I Can Hear Mexico Calling
Following the call as a YAGM through the ELCA
This has been a long week — a roller-coaster of feeling empowered and enthusiastic, and for doubting absolutely everything. I spent yesterday mostly doubting, doubting this mission, doubting why anyone around the world would want to welcome foreigners into their home, workplace, and community. I was doubting who I am to think that I should go or be a part of this mission. As I was spiraling yesterday, I laid down in the grass during a break, looking at the sky and branches above me, literally grounding myself amidst my racing thoughts when a hymn came to mind, as if it had been placed on my forehead specifically by the wind: “We are called to serve one another. We are called to love tenderly. We are called to act with justice, To walk humbly with God.” I sang that to myself for a little while, quietly making my own Taize service in the public square. These words reminded me that we are all called, that it really doesn’t matter that I specifically am going to Mexico, but that God filled me with a willing heart and that various people of Mexico have chosen to welcome me, and that’s all that matters. I’ve decided that I believe in this mission as a reminder that our neighbors are around the world. I believe that through the grace that we extend to one another in developing a new relationship that we create the opportunity for healing from the wounds of our histories—both shared and independent. I’m going to Mexico through the ELCA because I believe in a global community and I believe that it can be healed. Last night, I was back on board and feeling ready to embark on this journey of accompaniment. We had a beautiful worship service that asserted that our baptism is the origin of our calling and commission. Last night, I was ready. We left for the airport at 1:45 AM and arrived at O’Hare International Airport at 2:30 AM, met by empty check-in counters. We learned that the airport didn’t open until 4:30 AM… So there we sat, silently sitting on the hard floor of the airport entrance, staring at the empty check-in desks as they passively mocked our exhaustion and worldly aspirations. Yet, in some ways, I was thankful for this. It was another example that I can always turn back—another example of me being forced to assert again and again that I am committed to this. I am regularly forced to sit in the discomfort of my decisions, taunted by the ideas of getting off the cold floor and going back to the warmth of familiarity. But there I sat, while my legs went numb, feeling exhausted, frustrated, and a little empowered. I am happy to announce that as I write this, I am sitting in the comfort of carved wooden sofa in a yellow living room in Mexico City. The image at the beginning of this post was flying over the Gulf of Mexico and this picture was taken as we flew into Mexico City. This is clearly a beautiful and diverse country. I am so thankful to be here and am so thankful that we all arrived safely!
1 Comment
|
AuthorMy name is Kathryn Ophardt. I am spending this year in Mexico City as a Young Adult for Global Mission with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. During this year of service, I'll be working with the non-profit, Casa Refugiados. Archives
October 2018
Categories |