Kindrid Project

Hi Friends,

I have been back in the States for over three weeks now.  It is strange how fast life changes.  For those who have followed along while I was in Colombia thanks for your prayers and comments of support. I have a link below which helps to fund a temporary project for the foundation I was working with while in Cartagena. I was personally working at this foundation and was deeply affected by the love and dedication of the incredible staff and people who are making positive changes for kids in their own city.  This project is a way to help them do what they do more effectively.

I don’t like to ask people to give money, but for those who are already wanting to support a good organization but are un sure where to give their money, this one gets my approval.

Here is the link:

 Kindrid: Education for at risk kids in Cartagena

For those who want more info, here is my personal critique:

Locally run and already existing

In my cross-cultural travel experience and training as a global study major, I have been trained to be very critical of foreign aid initiatives and methodology of non-profits in general. I can critique most western organizations, which in the long run either exploit, control, or drive their own agenda upon a project they support. I believe this project is different because we are supporting a local foundation that is already doing great work. This foundation is responding to the greatest needs of the city and doing it with love and care for the people. The workers are effective and making progress, our donations will help them to continue their labors and progress with their vision of giving opportunity to the vulnerable populations of children in Cartagena. This is a work that is effective and ongoing, our support of them only helps them to be more effective and to expand their vision. It is not perfect but it is a worthwhile organization that is transforming lives.

Kindrid

This project is hosted on the website Kindrid. Kindrid is a creative new giving platform started by a couple of very innovative friends of mine. Their desire with Kindrid is to find impacting projects which people can personally claim a stake in. It is not about giving a big amount of money it is about sharing stories. By donating, you guys get to be apart of my project and see exactly where our money goes, once it's funded I'll post updates on the site and you can see how your contribution is specifically being used. Furthermore, Kindrid does not take any of the money being donated. 100% of the money raised goes directly to the project. I think there are many people who want to give or see their money contribute to a good cause, but simply don’t know how. Kindrid helps make it easy.

Real People

I got to work at this foundation for several months interacting with the kids and visiting their homes and families. I can tell you that supporting this foundation is empowering caring teachers who are caring for and giving new life opportunities to kids who are experiencing neglect and abuse in their home lives everyday. This specific project will provide the funds for a month of extracurricular and life skills classes, these are particularly important for giving kids employment opportunities.  The people at this foundation are my friends so if you have any questions about the foundation or this project feel free to contact me personally.

Gracias,

-Chad

What is wrong with the world?

I recently came across a simple quote that captured my attention. The more I gave it thought, the more my mind raced through the implications of the questions imposed in this statement. The quote is by Tim Keller stating: 

“Every world-view must decide what is wrong with the world and what to do about it.”

The more I ponder this, the more I realize how important someone’s answers are in defining their perspective through which they view the world. Not only one’s perspective, but also their actions in life are determined by their response to the two questions posed in this statement.

Q #1) What is wrong with the world?

Q #2) What do I do about it?

These two seemingly innocent and simple questions define the way in which we interact with other people, the decisions we make for our future and our general outlook on life. Upon further inspection, these questions are immensely profound and important. These are questions, which are worth making sure we answer correctly.

Isn’t it interesting how all of us inherently know that the world is not as it should be. Without anyone having to tell us we know that life and this world are hard, painful, unjust, corrupt. There are many problems and things that do not function as they “should”, whatever that means.

Lets begin with the first question. Whether you realize it or not we all respond to this question. The way we live is dependent on it. Some of us try to simply get by, accepting that the world is a hard place we try to pass through it without making any ripples; our objective is to just get through the day.

Alternatively others of us realize the long-term insignificance of our lives therefore, we choose to grab every passing pleasure out of life while we can. Concluding that the world is cruel and life is short, we exploit and take advantage of every fleeting good time, while we can. Still some of us see the injustice of the world and try to ignore it, we try to live in comfort avoiding confrontation, challenge or concern. As long as we can stay safe and comfortable in our own little world, we don’t need to give thought to our own issues or the issues of others. I say we because, I personally take all of these positions at different times. It is easier to find escapes and masks for our questions and discomforts rather than come to terms with them. The truth is that it is much less intrusive to ignore these questions rather than deal with the responsibility of what answering them may require.

