This past summer I was part of a service trip to El Salvador with my school, Saint Paul’s High School. We spent time working at a school in a small community called San Jose Las Flores. In addition, the group often spent time hearing about various problems and realities in El Salvador, and other developing countries.

While we were in El Salvador, we celebrated the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, who is more commonly known for being “doubting Thomas”.  Thomas doubted that Christ had actually resurrected, until he put his hands in the wounds of Christ.

I find St. Thomas a fascinating character because his doubt is all too human and familiar. Although the message of doubting Thomas applies primarily to faith, it also applies to my experience in El Salvador.

The trip was an in-depth experience. Many of my fellow travelers, including myself, experienced first-hand the terrible poverty that afflicts parts of the country. In Winnipeg, we live comfortably, and have limited awareness of the struggles of the poor and marginalized. Going to El Salvador allowed me to see and work with people in need.

Not only did we put our hands in the wounds of Christ, but by helping the people of El Salvador, I feel my fellow group members and I washed the wounds of Christ.

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Photos are by Lucas Grist, a Grade 12 Student at St. Paul's.