Sorting through Donations and Our Lives
Thus far our days have been a bit different than originally planned, with several components shifting because of a protest or newly scheduled activities or different availability of guest speakers, but the rescheduled activities and timing always seem serendipitously right. This afternoon, at the request of the local Ronald McDonald House, we spent several hours sorting through a garage full of donations for survivors of Fuego Volcano’s eruption last week. We divided out a pallet of toilet paper, another pallet of diapers, two pallets of water bottles, another pallet of toys, and yet others of food and clothing. Because the donations will be taken to the affected site this weekend, the organization needed a large group of volunteers for an afternoon, and we were happy to assist, especially given the way our SSTT group has been tied into the timing of the volcano’s eruption a week and a half ago. Although we’ve stressed that we are on a learning trip rather than a missions trip, this seemed like an appropriate form of service for the Study-Service Theology Term.
The day began with nine minutes of centering prayer and then we moved into about 2 1/2 hours of our sessions on “Youth and the Fullness of Humanity.” In their journals last night, most students reflected a bit on these regular sessions with Israel Ortiz, with occasional input from Israel’s spouse Rachel. Karla said in her journal (used with permission): “The information he shared with us is a lot to take in, but very necessary. His teachings have made me reflect a lot. He is just so inspiring and motivating.” Miranda said (used with permission): “It was interesting talking about how humans respond to the messes of the world. It really makes you think about the many, many things that are wrong in this world. While talking about all of this, I admit that I got a bit distracted because I started thinking about what exactly my role in this world is and what I am supposed to do to help humanity. There’s only so much that a person my age can do, and I really hope I figure it out.” And Sofia (Puerto Rico Sofia — there are two Sofias) wrote in her journal (used with permission): “I enjoyed Rachel’s part because it really got me thinking about lament and that sort of stuck and I thought about it a little more afterwards. After sort of reflecting upon that I came to the conclusion that I lament doing so little even though I’m capable of doing so much more. I want to be able to help more people and be more involved in my community.”
Today Israel focused on “Where the personal and the structural meet: justice,” and he began by asking students’ perceptions of justice and what it means to work for justice. We talked about Micah 6:8 (“Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God”) and the Good Samaritan story, as well as micro and macro ways of working at justice. A micro way might be to individually help someone who is homeless find a shelter or home; a macro form of justice might be working with government and non-profit organizations, and with Congress, to change the conditions that lead to homelessness. Both are necessary: serving others, and working to change systems that perpetuate injustices.
Students also have been reading writings of Oscar Romero, a Salvadoran archbishop who was assassinated by Salvadoran military forces in 1980 because he was speaking out on behalf of the people and critiquing government violence. One of these evenings we will watch together the film “Romero”; this evening we’ll have another student-led worship service shortly after dinner, and discuss the (very positive) group dynamics thus far. Students seem to be feeling stimulated, filled, open to learning, and eager for each day to come.
