A great Day!

I had one of those amazing days, one of those when you wake up and want to just conquer whatever the day brings your way. I think it was because I slept well last night, and woke up late and still had time to get ready and get to work on time. I had oatmeal and a remarkable cup of coffee in the morning.
We began our day with a devotional that included all the headquarter staff in Esperanza. We started by singing traditional Christian songs, and proceeded with a lecture that included group discussions questions, a pastor gave us some insight on the lecture, and then prayer opened up for all that wanted to express a need. This type of devotional is practiced every Monday to start the week off right. You might be wondering why this is necessary. Well, here in Esperanza, the heart that keeps the organization pumping is God.

And Esperanza believes that in order to try to find a solution to poverty alleviation one must first define poverty. Here is my translated definition of poverty according to Esperanza, “The state or condition of the human being as a result of broken relationships with God, with one’s self, with other people, and His creation, all caused by sin”. Several definitions of poverty were given, I was also moved by Bryant Myers definition, author of Walking with the Poor, “Poverty is a result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of Shalom in all its meaning”. We also touched up on the definition of economic development, according to Esperanza it is the process of man’s reconciliation in which man is restored to bless and be blessed and thus become an instrument for the kingdom of God. Sorry is this sounds so academic! I really enjoyed learning about this and want to pass on the knowledge! Haha…

We also made groups and talked about what God’s purpose with humanity and what he expected before and after the fall, and to list a few:
The follwoing is how we envisioned our relationships needed to be with the following:
God--communication, trust, unity of directional purpose, not lacking anything, harmony, fullness of life, wholesomeness, happiness and obedience.
Others--Love, compassion, effective communication, encouragement, hope, support, comfort, learning, and transparency.
Creation—Sustainability, reciprocity, have dominion, responsibility and work.
Self—representatives of Him, inherent dignity & worth, calling, purpose, and vocation.

When I was a searching for my identity as a lost teenager I remember coming across this verse, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” Jeremiah 29:11. And periodically, as I journey through life, God keeps on reminding me of this. When Carlos, the President of Esperanza, said that this verse is one of the founding scriptures that gave birth to Esperanza I was moved to tears. God has a purpose for each and every one of us. He doesn’t forget us, and wants us to become whole in Him, only through that we can have good relationships with others, creation and ourselves. So really that means that we are all living in poverty. If you lack some perfection in one of these relationships, you too are bound by “poverty”.

To end this wonderful day, I had a virgin piña colada. Oh yeah!

-Maira

P.S. Probably following next week when I move to San Pedro, in the more rural, I will only post once a week. So I hope fore now you are enjoying these daily updates, since they wont stay for long :)