Touched down at Manchester Airport at around 4am Thursday morning. Was in the arms of the woman I love by 7.30. So lovely to see her lovely smile, to feel her close to me, to see those sparkling eyes! And my kids, and my dog! (in roughly that order!)
I have to say that before this trip I was ready to 'pass the baton' on to the Americans and move on to a country closer to home. However, I leave with an even greater love for the Haitian and Dominican people. I cannot let this country go and God has obviously placed it on my heart for a reason. Truthfully, I would up sticks and move there tomorrow, but I know this is not right. I know this for three reasons: Debbies current Mormon faith, my sense of calling about my business and most importantly because I don't hear God telling me to go. I feel like an inverse of Jonah. I want to be called to go to the city of Ninevah! However I also believe in God's perfect timing, so don't completely write it off.
I consider the trip a success because the Americans (to a man and woman) embraced the country. As a church, they have committed to the DR for the next three years which means valuable financial input as well as wise counsel and manpower.
I was inspired by the individual acts of kindness which I witnessed by the Americans. These included the offering of payment for treatment of two different patients at the Hospital for the poor in Puerta Plata by two women moved by their plight. Christ in action at a personal level. Nothing to do with Church.
So what's next for me? I have a little project to keep me going. Its not as big as raising the £55,000 for the school, but its still important: Although anyone can set up a school, so people can learn to read and write, a school that is accredited by the government carries much more weight and gives the pupils who finish, something 'official' to show a potential employer. For a school to be accredited, what our school needs is a place for recreation (a playground to you and me) and a secure fence around the perimeter. All this for a mere £6,000.
This is my next challenge!
Would you like to help me in this? All donations gratefully received. Send me your cheques to 'Trinity Ministries' at the office address (Block 6c, Cedar Court, Parkway, Porters Wood, St Albans, Herts, AL3 6PA)
Nice one!
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Nearly home
I'm done.
I don't want to be at the Pierre Georgio Hotel, or Peurta Polato Airport, I don't want to be on Thompson flight TX 2439 to Manchester, I don't wasnt to be driving down the M6 or M1, I want to be home, with my wife, my children, my dog(!) my extended family and my friends. Perhaps (and I'll be honest here) the one thing I don't miss is my Church. Not church itself, my faith has only been strengthened, but having spent so much time with quality guys from a quality church, I have to admit that currently church is not 'feeding me' at all. I can say it on this blog because as far as I'm aware, no one from my church is even reading this blog!
Blog, you can be very theraputic!
Church isn't the b-all and end-all. My faith is stronger. I have seen Christ in the eyes of the poor, the hungry, the gays! This is far more fullfilling than any church service. Christians, get off your backsides and get out there. There's a hurting world!
We visited Los Algodones for one last time. We took Natalie, the bar maid who lives with our DJ friend Dave, but Dave had to work. She was blown away. We painted the interior of one of the classrooms, and then showed her round the village. It has rained all day and the paths had turned to a gooey clay type mud. Most of the houses do have corrugated roofs and so have some protection, but I just cannot comprehend living in a shack with leaves as a roof. It would be like having a roof made out of toilet paper! The residents get soaked. And with the wet comes disease, inconvenience, misery. There is still much to do.
Christ talks about the joys of giving: He tells us that it is more blessed to give than receive. This is so true! It does not require great acts of generosity involving thousands of pounds (though this is good too!) but simple expressions of love; I saw a man in flip flops today. The ground can be harsh. So I took off my shoes. I joked with him and told him part of the deal was he had to take my smelly socks! What is twenty pounds to any of us who is reading this! I am leaving with an empty bag: My sunglasses, baseball cap, candy, hair products (OK, I took them with the express intention of giving them, I don't use affro combs!) but I come away feeling more greatly blessed and content than through receiving any gift.
