Today we left the school. After spending three days working and two days with the children, it was time to bid our tearful farewell to the wonderful kids at Rosa Blanca.
When we arrived at the school this morning, we were once again greeted by the most joyous noises as the children ran up to the windows of the school, waving, clapping and yelling at us their child-like greetings. We entered to many comments of “buenos dias” and “hola,” (“good morning” and “hello”) and responded in turn with “que tal, “que paso” or “como estas?” (“how are you?”)
We got to work on our last day of Vacation Bible School, knowing that we only had a little time with the students in the classroom before we enjoyed a fiesta together. The painting crew, which had been diligently painting the school over the week, got to work finishing the last pieces of our painting jobs. The part of the team who had taken on the project of the mural got their things together and in order and finished up the wall painting by letting all the children of Rosa Blanca come forward to place their handprints as the foliage to the Tree of Life in the painting. It was an absolutely brilliant experience to be able to watch these children excitedly put their hands on the wall, and many asked quite a few times if they could do it again. By far the most precious of these was the youngest of the school’s students, a cute little 3-year-old girl who had to be lifted up to be able to even reach high enough to put her hands on the mural.
In short order, our hour and a half was up, and we were asked to come join the students in chairs in the courtyard of the school. We were blown away as the teachers there told us how much our visit meant to everyone in the school, including the adults. They explained that when the students saw the paint for the very first time, their eyes lit up in wonder. They told us how we were what the students were thinking about, and that we would stay in all of their hearts.
Then they surprised all of us by presenting us a presentation of each grade’s talents. First grade played their recorders, as did the third graders and fifth graders. While second, fourth and sixth graders showed us their dancing skills with local folkloric dances. In one of the groups, their dance involved “giving” small gifts to people around the audience like charcoal and chalk. It was cute, as they could hardly keep from laughing each time they had to approach the audience.
After their dance, they had us all come forward to choose a small craft that had been bought in our honor. Eve as small trinkets, it felt to us as though we were being given the world by these people who had so little. We ended the ceremony and presentations as Pastor Diane signed the register noting the gift of the kitchen and Dick Shell cut the inaugural ribbon.
What would a fiesta be without food and piñatas? Each of the classroom VBS groups (three total) had a piñata and destroyed them with gusto, even getting overzealous and hitting one another to get the candy that was falling to the earth.
So finally, we bid our fond farewell as school let out, the children asking for our autographs as though we were rock stars. One student went so far as to ask if we were famous in Los Estados Unidos (the United States).
After leaving the students we ate a quick lunch and went to Divine Providence Hospital to hear Sister Rosela speak about the life and death of father Romero, who lived (for some time) at the convent and was assassinated in the chapel associated with the hospital, during a private mass in celebration of life.
Interestingly, the military officer Major Roberto Dubousson, who is believed to have issued the direct order for the murder of Monseñor Romero, died of throat cancer, which is seen as a sort of divine providence considering the atrocities that he carried out with his voice.
The casita where Romero lived was a simple one-room home with only a few accompaniments, like a telephone and a typewriter. His life was simple and devoted to his books, his God and his people.
The day wrapped up with a free concert by the El Salvadoran National Symphony. They welcomed guest soprano Brittni Kelly from Texas, which was a very welcome surprise for all of us Texans. You don’t expect to go to a foreign country and find one of your own performing.
This day was very special for everyone, pulling at every emotion we had from sheer joy, to sadness at the isanitythat descended upon the whole of this country.
I am so excited to hear and see the wonderful things you are doing in El Salvador and equally excited to see how youare being blessed throughout this expereince. You all remain our thoughts and prayers and we can’t wait to hear your stories when you return. Blessings to you all!