Simply answering the question is not enough, the way in which we do so is also very important. Consider different movements through the world and history, many people’s actions are a response to how they answer this question. For example, Hitler answered this question, Martin Luther King Jr., Buddha, The Klu Klux Klan, and UNICEF.

These people and organizations all answered this question. I do not agree with all of their responses. However, it does give us perspective that all of these people, although they have many different approaches are all in their own minds working toward their response to this question. Some of the worst actions may be perceived as correct due to someone’s response to this very question.

The atheist answers this question.  They determine that their life is a random occurrence of nature; therefore their actions in life are ultimately nature taking its course and free will is an impossibility. This is a not an easy reality to come to terms with however; it is a well thought out one. The atheist recognizes the world is corrupt. The atheist has a comprehensive understanding of the reality of the world. They have pondered this first question. Although living without freewill is not comforting, it is a reasonable response compared to the alternative, the alternative being;

If God is good, he is not in complete control, likewise if God is in complete control, he is not good.

I hope these illustrations show that these are questions worth pondering. The way that you answer them will have a dramatic effect on how you engage the world.

I have considered the weight of these questions and I have come up with answers.

Here is my response to these questions:

Q1: What is wrong?

The short answer- Sin.

A common critique of Christianity is that it does not deal with reality. People have a happy-go-lucky attitude and give simple pat answers to those who are suffering. People who are hurting receive a simple “God has a plan” or “I’ll say a prayer for you”. These words ring hollow when compared to the great tragedies of the world. A mother grieving the loss of a teenager who has just committed suicide does not feel comforted by hearing that “it will all work out for good”.

Hollow words have no meaning unless met with genuine understanding and care. Contrary to what some people think the Christian worldview does not ignore hardship or pain. In fact it is the opposite, in actuality the Christian should have a clearer picture than anyone of just how violent, unjust, painful, and corrupted this world is. They understand why the world is as it is.  There is reasoning for it. The world and all people are sinful and broken.

Not only should the Christian understand this conceptually, they should understand it personally. No matter how it may be advertised, the Christian life is not one free from suffering. We are never promised freedom from pain, grief or persecution in this life. Simply look at the stories of the bible; the people who choose to serve God do not then live happily ever after. They leave their jobs, loose their money, get separated from their families, are humiliated, tortured, and killed.

Listen to the cries of Job, no one can claim that he is not experiencing suffering. This is a man who had done nothing wrong, yet lost everything including his children, wealth, reputation and health.

“And now my life seeps away.

Depression haunts my days.

At night my bones are filled with pain,

Which gnaws at me restlessly.

With a strong hand God grabs my shirt.

He grips me by the collar of my coat.

He has thrown me into the mud.

I’m nothing more than dust and ashes.

I cry to you, oh God, but you don’t answer.

I stand before you but you don’t even look.

You have become cruel towards me.

You use your power to persecute me.

You throw me into the whirlwind

And destroy me in the storm

And I know you are sending me to my death-

The destination of all who live.”

Job 30:16-23

This gives us a different image than the typical Ned Flanders idea we keep in our heads of someone claiming to follow Christ. The bible never promises freedom from suffering. If fact Jesus asks people to count the cost and really think about how much they will have to give up to follow him.

In Matthew 10:17 Jesus says; But beware! For you will be handed over to the court and will be flogged with whips in synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers.

He goes on in verse 38 to say: “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life you will loose it but if you give up your life for me you will find it.”

Jesus promises us that there is difficulty ahead. Sometimes we paint the picture that the Christian life is all rainbows and butterflies, but that is not what is promised.  Jesus does not offer us a life without suffering however, he does promise us freedom in our suffering.