Be honest, what was the last time you received a present that gave you joy that lasted more than a day. Love cannot be bottled into an aftershave, a pair of shoes or candy. Love is a doing word, and it can't be put on the credit card. Each time I come out here I realise this more and more.
My rant is over. I love this country so much.
I will return.
I don't want to be at the Pierre Georgio Hotel, or Peurta Polato Airport, I don't want to be on Thompson flight TX 2439 to Manchester, I don't wasnt to be driving down the M6 or M1, I want to be home, with my wife, my children, my dog(!) my extended family and my friends. Perhaps (and I'll be honest here) the one thing I don't miss is my Church. Not church itself, my faith has only been strengthened, but having spent so much time with quality guys from a quality church, I have to admit that currently church is not 'feeding me' at all. I can say it on this blog because as far as I'm aware, no one from my church is even reading this blog!
Blog, you can be very theraputic!
Church isn't the b-all and end-all. My faith is stronger. I have seen Christ in the eyes of the poor, the hungry, the gays! This is far more fullfilling than any church service. Christians, get off your backsides and get out there. There's a hurting world!
We visited Los Algodones for one last time. We took Natalie, the bar maid who lives with our DJ friend Dave, but Dave had to work. She was blown away. We painted the interior of one of the classrooms, and then showed her round the village. It has rained all day and the paths had turned to a gooey clay type mud. Most of the houses do have corrugated roofs and so have some protection, but I just cannot comprehend living in a shack with leaves as a roof. It would be like having a roof made out of toilet paper! The residents get soaked. And with the wet comes disease, inconvenience, misery. There is still much to do.
Christ talks about the joys of giving: He tells us that it is more blessed to give than receive. This is so true! It does not require great acts of generosity involving thousands of pounds (though this is good too!) but simple expressions of love; I saw a man in flip flops today. The ground can be harsh. So I took off my shoes. I joked with him and told him part of the deal was he had to take my smelly socks! What is twenty pounds to any of us who is reading this! I am leaving with an empty bag: My sunglasses, baseball cap, candy, hair products (OK, I took them with the express intention of giving them, I don't use affro combs!) but I come away feeling more greatly blessed and content than through receiving any gift.
Be honest, what was the last time you received a present that gave you joy that lasted more than a day. Love cannot be bottled into an aftershave, a pair of shoes or candy. Love is a doing word, and it can't be put on the credit card. Each time I come out here I realise this more and more.
My rant is over. I love this country so much.
I will return.
Monday, 23 June 2008
Haircut!
Well, that was the Americans. They left yesterday and I have to say that they have been to a man (& woman) far more fun than I imagined. I have struck up lasting friendships, and I hope to meet these good people again on mission.
So what's knew to tell you?
Here's an incredible story: Andy & I have made frequent trips to the 'Internet Cafe' which has meant passing a bar called Ruby Rocks on the way back to base. This bar is frequented by many of the British Cabin crew. We have befriended a young Canadian bar girl who has taken an interest in what we do.She is dating the DJ who is a tough Hispanic looking guy who has never fully been comfortable with us. I think he thinks we are trying to hit on his girl. Well in a kind of way we are, and it turns out that she would like to visit Los Algodones with us on Tuesday.
Late on Sunday night, a group of six of us, three English, three yanks pop in there for a quick Brahma. The place was rocking. The music too loud to hear yourself speak, and too crowded with the kind of English Holidaymaker which makes you so proud to be a part of our historic Isle. (Not!) One of our crowd was the pastor from the Texan church. Joey' another man's man who although still relatively young (thirtysomething) has a seasoned look and seems phased by very little. You get the feeling Joey's seen quite a bit in his life but is now just sold out for God.
So, anyway, we go sit outside, and immediately our friend the DJ comes over. "Are you guys Christians?'
I'm thinking, he's going to give us a hard time. Sosua is the most hedonistic place I have ever visited. Its Sex Drugs & rock and Roll ! And he's a big part of it.
Never judge a book by its cover dear friend.
