Why Me, Here?

I have recently begun reading Henri Nouwen's A Spirituality of Fundraising as part of my support-raising process, and it is helping me come back around to my money-raising ideals. Nouwen says that fundraising is in itself a ministry as we "proclaim what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission" (Nouwen 2010, 16).

Many people asked me in September what I will be doing, and why I specifically need to do it. Couldn't a Nicaraguan do what I do? Well, I don't know. Could someone else do what the pastor does? Could someone else build houses like my mother? Probably. But God has asked each of us to do our part, and living in Nicaragua is what he is asking from me now.

That said, there are reasons that I am uniquely fitted to this job of "intercultural facilitator." Let me share the vision with you.

1) Strong capability in both English and Spanish.
As an intercultural facilitator, I help bridge gaps between people who speak Spanish and those who speak English. Beyond translation and interpretation, I provide cultural insights. My fluency in both languages allows me to visit with people who speak Spanish or English, and I can move between the worlds with ease. If someone weren't as fluent in either Spanish or English, this job would be much harder to accomplish.

2) I have theological training which allows me to interact on the same level as the pastors with whom I work.
Working with pastors (though not being one) has been one of my desires since high school, but I never saw a way to do that without becoming a pastor myself. Because the Nehemiah Center focuses on the church as an agent of change in its community, I interact with pastors on a regular basis. A lifetime of Christian education plus 6 years of post-secondary concentration on theology allow me to understand what the pastors are discussing and engage with them on the same level. The other day I had a very interesting discussion with one Nicaraguan pastor about children at the Lord's Supper. Through working with Nicaraguan pastors, I have found that we have many common passions and interests because of our educational backgrounds.

3) I love the people with whom I work.
For me, this is not just a dream job because of the task description. I genuinely love the Nicaraguan pastors and leaders with whom I interact. I enjoy going to the Nehemiah Center and seeing both Nicaraguans and North Americans working together. Nicaraguan culture fits me well, from eating beans & rice to waving down a bus to dropping in for unexpected visits to arriving late. One of my friends called it an "affinity" for the people and way of life here. People have told me that they can sense the Nicaraguans like me, and they know I like them. To me, this is not just a job. It's about people for whom I care, and I am committed to them.

4) I want to see all nations and tongues gathered together praising the Lord already here on earth, learning from each other as Christians.
I really believe the Bible when it says that all nations, tribes, tongues, and languages will praise God in heaven (Rev. 7:9). I also believe that I am an ambassador for Christ who is called to participate in demonstrating God's Kingdom here and now. Of course, the way things work with God aren't going to be the way the whole world works yet, but I can point to it through my words and actions. Part of facilitating intercultural relationships is that we can all learn from each other. Perceptions that Nicaraguans have of Americans or Canadians can be altered through relationships. North Americans can learn from Nicaraguans as well. My role is to help them find points of learning and appreciate their diversity, all the while celebrating our unity in Christ that crosses barriers of language, borders, culture, and logic.

These are some of the main reasons I see myself here in Nicaragua. Maybe someone else could do what I'm doing, but God didn't ask someone else to do my job right now. He asked me. I am convinced that part of my job is to multiply my work and bring others into it as I go(scary for an independent learner/worker like me), but this is my role for now. I am here because God has shaped my path with a series of experiences, opportunities, talents, and personality traits that suit this position at the Nehemiah Center well. Will you join me in learning, bridging, praying, and celebrating with Nicaraguans and North Americans?

P.S. in case you're wondering exactly what this new job is, see my newsletter from August, under the heading "You're Doing What Now?"