Chris Johnson (right) chats with Fuller Center for Housing President David Snell outside a community of 50 new Fuller Center homes in Juayuá, El Salvador. (Courtesy: Chris Johnson)
PERRY — Local author Chris Johnson has a wide range of work, from novels to newspaper columns. Now, he hopes his latest piece will inspire action and make a difference while showcasing overseas outreach.
Recently, Johnson released a new book, “Hope in Action!” a collection of profiles and people making an impact in El Salvador.
A former columnist, Johnson began working as Vice President for the Fuller Center for Housing in 2011. He tells stories from over 80 communities nationwide and over 20 countries, from Ghana to Nicaragua to El Salvador.
“I consider what I do there just more journalism. I just tell the stories. I don’t do spin. I don’t do PR. I just tell the stories and things that are going on,” Johnson said.
Through his job, Johnson made connections with Jeff Cardwell, an Indiana politician who is on Fuller Center’s board. Cardwell founded the non-profit People Helping People Network in 2000.
Last year, Johnson and Cardwell banded together to release a book about People Helping People. Much of the organization’s work is in El Salvador, giving Johnson two chances to travel there. He is planning another trip in December of this year.
“People Helping People uses a holistic charitable approach that focuses on four key areas — housing, hunger relief, healthcare and education — to uplift and empower families and communities,” Johnson said. “And the country of El Salvador has been the main proving ground. I’ve met countless Salvadorans whose whole lives have been completely transformed.”
Over the years, Johnson wrote profiles of several people involved in the Network’s mission and was encouraged by Cardwell to assemble them into one work.
With firsthand experience in the country, Johnson hopes the book will shed a positive light on El Salvador’s progress and clear misconceptions.
Chris Johnson with Olympia, who raised children and grandchildren in a tiny, dirt-floor shack in Ahuachapán, El Salvador. She had recently learned that she would become the owner of a safe, new Fuller Center for Housing home in a thriving community a few hundred yards away. (Courtesy: Chris Johnson)
“The people who have decent houses and jobs have no interest in leaving home,” he said. “They love El Salvador. It’s a shining example of how the best way to stop illegal immigration is at its source, not at the end of the journey at the border. People who have hope stay home. Hope is far more effective than a wall.”
Johnson said he felt safe during his last visit. He added the country has made a strong effort to combat gang violence and the economy is on the upswing, saying tourists don’t need to exchange currency and visiting is relatively affordable.
“When I went there the first time, we had about 40 people with People Helping People and we had armed guards guarding us every single place we went; they rode with us everywhere. Then last year, when I went, we didn’t have any, because we didn’t need any,” he said.
Johnson added Salvadorians he met were grateful and kind, regardless of their situation.
“They have this generous spirit and this joyous spirit, which is amazing to me. The people [in America] have a nice 2,500 square-foot home and trying to keep up with the Joneses. They don’t show nearly the happiness of the poorest of the poor in El Salvador. So it makes you feel good to help these people because they are truly grateful,” he said.
Through their stories, Johnson is hopeful those reading “Hope in Action!” will be inspired to act out their faith.
“It’s all good to sing and worship and have fun on Sunday morning, but you’ve got to do something with it outside that parking lot,” Johnson said. “These are people who go above and beyond when it comes to that kind of thing. The whole ‘love thy neighbor’ concept, they take it to a whole other extreme. I hope the inspiration people get is that there’s more I can do.”
“Hope in Action!” is available on Amazon for $15 and all proceeds will benefit People Helping People’s mission. To purchase the book or to see Johnson’s other works, visit here.
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Publish date : 2024-08-01 08:08:00
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