…the rest of the story…

They have their own story to tell, and it’s a story that can enlighten and inspire and perhaps enrage us—when most of us could use a little of all three.

We have a story too—and we need to start telling it. It’s a new narrative that both reveals what’s important in this life, while exposing the way we’re living now as the fairy tale it really is—and contrary to popular belief, there’s no happy ending.

We visited the mountainside community of Alegria, El Salvador last summer for the second time in three years. Along with the bit of work we did there, we wanted to once again visit Fatima, the single, illiterate mother of four who, on our previous visit, had taken us on a poignant and eye-opening walk through the coffee groves where she works.

When we made our way to her small home on the first day, there she was, beaming. “I remember you,” she said. “I knew you’d come back.” The next day we once again walked the mountainside with her as she shared her story—picking coffee for a pittance ($3 for 100 pounds), struggling to keep her children in school, resorting to a diet of tortillas and salt at times of economic hardship.

But even telling this sad tale seemed strangely empowering for her—she was the leader, the teacher, the guide for this bunch of gringos who had lots, but knew little about the way the world works in places like this. It was a gift she was eager to share.

Our story of another way of living can be empowering too—for us, yes; but also for those around us who hear it. Tell it.

New Community Project - there's a place for you

We believe the challenges facing this earth and its people can best be met and addressed by people of courage, conscience and commitment  joining together within and between cultures to build a new community  of respect for all life. In the process, they support and challenge one another to live lives that appear strange only because they are a reflection of God's normalcy --living the way God intends in order to leave a planet worth passing on to our children and bring  justice for our marginalized neighbors. Here's a summary of our  main program areas -- lots to choose from! 

And we're a project -a work-in-process-trying to be open to new insight and opportunities as these arise, and working to provide new insight and opportunities to those in our circle. Join us.

NCP is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Elgin, IL and supported primarily by donations from individuals and groups.