Another step to making the Vision Of God clinic a reality!

The area you see is still just an empty area which can be used to keep the 20 year old truck the church uses safe - BUT - we now have an estimate of what it will take to transform this area into a bustling clinic and community health center. For $2500, local workman using local supplies will be able to build out the area into an office for the nurse, an exam room, a food pantry, a clothes closet and a meeting room. Your donations, in any amount, will bring the Vision of God clinic one step closer to becoming a reality! Please help as you are able. Feel free to direct all questions to me at carolynsrichar@cox.net - or call me at 703-505-0265. Donations in the form of a check should be made out to Bethel UCC-Vision of God Clinic - and sent to Bethel United Church of Christ, REv. Carolyn Richar, 4347 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203.

Blessings to all - thank you for your interest!

A home in San Luis Talpa

This is a home nearby to the site for the Vision of God Clinic. While there are better homes in the neighborhood - there are also many like this. For most people in thie village - furniture consists of a plastic chair or two and a hammock. Most people do not own refrigerators or stoves - so food is bought daily - and often cooked over an open wood fire. There is no sewer system yet - it is being worked on. Most people have a latrine where human waste drops into a system of pipes - which then flow out into a nearby river. And each home has a tank of water which is used for washing clothes, dishes and bodies. Life is not easy - at least when compared to the way even the very poor live here in the United States.

The Clinic will be in the midst of this poor neighborhood - there are many children living in the streets bordering the Nueva Amenacer Church - children who need clothes that fit, a healthier diet, and medical care. All of these are available nearby - for a price - a price that is greater than the income available for these families. With your donations of money, we can have the local pastor help support the local economy by buying these items locally. Local merchants will benefit and be better able to feed, clothe and educate their families. In turn new jobs may be created and more families will be able to have their needs met. Our plan for the Vision of God clinic includes helping improve the local economy.

Please keep us in your prayers! Please also pass the word on - encourage others to check out this site. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome!1 Carolyn

Today a dream - tomorrow a clinic.

This room is still under construction - but one day it will be an exam room for the Vision of God Clinic. It is located in Nueva Amenacer Iglesia in San Luis Talpa in La Paz, El Salvador. The pastor of the church, Abram Bustamante, and his family have a dream. They dream that one day the 10,000 people who live in San Luis Talpa and the surrounding countryside will have access to affordable medical care, adequate protein for growing children, and decent clothing.

Today, the people of San Luis Talpa lives simple lives centered around family, church, school and survival. Jobs are few and pay little - most families live on $10-20/week. They rarely go hungry - but have few protein rich foods available due to the high cost of meat and eggs. Public school is available but school supplies and uniforms cost on average $100/child - and schooling is not compulsory. Many families cannot afford to send children to school beyond the elementary grades. There are doctors and a dentist in town - but no medical or dental insurance, no Medicaid or government financed programs to help people afford this care. Consequently most children grow up without any regular medical care.

The Bustamante family dream that one day their church will be the site of the Vision of God Clinic and Community Center - a place that will provide medical care, food and clothing to the people of this village. They are looking for people who will help them make this dream come true.

Ways to help include gathering and shipping new or gently used summer weight clothing, shoes, vitamins, over the counter pain killers, non-perishable protein rich foods. People who could help arrange discounted or free shipping would be welcomed. We are also looking for donations of funds to pay the salary of a nurse ($450/month) and to finish construction /equipping the clinic. Long range plans include having teams of medical/dental professionals travel to the clinic to provide free medical care at the Vision of God Clinic. If you would like to help, simply e-mail me at www.carolynsrichar@cox.net - or post a comment letting me know how I can get in touch with you. Blessings to all who have taken the time to read this blog - and dream this dream with us! Carolyn

This family has all the love they need. They are rich in faith, hope and joy. They could teach many of us in the United States a lot about living a good life - but they could also use our help so that they can obtain the basics of life - food, clothing, medical care and education.