We are offered a hand in our time of need. We are offered a way out, when we can’t do it ourselves.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says “come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 for my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

He is saying is that although there will be suffering in this world, through him we can find redemption and rescue from the weight of it.

I am currently in a place where everyday I am confronted with the reality of the world’s injustice and cruelty. I am working at a school for at risk children, daily I hear new stories about the children’s realities. For example one sick girl was taken to the clinic to diagnose what was ailing her. It was discovered that this girl was carrying ten sexually transmitted infections from years of being raped by her own father. This girl is ten years old.

I can look at this from my charmed life and wonder why? When encountered with the injustice of the world we must wonder why? Why would a just God allow these things to happen? Either God is good, but not in complete control, or God is in complete control, but he is not good. Why does God allow evil to happen?

We search for an answer when we are suffering. We ask why? Why us? Why this? Why now? As if an answer to that question will take away the pain that we feel. God often does not give us reasons for why we are suffering. The reason why Christians often give simplistic answers to people is because we think of God in terms of a “quid pro quo” relationship, we act nice and he gives us good things. We give answers, which offer simplistic moral advice. People make the assumption that if you are going through something difficult it is because of something they have done wrong. This limits God to only being a cosmic Santa Clause blessing our good behavior and taking presents away when we are bad. This view severely limits the actions of God and His reasoning.

We see evil because the world is corrupted, the existence of evil does not mean that God is not in control. Neither does it mean that when bad things happen to people it is because they have done wrong and are being punished. Yes, there are consequences for our actions but that does not suggest that punishment is always the reason for suffering in the world. No, God is much bigger than our simplistic view of do bad receive bad, do good receive good. If that were how we are judged we would all fail, because the standard is perfection.  

God’s favor is something we neither achieve nor deserve. As Pastor Tullian Tchividjian quotes: “The bible is not a record of good people earning God’s blessing. It is a record of bad people receiving God’s blessing, because Jesus earned it for us.” Grace shows us that there is more at work than we can comprehend. By accepting God’s grace our actions no longer become us trying to do something to make God happy with us. Ultimately even our best actions would never measure up. Instead, we are working freely because we have experienced a better reality and we want to be a part of re-creating that.

Life would certainly be much easier if we never experienced hurt or hardship. The pain of this world is mysterious and honestly we are unable to understand God’s reasoning for the tragedy he allows to happen. However, if we did live with blinders to the reality of evil in the world we would never know anything of the redemptive nature of God. It is only because of the pain and separation from God that Job is able to say in chapter 42: “I had only heard about you before, but now, I have seen you with my own eyes.” For we would never appreciate success if it were not for failure, homecomings would not be sweet if it there was never absence, and water does not satisfy if we don’t first feel thirst. One advantage of feeling the pain of the world is that we can understand his redemptive nature.  If we do not experience the pain of this world we would never understand why one-day life free from pain will be so great.

Q2: What do I do?

This question is much more difficult to answer than the previous one. There are many people who have answered the first question the same way as me however, they may answer this second question in a very different way.  Many have read the same book that I do and come away with a very different message.

Some people see the negativity of the world and perceive it as people receiving what they deserve.  

I believe that ultimately Gods work is one of redemption and restoration. Furthermore I believe that he allows us to play a part in that work.

While Jesus was on earth he preached of the Good News of the kingdom of God. This kingdom is the freedom in our suffering.  This does not simply refer to Jesus’ second coming for that is when it will be complete, but until then we can play a part in advancing that kingdom here on earth. 

For Jesus speaks of the Kingdom often and in many different terms. He says the kingdom is near, but he also says the kingdom has already come. He says the kingdom has been advancing but also that the kingdom is still yet to come. He uses many parables to describe the kingdom comparing it to such things as a mustard seed, yeast and a treasure hidden in a field. He prays in the Lords prayer Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Without sounding too much like a biblical research paper, it seems pretty evident that Jesus considers the kingdom of God central and important to his message.

