Reminders

When first going to a new place, especially a country in the developing/third world after growing up in the US, you notice the differences between your culture and the culture you've stepped into. Upon initially arriving at my work sites for the year, the poverty around me was obvious. The scarcity of clothing, food, coats, decent housing was hard to miss. I was asked a number of questions about stuff and money in the US - including "is there poverty in the US and what does it look like?" I could feel the gap between me and my new communities due to the wealth and poverty gaps between my country and their country. As time passed, the questions about money have decreased to a question every now and then. I began to feel the gap disappear. I feel like I belong in these communities now and I have been accepted by the people in them.

As I felt the gap disappear, I began to notice the poverty and scarcity less - whether I became accustom to it or it faded in light of the new relationships I had formed, I'm not sure - but it was still there and I've had some recent reminders to the realities around me. Good Friday was a big reminder. The worship service on Good Friday was based on the Stations of the Cross (14 moments/scenes from the time Jesus was arrested until he was laid in the tomb). Each Station was connected with a part of Latin American culture - dictatorships, homelessness, child labor, hunger, etc. It was very moving to me and reminded me of the daily struggles in my community here.

I left worship feeling heavy and walked straight into another reminder that hit even closer to home. I learned that one of our 11-year-old girls got sick on her stomach after having snack at the start of the youth activities before the service. She explained that she knew why she got sick - she hadn't eaten all day and the chocolate milk was the first thing to hit her stomach (at 6pm) that day. Her mother often left her home alone with her 2 younger siblings all day with no food in the house. It's one thing to know this is a reality for people in the world, but it's another when you can put a face and personality with this reality. I remember this girl arriving at church on Good Friday and greeting me with a smile and beso like she always does. I never would have guessed how hungry she was. As soon as she shared this information, some of the ladies in the congregation pulled pizza fixings out of the freezer and set to work making dinner for all of the children. Some food supplies were sent home with this particular girl as well. The following night, we had more than just a snack ready for the children at the start of the evening activities.

Despite the efforts of the congregation to help families in our community have food and despite the efforts of the comedor to provide meals for families in that community, the lunches I share with these children during the week may very well be the only meal they have that day. While it hurts to see these conditions up-close and personal, I'm glad to have had these reminders. They have reminded me not to let myself become immune the realities in my communities.