Getting acclimated with CRS in El Salvador

Editor's note: This is the third  part of a series. Check the June 16 edition of The Catholic Week online at mobarch.org to read the second installment.

"Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  
—1 Peter 4:11

When we arrived in San Salvador, El Salvador, the first thing that was noticeably different was security.  After you retrieve your luggage, you go through security to enter the country.  You enter security one at a time through a security system that has a green light and a red light.  If you get a green light, you keep walking.  If you get a red light, all of your luggage will get searched.  Our group leader explained this to us when we arrived.  It is intimidating and a little stressful to walk through knowing you might get a red light.  I was very relieved when I saw a green light and I kept walking.  There were a lot of armed guards in the airport and security seemed on high alert.  We loaded up in our van and headed to our lodging.  The driver of the van was from El Salvador and would be with us the entire trip.  
As we entered the city of San Salvador, preparations were underway for the Beatification of Archbishop Romero.  Workers were constructing the stage area and the stands close to the stage.  One of the first images I remember in San Salvador is the Monument to the Divine Savior of the World. 
This beautiful monument would be a point of reference upon our daily return to show that we were close to where we were staying.  We arrived at our lodging, threw our bags in our rooms, and headed for our first location.  
When I look back on this journey to El Salvador, I feel very blessed that the trip was through Catholic Relief Services.  If I had traveled by myself or with another group, I would not have experienced as much of the entire country as I did.  The schedule was well-thought out and intentional to meet people in different areas and different circumstances. 
Through this experience, I was able to learn more about Catholic Relief Services and their approach to working within a country and with the people.  
I am also very appreciative of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and their partnership with CRS for this opportunity.
I have a tendency to try to imagine how a situation will play out and a lot of scenarios go through my head.  When I looked at the original schedule, I tried to imagine how this trip would play out.  That is how my mind works.  Obviously, my mind cannot fully comprehend the plan that God has for everyone, and my mind can only comprehend my perspective without factoring in all the people that I encounter in any situation.  
This trip would go far beyond my expectations and truly strengthen my faith.  The schedule on paper could not begin to match what each day was filled with or how the entire trip would transpire.  
Our first stop was the CRS office.  We received more orientation on the mission of CRS and an overview of how our journey would give us the opportunity to see the mission in action.  CRS is moved by faith.action.results (CRS website) to fulfill their mission.  Over the next week, we would see a broad picture of how this was accomplished in different areas of the country.  Before we set out on the road, we had the opportunity to listen to the story of a young man living in El Salvador and how CRS was impacting his life.  We would hear many stories from different people.  These stories put a face with what was happening in the country.
Next time:  Traveling throughout El Salvador  
— Tex Phelps is the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. He may be emailed at [email protected]
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