Process of Poverty

Today was a highly technical work day for me, my two brothers Tim and Pat, and my nephew Sean. Gravel is a very critical component for the construction process here, and since there isn´t a Home Depot within a few thousand miles, our only option is to make our own. Yup, that's right, we actually make our own gravel. We take a hammer and through the highly sophisticated process of raising the hammer skyward, and then bringing it in a swift downward motion at just the right speed, careful not to accelerate too quickly, we transform large rocks into much smaller versions of their former self. See the big rocks to the left? See the many smaller rocks all around the larger rocks? Well, there is your before and after versions.

I have always thought that we got much more out of these "Mission trips" than we could ever give our hosts. Afterall, what do they really get from us compared to the lasting life lessons we take back with us every time? But the Priest shared with us today a perspective that we had not really considered before...... Our presence is our gift. Our being here apparently actually builds the self-esteem for the local Mayan people. Thinking back, it probably applies to every local people we have visited in past trips too.

The Priest went on to explain that the issue really isn't poverty but the process of poverty. There isn´t one single state of poverty but many phases and levels. And is one progressing deeper into poverty or making strides to separate oneself from such bondage...all phases of poverty in the process. These people know that we have left our comfortable beds, the food we like, our friends and families, spent a lot of money to travel here....and they are very grateful that we have done this for them. And when we are willing to do the work they do, the fact that we are actually doing it makes their work no longer demeaning.

When we greet them on the street, talk to them in their language (well, when Tim does....), even just "hola", it helps them to believe they are actually "someone", and they have value.

"You can choose your friends, but not your family, so you just have to love your family whether you like it or not"..... Well, the Mayan people of Guatemala believe we are all brothers and sisters in one God-created world. And as a result, they love us all. Honestly, we have felt nothing less since we arrived. And it isn´t because they have no choice or because they are dependant on us for survival....they truly, genuinely embrace such perspective.

Ok, well, thanks for reading....hasta la vista baby......