And never imagine that it isn't deep in everyones being to yearn for God to be real.
Dave the DJ went to Bible college, but got thrown out for having a liaison which he shouldn't! He faced a crossroads and he took the choice of running....away from the cross. His journey has taken him from one bed to another, from one hell raising party to another.
Here is a guy who knew his bible better than me, and who could explain theology to my Dad! In particular he knew the theology of Grace, (even down to the Greek) but he just could not believe that that same grace was sufficient for him.
And so he keeps running.
Perhaps six Christians walking into his bar will be the start of his redemption story. As Joey put it. In Gods eyes Dave will sin no more than him, he'll just have more fun doing it! But I'm not even convinced of that now. I think he's tired of it all, but he's stuck in a rut and fears he has too much to lose. We talked for ages. "I know its true' he would exclaim whilst punching his fist into the palm of his hand.
He may come to Los Algodones tomorrow. Perhaps he will see Christ in the eyes of the poor. Perhaps he saw something of Christ in the six Christian men who came into his bar for a beer.
This morning I went over to Ascension village which is where Tyson & Kylo live. However my intention was not to visit the Children, but to have the unique experience of getting my hair cut by a Hiatian barber! I mainly did it as a means of supporting a small business, but it was an experience to have my hair cut with no scissors, but a razor blade held flat against a comb. To my wife-sweetheart it will grow back!
It does look pretty awful though!
I am ready to go home now. I miss Debbie and the kids. We fly out on Wednesday. Recreation is fun, but with the bulk of my role completed I don't really want to hang around. The one 'trip' which every holidaymaker should partake of is the treck to the 27 waterfalls. Because of time, we were only able to climb as far as waterfall 12, at which point you descent on either your backside, sliding down the slides smoothed over millions of years of water over rock, or you fly through the air having jumped off a ledge (anything from 10 to 20 ft) into cool water pools below. The scenery is breathtaking. What added to it was the tropical rainstorm we experienced in the middle of the trip. The smell of the foliage, the sun drying the land, the sound of the insects all created this illusion that we were thousands of miles away in the Andes! Great fun!
Mission can be tough!
So what's knew to tell you?
Here's an incredible story: Andy & I have made frequent trips to the 'Internet Cafe' which has meant passing a bar called Ruby Rocks on the way back to base. This bar is frequented by many of the British Cabin crew. We have befriended a young Canadian bar girl who has taken an interest in what we do.She is dating the DJ who is a tough Hispanic looking guy who has never fully been comfortable with us. I think he thinks we are trying to hit on his girl. Well in a kind of way we are, and it turns out that she would like to visit Los Algodones with us on Tuesday.
Late on Sunday night, a group of six of us, three English, three yanks pop in there for a quick Brahma. The place was rocking. The music too loud to hear yourself speak, and too crowded with the kind of English Holidaymaker which makes you so proud to be a part of our historic Isle. (Not!) One of our crowd was the pastor from the Texan church. Joey' another man's man who although still relatively young (thirtysomething) has a seasoned look and seems phased by very little. You get the feeling Joey's seen quite a bit in his life but is now just sold out for God.
So, anyway, we go sit outside, and immediately our friend the DJ comes over. "Are you guys Christians?'
I'm thinking, he's going to give us a hard time. Sosua is the most hedonistic place I have ever visited. Its Sex Drugs & rock and Roll ! And he's a big part of it.
Never judge a book by its cover dear friend.
And never imagine that it isn't deep in everyones being to yearn for God to be real.
Dave the DJ went to Bible college, but got thrown out for having a liaison which he shouldn't! He faced a crossroads and he took the choice of running....away from the cross. His journey has taken him from one bed to another, from one hell raising party to another.
Here is a guy who knew his bible better than me, and who could explain theology to my Dad! In particular he knew the theology of Grace, (even down to the Greek) but he just could not believe that that same grace was sufficient for him.
