Standing in Awe of the Poor
“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.” Father Gregory Boyle.
All of us in the Vision Team have been deeply moved and impacted by the people we are journeying with here in Bangladesh and meeting along the way. In many respects, we have been in awe of them. The Baptist workers who organised our itinerary are amazing. They are warm, hospitable, good humoured, patient and superbly organised.They have guided us around Dhaka city, Chanpur and the nearby villages with impressive confidence and calm. Their presence, in the midst of what looks and feels at times like uncontrolled chaos, has been very reassuring. We simply could not do this trip without their company and help.
The children, young people and women in the village projects have also been extraordinary. They have welcomed us into their humble villages, school rooms, homes and churches. They have shared their gratitude, learning, courage, resilience, joy, love, faith, hope and dreams with us. At times shyly. At times exuberantly. They have also regularly offered informed commentary on the character and performance of our Black Caps and Black Ferns teams!
The vision team are in good heart and health. An endless stream of beautifully cooked rice dishes, dhals, omlettes and chapatis are expanding our waistlines. Tuk tuk and taxi rides are regularly upping our adrenalin levels and Chris’s dad jokes are still raising grins and laughs.
We look forward over the coming two weeks to receiving more beatiful, life enriching gifts from the people we meet and adding them to our ketes.
