FOSL Spring Newsletter 2022

NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022 IN THIS EDITION From the Executive Director Learn about two women who started small businesses thanks to the Dear Friend of San Lucas, Women's Center One of the first thing Em and I did when we bought the old farmstead where we now live was to plant 50 trees. It was not the smartest move, as Read up on the latest the only source for water was the river and the only way to get it out was announcements from with 5-gallon buckets. Trees, of course, grow (with enough water and when Café Juan Ana not eaten by deer), but, what surprised me is that I don’t notice they are growing on a daily basis. They are, day in and day out. But I often don’t see Meet FOSL's new it until, one day, I say, “Whoa! When did these trees get so big?” Director of The work of the Mission is like tree growth. It just keeps happening, Development - nurtured by Mission staff, watered by your generous support, the people Shelby Schmidt who are served by the Mission keep putting down roots and developing into strong, dynamic people. You can be a part of The tree analogy came to mind after reading the bios in this newsletter. this incredible work! Two women among the dozens nurtured by the Women’s Center, who are Make your gift today. among the thousands (!) impacted by the Mission each year. It is hard to get your mind around it sometimes, a veritable forest growing before our eyes. sanlucasmission.org/give And it only happens with your nurturing support. So, please know, that, even when you don’t see it, even when you don’t notice, the growth continues, day and night, season after season, person after person, program after program. Thank you for your faithful and constant nurturing of this ministry. Bill Peterson Executive Director Friends of San Lucas

This is the power of your support for women. The San Lucas Mission Women's Center provides classes that equip Guatemalan women with skills to earn an income. Read on to meet two women whose lives were changed by what they learned at the Women's Center. \"When the pandemic hit, I lost my job, and I didn’t have a way to pay my monthly college tuition. My cousin told me about the Women’s Center, and she convinced me we should go together. We signed up for sewing and baking classes at the Women’s Center, and we learned a lot. Together, we decided to start a small food business. We established a couple of stands in the community where we sell chiles rellenos, pulique and other traditional foods. Thanks to this work, I have been able to make my college tuition payments and continue studying auditing. I am very grateful to donors like you, because the Women's Center has been of great benefit to me. At no cost, the Women’s Center provided me with instruction, resources, and materials to learn new skills. At other institutions, I wouldn’t have been able to afford such classes. May God bless you!\" -Irma Petronila Ajcot Xinic \"During the pandemic, I was working a very stressful job in Guatemala City, so I decided to return home to San Lucas. An acquaintance told me about the Women’s Center, and my cousin and I decided to go there so I could learn more about sewing. Over time, I became interested in the cooking classes as well. After learning how to prepare several meals, my cousin and I decided to start a small business selling tacos, chile rellenos, sandwiches, and more. We started earning money with our business, which helped us to pay our bills and our monthly payments to University. Our profits have also helped us buy sewing material, and I have started making and selling traditional clothing too. Now I have been able to finish my degree in accounting. I am grateful to every donor. Because of you, the Women’s Center exists. What we learn at the Women’s Center helps us to earn an income for our family. Thank you for the opportunities you make possible.\" -Jessica Argentina Xinic Coz Your support for the San Lucas Women's Center transforms lives through educating women and equipping them with new skills. Make your gift today at sanlucasmission.org.

Announcements from Café Juan Ana Same Great Coffee. Same Great Cause. Great New Names. You can now enjoy your favorite Café Juan Ana coffees in new packaging and with new names! The new packaging is designed to highlight the voices of our roast masters, and the new names honor the history and coffee traditions of San Lucas. Fall in love with Café Juan Ana all over again! Remember, every purchase you make support small growers in Guatemala. Thank you for your dedication to the people of San Lucas! Tradicional San Lucas Upcoming Events Formerly Regular Roast Golf Tournament in Tulsa Especial San Lucas July 25, 2022 Formerly San Lucas Especial Clasico San Lucas Minnesota Gala in New Ulm Formerly Dark Roast September 24, 2022 Get your coffee today at juananacoffee.org! 50 Year Walk Anniversary October 2022 - January 2023 More information at sanlucasmission.org

Meet Shelby Schmidt! Meet Shelby Schmidt, FOSL's new Director of Development! Shelby learned of Friends of San Lucas in the fall of 2020, when she attended a virtual event learning the perfect way to brew Café Juan Ana. Shelby spent the past 5+ years working with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity engaging volunteers and donors. While working at Twin Cities Habitat, she saw the transformational power of homeownership and community engagement. Shelby joined the Friends of San Lucas team in February of 2022, and she is excited to work with donors to deepen their engagement with the Mission. She is continually inspired by the strong community that has been built in San Lucas. The values of the Mission are apparent in all of the locally led programs. Shelby is originally from Iowa City, but currently lives in Spirit Lake, Iowa. When Shelby is not working she enjoys drinking coffee and adventuring with her husband (Brad) and 5 month old son Alvin. You can often find them on their family farm in Southern Minnesota or enjoying the lake. Want to say hello? You can contact Shelby at shelby.schmidt@sanlucas,mission.org. Go paperless and make a difference for the people of San Lucas. For every mailing we send, we pay for printing and postage. We value keeping our supporters up to date, and we also strive to be as efficient as we can with our funds, so that we can maximize our impact in San Lucas. If you'd like to receive digital newsletters and save us the cost of print mailings, please email us at [email protected]. Friends of San Lucas | 3459 Washington Dr. #207, Eagan, MN 55122 | sanlucasmission.org