Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The adventure of getting to know people

So it´s interesting talking to people and figuring out where people come from. That is, what´re their goals and expectations. Because not everyone comes here with the same goals and expectations, and when that happens, things sometimes get awkward or there´s disappointment.

Some people are here strictly because they wish to provide medical care to people who lack medical care. And there´s nothing wrong with pure philanthropy, but it also tends to shut out the other emotional experiences of being involved in the culture of lives of the people living here. If we come with a perception of people with special training coming to provide care to people who are lacking, we certainly miss out on the possibility of learning from the people around us. We´re more closed off to being challenged, and being broken and allowing ourselves to feel the pain and joy of those around us. Sometimes our training is a detriment because it functions as a shield for our emotions.

We´ll see how it all turns out. We have some set small group reflection times, and it´ll be interesting to see how those all turn out. Also, not everyone here is comes from a Christian, or any faith background. This isn´t necessarily bad, but I´ve always felt that faith gives you a context for your actions, and gives you a context for how you synthesize experience. Religion gives us the necessary vocabulary and insight to try to know people on a personal, spiritual level. I think it also allows us to truly feel the pain and brokenness that we may encounter, and you can only start to feel someone´s brokenness when you are able to feel it yourself.

I´ll stop rambling now.

3 comments:

  1. Open your heart and mind, allow God to use you. He uses believers and non-believers to accomplish His works.

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    1. above command from dad..... he doesn't want to sign on separate account.

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  2. both are right..... just different.

    accepting individual different to learn the best from each others. Serving strictly provide medical cares are nothing wrong with it. Knowledge of medicals are what you are about to provide to the others, and also are the tools and instruments have to have (in your case) to pursuit your caring about people to the others. We as of Christians, often over estimate ourselves. thinking we are more noble person than others. we should really carful about it...... co-workers are also a place to practice your love and faith places to be ..... by knowing how to accepting individual's values..... to get along in all before take care the patients...... Happy loving serving.

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