And so he keeps running.
Perhaps six Christians walking into his bar will be the start of his redemption story. As Joey put it. In Gods eyes Dave will sin no more than him, he'll just have more fun doing it! But I'm not even convinced of that now. I think he's tired of it all, but he's stuck in a rut and fears he has too much to lose. We talked for ages. "I know its true' he would exclaim whilst punching his fist into the palm of his hand.
He may come to Los Algodones tomorrow. Perhaps he will see Christ in the eyes of the poor. Perhaps he saw something of Christ in the six Christian men who came into his bar for a beer.
This morning I went over to Ascension village which is where Tyson & Kylo live. However my intention was not to visit the Children, but to have the unique experience of getting my hair cut by a Hiatian barber! I mainly did it as a means of supporting a small business, but it was an experience to have my hair cut with no scissors, but a razor blade held flat against a comb. To my wife-sweetheart it will grow back!
It does look pretty awful though!
I am ready to go home now. I miss Debbie and the kids. We fly out on Wednesday. Recreation is fun, but with the bulk of my role completed I don't really want to hang around. The one 'trip' which every holidaymaker should partake of is the treck to the 27 waterfalls. Because of time, we were only able to climb as far as waterfall 12, at which point you descent on either your backside, sliding down the slides smoothed over millions of years of water over rock, or you fly through the air having jumped off a ledge (anything from 10 to 20 ft) into cool water pools below. The scenery is breathtaking. What added to it was the tropical rainstorm we experienced in the middle of the trip. The smell of the foliage, the sun drying the land, the sound of the insects all created this illusion that we were thousands of miles away in the Andes! Great fun!
Mission can be tough!
Friday, 20 June 2008
Is it Friday?
How time has flown! The yanks leave on Sunday, so this was their last full day (we'll let them sight see tomorrow) Today we packed in quite a bit, including one of my favorite places on earth - Peurta Plata. (Silver Port) This tough gritty town, which I like to describe as like Portsmouth but with the temperature at 90 degrees!
In fact, this is not fair. Its got a much more latin American feel. Having spent the week in the villages, there is a stark contrast of visiting a busy city with the chaos of traffic, diesel fumes, road works, hundreds of mopeds, noise and, of course, poverty.
The poverty is concentrated in an area called Aquas Negros (Black Water) which is quite literally what covers this area when it rains and the water rises. The shacks extend all the way to the mouth of the river which is fed by the sea. Its absolutely filthy, as the rubbish gets caught between the waves of the sea pushing it one way and the river moving it the other. These people know that there is every likelihood that their house will be washed away at some point.
We visited a small two roomed house and stepped out of the back door onto...nothing. A six foot sheer drop lead to the river. The erosion was below the house, and it was only going to be a matter of time before it would be swept away.
And yet in the middle of all this, there is once again hope and inspiration. Sandra, a lady in her early forties decided that the children needed educating and so took over 50 children into her shack. (Seeing this shack you wouldn't think it possible.) A missionary from Mercy Ships heard what she was doing and now she has a school which houses happy children and gives them a break. These kids were paraded in front of us and sang a song. The song was funny and the joy of just being kids was evident. Sandra's slowing down the age which these kids have to grow up. She's also nourishing them with knowledge. This is a good thing and Sandra has every right to be proud of her achievements.
There's a whole theme of giving the kids their childhood back which I've been discussing with this Godly man Jon Glidden. He's a thoughtful young man with a wisdom beyond his years (that sounds a bit like a line from Pocohantis!) and I already love him to bits. Jon's invited me to go on the trip in October. I really fancy it. we've got some great ideas which I've already put on here. With Jon on your team, they'll happen!
God works in funny ways to reveal his plans. Today whilst driving to Peurta Plata people needed a 'comfort break' and so we pulled in to a children's playground facility. John turned to me and said, this would be a great place to take the kids from Los Algadones! Its got go-karts, adventure playgrounds etc, but its $15 per child, so that's.....that's a lot if you take 150 grubby kids!
