ONA News May 2006

 

Spirituality . . .
   for global survival
Education . . .
   for global community
Action . . .
   for global justice

A NARDA Connection

Six NARDA Women Visit El Salvador

A important connection was made at our 2005 Annual Gathering. A guest from our sister organization in Latin America invited the women of NARDA to visit some of the women’s projects in El Salvador. This is a powerful benefit of belonging to a global organization such as Oikosnet, which regularly exchanges representatives at association meetings.

We said “yes,” not sure of when or how many of us could take advantage of the opportunity. But during Holy Week this year, six NARDA members, hosted by Maria Hernandez Nolasco of San Salvador, ventured forth to make new friends, live for a while in a different culture and express solidarity with women of faith struggling to bring about a more just society especially for women and children. It was awesome. Margaret and Marilyn share some of their impressions. We’ll give you more details in the next newsletter.

Margaret

“In El Salvador we received the gift of hospitality and of doors opening wherever we went. We, strangers, were welcomed into the details of their lives. Some of the visits reached a level of intimacy that I could not have imagined. I hope those whom we met experienced us as respectful.

“I am stunned by the raw accounts of domestic violence and the effects of addiction. The testimonies of the women moved me beyond an intellectual awareness to something I feel with my whole body. It makes me want to work towards solutions.

“The term ‘ministry of presence’ has been on my mind, but the problem with that is that it implies that I am the minister and the others are being ministered to. It was more reciprocal than that. I like to think that all of us, hosts and visitors, were engaged in a ministry of hanging out together.”

Marilyn

“El Salvador was an amazing experience. In many ways it is not a particularly beautiful country, but one of the most heart warming visits I’ve experienced in a foreign country. A week gave us just a glimpse into their lives after 12 years of war. Efforts are being made to move on, to regain self confidence, economic stability and a sense of themselves. The battles have taken their toll and the progress is slow and difficult. The people themselves are warm and gentle with each other. I never saw or heard a beggar, never even heard a parent yell at or scold a child. Did they even cry? Yes, in the super market one day. 

“We visited through the eyes and heartworks of a social worker, a Christian (American Baptist) who also works for the justice system. So we mainly met women who were victims of violence, or working in places where the women are served medically, socially and residentially.

“I loved that we were there for intention, and not just as tourists. Fortunately, we were able to have a very balanced view and delightful experiences at our hosts’ family compound at the seaside—shared by several generations and families.”

Photos by Marilyn Watson 2006