When Jesus sent out his disciples he doesn’t say: tell people to say a prayer or tell them to go to church, he says, tell them about the good news of the kingdom. I believe that means through a relationship with him we can experience the world according to his kingdom. Yes, we still feel the weight of the world because we are sinful and this world is sinful, but he gives us a vision of his kingdom, which is so much greater than any passing pleasure we can gain in our lives. God’s kingdom provides a peace that surpasses all understanding, Shalom. Author Bryant Myers describes shalom as:

“Just, peaceful, harmonious, and enjoyable relationships with each other, our selves, our environment, and God. This kingdom frame is inclusive of the physical, social, mental and spiritual manifestations of poverty and so all are legitimate areas of focus for transformational development that is truly Christian.” (When Helping Hurts)

Myers, not only gives a picture of what that looks like but also includes areas that can be transformed by this truth. With a vision of a better world we understand how far this world is from that vision. Honestly, we cannot save the world. There will always be problems and they are only going to get worse.  However, we can do our part to combat that. 

There is hope! Not only for a perfect future, but also, for a better today. I believe the kingdom is near not only in time, but also in proximity. It is close at had and it is achievable. It will one day be complete but until then we are invited to be a part of the redemption by representing the God’s kingdom on earth.

My answers may seem strange to some however, I have considered the weight of these questions and they do direct the choices that I make in my life. You may not agree with my responses, but I hope that my answers do prompt you to consider the weight of these questions. The smartest people I know have learned to ask the right questions. Take some time to dwell on these questions and see how your life matches with your answers to them. 

-Chad

Poverty

This past month has been quite different than the previous one. I went from sleeping in hammocks and bathing in rivers to staying on the top floor of a high-rise apartment in the wealthiest neighborhood of Cartagena. As I have encountered and experienced many different standards of living, I have often pondered the concept of poverty. This is a topic I have given much thought to and even studied quite a bit. I have taken a series of different actions and held different views as my ideas about what it means and how to respond to it have changed over the years. Here are some of my latest thoughts regarding the subject:

1)   Poverty alleviation is not a cure all

First of all I want to challenge the scope in which poverty is thought of and help define some of the obscure terms that are thrown about.

 Who are these “poor” that people often speak of? That is a very general term that is seldom well defined. What does it mean to be poor? What is the goal of helping someone who is poor?

A lot of global organizations define extreme poverty as living on less than one dollar a day. In the U.S.A. the poverty level is somewhere around $15,000 a year. The world bank says: A person is considered poor if his or her income level falls below some minimum level necessary to meet basic needs. Based on the rates and context of their surroundings.

So… is poverty not having enough to meet ones needs?

If we constrict poverty to only the physical realm, the basic needs (food, water, shelter, clothing) what happens?

I think we can all agree that everyone needs these things in life, and without them life will be short-lived. So lets imagine for a second that every person on earth has these basic needs. Everyone has the ability to continually achieve his or her daily necessities.

No hunger

No thirst

Ever.

Would that cure our world problems? Would we still have suicide, rape, and war? There may be less of these things but they certainly would not go away.

If we could eliminate poverty where would it end? Would everyone be happy?

I believe this quote from “When Helping Hurts” helps to put things into perspective:

“The goal is not to make the materially poor all over the world into middle-to upper-class North Americans, a group characterized by high rates of divorce, sexual addiction, substance abuse, and mental illness. Nor is the goal to make sure that the materially poor have enough money.” (Corbett & Fikkert, 78).

Although poverty is the root of many problems, as the above quote reveals there are obviously other sources of problems in the world. This may seem obvious to some, however, in the world of poverty alleviation, many “experts” address the issue as the root of all evil. When we further explore the question of what is wrong with the world? We discover that poverty is only a piece of the puzzle.

2) Poverty is more social than material.

Apparently there is more to poverty than simply the material, lets continue to expand the definition of what poverty means.