Oh but what joy!
Oh but what destruction!!
It would be a day to remember!
One other event which was a first. We went to the Church in the Woods which is a clearing made in the woods by the people of Los Algodones. There, they have made a circle out of stones and have declared it Holy ground. You have to take your shoes off, and remain quiet and reverent as you approach. I'm not New agey or anything like that, but the mixture of peace, nature and God was potent. I felt humbled, I felt close to God. When the Haitians worship, it is unbridled. It is something that those of us in the west can only ever dream of as long as we continue to lead our busy lives and remain with our self centered minds.
You learn a lot from the poor. But in a perverse sort of way, you also feel quite jealous of some of what they have. Most of all, I believe that God uses the poor to allow us to see him. If you're searching for him, or if he currently seems far away. Get on a plane:
www.missiondirect.org
In fact, this is not fair. Its got a much more latin American feel. Having spent the week in the villages, there is a stark contrast of visiting a busy city with the chaos of traffic, diesel fumes, road works, hundreds of mopeds, noise and, of course, poverty.
The poverty is concentrated in an area called Aquas Negros (Black Water) which is quite literally what covers this area when it rains and the water rises. The shacks extend all the way to the mouth of the river which is fed by the sea. Its absolutely filthy, as the rubbish gets caught between the waves of the sea pushing it one way and the river moving it the other. These people know that there is every likelihood that their house will be washed away at some point.
We visited a small two roomed house and stepped out of the back door onto...nothing. A six foot sheer drop lead to the river. The erosion was below the house, and it was only going to be a matter of time before it would be swept away.
And yet in the middle of all this, there is once again hope and inspiration. Sandra, a lady in her early forties decided that the children needed educating and so took over 50 children into her shack. (Seeing this shack you wouldn't think it possible.) A missionary from Mercy Ships heard what she was doing and now she has a school which houses happy children and gives them a break. These kids were paraded in front of us and sang a song. The song was funny and the joy of just being kids was evident. Sandra's slowing down the age which these kids have to grow up. She's also nourishing them with knowledge. This is a good thing and Sandra has every right to be proud of her achievements.
There's a whole theme of giving the kids their childhood back which I've been discussing with this Godly man Jon Glidden. He's a thoughtful young man with a wisdom beyond his years (that sounds a bit like a line from Pocohantis!) and I already love him to bits. Jon's invited me to go on the trip in October. I really fancy it. we've got some great ideas which I've already put on here. With Jon on your team, they'll happen!
God works in funny ways to reveal his plans. Today whilst driving to Peurta Plata people needed a 'comfort break' and so we pulled in to a children's playground facility. John turned to me and said, this would be a great place to take the kids from Los Algadones! Its got go-karts, adventure playgrounds etc, but its $15 per child, so that's.....that's a lot if you take 150 grubby kids!
Oh but what joy!
Oh but what destruction!!
It would be a day to remember!
One other event which was a first. We went to the Church in the Woods which is a clearing made in the woods by the people of Los Algodones. There, they have made a circle out of stones and have declared it Holy ground. You have to take your shoes off, and remain quiet and reverent as you approach. I'm not New agey or anything like that, but the mixture of peace, nature and God was potent. I felt humbled, I felt close to God. When the Haitians worship, it is unbridled. It is something that those of us in the west can only ever dream of as long as we continue to lead our busy lives and remain with our self centered minds.
You learn a lot from the poor. But in a perverse sort of way, you also feel quite jealous of some of what they have. Most of all, I believe that God uses the poor to allow us to see him. If you're searching for him, or if he currently seems far away. Get on a plane:
www.missiondirect.org
Thursday, 19 June 2008
More great news!
