 Asking the Tough Questions |
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by Heather Sevrens |
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For three months, Heather Sevrens of Rohnert Park, CA is serving with two other young adults as a “Global Justice Volunteer” with the Projeto Meninos e Meninas de Rua (“Street Children’s Project”) in Brazil. Below are some reflections from Heather on serving in mission. Her words have been excerpted and lightly copyedited from a recent letter. “The Brazilians here insist that there is no word in any language that describes what they call saudade.… In English, it’s really a combination of homesickness and "missing"…. I have saudade for home. “I can’t believe that we only have two weeks left of this three month experience as Global Justice Volunteers. I am struggling to understand what I can feasibly do in the next 16 days here that will leave an impact. How am I supposed to say goodbye to these people, to let go of their problems and move back home? I guess I’m not supposed to. “It’s been a little overwhelming, learning all of the things that I’m capable of, that we’re all capable of really, and knowing exactly what to do with that information. Every day, I have fewer and fewer chances to have a meaningful impact on the kids and educators here at the Street Children’s Project, to show I care with my time and physical presence, to care and go through the hard stuff with them. It can be exhausting to make myself vulnerable all of the time, to put my own ego and fears aside in order to really listen and learn about people, to show them the gift of love through God. “ I learned something today about working with the kids by talking to my Global Justice Volunteer teammate Randon … we have to stop being afraid to ask the tough questions. I … really want to make a connection so that kids have the support they need to make the right decisions. At the same time, I am too afraid of offending a kid or embarrassing my own self to ask what the problem really is. But today I asked. “Andreia is one of the girls who comes to the projeto in the morning to shower and eat lunch. She comes with another girl and several guys…. Usually we sit around and joke for twenty minutes or answer their questions about what life is like in America, but today I started asking her about her life outside the projeto…. “She’s been living on the streets for the last 2 1/2 months. She has a family, but they’re all scattered through the city, living with different people, in different shelters. “She told me that she was planning to go back to school, but I don’t know how she can, given the fact that she has to worry about finding three meals to eat everyday and whether she will be assaulted at night while she tries to sleep. The kids that live on the street are always tired, and it changes their disposition. “I think it’s better to know and to talk about the problems the kids are facing, rather than pretend they will go away on their own…. I’ve got to stop being afraid of offending these kids by talking about things. If we’re really going to change things, we must acknowledge the pain and hurt first and help people through it. It’s not as hard as you would think. “I’ve written a lot in my journal lately about how we as humans are quick to find someone to blame and to judge and so slow to look at ourselves and our own family and friends for the cause. It’s not Brazilians versus Americans or capitalism versus socialism; it’s us failing to charge our own selves with selfishness and sin. I’m trying to learn how to walk with God on this one, trying to figure out to share his message of compassion and understanding. “There are days, like today, when I am just tired and don’t know whether it is possible to really change anything in this world when there is so much work to do, so many hearts to heal and to change, and it seems like so few people are willing to help. “We’re all afraid, but we can’t use that as an excuse. Likewise, we need to respect the work that others are already doing and support their efforts with prayers and respect. “I would just ask for prayers this week to get everything done, to not let the daily chores of life stress me, and for our remaining time here to be meaningful. “This is my life down here, and I have to say that it’s not too bad. “Love, Heather” For More Information
The Global Justice Volunteers program of the Mission Volunteers Program Area of the General Board of Global Ministries. is for young adults ages 18-25 who are interested in exploring the links between faith and justice. For more information, visit http://gbgm-umc.org/vim/features/globalj.htm .
Date posted: Nov 21, 2005 |
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