Our church, St. Francis of Assisi, is part of, Sister Parish, Inc. This organization fosters a relationship among people of the US and Central America through churches and Christian communities. Delegation travel to the North and South are essential in enhancing awareness and understanding as well as to nurture close relationships. Well, the dinner tonight certainly enhanced my awareness and understanding.
Several families from our Sister Parish in Las Margaritas came to Raleigh this past week and are staying with host families. Our church hosted a dinner for parish members to meet the families from Guatemala. When our church started asking for volunteers to host these families, I thought that it would be an awesome thing to do, but I quickly changed my mind. I simply did not think that I had anything to offer them. I felt like my house was too small and there wouldn't be enough privacy for them, how would I communicate, what would I cook, you name it I thought about it. I just really felt that they would be better off with another family, one more "qualified" than I. After tonight's dinner and having had the pleasure of talking with members of our parish who have been on a delegation to Las Margaritas I know that I was completely off track in what I thought their visit here was about. I learned that it is not about what you have or don't have it is about peace and understanding amongst the brothers and sisters of our world. The people of Las Margaritas are not superficial materialistic people, they did not come here for anything more than to build a relationship. They are most welcoming and loving of everyone who is in their presence.
I heard the stories of how life is in their village in the rain forest of Guatemala and I am truly humbled by this. The families, which are usually very large, live in a one room home, but these wonderful people willingly gave up their beds and would even sleep outside in order to accommodate their guests. They are lovely people and are so appreciative of the delegates from our parish who come to share in their everyday lives.
I also see how materialistic we are in that we tend to measure our self worth by the amount of possessions we have not by the love we have for Jesus and each other. I am definitely humbled by my experience tonight and next year I will definitely volunteer to host a family from Las Margaritas, not because I think that I have a lot to offer but because I know that I will learn so much from them. I hope to one day go on a delegation with Olivia and Bill and learn more from the wonderful people of Las Margaritas, Guatemala.
Our delegates from Las Margaritas, Guatemala with staff of Sister Parish.
Me and Alejandro the Program Director of Sister Parish, Inc.
Table in the vestibule of our church.
Handmade jacket and bag.
Handmade cloth.
If you are interested in learning more about Sister Parish, Inc. visit their website
On another note:
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDREA & MIKE THEY ARE OUT OF PGN! MADI IS COMING HOME!!!!!!! We can't wait to meet that sweet baby girl!!
1 comment:
Sharon,
It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. I am so glad you got the opprotunity to meet the people that you did.
Looking forward to seeing you next weekend.
Andrea
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