Dera Friends:

Sandy, Nicolas and I are going to El Salvador on Easter Sunday as part of a Peace Mission sponosored by the Foundation for Self Sufficiency. We will be involved in a number of exciting activities.

This mission will celebrate the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the 25th anniversay of his assassination.

Archbishop Romero loved Jesus and the people of El Salvador with similar passion. He knew in his heart that the poor of El Salvador were Jesus and he honored them as the beloved of God. With his life he gave them hope and faith. And now in his death he gives them a vision for a new life together. The Foundation for Self Sufficiency, created by "Chencho" Alas, a priest and friend of Archbishop Romero, is helping the people of El Salvador to create self sustaining lives. In addition to giving the people dignity and income, these projects liberate them from global corporate greed, while modeling good stewardship of creation. As part of the stewardship effort, the people of El Salvador have commited to planting one million trees. The foundation for Self Sufficiency has adopted the goal of planting 100,000 of those trees. In turn the Grace family has agreed to take responsibility for raising the money to plant 500 trees. Each tree costs ten dollars, therefore we need to raise $5,000. Here is where you come in. Would you help plant one, ten or one hundred trees? If yes, you can send in your money using this web page. You can also ask that your tree(s) be marked with the name of a loved one and in that way not only plant a tree but also leave a legacy. Please help us in this great cause. Love, Bill Grace