Day two - San Salvador

Awoke early the sounds of foreign birds - the perfect start to a day of introduction into the history of this beautiful country. Did Betty mention yesterday how green things are here? THAT was a welcome change! We checked out of our wonderful guest house and put ourselves into the capable hands of Alfredo our bus driver, who wound his way through the busy city streets to access the sites we would visit.

Our first stop was at the Monument of Memory and Truth - a memorial wall for those murdered or missing during the recent 12-year civil war. It was very sobering to hear our tour guide/host Katherine describing the history of the political climate and events that lead to these massacres. Archbishop Romero's name was among those listed.

Then we went to the Cathedral where Romero is entombed. This is an impressive, huge white
building in the midst of a run-down area of the city. We drove through block after block of street
market stalls on our way. The bronze effigy where he is interred was stunning. See for yourself!

After leaving the Cathedral, we went to the Romero home which was incredibly modest at his request. He felt that, considering the poverty of his people, he should not live, in luxury. One of the nuns who cares for the site gave us a talk and insights a into this modest and giving man.

Next we had a very sobering talk from a nun in the chapel where Romero was murdered. She was very soft-spoken and you could have heard a pin drop.

Then we headed up the mountains to the Pastoral House where we met the team and learned of our next task - dividing up the goodies we brought to give the families into separate packages. Here we are starting to get organized...

Dave Endriss wrapped up the day with a devotional on transformation and we headed to bed with the promise of another day of growth and learning tomorrow.