Meeting Martha

Okay... her real name is Maria Trinidad and she lives and works in El Salvador... but she is Martha. She is literally being used up for others in her vocation at Hope House and everything else that she does. You can see it in her hands... wore from years of labor... and her face that is aged but still vital with transparent joy in her eyes.

Our delegation in El Salvador was taken care of by her and her family. One night they invited us to her home... our text for that day was Luke 14:12-24... we were the ones at the table that night compelled to come by Doña Trini. She lives in a squatter home 3 feet from the railroad tracks. The home was built with bricks a catholic priest gave her after she spent 7 months in prison. Right now most of the beds from their house are in Hope House so that we have a place to sleep... they gave us their table and their beds!

Doña Trini was very active during and after the war both reclaiming land (helping people return who had been forced out) and resettling refugees and helping children find their parents or be adopted. Well over 1000 children and nearly as many families. About 60 years old now, she is amazing. Such hope and joy and such suffering and pain. Her husband and oldest son were murdered. She and others frequently have to pass the very place were they themselves or those they loved were tortured... the building is still in San Salvador.