I swear I'll post all the stories I have backlogged from Colombia, I just haven't had time yet. I got back to Colorado, turned around and drove to Austin two days later, then started the semester two days after that. As always, life is a bit chaotic with the start of a new school year, but now I'm finding my rhythm and getting to things that have been put on the back burner.
Today I went to day one of the Austin City Limits festival. This three day party where 70,000 people are invited is a bit overwhelming but it's one of my favorite events in Austin.
Today I thought about the people in Colombia. I had this overwhelming urge to go there, fill up a Chiva full of my new friends, and drive them on the Pan-American highway all the way to this festival. I wanted them to fall in love with the lyrics of Ray Lamontagne. I wanted them to experience the joy of seeing dozens of gigantic balloons being tossed around as Coldplay did their thing. And I wanted them to shout the chorus of "Pumped up Kicks."
But then I realized how silly that would be. I can't make these two worlds collide the way I want them to.
As time passes, it's getting easier to forget about Colombia. Forget about the people I met there. I hope in the coming weeks as I share more stories, I'll be able to keep my Colombian friends closer to my heart.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Mind Blown, Heart Broken
I'm back in the States trying to get my bearings. I feel a bit disoriented, sitting in that liminal space between life in Colombia and life in the U.S. No doubt, this blurry state of being will linger for a while, at least until I can process what I just went through.
Or maybe this confusion is all because I have a "plantain earache." My ears haven't popped from my 3 flights yesterday, so my head feels foggy.
Yesterday at the Miami airport, a guy wearing skinny jeans and a fedora sat next to me and asked if I was heading out or heading home. I said I was heading home. He then asked me to describe my trip in just four words, without asking a single question about where I had been. He pulled out a notebook and a fountain pen to jot down my response. After thinking for a few minutes, I said it was "mind blowing, heart breaking." He wrote it down and walked away.
I have a lot of posts to get up on this blog, but it's going to take some time to sort through my notes. We didn't have much time in the last week of our trip to sit down and write, so I'll be working through stuff over the next few weeks. Come back and visit once in a while, as I'm sure there will be some good stuff on here.
Or maybe this confusion is all because I have a "plantain earache." My ears haven't popped from my 3 flights yesterday, so my head feels foggy.
Yesterday at the Miami airport, a guy wearing skinny jeans and a fedora sat next to me and asked if I was heading out or heading home. I said I was heading home. He then asked me to describe my trip in just four words, without asking a single question about where I had been. He pulled out a notebook and a fountain pen to jot down my response. After thinking for a few minutes, I said it was "mind blowing, heart breaking." He wrote it down and walked away.
I have a lot of posts to get up on this blog, but it's going to take some time to sort through my notes. We didn't have much time in the last week of our trip to sit down and write, so I'll be working through stuff over the next few weeks. Come back and visit once in a while, as I'm sure there will be some good stuff on here.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Church as a Refuge
Here's an interesting article about religion trends in the U.S.
Education and Religion
I'm especially intrigued by the last paragraph:
"Religious congregations may be one of the few institutional sectors less educated Americans can turn to for social, economic, and emotional support in the face of today’s tough times, yet it appears that increasingly few of them are choosing to do so."
While we in the U.S. turn away from the church when the going gets tough, many people here in Colombia seek refuge in the church, knowing that it is the only safe and secure resource for them to turn to. It reminds me of the situation in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. At least in Pearlington, it seems that those who were connected to a church fared better than those who weren't part of a church. I have no scientific basis for this, but I would like to think it's true!
Education and Religion
I'm especially intrigued by the last paragraph:
"Religious congregations may be one of the few institutional sectors less educated Americans can turn to for social, economic, and emotional support in the face of today’s tough times, yet it appears that increasingly few of them are choosing to do so."
While we in the U.S. turn away from the church when the going gets tough, many people here in Colombia seek refuge in the church, knowing that it is the only safe and secure resource for them to turn to. It reminds me of the situation in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. At least in Pearlington, it seems that those who were connected to a church fared better than those who weren't part of a church. I have no scientific basis for this, but I would like to think it's true!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A Pastor's Life in Uraba
Another cheater post...here is the latest accompanier report I submitted. I've been fascinated by the life of the pastor here in Uraba, especially with the tremendous challenges they face. As I think about my vocation and possible future in the pulpit, I'm humbled by these servant leaders. We in the PC(USA) world could maybe learn a thing or two from them!
