SMC Valle Nuevo Delegation (Day #1)

June 19, 2010 - Juan Santa Maria airport, Costa Rica - waiting for my flight to Managua and on to San Salvador I read the "Suffering Together at Valle Nuevo" study that Nancy had given me last year - and was impressed by the following quote: "No matter how deep the pit into which I descend, I keep finding God there. He is not aloof from my suffering but draws near to me when I suffer. He is vulnerable to pain, quick to shed tears, and acquainted with grief. God is a suffering Sovereign who feels the sorrow of the world." - Nicholas Wolterstorff

I deeply identify with this quote and it somehow embodies my emotional connection to the people of Valle Nuevo. My trip last year came at a time when I was coming to the end of my struggle to maintain a hope for marriage reconciliation. The pain of my own story resonated within me with each story of suffering told by the people of El Salvador. My recent reading of "Come Be My Light" - a collection of the private writings of Mother Teresa, confirmed in my heart that those who find themselves meeting God in the darkest places are in good company.

One of the questions in the study was: "How are the villagers of Valle Nuevo dealing with their grief? Is it significant that they are dealing with it together as a community?" This question I have written down in my journal to perhaps spur more questions in the story gathering we are headed into this year.

My own questions:

"¿Se puede señalar un momento clave que marcó la transición en su comunidad, o vida personal pasando de la crisis a una vida de paz? (Can you point to a moment of transition in your community or personal life that marks the passing from crisis into a life of peace?

"¿Ha sentido la soledad en su vida? ¿Cómo se distingue la soledad de los momentos de caminar acompañado? (Have you experienced lonliness in your life? How do the moments of lonliness distinguish themselves from walking with others?"

As I look back (I am writing now on June 28, 2010) I think these questions are more of a reflection of my own process, and aren't really representative of the questions we used in our interviews.