Day 6 and 7

Sunday morning saw  members of our group being "spirited off" to various churches in Managua.  The wide variety of experiences and encounters made for interesting conversation when we got back together.  The role of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in relation to the work of MCC Nicaragua is something we have had a bit of a time figuring out.  Worshipping with them at least gives us more of a context for these conversations.

Sunday afternoon was spent relaxing at a Laguna and then visiting a former MCCer and his family on their farm in the hills above Managua.  His energy and enthusiasm for life in Nicaragua was very inspiring.

This morning we ventured out to try getting ourselves into prison.  Who knew it could be so hard.  Believe or not, even with the questionable character of some of our group, we actually failed!!  There was a sense of disbelief as we drove away and waited for the prison visitation group from Managua to meet us for lunch in Granada.  Listening to their stories and their commitment to a holistic prison ministry instilled a real sense of hopefulness.  Ideas for ways in which their efforts might be encouraged from Canada were soon being explored.

We were able to explore the Colonial city of Granada and the market in Masaya before becoming true tourists and visiting a live volcano.  it seemed like a bit of stretch to connect this to a restorative justice learning tour but we were in the neighbourhood!  As we followed our guide around the rim of the volcano the devastating power of this eruption was mind boggling.  Yet we described what we saw as amazing and beautiful.

A parallel with restorative justice began to formulate  in my mind.  So often, we get involved after the damage is done to victims of crime and in the lives of offenders.  And this damage can be immense.  In the hope and belief that renewal is possible, restorative justice creates opportunities for new beginnings and healing - BUT the damage is never undone!  The landscape of peoples lives is changed forever!

Our guide told us farmers in the area actually welcome eruptions from the volcano because the minerals in the ash actually enrich the soil. In a sense, like restorative justice practitioners, they are able to look past the destruction in the belief that good can come of it.  

And we thought we were just being tourists!!