Vultures and Butterflies

By Susan Classen

Book Overview

Susan Classen and her companions struggle toward safety through bullets and bombs, then-- ""Just before Guarjila we passed a dozen vultures. I noticed them from far off and was afraid we would find another cadaver in the road. . . . As we drew near, the vultures reluctantly flew to a nearby fence; I realized hundreds of yellow and white butterflies danced in that same area. We passed through their graceful flight."" Classen shares her search for meaning amid the life-and-death contradictions symbolized by the vultures and the butterflies. Vultures shadow a decade that begins with her mother's death, sees her enter El Salvador's agony, and ends with her father's death. Yet butterflies also dance as Classen finds within the darkness a God who turns death into life and weakness into strength.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597523925
• ISBN13: 9781597523929
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

heart-felt reflective; must read for future volunteer

Susan's personal story and account of experiences while in Central America provoked thoughts about my response to poverty and injustice. It also opened my eyes to what it means to be a pacifist against poverty as well as war.