I continue to see my trip to Central America as a time of personal transformation. I see it as a time of re-commitment to immigrants and refugees.
Looking back, I was impressed by the many Good Shepherd projects such as the schools and using micro financing as a form of inclusive financing. However, I was greatly saddened by the sights of extreme violence and hearing the stories of lives wasted and whole towns taken over by gangs.
I will not begin to accomplish my mission for visiting El Salvador until I return to the United States and bear personal witness to the truth of poverty and of violence as push factors. I will not accomplish my mission until I lobby for changes in legislation and, as a nation, we seek to change our collective understanding and heart.