When those who are living without physical necessities describe their situations they often talk more about the social and structural implications rather than a lack of goods. Many describe feelings of frustration toward the systems and entities that are working against them.  They express feeling of embarrassment amongst their peers because they are unable to provide. But most commonly the feeling described by those in poverty is a sense of powerlessness. They describe being powerless against the social and structural powers that be. These structures keep people without options or opportunity. Options and opportunities for things, which not only include income development but also, access to education, legal assistance, healthcare etc.

For example:

 I have had times in the states where I was living from paycheck to paycheck. I would make minimum payments on my student loans. I would worry because I knew a car problem or a doctor’s visit would leave me unable to pay my bills. This is a terrible place to be, mainly because of the limited options.  There is no opportunity to change the situation because there is no chance to miss work. This example describes a similar spiral of helplessness and being stuck. However if you were to compare my lifestyle to a rural peasant farmer in Colombia for example they would never say I was poor. I have always had clothes, food, and a place to live. I still owned plenty of luxuries like a car, computer, I-pod, snowboards, surfboards etc. Compared to someone who has not much more than the clothes on their back and a shack for a house, I certainly look quite wealthy. It is true our standards of living are a world apart, however both of us describe the same feelings of being stuck and unable to get ahead.

I am certainly not stating that we were experiencing the same hardship, absolutely not. I am saying there is more to poverty than simply lacking things. If money alone could fix the issue, then poverty would be a thing of the past. For these reasons poverty is social and structural.

3) Poverty is perceptual

Yes there is a standard of living that is more dangerous and life threatening, however, someone’s standard of living and their level of poverty are not the same thing. This may seem like an abstract concept to get our minds around however, it is true. Poverty is also perceptual. This is important to understand because especially as westerners we can easily label people as “poor” simply because we have a different lens in which we understand what that looks like. We perceive a certain standard of living as essential, however that lens may be irrelevant in another context.  

We perceive what is poor through comparison. This is dangerous because people may perceive themselves as poor based on a comparison to those around them. This comparison may be detrimental because someone who is provided for and living securely may begin to perceive themselves as poor. Entering the mentality of poverty is crippling

That is why I propose a change

I want to challenge the labels we (myself included) use.

Doesn’t a label of “poor” only further dis-empower and feed the identity of helplessness?

I am not suggesting that the word poor is destructive I am suggesting that labeling someone as poor only pushes them further into that mind frame. We have discovered that poverty is more a social identity and a sense of powerlessness than simply a lack of material resources. If it is true then, why do we still label people as poor? That only further enforces the idea that someone is incapable.

If people are always being told how they are poor, they begin to identify with that. This mentality in my opinion is as influential and disenabling as the option-less environment around them.

The problem is that this label creates a lack of self-esteem. It creates an identity. Just like an addict or someone who is homeless, once people think of themselves with a certain label it is hard to achieve anything bigger than that identity.  In transition houses for kids coming off of the street, one of the most important lessons that the child can gain is that their identity is not “a street kid”. They are not defined by where they have been or what they have done. Who they are is much greater and they have the opportunity to change their future.

This is where poverty alleviation is most effective. Sure resources and infrastructure are important and necessary but the real crippling atmosphere is the mentality. A change in physical environment can change that mentality. Likewise a change in mentality can be the push needed to change the environment. Both encourage the other.

There are also certainly larger factors at play such as poor infrastructure, environmental factors, political corruption, history, war and power struggles to name a few. However, despite some of these larger issues each community or town has resources. What is missing is collaboration and utilization of those resources where the needs are. As well as a focus on the strengths instead of enabling the poverty identity by focusing on what is missing.

Bryant Myers, author of walking with the poor describes poverty as; “The result of relationships that do not work, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of shalom in all it’s meaning.”

 This does not mean that material poverty does not exist nor does it mean that there is nothing to be done about indifference and people living without material needs. This simply gives a bit of a bigger picture of how to address poverty. There is much more that could be said, and these observations only scratch the surface. However, understanding how poverty is social and perceptual gives more clarity when approaching the other discussion of what can be done about it.

