Reading Bonhoeffer in Barranquilla
Tonight was the last of a series of lectures by a visiting professor from Wisconsin, who also serves as the editor of one of the volumes of Dietrich Bonhoeffer´s writings that is currently in the process of being published. He has been speaking to the seminarians here since at least Wednesday (possibly Tuesday) about various letters and themes in Bonhoeffer´s writing. Understandably, the idea of a costly grace, of the risky requirements of true faith, present in his writings and his life resonate here in the persecuted church. They are a voice of hope and persistence. They strengthen those who daily see the potential for their own martyrdom. His works holds a whole new depth when seen from this context.
Today was a quiet day, the first such since my arrival. The office has been closed, and German (my supervisor) was gone from campus for the day, so I spent it milling around my room, reading, and waiting in case something was needed. It is my understanding that a lot of our time here is spent waiting to see what arises. That is part of our ´ministry of presence.´ We come and go from here to lunch, or the department store, feeling at home, and yet knowing that our comings and goings are being watched and our presence along the street and at the University is now part of the public consciousness. In a meeting a few days ago, German let me know that the immigration office has come to University in the past to ask after the accompaniers. With it was a governmental recognition that they know that we are here, aware, and willing to speak out, though none of that was said.
Yet, even amidst this tension, or maybe in part because of it, the people of Barranquilla have adopted a relaxed acceptance and adaptation to whatever circumstances arise. For example, the University here delayed the commencement of classes for the semester by a week because a large number of their students either hadn´t gotten around to registering or hadn´t yet paid their outstanding bills. In my academic context, even in a school as community focused as LPTS, those types of accommodations would be seen as foolish. And yet, here, they have become part of the natural flow of academic life. Sometimes it can seem almost haphazard; however, allowing such daily freedom and spontaneity within our own lives and within our systems can lead to creative, innovative, and exciting times. Here in Barranquilla, you never know what the next day holds.
Tomorrow will come, full of surprises and delights.
Today was a quiet day, the first such since my arrival. The office has been closed, and German (my supervisor) was gone from campus for the day, so I spent it milling around my room, reading, and waiting in case something was needed. It is my understanding that a lot of our time here is spent waiting to see what arises. That is part of our ´ministry of presence.´ We come and go from here to lunch, or the department store, feeling at home, and yet knowing that our comings and goings are being watched and our presence along the street and at the University is now part of the public consciousness. In a meeting a few days ago, German let me know that the immigration office has come to University in the past to ask after the accompaniers. With it was a governmental recognition that they know that we are here, aware, and willing to speak out, though none of that was said.
Yet, even amidst this tension, or maybe in part because of it, the people of Barranquilla have adopted a relaxed acceptance and adaptation to whatever circumstances arise. For example, the University here delayed the commencement of classes for the semester by a week because a large number of their students either hadn´t gotten around to registering or hadn´t yet paid their outstanding bills. In my academic context, even in a school as community focused as LPTS, those types of accommodations would be seen as foolish. And yet, here, they have become part of the natural flow of academic life. Sometimes it can seem almost haphazard; however, allowing such daily freedom and spontaneity within our own lives and within our systems can lead to creative, innovative, and exciting times. Here in Barranquilla, you never know what the next day holds.
Tomorrow will come, full of surprises and delights.
posted by Amy at 9:44 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home