A New Generation

This is a country that has lived through a terrible history of war and persecution and which still suffers from great inequality and injustice. I have become convinced over the last week that perhaps the greatest opportunity to correct those wrongs is the new generation of Salvadorans.

A couple of times this week, we have had the opportunity to be introduced to young students, recipients of Providence scholarships. On Monday, we met them at the Romero Center. Students with hope for the future, despite the circumstances in which they live. They understand the past, they know the experiences of their people, but it is not an anchor for them. They are not consumed with anger. They have a bright hope for the future in which they can pursue careers that will allow them to serve their people, giving them a voice and giving hope to many future generations.

As I sat listening to their stories, I tried to understand where that hope came from. While I don't know them well, I can guess. They have been given a gift, certainly. A scholarship to pursue their studies. But they have more important gifts than that. They have someone to believe in them and encourage them and love them. Sister Fran is a blessing in their lives. That blessing is a gift we can all give to a young person who needs a simple vote of confidence, to know that they are a child of God and have great potential.

They also have a reason to succeed beyond themselves. My own motivation to study in college and do well as a student was only my own. A rather selfish focus on my own success. Each of these young people spoke of how they wanted to return to these communities and serve their people. They will undoubtedly measure their success by how they are able to help the poor of El Salvador.

On Tuesday, we met them in their local village and went off in three groups to meet their families. I was impressed with how they approached this and how they treated their families. There was a remarkable absence of hesitance or anxiety about American gringoes seeing their homes and families. These teenagers live in extremely humble settings. They don't have their own room, or electronic gadgets or stylish clothes. My friend Atilio (picture above) lives in a house that doesn't have a door and has a dirt floor. There was a tin roof, a stick and barbed wire fence, chickens running free and an open fire for cooking. Yet, he was proud to take us to his home and to meet his family. What an amazingly humbling experience.

I will bet on that combination of determination and humility to deliver success any day!

Clearing the way in El Salvador

Today we left Tierra Blanca inspite of the hardships of living there, I think everyone felt a sense of separation. Jungle life was hot, noisy at night and filled with challenging travel situations (see video). We travelled to San Salvador and stopped for lunch at the pupusa strip mall. Twenty pupusa stands in a row next to the road selling the same thing and with identical signage. I am not sure how they differentiate themselves, but Sr Fran found the best place. They were very good.

We also met at the University of Central America, I will let others speak to the educational sessions of the afternoon and evening.

I feel in the "lap of luxury" with a bathroom and shower in the building. Still no hot water, but the temperature and humidity are much more tolerable. It may be we are so acclimated to the jungle anything would feel better.

This was another busy day. We are winding down. Tomorrow is sightseeing and buying gifts. This is a great group of people and I have enjoyed them immensely. We have spent nearly every waking hour working on or thinking about very difficult and sometimes painful issues. This has been a great team with which to share that experience.

Getting out of the boat - Thursday

We started with our reading from the gospel of Luke with the story of the storm on the se of Galilee. The apostles are crossing the sea in a boat while Jesus is walking to spend time alone. A storm begins and tosses the boat about and the disciples freak out. If that is not enough, they see someone walking toward them across the water and get spooked further. Finally, Peter is asked to step out of the boat and does so, lasting a few seconds before starting to sink.

Each morning, Sister Fran reads the gospel with us, along with a local couple, Mino (husband) & Transito (wife). They have several children children, and for the last many years have read the gospel with their children on a daily basis, trying to decipher meaning and guidance. Fran acts as interpreter. In short, it has been a way to consider the gospel through Salvadoran eyes.


Today our trip was to San Marcos, a small village along one of the main thoroughfares through El Salvador, where CA2 (Central America 2) crosses the Lempa river. In 1981 the army came through and slaughtered everyone still remaining in the village. People began trickling back in later years. One group met a man who had lived in there for forty years.


We encountered a woman with cataracts in both eyes, who was waiting for surgery. The governments of Cuba and Venezuela have established a program to bring Salvadorans to Venezuela for cataract surgery, or vision problems due to droopy eyelid. She lived in a small round yurt-like structure, but was unable to take care of herself due to having lost her husband and son in the war. She told us of hearing voices at night since the war and had difficulty sleeping due to this. As we have found, some psychologic issues are not uncommon in those circumstances.


Every morning while 9 or 10 of us head out in medical teams, 5 or 6 stay behind doing a community project. This year it is painting the Centro Romero. James says, "It is like being on the inside of a cantelope, baking in your own sweat" (note, that is a haiku). This is to indicate the colors chosen for the walls.


The afternoon was spent in diversion, a trip to the beach for some R&R. The water was wonderful, beach almost deserted, and we enjoyed each other's company. Arrival last night back to Centro Romero was quite late.