Cheers,

-Chad

Lessons from Gandhi

 

I have had the pleasure of getting to learn from a man named Ricardo Esquivia. Ricardo is often referred to by his staff and associates as the Gandhi of Colombia.

After being able to spend a month with him I definitely can confirm that lofty statement, in fact they even look alike.

In stature Ricardo is short and thin. He has big bushy eyebrows and a baldhead. He is an Afro-Colombian man with a calm presence, a gentle smile, and heavy eyes. Eyes which, hold a lot of emotion and sadness behind them.

In his life he has experienced a lot of pain and abuse. However, he has used that emotion not to become bitter and angry because of all that he has seen but instead it seems to fuel his vision and optimism for a better future. He has experienced a transformation and the negative experiences of his life have been restored so that instead of becoming jaded toward the world, he now has a source for his abundant compassion.  He is not a man of many words, however when he does speak it is very eloquent and meaningful.

I asked some of his staff what they have learned during their time working with Ricardo.  The first response is usually humility. Ricardo is a lawyer and a well-known international peace leader. In his office is a picture of him with the Dalai Lama. One staff member told me that Ricardo has many opportunities to become wealthy and famous, but he lives a simple life and doesn’t take the glory for all of the impactful work that he has done.

Ricardo started an organization called “Sembrandopaz” (Planting peace).

This organization works with seven local communities that have been displaced or extremely affected by violence.  They work to help these communities become internally sustainable again without the help of outside organizations, including their own. They work to bring peaceful reconciliation and restoration in these communities on both an ideological, social, legal, and physical level.

I have been sent to study their model of community development in order to learn and implement a similar approach. There is a lot to be learned and this is certainly a good organization to learn from. Here are some highlights to take away:

Approach

Recently there has been a lot of controversy over the Kony 2012 video. As more and more information comes out there are many critiques of Invisible Children claiming the campaign oversimplifies complex issues and does not reflect actual realities in Uganda, amongst many other things. There is no doubt it does a good job of promoting awareness and giving recipients a tangible way to respond. However at the end of the day we ask who is this really for?  I am not writing to bash this organization, I do not know all the details and I am sure there are valid arguments from both sides. I simply use this as an example to get us thinking about approach. 

I can tell you one thing for certain this is certainly no new phenomenon. It is a common occurrence that the good intentions of an organization or individual in the end only seem to be serving their own agenda.

Approach is important to think about in order to avoid resulting in good works that are only self-serving. Reason/Motivation are also important questions, but very in depth and probably best saved for another post.

Here is some insight from Ricardo that will help us think about approach.  When talking about the process of community development he uses the metaphor of building a fire.

            He explains; if you want to heat something quickly you could light a gas stove and in a short time achieve the end goal of heating your food, it would be impressive, quick and it would meet an immediate need. However, once the gas is turned off or runs out, the fire will cease to exist. The gas fire is what happens when an NGO comes in and tries to run community programs. They will look good and meet needs but it will require constant outside resources in order to function. In order for something to be sustainable it has to provide its own fuel. Ricardo says at “Sembrandopaz” they try to start a fire by hand. They gather surrounding tinder and kindle then go through the long tedious process of rubbing sticks together to make a flame. It is a slow and difficult process however they have created something that can continue to be fed and will have inspiration to keep it going because it was created from within. Those involved know how difficult it was to get to that point and will take pride in maintaining what they have created.  This is the work of Sembrandopaz to assist a community to build their own fire.

Many Organizations have great ideals and talk all day about empowering people, but often their actions seem more like they are trying to give more power to themselves. I had an amazing opportunity to see how Sembrandopaz really lives out their ideals.

