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Today we began our work at Divine Savior. We were welcomed with the offering of coffee,
hot chocolate and fresh rolls. Then it
was off to do what we came here to do.
As I watched several of our group tasked with building an
outside shelter for the washing machine we will be installing, I witnessed the
first challenge ... A language barrier.
Amongst our group we have three young ladies and a few
adults who can speak Spanish, but I
don’t think anyone was prepared to
translate a chuck key for a drill, lead anchors, level, and flashing to the
clerk at the local hardware store. The
clerk was very patient and worked with us, and we were able to purchase
all. The flashing needed to be delivered,
and one hour later, we found out we had ordered corrugated sheeting. Oh well, 4 out of 5 is not bad.
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The church we have partnered with offers elderly care and
after school care for children from 5 years of age up to 12 years. Our young teens were wonderful with the
children. Watching them teach the
younger ones English while the younger children would relay it back in in
Spanish, to playing musical chairs. It
became crystal clear to me we do share the same language. The language of opening oneself up to
friendship.
I am looking forward to what tomorrow will bring,
Brenda Pearson
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Grace Church Mission to Bogota: El Segunda Dia!
Following our morning activities of settling in and familiarizing ourselves with the space and work for the week, I heard small voices laughing and chattering near the main entrance to the church. I peeked my head around the corner toward the sound and was delighted to see the smiles and curious faces of children. I had learned that part of the ministry of the Church of the Divine Savior is to provide lunch, snacks and a safe space for children from the community to gather every day after school, and even the potential language difficulties were not enough to prevent me from feeling less than enthusiastic to interact with these young ones. In the bit of mission work I've had experience with, especially trips I took to Mexico in high school, my favorite part has always been interacting with the families- especially the children- who make up the community.
There was nothing extravagant or particularly well-organized about the time I spent sitting with the children and three fellow young people from Grace: we simply sat with them, played games like tic-tac-toe and the infamous Minecraft on one of our phones, asked questions about school and activities, and laughed and ate candy. Even in our occasional stumbles over language, we were able to share some of the essential and most beautiful facets of being human: expressing curiosity, smiling, hugging, and playing.
Following our morning activities of settling in and familiarizing ourselves with the space and work for the week, I heard small voices laughing and chattering near the main entrance to the church. I peeked my head around the corner toward the sound and was delighted to see the smiles and curious faces of children. I had learned that part of the ministry of the Church of the Divine Savior is to provide lunch, snacks and a safe space for children from the community to gather every day after school, and even the potential language difficulties were not enough to prevent me from feeling less than enthusiastic to interact with these young ones. In the bit of mission work I've had experience with, especially trips I took to Mexico in high school, my favorite part has always been interacting with the families- especially the children- who make up the community.
There was nothing extravagant or particularly well-organized about the time I spent sitting with the children and three fellow young people from Grace: we simply sat with them, played games like tic-tac-toe and the infamous Minecraft on one of our phones, asked questions about school and activities, and laughed and ate candy. Even in our occasional stumbles over language, we were able to share some of the essential and most beautiful facets of being human: expressing curiosity, smiling, hugging, and playing.
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It was a beautiful and whimsical encounter with God and community, especially when considering how much of the world perceives Colombia as a place too dangerous or foreign to be characterized by such everyday acts of human kindness. I am grateful beyond words for the Spirit ever so present across socioeconomic background, cultures, continents, and ways of being. What a gift to be in relationship with this hospitable community.
Eva Englert
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