The Service of Presence

October 8, 2007 Hello all,...... I was recently given a reflection that had the basic question of “do you love the poor?” This made me laugh because this has been my prayer since I arrived here back in August. I was excited to begin finding the answer to this question. But as I struggled through the first 6 weeks trying to be affective in a particular job, I still felt that the answer to that question for myself was only sometimes. I was growing a bit frustrated because I came here to serve and learn how to love the poor but some of the cultural differences have made this transition very slow for me to get involved......................... But on one of my last nights in Bukidnon in Mindinao, I stayed at GK Natidasan, a beautiful village on the edge of a little mountain. Even though I had not done any work at this village, they treated me with incredible kindness and generosity. After playing run game with the children for a hour… this game consists of me saying “run” and then all 70 + children (plus me) run for 50 yards + screaming and laughing.. I had to figure out where to eat dinner because multiple families invited me into their homes. After dinner, the residents in the village came in front of the coffee shop for a bonfire and sing along. The members of the Village leadership sang a song that they wrote that thanked GK for bringing honor and dignity to their lives. As I sat and watched, I reached a moment of ultimate peace that I still draw from by reflecting on it because the song came from a place of restored dignity. It was as if their song was sung as a prayer of thanksgiving… After their song, I got up and spoke to the residents to thank them for their kindness that I didn’t think I deserved because I hadn’t done anything for them. But they responded by sharing that my presence there honored them. It turned out that I was the first guest that had ever had at their village........................ It was after reflecting on this moment that I realized that I didn’t need to be working in order to serve the poor. I would like to be, but it only requires me being present to the different forms of poverty, and that is a product of the heart. I am now working full steam ahead, but as times get slow, I hope to reflect on this moment, know that my willingness and presence is service in itself, and then allow God to lead my service so I am doing his work and not what I think He wants me to be doing...................... In a sense, this is also the work of GK. There is a saying here that “no one here is extraordinary.. we are just ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” GK is a spirit lead movement that works by being present to the poor and learning what they need.. not by dictating what they need from a distance. So.. I guess I am learning quite a bit here...................... Alright… attached is a picture from the sing along and maybe one from the children. If you’d like to look at more pictures.. please click below.. Thank you for taking the time to read this. It honors me. http://luc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2081381&l=0e750&id=20001885 Also In the Photo Links as 'Jonathan's Pics 2'