Greetings from El Salvador:

My name is Jose Luis, I´m the National Church Relations Coordinator. Thank

you for your letter. It is very truthfull. It is a blessing to discover

little by littel God´s purpose in life.

As you perfectly know by now, after two earthquake the landscape in Verapaz

is nothing like it use to be. I don´t have exact information but I kow that

in all of the destruction, Habitat houses are about the only things

standing. Many of this houses have damages but soon will be repair through

a special project finance by Habitat.

The offices that you visited in 1999, were no longer occupied by Habitat.

However, the new office was severely damage. Just a few days ago, a new

building was rented. All staff in San Vicente lost their homes. The

National Partner you met in 1997 is now in Nicaragua. The new NP is Hector

Rodriguez. The master builder (Angel) is still working with the affiliate.

Affiliate San Vicente is the fastest growing affiliate of all in El

Salvador. They receive a special mention in the 1999 review. Through a

special project, they can build as many homes as possible with the $ 400,000

"God sized dream" This will probably build about 150-200 houses. I don´t

know how many houses are needed in Verapaz. But I do know that it will be

of a big impact. In fact Habitat El Salvador has not build this many houses

in any community. I know that you are concern that some families may not be

able to pay even a small fee for a Habitat home. I think something can be

worked out. In fact this could create problems in the community. Half free

and half have to be pay. I strongly beleive that we need to stick with the

Habitat principal of the "revolving fund"

I called the Municipality of Verapaz today and they gave me the following

information (this are all preliminary numbers):

    636 displaced families

    550 houses destroy in the urban area

    1595 in the rural area

I don´t know if some of this houses can be repair or not. I also ask about

the Habitat houses and I was told that they are a few of the ones in better

shape.

Just one more thing. I can see God is using you to help people from

Verapaz. You may feel that even with all you do, much more needs to be

done. God will use others. It is just wonderful that now you are a part

of the reconstruction of this town. And that you see this catastrophe

through eyes of faith and hope.

Archbishop Romero once said:

This is what we are about.

We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted,

knowing that tey hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything,

and there is a sence of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,

a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord´s grace to enter

and do the rest.

By the way what is your name? The letter I receive is Sign with the name

Dave, I imagine that is your husband.

José Luis Villaseñor A.

Coordinador Relación con Iglesias/Church Relations Coordinator

Coordinador Programas Juveniles/Campus Chapters Coordinator

Habitat Para la Humanidad El Salvador/Habitat for Humanity El Salvador

CAMBIANDO EL MUNDO CASA POR CASA

Col. General Arce, Calle Jorge Domínguez #H-4

San Salvador, El Salvador

(503) 298-3290; 298-3291

Emails: josevillasenor@hotmail.com

07hphes_relaciglesias@salnet.net