Readings: Isaiah 42, 1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10, 34-38; Matthew 3, 13-17, The Baptism
Isaiah: After 6 weeks of marvelous visions of the future, the writers of Isaiah today present a contrary vision, actually a vision of suffering that will characterize the savior. Instead of a conquering hero, we are given a Suffering Servant. There are three or four of these Suffering Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah, and they certainly were not the common expectation of the people.
There are two parts to today’s selection. The second part is a beautiful description of how Yahweh, despite suffering, will help us to open the eyes of the blind and free people imprisoned and living in darkness.
The Story of Cuernavaca
Last summer our community sent $2500 to two women, a mother & daughter, living in a garage in Cuernavaca. The money was a grant & a loan to help them start a small pharmacy. Over the Christmas holiday Rosemary & I had the privilege to see how far they have progressed.
If you remember, I requested the help for a number of reasons. First of all and obviously, they have virtually nothing and I for-see the day when Maria Luisa, the mother will pass on. She has already had three primary sources of cancer. I could see Karina struggling to live some day, while dealing with the fact that her mobility is so limited because she is crippled from childhood polio.
Karina, Maria Luisa, & I had talked about the day when Karina would be alone. Out of the conversations came the idea that Karina could open a small Mexican pharmacy, which is more like our small convenience stores. She had already worked in her aunt’s store and knew the business. Moreover, despite their lack of formal education, I pick up how intelligent & savvy Karina is. I often tell her she has a gift for teaching if she could only get the education and certification. She has not been able to do this, even if I supported her, because she has had to care for her sick mother over the past five or six years.
The state of their progress is this. The women have opened a small shop in an arcade. They are selling candles and tea and similar items. Karina tells me that she was not able to get a license from the government to run a little non-prescription pharmacy. I had thought that she would have had an advantage in getting a license with her disability. But no.
A couple of observations.
First, I was impressed with their ingenuity and creativity. Instead of getting discouraged and defeated, they moved in a slightly different direction. They found a place that is about 20 minutes by bus from their neighborhood, saying that they did not want to pay the higher rent for a place closer to home. They did some do diligence to find this place in the middle of a busy neighborhood with lots of shops.
Secondly, initially I was not excited about selling candles. Can you make a living off of candles & tea? However, looking at how proud they were of their clean little shop I could not help but think they will make it. Karina is too street smart to lose. They spend a few pennies on the bus and they tell me they will be open seven days a week. Really they don’t have much at home, so the shop may be like a home.
If they succeed with this venture, I have told them that we are giving them a loan. Pay back is not to us but to people they know who really need help in Cuernavaca.
Finally, both Rosemary & I were humbled that we could be the bearers of such joy and optimism. I am grateful to all of you who made this dream come true.
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-01-13.mp3
Jackie’s HOLLAND: Download welcome_to_holland.doc
Rosemary’s Blessing:
May you always have walls for the wind, a roof for the rain, tea by your fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all that you heart may desire.
