As I am drawing near to the end of my mission in El Salvador, I reflect on the moments that were more significant for me. A moment of encounter, a consoling word that was spoken, a kind gesture that created trust with those who were the most marginalized. Some of the populations that are more marginalized here are the teens and young adults that live in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Since last year, after coming out of the world-wide pandemic, groups of teens started to become good friends with us and joining us more and more to do different activities such as going to play basketball and soccer, coming to our house to play table games, and organizing outings to the beach and parks. These moments of encounters have helped them to leave behind the situations in their home – be it just for a moment- take a fresh breath and create memories of friendship and good company.

Each of them has a unique story and each of them is very dear to me and to the others in my community in a different way. Among them, I was able to establish very meaningful and important friendships. Lorenzo is one that maybe has the most impressive story. He grew up with his grandmother because his dad died when he was young and his mom was in prison. When he was 12 years old, his mom came out of prison and for a while he was living happily with her. Unfortunately, his mother was shot in front of him by the gang members soon after and this tragic incident marked him for life. He developed anxiety and depression. He even attempted suicide. One day, about 3 years ago, he thought about how he used to come to the house of the Con-solatio volunteers when he was a child and he thought of going to meet the new volunteers. When he came to the house, he was invited in to help prepare a welcome poster to two new missionaries that were to come the following day. He spent the whole day with the missionaries and when he left, he was feeling so much better that he decided to return the next day. Thus, Lorenzo started to come to our house about each day and he very securely claims that the friendship with the volunteers is what saved his life.

With Lorenzo I can say that, although in a different way, the friendships that I have gained in Con-solatio have saved my life too. Saved it from mediocrity most of all and from senselessness and discouragement. Because at the end of the day, what gives the sense to what we do is for whom we do it. I feel more than alive to have done all that I did in this time for the good of the other. My million thanks to all of you, my sponsors. I assure you that you have collected many treasures in heaven.