According to the Bishop's Office of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church the callers warned, "Get out of there! We don't want to harm you. We're going to put a bomb there."

He said other protestant churches in El Salvador recently have received similar threats.

"Owing to the danger these calls represent, not only for us but forthe process of democratization in our country," writes the bishop, "we invited individuals in the national and international communities to stand in solidarity with us, and declare themselve to be with us, and declare themselves to be with us against more violence, more death, and more fear."

(11 Mar 04) A ministry of Christ for all the Nations (CPTLN)* is reaching young people through seminars and meetings of how to deal with life's struggles.

Project JOEL has chapters in a number of Guatemalan schools, operated by CPTLN staff and trained volunteers. Each month has a particular theme, such as self-esteem, sexuality, and suicide. These are big draws for youth hungry for something better in life. And the youth discover there is something better–the Savior.

Here is how one young person described Project JOEL's impact on his life:

I have studied for six years, including this year, at the “We Are Guatemalan School.” Since I was a boy, I have suffered a skin disease. It itches and I almost always have a bumpy rash all over my body. For several years I have used a medicine, but it’s only helped in the winter when it is not hot. Later it returns to the same condition.

This disease has made me feel bad, because all my young companions would ignore me or they would ask “what are those bumps” and other things that would make me feel bad.

My parents are in the United States and they send me many things. Well, the only reason some of my companions accepted me, or that I felt accepted by them, was when I gave them some of my things, like toys, neck chains, chocolates, or money. But if I didn’t have anything, my companions didn’t want to be around me.

When Project JOEL began to work at the school they taught us about self esteem, violence, and other themes, but Miss Betty always told us: “Words may move us, but actions drag us.” And she always greeted us with a hug and the love of God. And she values us because of Him. In a year my life has been greatly changed. I feel more confident and now I am more accepted by my friends at school and by my family. Thanks be to God and Project JOEL!

The two by six inch tumor had grown over the past four months, when Erin had a similar tumor removed.

Erin was discharged from the hospital Thursday and is recovering at home. She is enduring some discomfort with her leg in a cast. Doctors will remove the cast next Tuesday.

The Source Of Salvation

Portillo's presidential term ended in January and has since fled to Mexico claiming the current administration is attempting to frame him for theft and corruption.

During the 2003 presidential race supporters of Gen. Rios Montt rioted in the capital city leading to the death of a television journalist. Several groups immediately linked the riot to Montt's political party saying it bussed in the participants and fed them during the two-day incident.

While Montt held elected office he was immune from prosecution, but that ended when he lost his bid for the presidency and his term in congress ended in January.

The quake epicenter was near Masachapa, about 73 miles south of the capital, about 73 miles south of the capital, measured 5.7 on the Richter scale.

The Children's Christian Concery Society (CCCS) invited two representatives from each Guatemala site for a day-long workshop led by Missionary Mark Kempff of Panama.

Participants were able to share their challenges and successes in administering the scholarship efforts in their churches and schools. They also were able to brainstorm ideas for the future.

The U.S. State Department responded by sending in a contingent of Marines to restore order until additional international forces arrive. The U.N. Security Council was meeting later today to discuss sending international security forces. Nearly two-dozen "Friends of Haiti" nations have met informally to discuss the proposal.

Arisitride's departure signals a posible end to a mounting coup attempt by rebels which began February 5.

Port-au-Prince streets are almost empty except for the gangs who claim loyalty to President Jean-Bertrand Aristride. Rebel forces have taken the majority of the island nation and have promised to march on the capital this weekend.

"If we leave, we are saying that our trust no longer is in our God, and the needs of the people we are leaving are not important," said Susan Hill, a Buffalo, N.Y., native who is the office manager for Haiti's largest English-speaking nondenominational church, Quisqueya Chapel.