Archive for May 21, 2009
Bob’s notes — Visit to Venezuela
Mission awareness trip to Venezuela
May 9-16, 2009
Welcome
We can be very proud of the CFCA families and of the staff. When I see how much the families are anxious to see us, to give us a hug, to ask for a blessing for their children, to so generously share with us the fruits of their hard work, I am reminded of the community of the early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles.
Mother’s Day in Venezuela
Sunday morning found us at breakfast at the corner panaderia (bakery) in the town of Catia La Mar. CFCA-Venezuela Project Coordinator Sunilde Perez and staff member Yanin Castillo shepherded us well, and made sure we had a chance to get to know the members of our group.
Isabel Alvarez gave her customary fine introduction to Venezuela. Isa speaks with the passion of a well-educated yet “still poor Venezuelan”—her auto-description. She speaks of the pros and cons of the current government. One of the challenges she highlights is the strong political and social division within the country.
About the same time Isabel was speaking to our group, President Hugo Chavez made two statements on his weekly TV broadcast. The first is a warning to opposing TV stations and media who “incite people to war.” They are in danger of being closed down and their broadcast license revoked. The second warning is to certain large land holders in the sugar cane area. He believes that they acquired titles to their land illegally. Therefore, these properties may be subject to nationalization. I cannot help but think of the effects of a similar nationalization program a few years ago in Zimbabwe. (more…)
May 21, 2009 at 9:28 am Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 5 comments
