My name is Christina Neitzey, and I would like to share with you a few thoughts from my recent trip to El Salvador with Father Pat. Prior to this trip, I never could have imagined what kind of an impact this would have on me. This experience has helped me tremendously in starting to understand what life is all about and why God put us here on Earth.
In El Salvador, I learned what true love really means. The people in the village of Santo Domingo de Guzman taught me what Jesus meant when He said to love one another. Children that didn’t even know me or speak the same language as me were constantly holding my hand, giving me a hug, or laughing with me. Those kids knew what love meant. They barely had enough for themselves, yet they were constantly sharing what little they had with us and everyone else around them, because they loved unselfishly.
Also on this trip, I realized that true happiness comes from God, not material things. I saw this both in myself, and in others. Spending a week on a big cruise boat somewhere in the Caribbean might make you feel good, but that kind of happiness doesn’t last, and it isn’t true. Helping others makes you happy deep down in your heart. Some people may think that the kids in El Salvador would never have fun. You might say that it’s impossible to be happy without a big house or a nice car. If anything, those things can be a distraction from our relationship with God. The village of Santo Domingo de Guzman isn’t rich in material things, but it holds a love of God and others that is greater than words can describe.
Everywhere I looked in El Salvador, I felt God’s presence. From the mountains in the distance to the little girl holding my hand, God was there. I saw God in the eyes of every child in Santo Domingo de Guzman. I saw God in their homes, where altars dedicated to our Lord were very common. In El Salvador, without my phone, computer, and TV, I was really able to see God. He is everywhere, but I think it takes a week away from modern society to remember that.
After reading this, I hope that you might be able to see what a lasting impression this experience has made on my relationship with God and the way that I view life. I think that everyone, especially teenagers going into high school should make a trip like this a priority. Words could never describe all of the thoughts and emotions that I have about my trip: it must be experienced. I highly encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and plan a trip like this one. You will be immensely rewarded.