Firstly, go have a look at the new photos that Andy has put on the Web.
www.flickr.com/photos/andyindr
Secondly, following on from small bout of self pity you have responded in love and my heart is warmed as I have received 7 emails & 4 comments! Please forgive me if I do not reply as I am on limited time on-line, but rest assured you are making a difference to me - thank you!
Have spent yet another day at Los Algodones, and I have to say I am absolutely worn out! These yanks can work! They really are great people, who share a heart to serve. When you have a common goal , it can be a great leveler. There is plenty of banter about our accents and differing pronouncements. They can't get over how I say 'Pasta' for some reason.
Anyway, on to more serious matters: You may recall little Jason who is disabled and who had such an impact on me last year. (Andy has posted a photo of the little fella) He was up where we were building today, and we sat him on a chair and got him to give us back massages. He's getting strong! The sunburn didn't help though! I see such a difference in his countenance, and he's a right chatterbox! Yet another example of despair turned to hope.
But Hope is growing. I talked with the pastor (which the yanks pronounce pasta) and they have been so taken with his story that they have agreed to fund taking him to Santa Domingo for exploratory tests with the intention of getting him operated on. Imagine that! He would have his life back! He could go the school (which you built) and get a job. This seems almost incomprehensible when I think back to my visit in 2006. Any you don't think there's a God!!
The group pretty much runs itself, and so today I dissapeared with one little lad who had helped me clear some rubble. I kept saying 'no pesos' but he carried on working regardless. They want to be noticed so that when there is paid work they'll be remembered. That's resolve! Can you imagine us doing that? He was too young anyway (I guess about14) Anyway I rewarded him for his hours work by going and buying him a coke. Its those little interactions which I so enjoy. The little boy was on the 'On the Beach' video which is on You-tube, if any of you remember that. I really must learn some more spanish, however I am an expert in the art of mime!
The Americano's leave in Sunday. We still have much to do. Tomorrow we visit the Church in the Woods, the Hospital for the poor and the school in Aqua Negros (rough!) Our school has now been rendered on the outside and apart from putting the windows in, needs a paint and then its ready. I'm not sure I'll see that though. That will mean I will have to return again. I so want to. Want to come too? Go to www.missiondirect.org
www.flickr.com/photos/andyindr
Secondly, following on from small bout of self pity you have responded in love and my heart is warmed as I have received 7 emails & 4 comments! Please forgive me if I do not reply as I am on limited time on-line, but rest assured you are making a difference to me - thank you!
Have spent yet another day at Los Algodones, and I have to say I am absolutely worn out! These yanks can work! They really are great people, who share a heart to serve. When you have a common goal , it can be a great leveler. There is plenty of banter about our accents and differing pronouncements. They can't get over how I say 'Pasta' for some reason.
Anyway, on to more serious matters: You may recall little Jason who is disabled and who had such an impact on me last year. (Andy has posted a photo of the little fella) He was up where we were building today, and we sat him on a chair and got him to give us back massages. He's getting strong! The sunburn didn't help though! I see such a difference in his countenance, and he's a right chatterbox! Yet another example of despair turned to hope.
But Hope is growing. I talked with the pastor (which the yanks pronounce pasta) and they have been so taken with his story that they have agreed to fund taking him to Santa Domingo for exploratory tests with the intention of getting him operated on. Imagine that! He would have his life back! He could go the school (which you built) and get a job. This seems almost incomprehensible when I think back to my visit in 2006. Any you don't think there's a God!!
The group pretty much runs itself, and so today I dissapeared with one little lad who had helped me clear some rubble. I kept saying 'no pesos' but he carried on working regardless. They want to be noticed so that when there is paid work they'll be remembered. That's resolve! Can you imagine us doing that? He was too young anyway (I guess about14) Anyway I rewarded him for his hours work by going and buying him a coke. Its those little interactions which I so enjoy. The little boy was on the 'On the Beach' video which is on You-tube, if any of you remember that. I really must learn some more spanish, however I am an expert in the art of mime!
