YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - (Page 21) One of Kelly Soifer’s students with two girls from a Guatemalan village “When Antonio tells me the people in India and Africa are poorer than the people we will work with in Guatemala, I feel embarrassed and realize I have much to learn about the nature of poverty.” Hector. He is talented and learns quickly. José’s mother asked Hector to take José to live with him because his life would be better. Hector wants to find a way for José to get out of the village, but he knows he cannot accept that responsibility. We hear about other children and their needs. We lay hands on a girl who has seizures. We pray wimpy, baffled prayers. Then Hector prays, his words flowing in a torrent. He prays for the children, healing, truth, protection. He repents on behalf of the village, still trapped in ancient folk religions. He prays the people will stop offering animal sacrifices to their animistic god. It moves me to hear him, like Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. We say, “Amen,” and lift our heads. The girl, only 8 or 9, has been crying— not little girl tears, but big heaving sobs. It feels like a combination of fear and an awareness of the Spirit. I want to see God work in this village. I am thankful for Hector’s ministry and heart. A Spirit of Humility Finally, we must go. As we wait for the van, one of Hector’s young friends from the village, Antonio, asks me why we are here. I tell him I want our students to see the way others live, to see poverty, to share God’s love. He replied, “But there is not much poverty in Guatemala.” I gasp internally. Antonio continues, “India and Africa are much poorer. You should go there—they really need help.” I am embarrassed. I stutter something about not being able to travel that far and that God was using Guatemalans to teach us a great deal. Antonio did not speak out of pride. He really believes those other places need us more. With that, we left. His words inspire and haunt me. It seems I have much to learn about the true face of poverty. Kelly Soifer is a veteran youth worker with more than 25 years of experience. She’s a committed bicycle commuter and proud Italian scooter owner, who lives in Santa Barbara, California. YouthWorkerJournal.com | March/April 2009 21 http://joeshirt.com http://joeshirt.com http://www.YouthWorkerJournal.com
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