“Are you a Christian?” I asked the eyeglasses vendor after I saw his New Testament. He humbly said, “I am trying to be.” He then went on to tell me, “I left my first wife and my children five years ago for a woman of the street, who was into a lot of bad stuff, including Satan worship.”
He continued, “I was only able to leave this bad relationship and the influence of this woman after I got the help of the prayers of some friends a month ago. I am now praying and working to straighten myself out with the help of the Lord and a church. I hope to be able to get to know my children again. I am a trained psychologist, and here I am on the street selling glasses.”
I showed him and his two friends, who are also vendors, my CPT photos and told them about our CPT work. I asked him, “Would you like a copy of this Peace Pilgrim pamphlet that has been a help to me in my journey?” He answered, “Sure, I’ll look at it.” After reading a few pages he then remarked, “This is good.” We just really connected in our 20-minute conversation; before I knew it he and his friends insisted on giving me three banuelos [fried dough with cheese] and a pop. We agreed to be praying for each other. Say a prayer for Fonso, Leo and Joe*.
Ten days later I went back to visit Fonso, Leo, and Joe again, and just as I was saying, “I’ll see you,” Leo said, “Wait a minute, Joe is getting you a pop and some banuelos; have a seat.” Sitting down I remarked, “It has been really hot these days and I see you don’t have a fan.” Leo replied, “You’re right; I can’t use a fan because a fan would cool the frying oil, but I have a hole in the roof tarp that lets the heat out. What actually happened to the roof tarp is that one of the buses caught it and tore up my booth the other day. That is why it is that way.”
Hearing about the damage to his booth made me feel sorry for him so I decided to give him 10 pesos (5 dollars) towards repairing his booth. So I said, “Here is 10 pesos. Use it to help fix your booth.” I expected him to be grateful for money to help repair the booth, but he said, “No I really don’t need that; you don’t have to do that.” But I insisted, “Just see it as a gift from the Lord.” He kind of said, “OK if you insist.” And I went on eating.
A few minutes later he said, “You know I have this small business and it makes me some income. God will provide to get my booth repaired. There are many people, especially children, whose parents are often drunk here in the port who are much needier than me. Give it to them.” I said, “But I don’t know how to find them and get it to them.” Leo replied, “Well, if you want, I can get it to them.
I went on to ask Leo, “Are you married and how many children do you have?” He said, “I have three children (which means he surely could use the money) here with my present wife and one child in Medellín to another woman. I am really sorry for fathering a child and then abandoning him and his mother. This happens a lot in Colombia and it is really bad.” He waved his finger to emphasize how bad it was.
These two incidences really challenged my stereotypes of Colombian men as sleeping around and than abandoning those involved. Another stereotype that I have is that Colombian men are willing to take advantage of North American money for themselves any time they can. I sense it is Leo and fonso’s relationship to God and the Church that has implemented these good changes in their lives. This all confirms my belief that establishing good family values and personal integrity in this society are part of God’s work to bring peace to Colombia.
My stereotypes were further challenged that same day when I asked about my missing sleeping mat in the port. I was inquiring of people I strongly suspected had stolen it. But to my surprise they said, “Oh we have been keeping it for you; it is right here.” Also, again, I had to rethink my assumptions when three other street vendors expressed their disgust to me that one of their buddies who was sleeping around. They waved their fingers to say how bad it was.
These were all good examples of the light becoming flesh and blood here in Barranca and through it God is overcoming the darkness of assassinations, violence and corruption that seems to envelop life here. Not all is darkness. Alleluia!
Peace,
Jim
Left to right is Fonso the eyeglasses vendor, Leo with the banuelos, Joe, his helper and me. This is Leo´s vending stand on the street in the main commercial district of Barranca. Since I wrote the letter I have eaten lunch with Leo´s family twice. These are some more friends to whom it is hard to say goodby. CPT work is not only to transform society but also for us to be transformed, as I feel I was in getting to know these guys.
*Names have been changed
He continued, “I was only able to leave this bad relationship and the influence of this woman after I got the help of the prayers of some friends a month ago. I am now praying and working to straighten myself out with the help of the Lord and a church. I hope to be able to get to know my children again. I am a trained psychologist, and here I am on the street selling glasses.”
I showed him and his two friends, who are also vendors, my CPT photos and told them about our CPT work. I asked him, “Would you like a copy of this Peace Pilgrim pamphlet that has been a help to me in my journey?” He answered, “Sure, I’ll look at it.” After reading a few pages he then remarked, “This is good.” We just really connected in our 20-minute conversation; before I knew it he and his friends insisted on giving me three banuelos [fried dough with cheese] and a pop. We agreed to be praying for each other. Say a prayer for Fonso, Leo and Joe*.
Ten days later I went back to visit Fonso, Leo, and Joe again, and just as I was saying, “I’ll see you,” Leo said, “Wait a minute, Joe is getting you a pop and some banuelos; have a seat.” Sitting down I remarked, “It has been really hot these days and I see you don’t have a fan.” Leo replied, “You’re right; I can’t use a fan because a fan would cool the frying oil, but I have a hole in the roof tarp that lets the heat out. What actually happened to the roof tarp is that one of the buses caught it and tore up my booth the other day. That is why it is that way.”
Hearing about the damage to his booth made me feel sorry for him so I decided to give him 10 pesos (5 dollars) towards repairing his booth. So I said, “Here is 10 pesos. Use it to help fix your booth.” I expected him to be grateful for money to help repair the booth, but he said, “No I really don’t need that; you don’t have to do that.” But I insisted, “Just see it as a gift from the Lord.” He kind of said, “OK if you insist.” And I went on eating.
A few minutes later he said, “You know I have this small business and it makes me some income. God will provide to get my booth repaired. There are many people, especially children, whose parents are often drunk here in the port who are much needier than me. Give it to them.” I said, “But I don’t know how to find them and get it to them.” Leo replied, “Well, if you want, I can get it to them.
I went on to ask Leo, “Are you married and how many children do you have?” He said, “I have three children (which means he surely could use the money) here with my present wife and one child in Medellín to another woman. I am really sorry for fathering a child and then abandoning him and his mother. This happens a lot in Colombia and it is really bad.” He waved his finger to emphasize how bad it was.
These two incidences really challenged my stereotypes of Colombian men as sleeping around and than abandoning those involved. Another stereotype that I have is that Colombian men are willing to take advantage of North American money for themselves any time they can. I sense it is Leo and fonso’s relationship to God and the Church that has implemented these good changes in their lives. This all confirms my belief that establishing good family values and personal integrity in this society are part of God’s work to bring peace to Colombia.
My stereotypes were further challenged that same day when I asked about my missing sleeping mat in the port. I was inquiring of people I strongly suspected had stolen it. But to my surprise they said, “Oh we have been keeping it for you; it is right here.” Also, again, I had to rethink my assumptions when three other street vendors expressed their disgust to me that one of their buddies who was sleeping around. They waved their fingers to say how bad it was.
These were all good examples of the light becoming flesh and blood here in Barranca and through it God is overcoming the darkness of assassinations, violence and corruption that seems to envelop life here. Not all is darkness. Alleluia!
Peace,
Jim
Left to right is Fonso the eyeglasses vendor, Leo with the banuelos, Joe, his helper and me. This is Leo´s vending stand on the street in the main commercial district of Barranca. Since I wrote the letter I have eaten lunch with Leo´s family twice. These are some more friends to whom it is hard to say goodby. CPT work is not only to transform society but also for us to be transformed, as I feel I was in getting to know these guys.
*Names have been changed
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