The Americano's leave in Sunday. We still have much to do. Tomorrow we visit the Church in the Woods, the Hospital for the poor and the school in Aqua Negros (rough!) Our school has now been rendered on the outside and apart from putting the windows in, needs a paint and then its ready. I'm not sure I'll see that though. That will mean I will have to return again. I so want to. Want to come too? Go to www.missiondirect.org
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Giving life
Today was just fantastic (if not a little chaotic!)
Firstly, we have been working very hard for the last day and a half at the building site. We have mainly worked on the floor of the church. Its involved a lot of digging and barrowing- backbreaking!
However, this afternoon we fed the whole of Los Algadones with some supplies which will last a few days. In total it cost $1000, but what cost a life?
The village is a maze of muddy alleyways between the small shacks which are 'home' to these wonderful people. The village has been mapped and each house given a number. The task was package and distribution. The system is a little rough round the edges and needs to be improved, but the intent, endeavor and determination carried the group through.
The supplies consisted of the following:
A bag of rice
A bag of Sugar
A bag of Salt
A tin of sardines
A carton of UHT Milk
A bag of beans
A bag of coffee
4 stock cubes
cooking oil.
An onion!
This was packaged and then individually delivered to each house. Another privilege to be able to serve them. I don't think the team fully appreciated what they have done. But (subject to there not being an incredible act of selfishness) the village can guarantee full bellies for the next few days. Think about how you feel when you're hungry. They live with that constantly.
No, people aren't dying in Los Algadones, but take my word for it, this is a harsh, unforgiving environment. And although nothings changed, just for a day or two, we've eased the pressure and have made a difference.
Consider the fact that food is going up in price too. This has put a greater pressure on families and has meant families having to cut back. Little has recently become less.
This whole aspect of making a short term difference is an interesting one. I don't feel empowered enough to make political or social change, but I have been given the opportunity to make some short term difference, and I've been talking with the yanks about this, swapping ideas. They come back in October (I'm jealous) and they're excited about the following suggestions I've made:
I'm not getting many comments, where are you all? I've changed the colour of the background as one or two who have emailed are saying its hard to read. Don't forget you can email me at jon.cobb@live.co.uk
Firstly, we have been working very hard for the last day and a half at the building site. We have mainly worked on the floor of the church. Its involved a lot of digging and barrowing- backbreaking!
However, this afternoon we fed the whole of Los Algadones with some supplies which will last a few days. In total it cost $1000, but what cost a life?
The village is a maze of muddy alleyways between the small shacks which are 'home' to these wonderful people. The village has been mapped and each house given a number. The task was package and distribution. The system is a little rough round the edges and needs to be improved, but the intent, endeavor and determination carried the group through.
The supplies consisted of the following:
A bag of rice
A bag of Sugar
A bag of Salt
A tin of sardines
A carton of UHT Milk
A bag of beans
A bag of coffee
4 stock cubes
cooking oil.
An onion!
This was packaged and then individually delivered to each house. Another privilege to be able to serve them. I don't think the team fully appreciated what they have done. But (subject to there not being an incredible act of selfishness) the village can guarantee full bellies for the next few days. Think about how you feel when you're hungry. They live with that constantly.
No, people aren't dying in Los Algadones, but take my word for it, this is a harsh, unforgiving environment. And although nothings changed, just for a day or two, we've eased the pressure and have made a difference.
Consider the fact that food is going up in price too. This has put a greater pressure on families and has meant families having to cut back. Little has recently become less.
This whole aspect of making a short term difference is an interesting one. I don't feel empowered enough to make political or social change, but I have been given the opportunity to make some short term difference, and I've been talking with the yanks about this, swapping ideas. They come back in October (I'm jealous) and they're excited about the following suggestions I've made:
- Take the children from Los Algadones to the beach
- Give them a firework display
- Buy the service of young female prostitutes and let them watch movies and eat ice cream.
