Preparing to Leave

Tonight is my last night in Caracas. We leave tomorrow morning at 5am. There is so much to think about and reflect on as I return. I know it's going to take weeks, months, and years to process this experience.

Last week we finished the kids club. The kids really seemed to enjoy their time, and I hope we were able to be a blessing for them. When I first arrived I wondered a lot about the purpose of having Americans here when it seemed like Venezuelans could just be peacemakers and bearers of the Good News among themselves. Yet, in our time in the barrio, we haven't met anyone who at this time is willing and prepared to take on that step of leadership. Part of InnerCHANGE's mission is to develop local leaders, and that is something the team here has been working on since they first arrived. It's also been interesting to see how the team is able to be so prophetic among Venezuelans. Whenever we tell Venezuelans where we live, they are always completely surprised and can't believe we live in a barrio. If you aren't from a barrio, you would never dream of going to one because of the fear of violence. Many Venezuelans are learning from us how to live in the barrio, in solidarity with our neighbors.

At the same time, we also learn daily from our Venezuelan neighbors. They are a huge blessing of protection for us, looking out for our safety. They are people just like us, living life, caring for family, doing laundry, cooking, etc. Waking up at 5am to stand outside and wait for gas for your stove on the one day a week it comes is a way of bonding with your neighbors, as is having your clothes smell moldy because it rained while they were drying, or having to set traps for mice and chase away the cockroaches. Living also means sharing meals, sharing sorrows, and always, always celebrating!

At first everything here seemed so different and challenging for me. Now, riding the jeep up and down the hill, shopping in the market, and taking cold showers just seems like normal life. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to get past the first few weeks of discomfort to arrive at this place of normalcy. Because it seems normal to me now, I'm also able to view the individuals living in the barrio as people like me, not people to be pitied or people to be put on a pedestal as the poor who are just grateful to receive a little. Each one has a personality, has likes and dislikes, and strengths and weaknesses. What we can offer each other is our varying experiences of life and worldview, and use those relationships to shape the way we love and live out our callings from God.