Holy Trinity has supported the Lutheran church and individual Lutheran communities in El Salvador for decades. We will be visiting again in 2026. We'll leave on Thursday May 28th and return on Wednesday June 3rd. The first step is identifying folks that are interested--which is why I am writing to you today. The trip details are below, and I hope that you will prayerfully consider joining us. The trip is open to both adults and youth. Rising high schoolers can join us without their parents; there will be plenty of adults going. Middle schoolers are welcome to join us with a parent or guardian. The trip is an opportunity to learn about the Lutheran Church in Central America, see San Salvador, visit the school we support, find out how we can be better partners, and enjoy the natural beauty of the volcanic highlands and verdant Pacific coastline. For some years, we have maintained a partnership with Pastor Christan Chavarría. He and his partner, Aldo, have agreed to host us in their home--called Magnolia House; Holy Trinity stayed there on our last visit. In addition to having air conditioning, comfortable guest rooms, and a swimming pool, Aldo is an incredible cook. He'll prepare breakfast for us each morning. We don't have an exact itinerary yet, but--broadly--we will visit cultural sites, learn about the struggle of the Christian church, meet the Presiding Bishop of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, visit the school we support, and explore the beauty of San Salvador. We will have a bus for transportation and a guide that accompanies us. El Salvador is safe to visit, and Pastor Christian and our guide will ensure that everywhere we visit is safe. As you likely know, the country's leaders have implemented mass incarcerations and civil liberties have eroded greatly. However, the US State Department categorizes the country in the lowest risk category for American travelers. The State Department's El Salvador page provides more details. We've never experienced issues in previous trips and travelling as a group greatly mitigates any issues. I felt safe when I was there; I've taken my own children, and am confident that we will be safe while there. El Salvador is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world; international tourism has surged well beyond pre-pandemic levels. Once we know who's going, we will meet to plan, get to know each other, and learn about the people we'll be meeting when we're there. You'll need a valid US Passport with at least 6 months of validity and at least one blank page for entry/exit stamps. El Salvador does not require a visa, but "tourist cards" are purchased upon arrival. The cost is included in the cost of the trip. If you're interested in joining us, please let me know. Space is limited based on the number of beds at Magnolia House. E-mail is best (it prevents me from trying to keep a mental list based on Sunday-morning conversations). I hope to have a count by the end of the year so that we can purchase airline tickets. The total cost of the trip is projected to be $1600. It won't change unless there's an unexpected increase in air fares. Please make your $600 deposit as soon as possible; it secures your spot on the trip and covers the cost of the air travel. It is nonrefundable. You can write a check to Holy Trinity with "El Salvador trip" on the memo line but let me (Christopher Phillips) know you're intent. Otherwise, you can complete the online form. The balance will be due by April 2026. I'm excited and am looking forward to the trip. I hope you'll consider joining us. Peace--