Lessons learned (hopefully)
further reflections on my pilgrimage in the way of Saint Romero (Romero pilgrimage #2)
I will write about the things I saw and did on my journey in the steps of Saint Romero, in EL Salvador in a future post. You can read about my pre-trip here First you have to get out of town
In this piece I will attempt to communicate a sense of what I experienced, what I learned on this journey, and how I hope to live going forward. But I will start with a general overview.
We visited the chapel where Romero was assassinated, saw his simple living quarters and many life artifacts. Toured museums learning about the throughline of struggle for human rights in El Salvador for near 100 years. Visited a base village and saw how the church seamlessly supported the building of community. Elders who had lived through the war and struggles of the nation hosted us in their homes. We participated in numerous services, both Catholic and Episcopalian. I took Catholic communion for the first time in my life, and actually two times. We travelled high into the mountains for a service with a small community gathered around the memory and hope of Romero. On the last day, the actual 45th anniversary of Romero’s assignation, we sat again in the memorial chapel. I marveled at how a single bullet could travel from the street to the heart of Romero. We joined a large crowd for a long, hot march of solidarity and protest. The march combined religious devotion and political action. At one stop I heard, “We’re safe right? There won’t be any violence today?” Eventually we arrived at the Cathedral. On the main floor, crowds filled the pews in quiet reverence. In the basement we lingered near Archbishop Romero’s crypt.
Mission trip redux
I spent fourteen years in ministry with college students. Over those years we took near 2,000 students on spring break mission trips around North and Central America and the Caribbean. By the end of my time in that setting I was questioning taking young adults to varied locations for a week of so-called service. The risk of slipping into a “poverty porn” mentality was real. The impact of the trips on students’ lives seemed so vital while the economics and implications for the communities we visited was continually more difficult to justify. I wondered if this trip to El Salvador would be something more than another mission trip, with me now as participant, not leader?
Leadership fascination
I love watching leaders lead. I was intrigued by the team who led on this trip. It would have been easy for me to spend all my time with the leaders, ignoring my fellow travelers. I frequently found myself caught-up observing them in action and then wanting to have conversations dissecting their “leadership styles.”
It was a gift for me to not have to make decisions, small or critical, be responsible to keep everybody on schedule, count heads at every major transition, and keep smiling. Our leaders did an exceptional job. I found myself in thankful awe, grateful for their efforts.
I have a deep love of building a team for the work of ministry. I can honestly say I would be honored to be a part of a team with any of the Cristosal leaders.
Journey with Seth
Seth is near the age of my sons. He and I have worked together in a number of ministry settings. We originally met in the early 90’s when he was a junior camper at Tall Timber where I was the Dean. I officiated his wedding. The story of connections goes on and on.
He was my first thought of a travelling partner for this journey. And it was a perfect choice. We shared planning and prep. On the trip we enjoyed times of deep conversation and allowed space for time apart. We laughed and listened. We had moments when words were not needed. We cherished memories and dreamed of a better possible future.
While my career has been involved with programs and organizations I have never lost sight that relationships matter most. I trust that if I leave anything good when I pass to the other side it will be in influence shared through relationships, like the one I have with Seth. He knew about my pre-trip health scare and agreed to watch out for signs of concern. Long ago we moved beyond a mentoring relationship to a deep, mutual friendship. I have to admit that I am transitioning to the stage where, like with my sons, in small ways, I needed to allow Seth to graciously take care of me, as we acknowledge our ever-growing, changing relationship.
The politics of the moment
Our trip overlapped with the Trump administration sending Venezuelans to prison in El Salvador. A form of martial law has been in effect for over three years. President Bukele has violated the constitution to extend their stay in office. In comparing Bukele to Trump someone noted, “No, Bukele is smarter and plans ahead.” The sense of how my US life compares to this or will become this hovered in the back of my mind throughout the week.
Romero is power
I saw whole villages rally to honor their Saint. I heard individuals tell their stories. I have little to compare to in my life for the level of devotion displayed. One of our leaders said, “I am not certain about church or what I believe, but I believe in Romero.”
Many people are living who can tell of being with Romero, hearing him speak. These same elders tell of life through the civil war of the 1980’s and how Romero was a living, guiding presence that pressed them forward. We met people who had been imprisoned, some lost close family members, neighbors, and many friends to the military and death squads. These people still live in the community and continue to stand, speaking and working for human rights.
In addition to the focus on the anniversary of Romero’s death there was a concerted national effort to stop the return of gold mining. Gold mining had been banned because of the pollution of major water sources. The current president is working to return the practice for dubious economic reasons. The people, many now descendants of those Romero lived with, are the new wave fighting injustice. On a long, extremely hot, and humid, many mile march to deliver hundreds of thousands of signatures opposing mining to the supreme court those honoring the anniversary of Romero’s assignation mingled with the mining protestors, becoming one.
I heard stories of Romero in which he became something of a second Jesus, brutally killed and resurrected in his people. The reality that the connection to Romero was so close in location and time that it perpetuated a transcendent power.
So what?
Why did I go? Because I have long been called to seek and work for deep justice for all. I knew enough about Saint Romero that I was drawn to learn from his example. I must not let caution and fear stop my forward movement toward needed action.
What did I learn or experience? I saw people living their passion for justice and rights in the midst of great obstacles. I saw community efforts and changes in the spirit of Romero. I saw a people struggling with a government attempting to override basic freedoms and the common good by acting together in the face of great risk. I saw cooperation across religious lines, that while minor, spoke volumes of the hoped for future. I saw a country and a people who may be a short distance ahead of the US in this current political/cultural abyss. And I saw that they have much to teach us about how to live and resist in times of oppression and organized chaos.
What difference will it make for me going forward? This is the question of the ages, the real so what? To be honest I am still working on this. I learned that we are all in this messy, global moment and that the call for action is ever present. I am working to live in the reality of time and place. What are things I can do here, now? Who can I listen to, defer to, or help? What is going on in my community and how do I support and participate?
What are the bigger systems and actions I need to get involved with? The resources I have are time, skills, connections, and money.
I believe I have gained an understanding of my skills and strengths in varied settings. I wonder where this moment will take our country. I have kids and grandkids, and I view the future greatly through caring for them. I wonder what will be necessary to provide for them and future generations in the US and world. And I wonder if I am ready, and willing to respond as needed, including making sacrifices beyond my comfort and control, in any given moment and situation.
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Thanks, Jim. Very moving, very informative and interesting and the big "so what?" at the end should haunt us all. Appreciate you.
Thanks for sharing about your trip and opening my eyes to Saint Romero. ❤️