Over the last few months I’ve used our fortnightly CUDA team meetings to discuss our way through one of CUDA's founding documents, about what we believe about the kingdom of God, development and wellbeing, and how to be active agents of change who reflect the ways of Jesus.
Yesterday, we talked about the Incarnation of Jesus as a model of development, leading to ways of being with people that are both humble and relational. It was a great conversation, and one of the most remarkable things happened: our newest team member, Carlos, recognized something he had done that could have used more humility, prioritizing relationships. It’s not often that Peruvians recognize mistakes they’ve made or ways they could do things better (is that just Peru or is that more of a human problem?). And it reminded me just how powerful conversations of faith can be.
One of my favorite authors says that, more often than not, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking, not think ourselves into new ways of living. But it’s both, right? Sometimes the conversation of faith—the thought—reflecting on our values as a Christian organization, one that tries not to hold that “Christ” in our name lightly, becomes the means through which we live and work just a bit differently.
Please pray for CUDA. Pray for Alfredo, Paty, Lucia, Nancy, and Carlos. Pray for Living Libraries, the 40 teachers and 1200 kids we're working with this year in 5 schools. Pray for Paty’s and Katie’s work in Microfinance with a group of women who lack community, self-esteem, and awareness of their “next step” but are made in the image of God and have tremendous potential within God’s dream of wellbeing for them.
We have a lot more to share in the coming months, but for now I ask that you’ll pray, for God’s kingdom and dream to be done here in Arequipa as in heaven, and for justice, wellbeing, and joy in the city.
