People of faith were as divided
on the Christian response to Central America in the 1980s as we
U.S. Christians are today concerning our response to our country’s
involvement in the Middle East. The predominant evangelical (non-Catholic)
perspective in the region was that Christians were called to read
the Bible, attend worship, and get right with God to prepare for
eternal life. It took me a while to realize that all the signs
that said “Christ is coming” really meant “do
not get involved in the world.” Christians who wanted to
help their sisters in this life were seen as deviants to the faith
and worse—communist sympathizers.
Among evangelicals, we were astounded to see, hunger projects,
small money-generating vegetable or animal projects, literacy
programs, and citizen’s-rights seminars were seen as anti-faith
efforts. Some evangelicals were willing to face this bias, and
worked on behalf of their brothers. We attended their funerals,
and we prayed with and for those who persisted in the face of
the opposition.
Liberation theology taught that the poverty, illiteracy, lack
of health care and jobs was due to the way the social system was
constructed. The theology of liberation was a thorn in the side
of many world and local politicians. Those who professed it were
fair game in the Central American military turmoil.
Life has changed in Central America, and life continues as before.
Governments come to power through the ballot box instead of through
military coups, but many are still unable to read and write, live
at poverty level, and feel disenfranchised. Women taking leadership
roles often are targets of oppression. Weapons that were used
in the wars of the eighties are now being used in street crimes
with gang wars supplanting the political wars.
I am retiring after 23 years of a spiritual journey with and
through Central Americans. I think about this journey and the
people with whom I came in contact. We lived these historical
moments together. We are not the same people we would have been
had we not been there. We are bruised but, I hope, stronger. People
who spent years in refugee camps or whose families were killed
struggle to maintain a place in a society that rejected them at
one time. People given the right to kill their fellow countrymen
must now learn to live under the law without impunity. The past
is not forgotten, but people must find a way to be healed, encouraged,
and to move forward to live into a new present and future. Who
is better able to do this than the church?
There were in the past and there are today jealousies, power
struggles, and an inability to work together in many Central American
churches and Christian groups. We of the PC(USA) in our own brokenness
have struggled and continue to struggle to relate to our partners
in these circumstances. At times, we have played a negative role
in the internal affairs of our partner groups. As we relate to
one another in partnership, God calls us to carry one another’s
burdens and joys and to come together to express that healing,
hopeful presence that changes people, communities, and countries.
Certain individuals are capable of towering above the brokenness
of the times. These saints love in the midst of a world that seems
to be built on hate and distrust; they hope in a world that seems
to deteriorate in personal and corporate ways. I carry with me
their memory and example.
I began this letter with me and Tracey under a tree, a huge,
beautiful tree that gives shade and shelter. Small zinc and cardboard
houses beneath them are more livable places. People are refreshed
under their branches. This particular tree in El Salvador reminded
me of all the other trees that have refreshed and sheltered me
during these 23 years. It made me think of God’s embrace
for all who need this shelter as we live our “zinc and cardboard”
lives. It made me think of those who bring love and reconciliation
so that we might understand what the Kingdom of God is like. And
it made me think of the challenge and privilege that Tracey has
to experience the journey with all of you and with the Central
American brothers and sisters. My prayers will be with you as
you continue the journey toward wholeness as God’s people.
Julia Ann |
