{"id":893,"date":"2019-04-11T19:06:45","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T19:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.presbyterianmission.org\/weekly-offerings\/?p=893"},"modified":"2019-04-11T19:06:45","modified_gmt":"2019-04-11T19:06:45","slug":"oghs-saving-a-community-in-puerto-rico-from-the-threat-of-displacement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centernet.pcusa.org\/weekly-offerings\/2019\/04\/11\/oghs-saving-a-community-in-puerto-rico-from-the-threat-of-displacement\/","title":{"rendered":"OGHS: Saving a Community in Puerto Rico from the Threat of Displacement"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Community Facing Displacement<\/h4>\n

Even before Hurricane Maria ravaged communities along the Mart\u00edn Pe\u00f1a Channel in Puerto Rico last year, residents were facing another threat that could have completely disrupted their way of life.<\/p>\n

Plans to dredge the polluted channel and improve the waterway promised to dramatically increase property values in this section of San Juan near the financial district, airport, and universities. However, people living along the channel were looking at displacement rather than economic gain. Residents of these settlements did not have deeds to their dwellings, and land speculation and gentrification threatened to displace them\u2014including families that had lived there for five generations.<\/p>\n

A Land Trust is Formed<\/h4>\n
\"\"

Presbyterian Mission Agency personnel are speaking to residents concerned that gentrification could cost them their homes.<\/p><\/div>\n

Thanks in part to the generosity of Presbyterians\u2014gifts from congregations just like ours received for One Great Hour of Sharing\u2014the community formed the Martin Pe\u00f1a Channel Land Trust, which acquired title to a 200-acre area that is home to 1,500 families. While the trust owns the land, individuals can obtain deeds that give them surface rights to their homes.<\/p>\n

Lyvia Rodr\u00edguez, executive director of the land trust, explains, \u201cGifts from One Great Hour of Sharing ensure that a new generation of residents have the opportunity to live along a restored Mart\u00edn Pe\u00f1a Channel.\u201d A community facilitator is helping families through the tedious process of acquiring deeds for their homes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hurricane destroyed 75 houses, and over 1,000 houses lost their roofs,\u201d says Mariolga Juli\u00e1 Paceco, special projects coordinator for the land trusts. \u201cWe were able to supply tarps, first aid supplies, food, and water.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the lesser known effects of a disaster is the confiscation of land from poor people in the name of \u201cprogress,\u201d mainly under the guise of \u201crecovery\u201d and \u201credevelopment.\u201d In New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina . . . in Haiti after the earthquakes . . . in too many places where people have already suffered tremendous loss. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is present not only in efforts to recover from wind and rain damage, but also in solidarity to resist those who claim they are there to \u201chelp\u201d but are really there to help themselves.<\/p>\n

One Great Hour of Sharing ministries\u2014Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People\u2014are working alongside the land trust. Presbyterians have helped assuage the fears of families who are protected by the Martin Pe\u00f1a Channel Land Trust by looking beyond our own doors, our own walls. Paceco says, \u201cWe are grateful for the generous giving and for this help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Let Us Pray<\/h4>\n

God of mercy, help us look past the walls and doors of this church. Help us to open our doors to walk alongside the vulnerable to whom we have been called. As we share through this Offering, may all your children feel the love of Christ and share in the justice, compassion, and joy you offer. Keep us unsatisfied with being THIS church on THIS corner, so we shall be known as CHRIST\u2019s church to the whole world. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n

Join Us<\/h4>\n

For more information and resources related to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, visit presbyterianmission.org\/oghs<\/a> .
\nThis post is based on the minute for mission script which can be found on our website<\/a> as a script<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please give generously to the Offering:<\/p>\n