Thirty -sixth day of Lent: Today is the first day of Passover

4/19

Today is the first day of Passover. I send greetings to Mim, Ted and Asya, Jon and Alice. This celebration of liberation, of freedom from bondage, of escape from mitzrayim, the narrow space informs our vision, helps us to put up with frustrations and move towards a call, a witness that goes beyond any one  of us.

The roofers aren’t coming. Wet weather predicted. But plumbers arrive and start tackling  the drain situation. The work is only partially complete. 

John arrives to update our budget issues. It’s not quite the disaster that seemed to be happening. But close. We just might make it. We’re reviewing the Woodshed contract, getting ready to close the deal with them. 

Rochone comes and we begin to make this an official relationship. Her job will be  to make these concerts happen. While we are working on all this, James comes in, back from his chemo session at the hospital. Amanda and James greet one another warmly. Last summer, they together  created the office we’re now sitting  in. 

We get our computers compatible. Plumbers, roofers, meetings to be scheduled. Amanda and Danielle begin to work on contact lists. Arnaldo walks in through the open doors.

Salvadoran. We start going through mutual connections. I recall my lunch with (then) US Ambassador Dean Hinton. Arnaldo worked for Dean Hinton. I recall my meeting with   Roberto D’Aubisson, believed to be in command of the death squads. His Cherokee with the smoke glass windows.  My visit to the orphanage where the murdered US nuns worked. Where they served us a Thanksgiving dinner en estilo norteamericano. The children scattering in fear as an American  helicopter hovered overhead. I remember going to the body dump. Viewing the photos of los desaparecedos, murdered and mutilated, at the archdiocese office. Guards with automatic weapons in  front of Mc Donald’s and shopping malls. The intense surreal feeling of Salvador in the ’80’s. Arriving there a couple of days after my colleagues because of my trip to Guatemala. The semi-dazed look in the eyes of my friend Doug when he met me saying, I can never be the same after this, Arnaldo is bringing all that back. 

He has been in the home of my good friend and mentor, George. But this visit has to do with his interest in the church. He was part of the group of Columbia volunteers who gave a day of labor last December. He’s still interested. Take down his information.

The plumbers are dealing with the ruins of the drainage system. But its not easy.