Mambujan is a community that has been displaced due to paramilitary control. This is a community in which Sembrandopaz has been the main support since the people were squatting on private land without any representation. This community is the first to be recognized under a new law, which promises reparations to communities displaced by violence.  Mambujan has received national recognition due to the historical significance that this new law promises. The community hosted a huge event in which the President of Colombian was scheduled to attend, in order to acknowledge the community. The event was a big deal with many organizations, a lot of media and many important Government officials (the president did not make it). With all of this hype, many tried to jump aboard the bandwagon. For example one organization donated posters and t-shirts for the event, of course they were sure to post their logo all over them and write how the community has been helped with their support. They might as well have been a corporate sponsor. However Sembrandopaz the only organization that has been involved in the process since the beginning, which initiated and equipped the community to start the legal process, did not jump in to receive their credit. No instead they did exactly what they set out to do, they let the community stand tall and represent themselves. They stood in the background as the faithful supporter and encourager not seeking the spotlight for their own gain. Instead they looked on, proud of a once striated and hostile community, which is now working together, united for their own cause using their own abilities.  This is real community development.

I can see how Ricardo’s personal character translates into the action of his organization. He truly is a genuine demonstration of meekness. Do not misunderstand me here because, many people equate the word meek to weak. However, that assumption could not be more false. Weak means a lack of power, strength and force. Being meek is a control and restraint of much power. Think of a wild mustang, uncontrolled and wild it does whatever it wants using its energy in sporadic sprints and fits. However once it is tamed it harnesses and controls that power. That strength and power is still there and can be flexed if needed but it is not done simply to show off, it can now use that power for purpose and intention.

A great leader does not use his knowledge and resources to boast to others what they have made for themselves, instead, they use that potential to help others do the same. My best professors were not necessarily the ones who were the most informed and could recite to me all that I needed to learn. No, my best professors were the ones who showed me how to think for myself.

I think if all of us took a lesson from Ricardo’s approach and humble ourselves to help others see their potential, we would see radical change. This is something we are all capable of...

 Go be a positive change!

-Chad

Rural adventures

Have you ever been at an event and found yourself thinking, “well this has been fun, but lets start wrapping it up.”

That is exactly the sentiment I had at around 11:00 p.m. last Sunday night as I sat in this “special” church service I was invited to in a rural indigenous village. The service started around 7:30pm and after many eventful scenes, including me being invited to give an impromptu sermon, I had about hit my limit. Little did I know the service would continue until 1:00 A.M.

I have been in all sorts of interesting situations such as this over the last month as I have travelled to many rural communities.  I must say; I love it, each day brings a new adventure and I never quite know what to expect next.

I have been sleeping in a lot of hammocks, bathing in rivers and taking some of the jankiest forms of transportation you have ever seen. I have heard some amazing stories, learned a lot, and been given plenty of opportunities to test my patience.

 I have about five different blogs started, none of them finished. Every time I write I go off on tangents and it comes out a lot longer than I planned. I will try to separate subjects or tie them all together. In the words of awolnation “I blame it on my A.D.D.”

Until then, I thought I would send out a quick update,

Paz Y Amor,

-Chad

Assimilating

            We often romanticize travel. Most often we will get away for a weeklong holiday or a weekend trip and will feel inspired and refreshed. A quick change of environment is just the cure to take us out of our normal routine. 

            Trying to live in another culture however, more often than not comes with a wealth of emotions. A permanent change from "normal" is a bit of an adjustment. In all of my travel experiences it has always been a roller coaster of highs and lows with a lot of misunderstanding, uncomfortable situations and frustrations along the way.  It is not easy to change environment, language, and culture all at once.

            When this happens it can become easy to get frustrated in the little things.  My short list right now would include the heat, the chicken head in my soup at lunch, cold showers, and mosquito’s. But honestly these things aren’t what really bother me they are minor adjustments.

            The feeling of being misunderstood, receiving blank stares after just constructing a sentence I swore used correct grammar. The inability to fully express oneself, this is a lonely place to be.

So why you ask with all of these difficulties do I continue to travel???

