We celebrate the life of Joe DeRaymond, our dear friend and compañero, who passed away on October 1st, 2009, after a year and a half battle with a brain tumor. As many of you know, Joe was a lifelong peace and justice activist and a committed volunteer and supporter of the CIS.  Some might remember him leading the observation in a municipality in one of the last four CIS election observer missions.  Others might have read his commentary (one of many) shedding light on the struggle of the community ¨Sitio de Niño¨ in San Juan Opico, La Libertad after environmental contamination and lead poisoning of citizens, including children, from the waste of the Record Battery Company located there.  Others may have accompanied Joe on a visit to a community: La Loma, Cinquera, San Antonio or another community Joe visited often in El Salvador.  Still others might have sat with him in Spanish class here at CIS.

The fact is, through his commitment to walking with the poor majority, speaking out against injustice, and working to create a just peace, Joe has touched every corner of the CIS with his far-reaching work.  Even after being diagnosed with a grade 4 brain tumor in April of 2008, he never gave up his commitment to accompany the struggle for peace and justice in El Salvador and elsewhere.  He continued to pursue his passion and live out his principles up until the end of his time here on earth.

To read the rest of this and other articles in our October/November Newsletter, please click the "read more" button below.