During our training for this 2-year mission, Bart & I tried to research as much as we could the themes of charity, dependency, and third-world missions. We knew that in a place like Honduras, there would be many opportunities to help meet the physical needs of those around us, and we wanted to be wise in the choices we'd make.
Huge questions abound: How do we help others without disempowering them? How do we work for long-term solutions without ignoring the immediate struggles? How do we enter a village to help address their needs without introducing them to the many things that may ruin their contentment?
We strongly desire to have genuine relationships with the people here, but many times we feel that the wealth of the US gets in the way. I don't want the people here to see only dollar signs when they look at us, but the fact is, we do have access to so many resources...resources that could benefit them greatly.
Today we took a 10-year-old boy from a nearby village to the Baxter clinic to address a skin condition he's been struggling with. Dr. Xiomara was great with him, and the family was very thankful, but the diagnosis broke my heart. The doctor said his skin rash is probably due to malnutrition, meaning his painful sores are because he's not getting proper nutrients in his diet. This is just unimaginable to me. And it breaks my heart to know that he and so many others are not getting their basic needs met.
I know there are probably no perfect answers, and for now we walk a fine line. I pray for His guidance in our decisions (and for help from any of you who may have some thoughts to share!).
md
We all share the greatest need, and that is for Christ. As you pray about your Christ-like response to this young man's need, seek those response that would point to Jesus.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jesus was here on earth he could have given everyone penicillin. But he didn't. Instead He intervened only to the extent that was consistent with God's purpose for his life. The work Jesus did on the cross was the ultimate response to the desperate condition of humanity.
Mother Teresa said "none of us can do anything great on our own, but we can all do a small thing with great love."
Whatever response God gives you, it will be one that shows His magnificent love to the child He brought to you.
Ah, such a struggle. I can't say I've ever practiced much of this, but I will soon have the opportunity to. When I was teaching kids how to be social entrepreneurs and focused on empowering them, we always tried to ask questions and not provide answers. The question is, what is your need? In the case of the child that doesn't get proper nutrition, what are sustainable, feasible options to solve it? Allowing the person to speak their needs and brainstorm solutions allows room for empowerment. And if they said maybe we could get a vitamin supplement, you could mention growing moringa trees (www.treesforlife.org).
ReplyDeleteOr if they suggest a family garden you could suggest a drip irrigation system http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/successful-gardening---lessons-from-developing-nations-61810172.html. And then once they have their ideas, let them decide how they will implement it and just be there to support the process. But, I haven't yet had the experience when the issue is so serious, and know it'll be a struggle to not want to quick fix it the easiest, fastest, western way that I know best.
It is a very fine line. I have had this exact conversation with a friend of mine that just graduated from CU's Engineering for Developing Communities program. We were talking about his struggle in his capstone project of introducing utilities to communities that are perfectly happy without them just because we think these communities need them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do think there is some merit in appropriate and sustainable technology. CU is has a really cool program is this with many resources. Check it out with all your free time ;) -
http://ceae.colorado.edu/mc-edc/
http://ceae.colorado.edu/mc-edc/?ii=AST%20Research
http://ceae.colorado.edu/mc-edc/?ii=Resources
--Blair
Thanks so much, guys, for your thoughts. Very much appreciated!
ReplyDelete