Newsletters

Date: August 10th 2009

In Whose Shoes Are You Walking?
by Kori Phillips

A little boy is late for school every day. He is in the afternoon session, and is a good and engaged student. Amparo, one of the school's administrators and member of Primera Iglesia, asks him, "Why are you always late? Every day?" The young boy looks down at his feet, and answers with his head hung low. "My brother is in the morning session, and I have to wait for him to come home, so he can pass me his shoes."

I heard this story while visiting Primera Iglesia's new project, the Mega Colegio Santamaria. Two months ago they signed a contract with the Secretary of Education to do the administration for this public school with the capacity of 3,000 students. This is the first time a church has been given the opportunity to run a public school. There are high hopes that the transparency and good will of the church will help to stop the corruption that has been known to happen between the government and school administrations in the past. This school is in the barrio of Santamaria, a depressed area known for its gangs and violence. The public transportation has stopped running routes through the neighborhoods because of this. In contrast, the teachers are very loving and attentive, and the hope is that this school with be like an oasis for the neighborhood. They are working on education as well as formation and have been noticing wonderful changes in just these 2 months.

On July 20th I enjoyed an Independence Day concert. The next day I asked someone how he celebrated and was surprised by his response. He told me that he wouldn't celebrate Independence Day or anything that would appear to be in accordance with the government. As he told me this, I recalled my feelings during the past several years in the US, and my difficulty feeling patriotic while disagreeing so strongly with what was happening because of our government.

Next year is an election year and I have heard many conversations around this theme. I remember with a smile last year around this time when every conversation seemed to turn to the theme of the elections. A friend here is volunteering for one candidate's campaign, and we've had fun comparing notes from my volunteer work on Obama's campaign.

I've had the wonderful pleasure of worshiping with our brothers and sisters in the Communidad del Camino, Primera Iglesia, Sexta Iglesia and celebrated Tercera's 78th anniversary with them. The worship here is truly moving; it is so full of energy and the message of justice. I attended a young adult meeting at the Pital de Megua church. To strengthen and support the work of Pastor Giovanni and the church's young adults, a group of young adults from various churches throughout the presbytery in Barranquilla joined them for this meeting. They have plans to expand their group and hopes for new members. While I walk together with our Presbyterian partners here in Colombia, I am reminded who we are called to be as Christians, one family, one body in Christ.



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