The Birth of a Country

“It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”  -Hubert H. Humphrey

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill 

 ”Make money your god and it will plague you like the devil.” – Henry Fielding

About 250 years ago the forefathers of the United States of America argued and compromised their way to a declaration of independence and a move to form a new nation, one they thought would provide a better life for them and their posterity.  It was our present day government in an infant form.

This past week, the founder of Hogar de Esperanza, a generous and wise man named Dave, came by to the orphanage and spent some time here.  During his sojourn, my boss Alex, Dave, and myself went up to Alto Salaverry and had a meeting with many of those involved with the water project, and what ensued one could liken to the birthing of a nation.  Let me rewind to clarify as to even why we had this meeting, or even before that what the water project consists of.

Alto Salaverry, the small and poor pueblo near the orphanage, does not readily have access to clean water.  They either have to purchase it from the store in town or buy it from someone who has already done the former.  Recently, the government delivers some water in a truck, but it still isn’t each citizen always having a way to obtain the single most important physical resource of our lives.  Long story short, this water project was put in place to provide those in Alto Salaverry an opportunity for clean water in their community.  At first the water was freely given to the people, but, as the comparison goes, giving someone a fish isn’t as valuable as teaching one how to fish.  Therefore, a system where the people of the sector take responsibility for the water the use and pay a comparatively small amount for the H2O was implemented, so that  a wise and helpful way of distribution could be reached, both for the people and the funds of the orphanage.  We provide different sectors of the town with water and one person within the group is responsible for collecting the money and paying each month according to their usage.  In a well-functioning society this process works, but remember, Peru is a developing country.  People steal water, some members of the district don’t pay, and some sectors are two months overdue.  This can cause a tremendous amount of stress on the Orphanage, as it has a tightly divided budget and a large portion is put towards the water project.  Plus, it can result in a waste of time and energy.

After being confronted with this challenge on numerous fronts, Dave came up with a new approach and at the meeting it was presented to the people.  The idea is that we will simply fill up the reservoir that is used for the project, and the people of Alto Salaverry will monitor it and decide how it is distributed among its people.  The people will need to have a deposit put so the orphanage is going months in debt, though Dave offered to give the first full reservoir for free, and this plan would continue until the government finally implements their program.  What is of paramount importance in this plan is that it takes the fishing analogy a big step further as it empowers the community to take charge and grow as a society.  It demands that the people of Alto Salaverry realize this is their project, now not only for them but by them, and they need to administer it.  We would have role that is comparatively much more on the sidelines.  So, we went to present this idea, at a “town hall” meeting. 

After relaying the plan, the people hashed back and forth trying to compromise with us about the system, various folks tried to rationalize their points, and some people expressed their concerns.  It was during this phase that Dave leaned over to me and likened our experience to what the U.S. founding fathers went through.  Where the largest difficulty arose was the attempt to instil responsibility.  We wanted a committee to be made on their behalf, a president and so on, for their legimitacy legalistically, and it was a struggle to find those willing to step up.  In the end, the “country” was born and “officials” were elected. 

This meeting was a stunning thing for which to be present.  Personally and professionally, it was amazing to witness a developing community struggle and rise to the occasion.  Of course there is a chance the plan doesn’t work, but ground was broken at this gathering and this could be a significant step for Alto Salaverry and the Orphanage. 

I must say, it was an inspiration having the founder Dave here.  For awhile I struggled with the idea of being financially successful, leaning towards the idea of it being folly, and though this certainly can be the case, a lot of good can be done with money.  Dave is an example of someone who has had success in his career but has also been wise with his earnings.  He started an orphanage in Peru, continues to be a vital supporter of it, and is in the process of starting another project in Africa.   I find it really exciting that money can be used not for power but to empower, not for greed but for need, not to trap but to liberate.  It gives me hope and broadens my perspective.  I have a lot of great opportunity to be successful in the working world, which also means I have a lot of great opportunity to help bring success to other parts of the world.

Whew, long post!  I hope what I type boths interests and intrigues you! 

Below are some recent pics from my life, from a day at the beach and work!

Rhyme and Reason

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”  -Victor Hugo

“Music is love in search of a word.” -Sidney Lanier

“Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.” -Jonathan Edwards

Let me first start off by saying this blog is getting a teensy bit dangerous because I am starting to sense it as an obligation.  I feel a need to blog, some sort of duty, and though I want you to provide a looking glass into my life here, I want it to be naturally constructed.  With that being said, do not surprised if my blogs become less frequent.  Along with the aforementioned reason, my perception of my experience is changing as I have been here for awhile, so the same sensation of novelty is not as potent of an impetus to write.  Perhaps this means my blogs will at times take a more discussive approach, as I initially intended, rather than simply an explanation of some recent going-ons in my life.  In any case, I hope you continue to enjoy this avenue of viewing my yestermorrows.

I’ve done my fair share of traveling and such, and when I’ve gone somewhere for an extended period of time there are some essentials that come with me.  One that has been such an incredible gift while here is the guitar.  Music is the universal language that we all can share, and with the guitar I have been able to connect with people on a different level.  It has served multiple purposes and continues to be a thread that is woven into the relationships I have here. 

This is not meant to puff myself up, but to praise the way God has used this gift He’s given me.  For instance, we have started to used music and the guitar in our volunteer team meetings, and it has been a very spiritual boost through which God reaches us.  Furthermore,  as glimpsed in an earlier post, I have used guitar in performance, accompanying in song in both Spanish and English.  It is great I can connect with the staff through this instrument.  Plus, I may start giving lessons here!  A couple of staff members are interested, but also, remember Alto Salaverry?  In a recent trip there a muchacho brought out a guitar and I got to play in front of some of the people of the pueblo.  The kid is interested in lessons, and hopefully it will work out! 

I am so grateful for the way I have been blessed through music.  As I grew up in a musical family, I really see it as sort of a second language, and I am glad it is being used outward.  With the guitar specifically it is extra special:  my dad is my guitar teacher, so when I bring my guitar, it’s like I bring a little bit of him with me!

While blogging I have tended to write about the positive things.  I prefer to focus on the uplifting things rather than those that will drag ya down, and it goes the same for sharing with you.  However, being here has offered a variety of challenges, and those of you who believe, I ask for your prayers to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  There really is a lot of need for prayer, on a personal front and for this orphanage.  I have my days that are more difficult than not (case in point, I got stuck in the sand in Alto Salaverry last week while driving…twice.  Plus I took out a volleyball net set up in the middle of the road.  Later on in the night, I took care of one of the casitas, where looking after 10 or so youngins presented different hurdles…).  However, these children need petition on their behalf.  The things we are dealing with are issues that go deep, even crossing generations, and they need supernatural aid.  Iit is easy for me to get focused on what I’m doing rather than what God is doing, but without true Love as the base of what’s being done here, it is meaningless.  Even if you are thousands of miles away, you can play a vital role in these children’s lives.  For more specific info on the orphanage, check out the link to the right. 

I don’t have photos to share with you this time round, but in line with the musical component of this post, I leave you with a beautiful song in Spanish que se llama “Cada día”, performed by Jesús Adrian Romero and his wife Pecos.