SMC Valle Nuevo Delegation (Day #2-continued)

July 13, 2010 (continued reflections on June 20, 2010)

I mentioned briefly in my last note the focus group of university students - all from the Valle Nuevo / Santa Marta area. This morning I feel this session is worthy of more reflection, though both Joel and Tessa took copious notes that night - there are some things that stand out in my mind. The fact that each and every one of the students there plan to return in some capacity to the small village of Santa Marta is impressive. Again, they mentioned the blood that was shed so that they could live a better life - it is an obligation in the best possible sense to return.

From the earlier questions mentioned, we morphed to "How has your parents' story formed you?" and "Why do you want to go back?" and finally settled on: "¿Qué significa su comunidad para ustedes?" (What does your community mean to you) and "¿Cuál es su visión para el futuro, tanto para su vida personal como para la comunidad de Santa Marta?" (What is your vision for the future, both for your personal life and for the community of Santa Marta?)

I don't think that anyone spoke really of their visions for their personal life for the future, other than how their particular field of study might fit into making a better future for the community of Santa Marta. I remember one student saying: "Santa Marta is my life." One is studying veterinary medicine - and has a vision of improving animal health in Santa Marta, and thereby improving human health as well. I am happy to hear this concern being addresses - as it was something specifically noticed by one of our delegates from last year's visit. Also, there were two students there from another community, a community that was not persecuted nor forced to flee during the war. What impressed me from the young man from this community was that he wants to look to Santa Marta as a model. The youth of his own community are filled with apathy and it is very difficult to organize them away from the threatening influences of drugs and delinquency. Are we, as christians, called to seek to put an end to suffering, or are we called to simply walk with one another through the suffering? The model of Santa Marta would suggest that beautiful things grow from severe suffering. There are tragic consequences as well, so I'm still not sure how to sort all this out. I see the spark that ignites the anger of many who surround me when they are witness to injustice. It is a spark that I lack, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is my own acquaintance with grief. Perhaps it is something in my chemical make-up. I have not profound conclusions on this issue.