DELEGATIONS

OSP Partner Organizations in the United States routinely send delegations to Berlín to increase their understanding of the realities of life in rural El Salvador and to maintain close friendships with their Salvadoran brothers and sisters.

DELEGATIONS.

The OSP Partner Organizations in the United States routinely send delegations to reunite with our brothers and sisters in El Salvador and to learn, firsthand, about the realities of life in the cantons (villages). These delegations fly to San Salvador where they are met by the OSP Mission Co-Worker, who acts as host and guide during the entire trip. All transportaton ouside the Berlin area is provided by a trusted, professional driver (and good friend) that OSP has used for almost 20 years. Delegations first visit key historical sites in San Salvador and other parts of the country. These visits help them understand the history of the people in the cantons and why their living conditions are what they are. The bulk of the delegation's time is spent in the Berlín area, a 2 hour drive east of San Salvador. Delegations eat and sleep at the Pastoral House in the town of Berlín and make day trips out to the rural cantons in the Berlín area. They meet with the Directiva (community leadership) and visit homes, schools, and community projects. In the evenings they meet with the Pastoral Team, reflect on their day, check out the town of Berlin, and have some downtime.

Delegation Handbook

See the Our Sister Parish: El Salvador Delegation Handbook for background facts on El Salvador and the OSP mission, information on the Salvadoran culture, and tips to help you pack and prepare for a delegation trip.

Delegations and COVID-19

OSP halted delegation visits in March 2020 when El Salvador closed it's borders. El Salvador re-opened its borders on September 19, 2020. But because of the continued high incidence of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 testing requirements for entry in both El Salvador and the United States, the OSP board did not feel it was prudent to resume visits at that time. As of early June, 2022, neither El Salvador nor the United States requires COVID-19 testing for entry. OSP resumed delegation visits on June 27, 2022.

Read more about COVID-19 in El Salvador and updates on travel information at the website of the U.S. Department of State:
https://sv.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

OSP's Travel Protocol

Please read the OSP Travel Protocol document concerning COVID-19.

Travel Protocol Document

Partnership Covenant

Click the button below to view/download OSP's suggested format for the covenant between a Partner Organization and a Partner Community.

Partnership Covenant Form

Delegation Schedule

Reserved Dates in 2025

Feb 28-Mar 7 Pastoral Team Unavailable

Mar 20-27 Atlantic/Dallas Center/Winterset Delegation

Jun 5-12 Westminster Presbyterian Delegation

Jun 17-24 Heartland Presbyterian Delegation

Jun 28-Jul 5 Hitchcock Presbyterian Delegation

Jul 10-17 Trinity United Presbyterian Delegation

Oct 30-Nov 4 Pastoral Team Unavailable

Dec 1-Jan 2 Pastoral Team Unavailable

Reserved Dates in 2026

Jan 14-21 OSP Medical Delegation

Mar 20-Apr 6 Pastoral Team Unavailable

Aug 13-17 Pastoral Team Unavailable

How to Request Delegation Dates

Kathy Bassett coordinates delegation date requests with the Mission Co-Worker and the Pastoral Team. Fill out the following form to request dates for your delegation. Please be specific about the date range you would like to be in El Salvador. Fill out a separate request form for each delegation trip. At least 4 days should be allowed between the departure of a previous delegation and the arrival of your delegation. Thank you!