Because it is worth it. More important than my own personal comfort I am concerned with my personal growth. I like to be challenged. I like to overcome obstacles. I like to do things I originally thought I could not. Yes assimilating is hard, especially when you are on your own. But having been through this before, now I know that it is part of the process and in the end I would not trade the lessons I learn along the journey for any fading comfort.

So as there are frustrations and differences to get used to, if I focus on the positive changes it makes the process a lot more fun.

Positives such as the things that I enjoy: for example how I can hop on the back of any passing motorcycle and get anywhere in town for around 50 cents.  Or whenever I am riding a bus somewhere and start to become hungry or thirsty, no doubt in about five minutes someone will come aboard selling drinks and snacks.

Or the things that make me laugh:  like today as I walked down a dirt road, which contained houses barely standing with pieced together walls, I was glad to see that the essentials were still met. When I say essentials I mean a big ass stereo. And how generous those people are, because instead of pointing the speakers inside to listen to their own music they point them outward for the rest of the community to enjoy. Gotta love it, but that doesn’t beat yesterday when I saw a women on the back of a motorcycle holding an entire washer and dryer. 

There are also the “wow, that just happened” moments to be thankful for.  Like the times when I have agreed to tag along with someone and suddenly found myself at a Colombian wedding or at the deathbed of their dying uncle (true stories).

 I can simply be thankful to be alive another day. Which Friday, as I sat on the backseat of a motorcycle speeding down a dirt road I seriously doubted that would be a reality. For some reason my driver thought that we were in a race against all the other bikes and he needed to come out victorious. We did.

            Yes, when assimilating you have to appreciate the changes and be willing to go with the flow. But more importantly you must use the difficulties as learning experiences. I am learning more and more that although there are differences between us we as humans have a lot more in common than we think. I am also becoming aware of the ways in which we try to make ourselves seem very different.

            We do many things to distance ourselves from our fellow man. Sometimes it is because of competition, we look to be better and therefore see the other as an opponent. We define our life by what we can accomplish and we need to continue meeting those standards to feel good about ourselves. When we live like this our identity is in what we can give, produce, and achieve. That sounds exhausting. It is not wrong to want to produce good outcomes but when they become the source of our self-esteem, it is destructive. Henri Nouwen writes “ In short, we are worthwhile because we have successes. And the more we allow our accomplishments-the result of our actions-to become the criteria of our self-esteem, the more we are going to walk on our mental and spiritual toes, never sure if we will be able to live up to the expectations which we have created by our last successes. In many people’s lives, there is a nearly diabolic chain in which their anxieties grow according to their successes. This dark power has driven many of the greatest artists into self-destruction.”  It was not until I had felt like I had completely failed until I understood this and realized where my identity and fulfillment was coming from.

He goes on to say “When we cling to the results of our actions as our only way of self identification, then we become possessive and defensive and tend to look at our fellow human beings more as enemies to be kept at a distance than as friends with whom we share the gifts of life.” (Out of Solitude)

            Sometimes we distance ourselves from others because of our perceived sanctity. I know that this has been a particular vice for me. I have thought of myself as a good person who makes good choices, thinking that my good actions save me. This is the biggest most detrimental lie we can tell ourselves. The moment we start believing we are good or better than someone else because of our actions or choices is the moment we become elitist and begin to elevate ourselves and segregate from others. That is not radical love that is piety. Real love is realizing that my sin is equally as bad as any other persons. If I claim to follow a guy who would hang out with thieves and prostitutes and I consider myself to accomplished or moral to befriend someone, then somewhere along the way I have missed the message.

            Therefore I am thankful for the difficulty that comes with assimilation because it helps me not to become too confident in my own accomplishments. As I struggle to speak the language and fit in, I am kept humble and enlightened to not consider myself as better or more important than any other.

Therefore as you encounter life’s hardship I encourage you to learn through the difficulty, have and adventurous spirit, laugh at yourself, focus on the positive and in the end it will be “vale la pena”

In the words of the band Rebelution: “you can gain the world for the price of your soul but I hope you take the road less traveled and I hope you find the courage to grow.”

 -Chad