Being a long-term, short-term missionary for the last 25 years has been a rewarding experience. I have learned many important life skills along the way. One of the most valuable personality traits which grew in me from the ebb and flow of successes in Honduras has been being able to see the silver lining. Making limonada out of limones isn't always my first response, but God's strong hands help squeeze it out of me.
For the last few years, AHMEN's Río de Agua Viva team has been working with the Red de Jóvenes in Jutiapa, Atlántida. This animated group of students trusts the Río team to help them plan and carry out many social projects in the area. Recently, youth network asked us to donate toward a piñata fund for El Día Internacional de Juventud. At first, I was not opposed as I am always down for a party.
For the last few years, AHMEN's Río de Agua Viva team has been working with the Red de Jóvenes in Jutiapa, Atlántida. This animated group of students trusts the Río team to help them plan and carry out many social projects in the area. Recently, youth network asked us to donate toward a piñata fund for El Día Internacional de Juventud. At first, I was not opposed as I am always down for a party.
However, when we heard that the piñatas were going to cost $100 each, we knew that the party was going to be out of reach. I mean, we might as well have brought in the fatted calf for that price!
In frustration and desperately searching for a solution, I requested AHMEN's community development coordinator explain that the group should learn to make piñatas on their own. We made them in my Spanish classes without proper instruction or an immense socio-historical background with piñatas; why couldn't the very capable leadership of the Youth Network be able to learn to make their own party crafts. They had surely busted dozens of piñatas in their lives, even at half my age!
Well, my Grinch moment turned into a valuable opportunity for sustainability. AHMEN's community development coordinator found a local piñata maker who was thrilled to teach a lesson to our group.
Not only that, the decision was made to also invite members of the Red de Mujeres (Women's Network) and our new community agent training program.
In this way, the Honduran leaders we depend on to teach their neighbors valuable survival skills learned to make an essential party favorite just in time for the year's biggest festivities!
So what is the lesson here? In mission work, be ready to say "no" to any request. However, if you do, also be ready with an alternative and the people power to see the negotiation through to success.
Not a single one of us can quench the thirst of God's thirsty people without the Lord's provision of the sweet fruit of solution to juice. Moreover, we are not supposed to go at it alone. Someone has to slice and squeeze. Someone has to mix. Someone has to pour, and someone has to find cookies to enjoy with the ambrosia of our labor. Alone, we will always look to the same boring model, but TOGETHER we are the difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment