I awoke to the news on Venezuela and texts from Venezuelan friends and former colleagues. As many know, I lived in Venezuela for nearly 7 years in the late 90s and early 2000s. Our children were born in a clinic in downtown Caracas. I’m grateful for the years I lived and worked in Venezuela. I feel like I am a better person because of those who I learned from in Venezuela – the kids we worked with, the wonderful pastors in the churches I was in, and colleagues who were deeply committed to supporting kids on the street. The list could go on and on. I have lots of memories from our time there and feel an overwhelming sense of concern for friends and former young people we worked with, many whom have been forced to live abroad over the past 20 years.
I want to take a minute and focus on the best of Venezuela. There is much I can expand on, but here are a few thoughts to start off with. Honestly, there are too many stories to tell (Just a heads up, I’ll probably spend the next couple of weeks sharing these stories).
In my early years, before I was married, Venezuelan friends and colleagues welcomed me to their country and helped me to adapt culturally. They spent months and even years helping me to see life from a Venezuelan lens (perspective). They introduced me to the food with late-night arepa and empanada runs. Took me to beautiful beaches and hiked the mountains above the capital city of Caracas. They introduced me to driving in the city and how to navigate crossing the streets where cars have the right of way. They even corrected my foolish gringo perspectives when that was needed. I am forever grateful to friends, colleagues and even complete strangers in Venezuela for their hospitality. It’s something we need to learn from our Venezuelan neighbors.
Say a prayer for Venezuela, friends.
Development and Justice 