Susan (our Programs Director) and I travel to El Salvador at least twice a year. Usually in February and November. It’s part of our job to work with the Archdiocese, the parish, the school, and the residences to go over budgets, to find out if there are any needs on the horizon, and to be able to take these pictures and tell you these stories. For at least one marathon day Marta tells us of each COAR child’s story. The easiest to hear are those kids that are doing well in school, finding their own talents, and healing emotionally. The background stories of the new arrivals are the hardest to hear. We’ve been listening to it for years. But for some reason, on this visit, on the last evening, at our little gathering, I stared at the faces who were looking at me. We saw so much pain in girls who were just too young for what they had endured. Our inner rage at the unfairness of it was useful to combat that bottomless sorrow. But what we said and showed to the kids, is that they are not alone. We tell them about you, their sponsors, the people we meet at churches, the thousands of people who pray for them and want the best for them. It is hard to know what they take in, especially the new girls. But with this wonderful glimpse of Monica’s healing (pg. 1), the sorrow and rage are replaced by hope.

Merry Christmas & a hopeful and healing New Year.