tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30408888.post3241988573541334353..comments2023-09-04T08:51:16.091-06:00Comments on Hermano Juancito: Really helping?John (Juancito) Donaghyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12711543214465586727noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30408888.post-38242434073044574022014-05-09T10:22:44.640-06:002014-05-09T10:22:44.640-06:00The problem with some of these "rice Christia...The problem with some of these "rice Christians" is that they bring stuff that are not really major needs for the community. The community I refer to in the blog entry is isolated and poor, but not more desperately poor. <br /><br />Maybe it's because it looks like a turf war, but as I see it part of the problem is that they are using "gifts" as a way to get people - including kids - into their church, in a community where there is already a Catholic community (which is a bit weak) but still exists. <br /><br />John (Juancito) Donaghyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711543214465586727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30408888.post-65470247386301475002014-05-09T09:11:33.911-06:002014-05-09T09:11:33.911-06:00I strongly agree that when people come from outsid...I strongly agree that when people come from outside a community to try to help, they need to listen and be respectful of the talents the community may have.<br /><br />But I want to put in a good word for "rice Christians." There is a larger transformative process at work, one that takes ethnocentric missionaries and turns them slowly into advocates for the communities they live in, and takes communities that have often been abused and/or neglected and re-connects them with others. In the short term, it's not pretty. But God works at His own pace. <br /><br />Even if no other good is done, some people are fed who would otherwise remain hungry. So, this is a case where I think the (Mark 9:40) "those who are not against us are for us" applies. Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04761044906837521471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30408888.post-58946332053556763472014-05-07T09:22:36.924-06:002014-05-07T09:22:36.924-06:00Thanks John! This is a great reminder of how I nee...Thanks John! This is a great reminder of how I need to approach "helping" the hispanic community in our town here. I keep being told by the (white) people here to do something / offer something for them - but what? Dreaming together with them about what they feel they need and what they would like to see - that's a much better idea than me trying to dream up the answer for them!<br />It's been so long since I was there! I'm forgetting those things, and I'm glad I can come back to this blog to remember - Thank you!JWendthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150217302245726543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30408888.post-4016138916395113442014-05-03T15:06:56.238-06:002014-05-03T15:06:56.238-06:00The approach is inspired by what is called the &qu...The approach is inspired by what is called the "appreciative inquiry" approach to working with the poor. It really affirms the people we work with and gives them a way to recognize what they have done and what they can do.John (Juancito) Donaghyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711543214465586727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30408888.post-56523699271866854712014-05-03T07:45:27.243-06:002014-05-03T07:45:27.243-06:00I loved this entry, John. These questions belong i...I loved this entry, John. These questions belong in the forefront of "helpers." Loved your workshop approach because it builds on the successes of the community. Billie Greenwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08214111146566550821noreply@blogger.com