Since 2000, St. John's has teamed up with the Lutheran Church of El Salvador and local health officials to help run a health clinic for the members of our sister community. The first medical clinic was held in the one-room church building in Los Héroes. Over the years the clinic has included classes and health-related activities for children, sex education and exams for women, basic eye exams and distribution of glasses, massage, and quigong.
We distribute vitamins (with iron) to children, pregnant and nursing moms, and as many adults as we can. We provide a pharmacy, using medications which have been generously donated. We also teach dental hygiene and distribute toothbrushes. All of the medications and supplies are carried in the luggage of mission participants.
Prayer, spiritual healing and baptism have always been a part of this holistic Mission of Healing. We begin each week of healing with worship and a pilgrimage through the community of Los Héroes.
In 2008, Cross of Life ELCA (also in Brookfield) and St. John's teamed up with the Salvadoran Lutheran Church healing team for the second year to provide holistic care in two settings: The Salvadoran Lutheran Church Clinic, located across the street from Resurrection Lutheran Church in San Salvador; and a more rustic setting in San Jeronimo, north of San Salvador. Patients began their experience in the prayer center, with hug therapy, massage and prayer. Patients then had the opportunity to receive medical exams, dental care and checks for reading glasses. A big part of the healing ministry is the distribution of vitamins with iron to all children and prenatal vitamins to pregnant and nursing moms. Elderly folks also receive vitamins and calcium supplements.
The Mission of Healing and Wellness for 2009 will be held from February 12-22. St. John's and Cross of Life will be running parallel trips, so we can team up for maximum help at the central clinic in San Salvador. We will then be running independent events in the micro-regions of each of our sister churches.
- Medications for El Salvador 2009
- Link to Video Testimony from Antonio, who experienced a miracle healing in 2007. We visited with Antonio during the Healing Mission in 2008. We recently received news that Antonio passed away and is with his Savior and Healer.
- Link to Greater Milwaukee Synod Newsletter article about the Mission of Healing 2007
