The Mysterious Death of Marcelo Rivera

Here is the short film by Jamie Moffett that I blogged about the other day. Please take a moment to watch the story of Marcelo's life and his sad demise. Pray for the people living in El Salvador, who are dealing with violence and exploitation daily. Then take another moment to pass Marcelo's story along, as his story is a part of all our stories.



Peace.

The 3's of me

You've been tagged; so you are supposed to write a note with the 3's of YOU. At the end, choose people to be tagged. You have to tag me. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way......

(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page; paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 3's, tag 26 people (in the right hand corner of the app), then click publish.

Three names I go by:
1.Tara
2.Mom
3.Miss Tara

Three jobs I have had in my life:
1.Worship leader
2.Youth Minister
3.Graphic Artist

Three places I have lived:
1. Warren, PA
2. Russell, PA
3. Jamestown, NY

Three Favorite Drinks:
1. Water
2. Iced unsweetened tea with lemon
3. Earl gray tea with honey.
4. Diet Coke

Three TV shows that I watch:
1. Lost
2. Dr. Who
3. Torchwood

Three Places I have Been:
1. Colorado Springs, CO
2. Santa Cruz, CA
3. New Orleans, LO

Three people who e-mail or Facebook me regularly:
1. Ian
2. Beth
3. Jay

Three of my favorite restaurants:
1. Forte, Jamestown NY
2. Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh PA
3. Pub we ate at in New Orleans.


Three things I'm looking forward to:
1. Playing some music this weekend: Potter's Terrace/Chautauqua
2. Picking Nigel up from camp on Friday.
3. Taking Friday off!

I tag Ian for this one!

Moffet is telling the real story

Jamie Moffet is an independent film and documentary maker that I was introduced to when attending the book tour for Chris Haw andShane Claiborne's Jesus for President. Jamie followed the book tour interviewing and filming all the way and ended up creating a thought provoking documentary called, "Ordinary Radicals" investigating on the shifts in church and culture around us.



Recently Jamie has been working on a new documentary, focusing on the ongoing civil war in El Salvador and it's unexpected connections to the USA. While filming this current documentary, Jamie came upon an account of a recent murder investigation concerning a teacher and anti-mining activist, Gustavo Marcelo Rivera Moreno, who had recently gone missing from the tiny country town of San Isidro.

In addition to his original project, Jamie felt his purpose also included filming a short on the disappearance and murder of Mr. Moreno. The young man's murder was one particular in it violence that places it in the category of a death squad killing. For more information on the details concerning Mr. Moreno's murder and Mr. Moffet's short film read the article, "Down the well" at the Philadelphia Citypaper.

Both of these current projects are in the final stages of production, and based on the quality of Moffet's first film, I believe this next one will open eyes and hearts to the struggles of a country in the grips of civil war. Imagine, if there is a way for us to help and we find that answer simply by watching the film "Return to El Salvador".



May our hearts be opened by the real life stories Jamie takes the time and effort to tell.

Back home and treading hope

I'm home from the ELCA youth gathering in New Orleans. It's amazing to me that yesterday morning I was in that beautiful and now almost hopeful city and today I'm back to my small city, and seeing hopeful signs here too.

I will have to take the next few days to unpack my physical luggage as well as all the experiences and opportunity our group had while we were the the big easy.

So for today, I just wanted to tell you all a simple hello, that I missed you and that I already miss all the lovely people I met in New Orleans. You made a home in my heart with your stories, your determination and your hope.