Prayers for Venezuela

It has been 7 years this week since I returned to the United States on a house-hunting trip as part of our “Plan B” preparations. Back in 2007, everyone I knew in Venezuela was putting together his/her alternative plan to leave the country should the dismal situation there worsen. Some looked to settle in Spain or Italy where they had family and carried the all-important European passport to facilitate their relocation. Others considered Miami their potential temporary home where they had bank accounts, contacts, and even residences. Still others took refuge in Columbia, Panama and Costa Rica, which were close to home and shared both the language and relative culture with Venezuela. Being American citizens, my children and I leverage that advantage and relocated in North Carolina to be close to my parents. In very short order, what was first considered a “Plan B” turned into a “Plan A,” as I realized it is financially irresponsible to buy a house and not live in it, employers will not hire you if you cannot commit to a starting date, and school registration requires that you reside in the state.

As I watch the sad news coming out of Venezuela of the on-going street protests and violence, I am reminded of why I decided to leave this beautiful country, that had been my home for 11 years, when I did. I was so scared about my future and that of my children. I didn’t want to live with shortages, make do with the deterioration of civil liberties and personal security, and settle for less of a life than I knew was possible elsewhere. This is essentially the immigrant perspective and it is what drives people to risk peril as they cross oceans or deserts to reach a nation that promises something better. I think all parents want the best for their kids and will do anything to ensure a better future for the next generation.

I honestly believed that I would live out the rest of my days in Venezuela when I arrived there in the pre-Chavez era of 1996, but life rarely goes according to plan and sometimes we are forced to take action. After so many years of protests, violence, and worsening conditions, I had given up hope that things would get any better. I somehow found the strength to change our destiny. Today as I watch the news reports and Twitter feeds, I feel a certain separation from it all, a sense that there is not much I can do to change the situation at this point from such a distance (both physical and emotional). There is enough to worry about in my own backyard and we are not directly impacted. I can offer support, prayers, and well wishes, but it is no longer my fight.

I have always admired the unique ability of Venezuelans to shake off adversity and forge ahead in the face of so many setbacks. It surely has helped them weather many storms over the years, but I think a sense of complacency builds up when you continue to gracefully accept repeated injustices with a positive attitude and self-deprecating humor. This flexible stance, while noble, often paralyzes them from taking a stand and not backing down no matter the costs. This time, it appears to be different and that is the main reason that many people have reengaged. There is a sense that this is the moment to see this struggle through to its eventual conclusion. The students leading the protests today have known no other system than Chavismo their entire lives. They are inspiring those who have doubted the possibility of change to join the fight and dare to hope for a better future for Venezuela.

The hardest decision of my life was to leave Venezuela and not a day goes by that I do not thank the Lord for giving me the strength and opportunity to do so. I have rarely spoken about this decision, as it was a painful one for me personally that has raised self-doubt and even second-guessing over the years. While I know that my country is far from perfect, I so value the freedoms and opportunities it affords to both citizens and immigrants alike. As I go about my daily routine, I feel an overwhelming sense of peace and security that is in stark contrast to what I remember from my life abroad. When I see the violence, uncertainty, and injustice in Venezuela, I know that for now, we are better off here. It certainly came at a very high cost, but when I look at my kids and how well they are doing here, I know that it was worth it. I hope that they, too, in time will realize it was the better road for us.

Tonight, I’m saying a prayer for Venezuela and for all the Venezuelans (in both name and spirit) that their mejor camino, full of peace and prosperity, is just a few steps away.