Group Work

When I was younger, I hated group work. The dread of working with other people, compromising on decisions, waiting for them to finish their part... it was all pretty awful. I don't mind working with other people if I've already worked through it myself. For example, I can study for a test with a group if I've already studied on my own. But when the teacher tosses you together and tells you to accomplish something, usually with the idea that it would be easier to share the load, I wished I could have just done it all by myself.

Nicaragua is a very collaborative culture. People don't shut themselves in their room to study in the quiet; rather, they sit in the living room with the TV blaring and their family talking. Offices at the Nehemiah Center are shared, and people are free to walk in and out, talking to whomever they please. It's actually quite rude to walk into a shared office and not greet everyone present. This culture stereotypically thrives on collective efforts and group activities.

Needless to say, I've been adjusting. I'm thankful for my training at CanIL, the grad program that prepared my classmates and I for Bible translation and overseas ministry. We were constantly reminded that the world of missions is one of shared projects. No more lone wolves. People need to work together, share their findings, divide and conquer. Although I still wasn't thrilled with working in groups, by the time I went to grad school, I was willing to give it a good effort. I didn't even do everything by myself ahead of time.

Since coming to Nicaragua, I have become part of the Ezra team at the Nehemiah Center. We have group meetings once a month, and we often have shared projects. When planning for team visits, I often share the workload with others. Though I often feel like the process is slower and clunkier when working in a group, I think the benefits outweigh my impatience. We all agree, building consensus and teamwork. We solve problems together so not all of the burden falls on one person's shoulders. We divide the teaching time so not just one person has to prepare and talk during a session.

Lately, I have been especially thankful for the collaboration at the Nehemiah Center. In the past, I have been the only one in charge of certain things, and it is a lonely, stressful position. Right now, I have people helping me in almost all the major areas of my work, and I feel much more supported. Things do not all rest on my shoulders. I can ask other people what we should do, and I'm not the only one who needs to talk responsibility. Maybe group work isn't so bad. Maybe that's what the "body of Christ" and "family of God" that the Bible refers to is all about.

here

This Christmas, I was gifted a trip to Texas so I could spend the holidays with my family. My brother lives and works in Waco, and my parents drove down here so we could be together and see what his life is like. I actually decided to take this time as a vacation (like many of my coworkers at the Nehemiah Center) and just focus on time with family and recharging. 

Part of me has been struggling with what seems like too many trips in one year, but then I have reminded myself of some things, such as the importance of holidays with family in North American and Nicaraguan culture, and that this trip was a gift to be celebrated. Being here with my family is not something I should feel guilty about, but grateful for. Being present with them reminds me of what God did for us...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Jesus moved far away from home. He left heaven and became part of the earth. He was fully present in a particular time and place to people who needed him. Sometimes those people were his family members. Sometimes those people were the sick and crazed. Sometimes those people were hungry and tired. Sometimes it was crowds, and sometimes it was just one person. The point is, Jesus was present to the people he was with. He came to be with us.

Some people do not enjoy the holidays. It reminds them of what they are missing. Holidays are a time of nostalgia and melancholy and pain and loneliness for some. Or it just means nothing to others. Not everyone gets excited about Christmas or New Years.

Nevertheless, Jesus came to be with us. And at Christmas we celebrate the event in history that means we are never alone, and we can always have a new start. This year, that is what I'm celebrating. I have the tangible reminders of family and friends, but I have the more important hope and assurance that Christmas and New Years bring... Jesus is here, God with us.