet with Hector Berrios, a young Salvadoran attorney in San Isidro, who has been a leader in the struggle for human rights and social justice in Cabañas. Hector was a close friend and colleague of Marcelo Rivera who was killed in June 2009. Together, they organized their community against Pacific Rim and efforts to mine gold, as well as a plan to open a landfill.  Hector, Marcelo and others organized community members to denounce election fraud by a network of mayors.

4.  Thanks (God) that the Spanish National Court is bringing a lawsuit against some Salvadoran military leaders for the massacre of the six Spanish Jesuit priests, which is a crime against humanity, and that this will help improve justice and human rights.  (Delegates will be at the UCA, the Jesuit University, see where the Jesuits were assassinated, hear why this happened, and the pending case.)

5.  Thanks (God) for wonderful hospitality by people in our partner community, Comunidad Octavio Ortiz, with whom we will spend two nights.  Thanks (God) that we are raising money which will enable people in our partner community Comunidad Octavio Ortiz and the other 28 communities of the United Communities of the Lower Lempa River to enhance their cultural development.

6.  Thanks (God) that we are being guided on how to be instruments for liberation from injustices and to be channels for human rights and love on our delegation and when we return.