I'm not getting many comments, where are you all? I've changed the colour of the background as one or two who have emailed are saying its hard to read. Don't forget you can email me at jon.cobb@live.co.uk
Monday, 16 June 2008
The Dump
Remains the highlight of the trip for me. This time was no exception.
How can it be that I can be walking through piles of rubbish, flies absolutely everywhere, the smell pretty obnoxious and be thinking 'I don't want to leave this place'
In fact, I know exactly why. Its because it just gives you a fresh sharp reminder of the privileged lives we lead. But in fact, its more than that, its spiritual. I don't mean the fact that they all get together and sing worship songs to us, (which is indeed a lovely thing to behold) but its something that I can't yet put my finger on. Yes , what we do is nice, and they're appreciative of it, but there's a sense that there's something more than us 'doing our bit and feeling good about ourselves' I need to process quite what this means.
I'll stop. I'm getting a bit deep, which isn't me. I'm really quite shallow. No I really am that shallow!
I want to tell you about Sunday afternoon. You'll remember I mentioned Mark, the gay flight attendant. I invited him and two of the air hostesses to visit Los Algodones with me and Sean. Amazingly they agreed! They have spent the week on the sun loungers, or snorkelling. I think it was a mixture of boredom and intrigue that made them agree to come.
But what a trip! They were completely blown away. They were also absolutely lovely with the kids. They brought sweets and got plenty of attention.
I want Mark, and the two girls to see that God is not an unloving, judgmental God. (No, that's Christians!) Mark's ways are not my ways, but that doesn't mean that God doesn't love him, but me preaching hell and damnation because he's a poofter or because they are a rather loose set of ladies with questionable values just wouldn't work!
No, they will not see Jesus in our judgmental eyes, but they will see him in the actions of loving one another, including the kids in Los Algodones and loving the gays.
On the way home the three of them just kept asking questions. They really had been impacted. It was a good conversation, and I felt one that put our faith in a better light than that which they had previously experienced. They're on a journey, just like you and me, its just that there at a different place at the moment.
This hasn't necessarily been a mission to the poor.
How can it be that I can be walking through piles of rubbish, flies absolutely everywhere, the smell pretty obnoxious and be thinking 'I don't want to leave this place'
In fact, I know exactly why. Its because it just gives you a fresh sharp reminder of the privileged lives we lead. But in fact, its more than that, its spiritual. I don't mean the fact that they all get together and sing worship songs to us, (which is indeed a lovely thing to behold) but its something that I can't yet put my finger on. Yes , what we do is nice, and they're appreciative of it, but there's a sense that there's something more than us 'doing our bit and feeling good about ourselves' I need to process quite what this means.
I'll stop. I'm getting a bit deep, which isn't me. I'm really quite shallow. No I really am that shallow!
I want to tell you about Sunday afternoon. You'll remember I mentioned Mark, the gay flight attendant. I invited him and two of the air hostesses to visit Los Algodones with me and Sean. Amazingly they agreed! They have spent the week on the sun loungers, or snorkelling. I think it was a mixture of boredom and intrigue that made them agree to come.
But what a trip! They were completely blown away. They were also absolutely lovely with the kids. They brought sweets and got plenty of attention.
I want Mark, and the two girls to see that God is not an unloving, judgmental God. (No, that's Christians!) Mark's ways are not my ways, but that doesn't mean that God doesn't love him, but me preaching hell and damnation because he's a poofter or because they are a rather loose set of ladies with questionable values just wouldn't work!
No, they will not see Jesus in our judgmental eyes, but they will see him in the actions of loving one another, including the kids in Los Algodones and loving the gays.
On the way home the three of them just kept asking questions. They really had been impacted. It was a good conversation, and I felt one that put our faith in a better light than that which they had previously experienced. They're on a journey, just like you and me, its just that there at a different place at the moment.
This hasn't necessarily been a mission to the poor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