A pastor’s life in Urabá.
From Urabá-based accompaniers Becca Weaver and Kelsey White, received 21st August, 2011.
We’ve had the opportunity to spend time with three pastors here in Urabá, and while we’ve noticed that each has their own style of ministry and unique needs in their congregations, the pastors here share a few common traits. During our time with these pastors, we’ve come to learn what the demands are like for these faithful servants who lead the churches in Colombia.
One thing they share in common is a willingness to set aside their personal comfort by living in manses next to the churches. This practice seems to be waning in the U.S., but the churches here each have a residence for the pastor that is located on the church property or very close by. While this offers a convenient location for the pastors to live, it can often lead to the loss of privacy as church members stop by at all hours of the day. Some of the churches also have Compassion projects with the joyful noise of children learning and playing often disrupting any hope for peace and quiet.
The pastors also share the reality of having few financial resources to support their positions. One pastor shared with us his monthly salary, roughly equivalent to $400 US. But he was quick to interject that the church also provides him and his family with a safe home, which he would probably not have otherwise and he is very grateful for it. For those who serve as Lay Pastors, there is no pension plan in their contract and the prospect of retiring comfortably someday seems a near impossibility for them.
Then there are the demands of the job. Although each of these churches has very active lay leaders who serve on Session and as deacons, the pastors here in Urabá are expected to be “Jacks of all trades” as they go about leading their congregations. They are expected to preach, teach, counsel, serve as administrators and community organizers as well as provide pastoral care.
These expectations sound a lot like those of solo pastors in small, rural churches in the U.S. But in addition to these challenges, pastors here in Urabá are faced with the reality of life in Colombia. They serve in a nation that is immersed in violence, poverty, injustice and corruption, each presenting added challenges to the job of ministry. Many pastors are “wounded healers” as they themselves have been affected by violence and injustice.
Learning about the lives of these pastors has been a humbling experience. Their jobs are demanding and the compensation for the work doesn’t sound enticing, but they continue to serve with love and humility. The churches here are blessed with these servant leaders who carry on with their jobs knowing that God is very much at work here in Urabá. Please hold them in your prayers.
A pastor’s life in Urabá.
From Urabá-based accompaniers Becca Weaver and Kelsey White, received 21st August, 2011.
We’ve had the opportunity to spend time with three pastors here in Urabá, and while we’ve noticed that each has their own style of ministry and unique needs in their congregations, the pastors here share a few common traits. During our time with these pastors, we’ve come to learn what the demands are like for these faithful servants who lead the churches in Colombia.
One thing they share in common is a willingness to set aside their personal comfort by living in manses next to the churches. This practice seems to be waning in the U.S., but the churches here each have a residence for the pastor that is located on the church property or very close by. While this offers a convenient location for the pastors to live, it can often lead to the loss of privacy as church members stop by at all hours of the day. Some of the churches also have Compassion projects with the joyful noise of children learning and playing often disrupting any hope for peace and quiet.
The pastors also share the reality of having few financial resources to support their positions. One pastor shared with us his monthly salary, roughly equivalent to $400 US. But he was quick to interject that the church also provides him and his family with a safe home, which he would probably not have otherwise and he is very grateful for it. For those who serve as Lay Pastors, there is no pension plan in their contract and the prospect of retiring comfortably someday seems a near impossibility for them.
Then there are the demands of the job. Although each of these churches has very active lay leaders who serve on Session and as deacons, the pastors here in Urabá are expected to be “Jacks of all trades” as they go about leading their congregations. They are expected to preach, teach, counsel, serve as administrators and community organizers as well as provide pastoral care.
These expectations sound a lot like those of solo pastors in small, rural churches in the U.S. But in addition to these challenges, pastors here in Urabá are faced with the reality of life in Colombia. They serve in a nation that is immersed in violence, poverty, injustice and corruption, each presenting added challenges to the job of ministry. Many pastors are “wounded healers” as they themselves have been affected by violence and injustice.
Learning about the lives of these pastors has been a humbling experience. Their jobs are demanding and the compensation for the work doesn’t sound enticing, but they continue to serve with love and humility. The churches here are blessed with these servant leaders who carry on with their jobs knowing that God is very much at work here in Urabá. Please hold them in your prayers.
Monday, August 22, 2011
30 Years
I'm going to take a break from the Colombia topics to write about this day in history. If you look up significant events that have happened on August 22nd, you'll find some interesting gems.
