By Mary Morin
Suzanne Egger awaited the arrival of her Familia group*. Nine mothers came with their children and snacks ready to meet their guest Marlene, one of three recent Salvadoran visitors to Good Shepherd.
Through translator, Ann Suellentrop, Marlene shared her story.
“My parents died during the war. I went to an orphanage where the treatment of children was not good. Men raped the girls. I forget so much, and it is sad to remember the bad times. It is part of my journey.
“I went to live with an aunt who moved to Buen Pastor. Often I called her mother.
“When I was 19, I fell in love with Réne and together we had a child, Julissa. When the baby was just three months old, Réne died in an accident. I was 21, alone, with a baby to raise. I thought about leaving but decided to stay in the community.
“Later I fell in love with Jésus. We have a son, Kevin. Jésus is good to the children and to me. I love him very much. We work hard to support our children.
“Jésus works six days a week, 14 hours a day and makes $10 a day. I work two days a week cleaning houses in San Salvador. I make $16 a day. I also make meat pies and sell them in the community.”
Kristina Frank asked Marlene about education in El Salvador.
“Education, public as well as private, is not free in El Salvador. Scholarships provided by Good Shepherd help keep students in school. At El Buen Pastor, high school students receive a scholarship of $385 a year. Middle school students receive scholarships of $275 a year. This covers tuition, fees, transportation and supplies.”
Sarah Jacobson asked, “Are you able to buy good food for your children?” (Later Sarah told me, “It was amazing to hear how her faith has been important to her and keeps her going. Hearing Marlene’s story really put a “face” to it. After listening to Marlene, I think we have greatly impacted many people’s lives in El Buen Pastor.”)
“I do without so that my children can get enough food. But, I fear they do not get the right kind of nutrition.”
“You give from your wants for your children. We give from our abundance. It isn’t the same sacrifice,” responded Sarah.
As the mothers learned what Marlene did to support her family, tears welled up in everyone’s eyes.
The group presented Marlene with a plaque with a picture of Mary holding baby Jesus. “I don’t have things to put on the walls of my home. This is wonderful!”
As the group left Suzanne’s home, some of the mothers pressed money into my hands. ”I only wanted you to hear Marlene’s story,” I said.
“We know but buy something for the children or school supplies, just something.”
I told Marlene what I had received. “Look! We can go shopping!”
“I’d rather take the money so that I can share it with others in the community who have needs too. If that is okay?”
“Yes, please take the money.”
The next day I received an excited phone call from Suzanne. “We talked for an hour after you left. We never understood the twinning relationship before, but we do now. We shouldn’t quit sending money to Buen Pastor for there are still many needs, especially regarding education. We want to sponsor a scholarship as a group. To whom do we send thank you notes for allowing us to have this opportunity to hear Marlene’s story?”
Make me an instrument of your peace passes through my mind. We just provided the opportunity.
One mother spoke.
Other mothers listened.
All were moved by the experience.
The experience will never be forgotten.
*This women’s group meets bi-monthly. For three and a half years they read and studied materials put together by Familia. Meetings typically include Gospel reflection, catechesis, and study of various Papal documents covering topics such as marriage and family, Mary, and prayer.
