April 2021 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER APRIL 2021 From the Executive Director IN THIS EDITION Dear Friend of San Lucas, Meet the families you've impacted Recently, the images of the influx of immigrants on the southern border by supporting The have been inescapable. Immigration from Central America is driven by San Lucas primarily by two factors: poverty and/or violence. Mission's Construction In San Lucas Toliman, immigration is more often driven by poverty and in Program many cases this poverty is exacerbated by the market for coffee. For large numbers of families, selling their coffee is their only source of cash. If the Learn how national market price drops below the cost of producing the coffee, families lose coffee authorities money. This is why the Mission buys coffee at above-market prices to rated Juan Ana guarantee that each family will earn a modest profit on their crop. This, in Coffee and turn, strengthens families and communities. discover a new release product for For the 2020-21 coffee harvest, the Mission bought from 125 families which sale now means close to a 1,000 people directly benefit when you buy Juan Ana coffee. Check in with your friends at the Every one of the Mission programs helps stabilize families and Women's Center as communities. And each year, 25,000 people are served by programming they reopen for you support. Thank you for your commitment to this ministry! classes In hope and faith,

Construction is on the move! The Mission's Construction Program transforms lives by providing families in San Lucas with safe homes that include a concrete floor, and a fuel-efficient stove. The block homes also feature indoor plumbing. In this segment of the newsletter, you'll meet two families who have been impacted by donations from people like you. With your help, the Construction Program will build 75+ units of housing in 2021. Make your life-changing gift today at sanlucasmission.org. Elvia and Mario (not pictured) have been married for ten years. Their daughters, Marina and Maria, are 9 and 3 years old. For a while, the family's living situation was stable, staying with Mario's family. Over time, one of their relatives began to have severe issues with alcoholism, and the home where they were staying was no longer safe for Elvia and her daughters. Elvia was worried sick for her family, especially her girls. She did some of the most difficult things a woman can do in Guatemala: she filed a complaint with the authorities, she left her home, and she asked for help. Elvia approached the Mission to ask for housing assistance. Now, because of her strength and your generosity, Elvia and her family have a safe place to call home. Elvia cried tears of joy when she received the keys to their new hybrid (concrete block and wood) home. She said it gave her and her husband peace of mind and she was happy for the mental and physical health and well-being of herself and her daughters. Sandra and Edgar have four children. Before receiving this hybrid home from the Mission, the family was sharing one bedroom for everyone, and the kitchen roof would leak when it rained. Edgar and his son paint planters and grow and sell plants to earn an income. Their work earns enough to feed the family, but they never would have had the opportunity to build and live in a new home without the help of the Mission's construction program. They are very grateful to have this new home.

Honey Processed Did you know? Coffee 28.8% of Juan Ana growers are WOMEN. March was an exciting time in San With your help, Juan Ana was able to buy Lucas! The Juan Ana Honey more coffee this year than ever before. Many Processed Oro (green coffee) was growers struggled with low coffee production evaluated by Anacafé. Anacafé is due to climate and plants affected by La Roya the National Coffee Association that (coffee rust). The decrease in production represents and promotes coffee for made the higher prices paid to growers by Guatemalan coffee growers. It Juan Ana even more crucial. Unemployment establishes the standards and is high in the region and it is more important criteria for export licenses and than ever for small growers to profit from their coffee policies nationally. coffee sales in order to support their families. The Mission is committed to helping small Juan Ana received a very high cup- farmers and has always taken pride in giving profile score from Anacafé of 86.3. the best price for the best coffee that is This excellent rating makes Juan available from many of the small Ana an example for other coffee communities around San Lucas. The rich organizations. A high score means a volcanic soil and the altitude in the area quality cup of coffee and produces some of the world’s best coffee. recognizes the great work that Juan Ana is doing to perfect this new Single - Serve honey process. Coffee now available! Juan Ana is so proud of its coffee program. The new shipment of juananacoffee.org Honey Coffee just made it through customs in March, bringing us the new premier, limited edition, roasted honey processed coffee. You can order yours today!

The Women's Center reopens In early February, women returned to the Women’s Center for the first time in a year. In its first class of 2021, each group of women was able to bake and decorate their own cake! Wearing masks and practicing social distancing has made each gathering a safe success. Events and classes have continued with safety protocols in place, and there have been 95 participants this year! E-Newsletter Frame it for Good Have you considered signing up for our Friends of San Lucas has a new partnership with E-newsletter? You'll get all of the same Frame It For Good! It's an organization that content via email and the cost of printing supports non-profits by framing photos for and mailing your Newsletter will be put supporters like you in high quality frames and towards your favorite Mission programs in sending a portion of the cost back to the non- San Lucas. Visit sanlucasmission.org to profit. If you have a photo of San Lucas like the sign up today! one to the left, or another memory that you want to be printed and preserved...Simply upload your digital photo from your phone or computer, and choose the frame size you want! It could not be easier to finally get your digital photos printed and framed, all while supporting Friends of San Lucas. Shipping is free in the continental U.S. Get started today by visiting: frameitforgood.com/friendsofsanlucas. Thank you for your support and generosity to the San Lucas Mission Friends of San Lucas | 3459 Washington Drive #207, Eagan, MN 55122 | sanlucasmission.org