Léalo en español 

 the hope of salvation in unsafe situations:

 safety for all

Intimidation in the El Salvador - Honduras border

Tuesday November 22 of 2016 I was traveling from San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador to Managua, Nicaragua in Ticabus. Arriving at the Salvadoran side of the border with Honduras, I was writing in my diary when a police officer entered the bus to make a check. I did not pay attention to him, because I was focused on my thinking. I think that made him suspicions, he might have thought I was hiding myself from him behind my writing; and I was asked to dismount the bus for a check. I got off the bus, picked up my suitcase, and went to an office. In it there were 3 hostile policemen, who rudely started interrogating me about who was and what I do? I told them that I am a missionary-pastor. Checking my luggage, they found my International Ministries’(IM) prayer cards, and with them they corroborated what I was saying; after a while I was released. I was very angry of their rude treatment.

Security for the missionaries

Weeks after this incident I went to the IM security training. Interestingly much of the training focused on how to deal with situations such as the one I lived at that border. We were taught that we must have a simple truthful explanation of who we are and what we do, and stick to it during the interrogation. If we have to expand the dialogue, we could introduce aspects that are humanizing and tell them of places where they can verify our word; and especially to avoid discussion of issues that trigger discomfort. In the light of these teachings, which were much deeper, I evaluated my behavior at that border; and I saw that without having taken the training, I had handled it very appropriately.

Insecurity of those travelling without documents

Despite the fact that I passed the test, the incident continued irritating me. When I went to El Salvador, from where was leaving, I learned that Charlie, a young boy whose best friend disappeared, lived terrified by the gangs. One gang faction blamed him of having handed his friend over to the opposite gang, and the other faction chased him for introducing his friend into their territory; both threatening him of death. He could not endure more, and choose to migrate without documents to the North, and right now he is making the journey to the United States. From El Salvador, I sent him messages by Whatsapp. He told me that he will meet with his mother, and that he spent a long time in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, and also in Monterey.

In this young boy I see all travelers like him. I was legal on the bus, and it bothered me the way they treated me. He is going without documents. He will not be treated the same way I was, they will not be considerate. He is exposing himself to assaults, extortions, kidnappings; fleeing violence, looking for safety.

A calling to open safe roads in the 2017

May the light that brings the New Year open safe roads to those who are in transit. Many are traveling as Jesus went to Egypt, terrified of a bloodthirsty Herod; fearing being murdered as all of the 2-year-olds were. In the journey of Jesus there was a protective light. That light is the one that you and me have to turn on in order to build worlds of peace.

The Continental Christian Network for Peace (CCNP) is unifying its forces to bring peace, so that all are safety, so that the One who came illuminates our world. Some pray for peace, but imagine it as inside tranquility, and do nothing to bring God’s domain on Earth. Charlie invites us to fight to bring the light. May I offer myself to you, Lord, as you gave yourself to the cause of your Father, so all of us may do so!