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creating personal relationships between communities of hope in the United States and El Salvador in order to share learning experiences, spiritual accompaniment, and material support in our faithful work to build communities based on justice for all who seek a dignified, sustainable life
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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Cielo Azul study trip! Join us April 2 - 9, 2011

Click here to access pdf brochure with complete information about the Cielo Azul study trip.


The Invitation
This is an opportunity for people in the United States who have themselves been part of “communities of resistance” to meet with Salvadorans who have been engaged in a similar struggle--expressly to learn from each other what are the sources of hope and renewal that each has found. On the trip we will be in dialogue with our hosts--about their histories and ours, about their strategies and ours, about their futures and ours.

It is not our goal to arrive as “helpers” of people in need, but as seekers who want to understand the lessons that people of El Salvador have learned in their years of struggle.

In addition, a goal of our meeting these people will be to encourage further dialogue by inviting those we meet to visit our communities in the US to further deepen the connections we make on our trip.



Trip Themes
• The theology of liberation, bible study and praxis-- visits, conversations and scripture reflections with various faith communities and pastoral workers.
• The arts in a social revolution--visual arts, music, performance, community murals,“popular education” publications, and folk culture.
• Preserving the environment--global economics, local politics and human rights as they impinge on a community where international firms want to extract gold.

Our Method
Our trip will combine home stays and lodging in simple hostels with travel to communities where we can hear the stories of folks who can illuminate our themes. We will be accompanied by an accomplished translator, so Spanish proficiency is not required.

Additional Details

Study group limited to 12 participants.  Cost will be $1350 - $1550 per person, based on minimum of 10 participants and airfare.   To reserve your place, send us an email using the contact form in the sidebar at right.  Or contact Ron Morgan at 610 220 1317.

CIELO AZUL will coordinate the travel details for the group. Pastors Ruth and Alex Orantes are the study trip coordinators in El Salvador. Our hosts for the trip are families of Iglesia Shekina Bautista, where Ruth is pastor. The church is a progressive, socially active community with a long history of welcoming visitors from the United States. For some parts of the time, we will be staying in guest houses that often welcome international travelers.