On Saturday, July 12th, 2025, a day we expected to be in the village, the community of El Ocotillo gathered for an Acción de Gracias por Hermanamiento which means Thanksgiving for our Sister Relationship. Many people were in attendance, including our scholarship students. The village sent a letter to us which is translated here:

Dear sister community of the Good Shepherd in solidarity,

Please receive a fraternal and warm greeting from the Leadership committee and the scholarship students of Ocotillo. With much affection, we wish to express to you how profoundly sorry we are that you have not been able to visit us as previously envisioned. We understand that current circumstances, in the United States with the deportations as well as in El Salvador with the current regime, are not favorable for your visit.

Nevertheless, we remain firm in the hope that a time when we can be together will come again soon. With faith in God, we believe that there will be better times ahead. He gives us the strength to forge ahead, even in the midst of difficulties, and we trust that his will, will reunite us again soon.

In the meantime, we want you to know that we hold you present in our prayers and in our hearts. We close with the living hope that you will soon return to Ocotillo. Here we await you with open arms and hearts, full of joy for that day, that with the help of God, will come soon.

With affection and hope,

The leadership committee and scholarship students of Ocotillo

To view pictures of the gathering click here.

To read about why our trip this summer was cancelled, click here.