On Feb. 24 I had a homecoming, of sorts. With the Director of Crispaz, an NGO with which I had worked in El Salvador 1986-90, Margaret and I drove out to the small town I had worked in during those years.

It wasn’t the first time I had returned—I visited several times in the early 90s, but not since then. Others with whom I had worked there had told me of their visits, too, one as recent as five years ago. But I and the old friends I met there were especially tender with each other on this visit, since it was a long time  since we’d seen each other and the first visit since the murder of Father Larry Rosebaugh OMI, in Guatemala last year, with whom we’d worked there.

It was quite an experience, when friends came to the door, what joy as we recognized each other! And the hugs, whew! In one house, I first hugged a friend close to my age, but then was surprised to be able to hug her mother, recently turned 90. We talked of the huge party they’d had in the neighborhood to celebrate her birthday, of friends in exile in Australia and family in the US. And of course of Padre Lorenzo, as Larry was known. Sending greetings to other friends and relatives, we moved on.

Dear Friends,

We apologize for the gap in our communication.  We’ve been in Honduras, doing an AVP basic workshop and making contacts for future work this spring, summer and fall.

8-10 Feb,  Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras

We were hosted by John Donaghy, a Caritas volunteer.  His home seemed luxurious – hot water, bookshelves full of tempting titles, and refreshingly cool weather (70’s for the high) – all welcome changes for us. Caritas has extensive popular education programs and Margaret helped John with a curriculum development project. We met with Caritas director Father Efrain Romero and explored ways to implement an AVP program in the region. Sisters Brenda and Nancy, visiting from Gracias 3 hours away, are also interested in creating an AVP center.   

Val and John in Santa Rosa

At First Friends Church (Evangelical) we were welcomed with amazement and joy. They may never have had North American Quakers show up at their door before. In the Second Friends Church we were also welcomed and the Pastor immediately spoke of making plans to have AVP workshops.

A march against violence walked through Suchitoto Thursday morning.  I attended and walked with Maty, our AVP co-facilitator. After the march arrived at the plaza there were speeches.  The first noted the importance of not blaming youth for the violence, since they learn from their elders and it is the responsibility of adults to address social issues. Sister Peggy used the town’s slogan “Suchitoto, more than a city . . .” to remind the audience that Suchitoto is also a region/district, and that the people of the city need to be in solidarity with the people of the rural areas where the killings are taking place.