The Cielo Azul Fund provides financial support for Salvadoran Baptist pastors Alex and Ruth Orantes and their ministries in El Salvador. It was originally established in 2003 as the Orantes Fund after members from Central Baptist Church and The Simple Way in Philadelphia visited Alex, Ruth, and their family in El Salvador. Over the years, the ministries of Alex and Ruth have expanded, including Ruth's church Iglesia Shekina and Alex's work with Iglesia Shalom. Currently, the Cielo Azul Fund supports various community programs run by Alex and Ruth, and also provides a living stipend for the Orantes family as Alex's health declines from rheumatoid arthritis. Donations
The Cielo Azul Fund provides financial support for Salvadoran Baptist pastors Alex and Ruth Orantes and their ministries in El Salvador. It was originally established in 2003 as the Orantes Fund after members from Central Baptist Church and The Simple Way in Philadelphia visited Alex, Ruth, and their family in El Salvador. Over the years, the ministries of Alex and Ruth have expanded, including Ruth's church Iglesia Shekina and Alex's work with Iglesia Shalom. Currently, the Cielo Azul Fund supports various community programs run by Alex and Ruth, and also provides a living stipend for the Orantes family as Alex's health declines from rheumatoid arthritis. Donations
The Cielo Azul Fund provides financial support for Salvadoran Baptist pastors Alex and Ruth Orantes and their ministries in El Salvador. It was originally established in 2003 as the Orantes Fund after members from Central Baptist Church and The Simple Way in Philadelphia visited Alex, Ruth, and their family in El Salvador. Over the years, the ministries of Alex and Ruth have expanded, including Ruth's church Iglesia Shekina and Alex's work with Iglesia Shalom. Currently, the Cielo Azul Fund supports various community programs run by Alex and Ruth, and also provides a living stipend for the Orantes family as Alex's health declines from rheumatoid arthritis. Donations
The Cielo Azul Fund is a mission of The ew Simple Way, Central Baptist Church and u t a n on members of Central Baptist Church, b si Wayne, Pa. traveled with some folks from Iglesia Bautista Shekina. Checks can be f a ces, d mis The Simple Way in Philadelphia to visit e de Sam expan written to The Simple Way/Cielo long time Salvadoran friends Alex and Ruth Orantes. The visit deepened the Azul Fund and mailed to: and connection between the Orantes family-- Alex, Ruth and their son, Victor Hugo-- Cielo Azul Fund and The Simple Way and CBC. This family’s commitment to faith based PO Box 211 Cielo Azul Fund community development and ministries of Wayne, PA 19087 (formerly The Orantes Fund) justice, peacemaking and healing in the communities where each member works has become a cherished model for both For updates and online donations go to CBC and The Simple Way. our Cielo Azul blog: The original Orantes Fund emerged from that visit in 2003 when we realized that the economic realities of life in El Salvador were threatening the ability of this talented family to sustain themselves without the help of the folks who had been inspired by their commitment. Our goal was to provide a stable basic income that would http://www.cieloazulfund.blogspot.com/ allow their work to continue uninterrupted.
Over the years, several programs of Iglesia Shalom (the center for Alex’s work in Antiquzaya) and Iglesia Shekina (Ruth’s church in Santa Ana) have been funded by other groups in the United States and Europe. The Pledge Form Orantes Fund was intended to provide basic support for the Orantes family. Many folks make a regular monthly contribution to the Cielo Azul Fund. To The Present Reality register that commitment, please send or Over the past six years, Iglesia Shekina has grown in size and vision, from a small group of worshippers in a rented store front, to a vital community of adults, youth and children who have purchased land, built a church email the information below: and then added a large parcel to the church property with a vision for a community center to serve all of their neighborhood. Already, they have begun to I pledge $10_____, $25____, $50______, offer programs on that new property. $100______other______________,per
During the same six years, Alex’s struggle with rheumatoid arthritis has month. limited more and more his ability physically Mission: to accompany the people in Atiquizaya who Name __________________________ he loves, and who love him, so dearly. • To insure a basic living stipend There is great joy and great Address__________________________ so that Salvadoran Baptist sadness in this present reality. __________________________ pastors Ruth and Alex Orantes
It is the intention of the Phone __________________________ can continue their work in the reconstituted Cielo Azul Fund to take Email __________________________ communities they serve. up the original task and commitment of the Orantes Fund to support this Payments and pledge forms can be mailed to exceptional family--especially as they Cielo Azul Fund • To support the outreach consider the best medical treatments programs of the communities for Alex’s illness--and to support the PO Box 211 where Alex and Ruth minister. many programs that have arisen out Wayne, PA 19087 of their ministries. Those projects are highlighted on the following page. Or email us at The Cielo Azul Fund is administered by a volunteer advisory committee from Central Baptist Church, cieloazulfund@gmail.com The Simple Way and the Pastoral Council of Iglesia Shekina. Opening the new community center property
Projects Supported by the Cielo Azul Fund
• Shekina “Open Doors” Month
Community based art and craft activities for women and children • Shekina Youth Children’s project Day long play time and distribution of school supplies and school uniforms organized by Shekina youth • Youth “encounter” workshops • Building fund for Shekina community center on newly Examples of How Your Contribution Can Help acquired property adjacent to the church Basketball court, roofed meeting court, workshops, $20 School supplies and uniforms for one child clinic facilities $50 Food for one “community soup” $90 One square meter of the Shekina basketball court • Community corn festival celebrations in Atquizaya $350 One square meter of the two story community center • Community Romero Anniversary celebrations in Atiquizaya structure • “Community soup” gatherings in Atiquizaya $1000 One month of Orantes family living expenses Community bible study, organizing meetings, and $3000 One month of the Open Doors community program children’s activities in marginal neighborhoods Or, your monthly pledge supports all these possibilities