Today we start the first in a series of reflections written by Missions team members about their week. The first reflection, below, is by Rick Goodman.
For over twenty years, I have wanted to go to El Salvador. My first peace march was to oppose the U.S. support of the Salvadoran military. Carol and I attended a march and a concert by Joan Baez for Peace for El Salvador. I remember when Monsignor Romero asked President Carter to stop sending the military aid. Carter ignored the plea. I remember when Romero was killed, the nuns, the Jesuits. I have long admired Father Rutilio Grande. The connection to El Salvador is extensive, actually for all Americans due to our financing one side in the civil war there.
So, finally, I go. The blog covers the basics of the trip rather well. I shall always remember trodding the sacred ground of UCA where the Jesuits and a mother and daughter were killed, the Cathedral where protests and battles occurred, the guerilla camp, and El Mozete. There was something to break your heart and then lift you up each day.
Seeing the profound respect that so many people had for Edgar was wonderful.
Hearing so much about the country and its situation through the voice of Amparito was great.
Xochitl’s logistical skills were always in evidence.
Paula was delightful.
Travelling with a small group of diverse, thoughtful, funny, and caring people enriched my personal experience.
The Shalom scholars and candidates inspire me to keep going in life no matter what.
I was humbled by how much the rural church that we spent the day with focused on helping others.
Finally, I shall find it easy now to measure social policy. The questions are somehow simple. Does what I do, what the church does, what the government or non-profits do, benefit the woman we met who makes $4 a day to feed three people? Does anything we do help the three little children who walk up into the hills and come down carrying wood to provide fuel for their stove? I hope our actions at Calvary and elsewhere can make the very real hopes being discussed in El Salvador at this time become a reality for all its people.
