August 4, 2010 (reflecting on June 23, 2010) Today I have read from Nouwen's "Latin American Journal" the following: "I wondered how the poverty, the lack of good food and good housing would affect me; I was afraid of becoming depressed by the misery I would see. But God showed me something else first: affectionate, open, and playful children who are telling me about love and life in ways no book was ever able to do. I now realize that only when I can enter with the children into their joy will I be able to enter also with them into their poverty and pain. God obviously wants me to walk into the world of suffering with a little child on each hand." This is something I had tried to articulate, without much success, about my time in El Salvador. I was blessed by the opportunity to work with the children both this year and last, and to chat with teachers after the class, comparing notes and ideas - it was a great exchange. Nouwen's thoughts above reminds me of the third verse from a song I wrote years ago while working with children in the shanty towns of Costa Rica. I'll just include the whole song here.
Psalm 23
Can you hear his prayer? He's prayin' for his mama.
"Please lend her life," he prays.
Take my outstretched hand to walk with the children
through the valley of the shadow of death.
Can you feel his pain? The flesh cries out but the wounds go deeper.
He sleeps outside to escape the crowded loneliness in his home.
Take my outstretched hand to walk with the children.
Lead them to still and healing waters.
Can you see her smile, as she jumps to the music?
It's only once in a while, her little face is not stern.
Take my outstretched hand to run with the children,
through the growing, lush, green pastures.
Can we help them learn of Your wonderful promise?
Can they read in Your word, of your beautiful Son?
Take my outstretched hand to walk with the children
as they grow in grace and knowledge of You.
Take my outstretched hand. Come walk with Your child, Lord.
Anoint my head with oil. Renew my soul.
"Ball Play" Day one of two sharing my "Growing with Books" curriculum with kids in Santa Marta, Cabañas, El Salvador this summer.
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