I felt an incredible urge to travel, this was then transformed into an urge to have a purpose while traveling. I planned on possibly teaching English in South America while connecting with a community down there. This initial idea morphed into a desire to help people – help build houses, fresh water wells, cisterns – that sort of thing. I then read an article given to me by Stephen about a speech given by a priest in Mexico, Ivan Illich, addressing an audience of would be “helpers” of his country. The priest condemned the “help” these volunteers were giving and even called them pretentious. (2) Reading this speech of four decades ago caused me to scrutinize my own reasons for traveling and “helping” those I thought less fortunate than myself.
As I examined my purposes, thoroughly, and found that there may have been a self serving attitude behind wanting to help. After conversations with my small group – Stephen, Liz, Peggy, and Chip – I realized that one of the best ways to develop lasting change and help is to embolden Christians in other countries, and have them encourage us in Durango with their stories, experiences and prayers. Just as short term mission trips have their place as an encouragement to the local church that can actually reach the local people, I believe my trip to South America will accomplish meaningful tasks. I hope to interview people in the Latin countries - whether they be long term missionaries, church folk, people not belonging to a specific organization, or those who are genuinely searching for truth. With these interviews and conversations I hope to instill in the people I meet that our church in Durango cares for them and their mission, that we are part of the same body, and that we are hoping to learn from them and, if desired, help them accomplish their mission through prayer, support, or direct action by flying down to hammer nails and play with the kids.
David Platt writes in Radical, “As important as it is for us to be radical in our giving, it is even more important for us to be radical in our going.” (1) I found this to be extremely compelling argument and the conversations that resulted from this study continue to shape my ideas for going on this trip.
Platt tells a story about preparing for a trip to the Sudan to help in any way he could. The trip, due to its complexity in getting into the country, visas, etc. would cost around $3,000. David was approached by a lady at his church that asked why he didn't just give the $3,000 to the people in Sudan – surely that would give more help than him just going there. This bothered David and he started to question the trip. After much thought he ended up going, and had an interesting conversation with a man he met while in Sudan, Andrew.
Andrew asked, “Even in light of all these things that people have given to us, do you want to know how you can tell who a true brother is?”
David leaned forward and asked, “How?”
Andrew responded, “A true brother comes to be with you in your time of need.” Then he looked David in the eye and said, “David, you are a true brother. Thank you for coming to be with us.” (1)
This story really captures the effect of what GOING can do versus just GIVING. It also highlights a lesson that Chip gave based on the 'Jackass' theory – that being there while people are going through pain just to be there with them – the main purpose being not to ease their discomfort but to be with them while they are going through it. Of course helping, if requested, is something we would all love to do, it may not be necessary. Just GOING to be with people who are oppressed may be enough to ease some of their suffering. Just as the Jackass guys surrounded McGhehey in the Lamborghini Tooth Pull stunt, bloody toothless crying and all, we have the option of being with each other and our brothers around the world – we just have to go.
Continuing this thought, there is an obvious problem with one person, or group of people trying to GO to be with all of the nations of the world – there simply isn't enough time. Just as Jesus was unable to reach the multitudes he instead devoted his time to building his team to take the message to people everywhere. My goal is not to reach everyone, but to encourage and embolden those people who have already built established communities. The people who are most plugged into their culture and have spent the time to build lasting relationships.
The other aspect will be bringing this story back to Durango and the interview process will hopefully yield a video journal of the people and places that I come across. I hope this will have an impact on our group and we will be even more inspired to develop our relational role in our community as we continue to build relationships with Durangotans.
Of course this is an entirely new experience for me and I'm sure this foggy thesis will evolve and change as I continue to drive south, but having a focus on learning from the people I meet, and just being with them will undoubtedly remain a major focus. The likely things to change will be how I make relationships and interview the people I come across, the questions I ask, etc.
Work Cited
1. Platt, David. “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream.” The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group, 2010. Print.
2. Illich, Ivan. To Hell with Good Intentions. The Swaraj Foundation. April 20, 1968. Available at http://www.swaraj.org/illich_hell.htm. Accessed April 10, 2011
