A Piece...of the Whole
WHAT IT'S CHILDREN BECOME, THAT WILL THE COMMUNITY BECOME.
Suzanne LaFollette
TO LEARN TO READ IS TO LIGHT A FIRE, EVERY SYLLABLE THAT IS SPELLED-OUT IS A SPARK.
Victor Hugo
SEE THAT YOU DON'T LOOK DOWN ON ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES. FOR I TELL YOU THAT THEIR ANGELS IN HEAVEN ALWAYS SEE THE FACE OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN.
Matthew 18:10
We are glad to be participating in a piece, with parts of our abilities and interest as part.... of a whole package.
We are fortunate and proud, to be volunteers with the Evangelical Covenant Church of the U.S.A., in partnership with the Mexican Covenant Church. We are busy and challenged by one of their strategic goals..."The development of ministries that demonstrate the whole gospel, by seeking to address the spiritual, social and physical needs of people."
This is quite a big package, since it includes three parts.
And so, for now, Katy and I have been working weekly in the socio-economically challenged areas, a bit south of the city of Oaxaca. There are many basic and important needs and chores to be met and offered. Our part is offering beginning English classes to kids and tutoring Oaxacan adults in the reading and writing of Spanish.
Education...is certainly good news for these communities...certainly part of the Good News of the Gospel.
REALITIES:
Average years in school...USA- 12.5 Oaxaca- 6.0
Illiteracy ....USA- 3% Oaxaca- 20%
Library books per 1,000 people...USA- 825 Mex.- 5.7
About 40 percent of the Mexican population share only about 10 percent of the wealth and live below the mex. poverty line. The minimum wage is 48 pesos a day..or approx. $4.00 U.S.
SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL WHO ARE DESTITUTE. SPEAK UP AND JUDGE FAIRLY; DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR AND THE NEEDY.
Proverbs 31: 8-9
