Reconstruction

Life here continues to be busy. We have classes and/or outreach six days a week. There is a heavy workload on top of that. While I'm not really too worried about the work getting finished or the grade I get, having such a full schedule does add a level of stress. It's not really one thing here, but just the experiences doing outreach here and the topics in classes that can be intense. It is a very intense program, designed I think to spur growth intellectually but also personally. I definitely notice in my life that a lot of new intense experiences with not a lot of processing time brings me to a place of meekness and tearing down a lot within me. I also notice though that in these times of seeming weakness, that a lot of growth can happen when old prejudices and ideas are torn out and replaced with better ones.

For example, this week all lectures were on the topic of HIV/AIDS around the world and with children. Carla, a woman who began the Refuge House for children suffering from HIV in Brazil, discussed statistics, health, and bereavement. Interestingly, today was also my day to work at the Refuge House. Everyone holds some prejudice against people with this virus. The first thing everyone wants to know is: "How did you get it?" for then we can assign a judgement of responsibility, and from there, to what level of compassion we will offer. For myself, I had to realize that I have a higher level of compassion for prostitutes in this country than in North America, because I view their ability to choose that lifestyle differently. While prostitutes in NA may indeed have more choice or options in which lifestyle they choose, this should not influence MY response to them. I do not know, and cannot know, the infinite factors that have contributed to someone's life or their current situation. I can't even guess. But, what I can know is that despite what choices/influences/factors carried them to this point, it is at this point now that they require my compassion. Every person is broken. My response should be as Jesus' response was- grace, help, acceptance. It is difficult, especially around topics like this, to separate the Sin from the Sinner. To hate the sin and love the sinner, no matter the context. So, the school not only informs when giving these teachings, but is also trying to have us really dig into what Truths we hold and which of these need to be uprooted and replaced if we want to go further and deeper into meaningful ministry and truly connecting with people.