Service to others in Bolivia

Son's death leads couple on a mission | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

Here is a parallel to our situation. A couple who drops all (except the books) and heads off to another part of the world to give service. Note that education is probably where their efforts will be placed. Fortunately in their case they have a para-church organization to support them. Too bad that most churches don't have a similar service organization. As Joel says "if you really want to do something, you better get on with it." And echoed back by his wife "don't wait for a committee to figure out how to do the dishes...."

The impulse to service comes from a variety of sources. In this story the shock of losing one's son triggered a process. In others it may be what charismatics call "second baptism" leading to service. In our case it was a bit of both: a) the jolt of losing five fraternity friends in a car accident in the fall of 1971 pushed us to enter the Peace Corps in Ecuador in 1972; b) an undeniable spiritual experience in 1997 pushed us to drop everything (except the books!) including house, careers, cars, friendships, (Tex-Mex food), and eventually even health insurance.

So, dear reader, don't wait to be hit by a 2X4 to knock you out of your comfort zone. Listen to that inner voice and look at how you can make a difference in the world.

Won’t be fooled again….

Tiger Woods, Person of the Year (Decade)

This editorial could easily be The One to cap out the first decade of the New Millennium.

How is it that we can be so-o-o duped by so many idiots so many times? The answer does not lie here within, oh dear reader. But rather the question itself: what within the collective USA soul allows this to happen? Over and over again?

A few lines from our past from The Who and the forever classic “Won’t be fooled again….”

Change it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fall that's all
But the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
And I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!

Climate change in Bolivia is NOT news

In Bolivia, Water and Ice Tell of Climate Change

An article keyed to the Copenhagen talks. Climate change is not news here. Glaciers are disappearing, some rivers are up and others are down from their historic courses.  Of course these could be short term variations in weather.  And that of course is what is interesting to scientists.  But to those of us living here, it is not a scientific question or not. It is simply getting enough water to live on. Some of us suspect that the ongoing move from countryside to city is the bigger culprit.  That coupled with inefficient planning and not-enough-money-for-everything and you get public infrastructure stress.  It has been impressive (to say the least) to see some of these glaciers literally disappear before your eyes.  The talking heads in Denmark will do their thing and we all hope it is meaningful.  But I seriously doubt if anything coming out of these world-level talks will make these beautiful glaciers come back soon….

Where is Jesus when we need him?

Op-Ed Columnist - Paranormal Flexibility - NYTimes.com
This Pew report is required reading for those who are trying to grok what is going on in the world of religion. It would be fascinating to see the same sort of survey in Bolivia. One senses here the deep, ancient spiritual beliefs and practices. Catholicism has been accused of adapting and adopting local beliefs for long centuries. Known as syncretism ("the combination of different systems of philosophical or religious belief or practice"), I'll leave it to the experts in Catholicism to figure out..... What I can tell you is that each first Friday of the month that one encounters a large percentage of the population burning their charcoal (the practice is known as "q'oa") for good luck. There are lots and lots of these practices and they include burying a llama fetus under the foundation of the house for good fortune as well.
So, here I am poking fun at q'oa and then I read what Pew has found in the USA. Sounds like syncretism is alive, well and thriving back home. So just where is Jesus when we need him? The Reformation proclaimed "sola scriptura, sola fide, sola Christus, sola gratia, sola Deo gloria" but I'll settle for "sola Jesus" Just Jesus and please hold the q'oa, we've got enough pollution of the air and religion without any more smoke.

Election Day Dec. 6

In Bolivia, a Force for Change Endures - NYTimes.com
Today is election day for the presidency and the two chambers of congress. We'll be at home all day as the country is locked down for elections. A good day for working in the yard and watching the election unfold. The real contests are for congress. The goal of MAS, the leading party, is for 2/3s control of both houses. Vamos a ver.....