Sunday, June 22nd
El Salvador is an explosion of color. From the vibrant trees to the vivid flowers. The mountains burst with life, uncontained by whatever forces Iowa to become a mixture of brown and grey.
The markets of Berlin showcase how the landscape’s nature bleeds into the people’s culture. Clothes, shops, bags, and food are all riddled with these bold colors. The markets are not for everyone, especially if you are not good with crowds, tight spaces, or loud noises. But for Berlin, this is life. The markets are their malls, bakeries, and Targets.
The markets can be especially overwhelming when faced with the celebrations accompanying Corpus Christi. For the religious feast day, fireworks shot off throughout the morning, starting as early as 4. I was told how El Salvadorans find any excuse to set off said fireworks in celebration. The procession for Corpus Christi started at the local catholic church and walked down the streets of Berlin. Within the procession were church members, church youth, and the priest. As they walked by, members of the public started to join in the parade and join in song to celebrate the day.
This trip proves the importance of reaching out, of helping. We cannot stand blind to the misfortunes of others. The people within these communities are no less than we are, simply because they were dealt a worse hand. We are called by God to lift those whom the world shuns. We are called to do good unto the world and bring light into the darkness. There is no world for me where I am complacent in a shielded, blinded life. We must break the bonds society ties with its displeasure towards anyone different.
This is the work we do in El Salvador. We endeavor to learn about the world, to understand those who live differently. We endeavor to better ourselves and others through our service.
“We know that every effort to improve society, above all when society is so full of injustice and sin, is an effort that God blesses; that God wants; that God demands of us.” – Archbishop Oscar Romero
Flossie Juliano