In 1848 the U.S. annexed New Mexico.
In 1864, the Red Cross was formed (Holla, Erin!).
In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to ride in an automobile.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI arrived in Bogotá, Colombia. It was the first time a pope had visited Latin America (sorry, had to give a shoutout to Colombia).
In 1981, Micheal Weaver and Donna Kenady said their vows of marriage.
Did you not find that last one in your Google search? Well, I think it should have shown up. It was a pretty big event, you know.
Happy 30th anniversary to my parents! I wish I could be there to celebrate them in person, but a shout out from 3000 miles away will have to suffice. Cheers and blessings to you both!
In 1848 the U.S. annexed New Mexico.
In 1864, the Red Cross was formed (Holla, Erin!).
In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to ride in an automobile.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI arrived in Bogotá, Colombia. It was the first time a pope had visited Latin America (sorry, had to give a shoutout to Colombia).
In 1981, Micheal Weaver and Donna Kenady said their vows of marriage.
Did you not find that last one in your Google search? Well, I think it should have shown up. It was a pretty big event, you know.
Happy 30th anniversary to my parents! I wish I could be there to celebrate them in person, but a shout out from 3000 miles away will have to suffice. Cheers and blessings to you both!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Machismo
Each week we've been here in Colombia, we've had unique experiences which have given us the opportunity to understand the various facets of ministry and life here. Our first week in El Tres we spent a lot of time at the church, getting to know the pastor and his family and enjoying time with the kids at the Compassion project. Our second week, in Curralao, we spent a lot of time out in the town, making pastoral house calls to various members of the church. This past week in Carepa, we had significantly more down time than the previous two weeks, however, we did have the opportunity to dialogue about the politics and life here in Colombia.
We spoke with a regional facilitator for the Compassion project for several hours today, which was one of the most insightful conversations we’ve had thus far. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this guy is a kindred spirit, one who views the world through a lens not too different from my own.
He’s a feminist living in a machismo culture. He earns major points for that. He recognizes the limitations of the culture he lives in and he’s working to set things right so women can enjoy equal rights. He hopes that his work with the Compassion projects is one step in the right direction, empowering the girls who attend as well as the women who teach at the projects. Each day he goes to work, he thinks about how he can continue working toward social justice, thinking about his wife and daughter as motivation. He mentioned that this attitude carries over into his home life where he strives to co-parent with his wife and he even cooks dinner 4 nights a week. At this point in the conversation I wished I were more fluent in Spanish so that I could express to him how much I admire what he is doing at work and at home. I also wanted to tell him that his egalitarian approach to home life is something I hope for in my marriage someday, but I didn’t know how to say it without being awkward.
From there, our conversation became a mosaic of topics, ranging from music to politics to tattoos. He brought up homosexuality and wanted to hear our opinion about the matter, but we were interrupted by lunch and were unable to continue. I would love to have heard his insight on that subject.
One of my biggest struggles while here in Colombia is trying to suppress my judgement against the machismo culture. It’s hard. But having conversations like the one with this man, shows me that there is hope thanks to the few who are working to change the system.
We spoke with a regional facilitator for the Compassion project for several hours today, which was one of the most insightful conversations we’ve had thus far. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this guy is a kindred spirit, one who views the world through a lens not too different from my own.
He’s a feminist living in a machismo culture. He earns major points for that. He recognizes the limitations of the culture he lives in and he’s working to set things right so women can enjoy equal rights. He hopes that his work with the Compassion projects is one step in the right direction, empowering the girls who attend as well as the women who teach at the projects. Each day he goes to work, he thinks about how he can continue working toward social justice, thinking about his wife and daughter as motivation. He mentioned that this attitude carries over into his home life where he strives to co-parent with his wife and he even cooks dinner 4 nights a week. At this point in the conversation I wished I were more fluent in Spanish so that I could express to him how much I admire what he is doing at work and at home. I also wanted to tell him that his egalitarian approach to home life is something I hope for in my marriage someday, but I didn’t know how to say it without being awkward.
From there, our conversation became a mosaic of topics, ranging from music to politics to tattoos. He brought up homosexuality and wanted to hear our opinion about the matter, but we were interrupted by lunch and were unable to continue. I would love to have heard his insight on that subject.
One of my biggest struggles while here in Colombia is trying to suppress my judgement against the machismo culture. It’s hard. But having conversations like the one with this man, shows me that there is hope thanks to the few who are working to change the system.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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