Perspectives class is almost over. We have our last one on Monday. Although I've been learning a lot, I am also ready for the coming weeks where we will be applying what we've learned in the past two weeks as we encounter people and visit mosques and temples.
This past week I've really been enjoying the various speakers that we've had. They've all been really challenging and have brought different things to the table. The one that has stood out to me the most has been Mike Brown. He taught the lesson on Christian Community Development. His ministry is with Tribe Church here in Hollywood. He talked about building community in Mexico and what that looked like. It was just amazing to hear him share stories and so many other things that he said just reminded me of Bolivia. Half way through I began to get a little homesick but thankfully I made it through!
One of the challenging questions he asked was: "What is the greatest enemy of Christian Community Development?" His answer: dependency. Bolivians rely so much on outsiders to survive in the same way that Mexicans have been taught to become dependent on Americans. It's crazy to think that people will go on short term missions to Mexico year after year helping orphanages by providing food/clothing for a week or two and in between squeezing in a spiritual talk about Jesus, but will hardly consider going long term and actually living with these people so that language, customs, culture and traditions are learned. All we do is feed them with false knowledge that they are not good enough to sustain themselves and we begin to see them as ministry project rather than people created in the image of God, because we want a quick fix it solution to the problems we see. What we have to do instead is look at the underlying issue which is their need for Christ!
"When thousands are striking at the leaves of evil, only ONE strikes at the root." -Henry Thoreau
I pray that we will be striking at the root every time and rather than teaching them dependency on Americans or another country, we need to teach them dependency in Christ alone!
In much the same way, I catch myself becoming dependent on my family, friends, and even myself for my own strength rather than seeking God first and depending solely on Him for His provision, guidance, and love towards me. I am learning, growing, and stretching in my faith like none before and though it's tough, God is reminding me that it's for my own good.
Anyways, enough thoughts for one blog....AND it's past midnight!
Au Revoir,
Roxy
I'm right there with you pal! God has really been challenging me to depend on him completely. It's not easy that's for sure but I guess that comes with growing. I miss you pal! I'm so glad to hear that you are learning and growing.
ReplyDelete"Because we want a quick-fix solution to the problems we see."
ReplyDeleteI like this kind of training; thinking over "question behind the question"
Congratulation, Roxy! You made it!