Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. -Hebrews 12:1-2
I hope this note finds you well and experiencing God’s grace and peace in your daily life. A week from today I will be heading to Ecuador for the second time. Invited by Baptist Peace Fellowship friend, Eloy Alfaro and RECONPAZ (Continental Network for Peace), I will join 10 others in a pilot project called Global View, a global immersion experiment for students, social change agents, and faith communities to learn from diverse community leaders in the Amazon and the Andes. In preparation, I have been preparing my heart, head and hands through prayerful ponderings, challenging reading, and the creative process. Two books I’ve appreciated and recommend are: Restoring the Kinship Worldview: Indigenous Voices Introduce 28 Precepts for Rebalancing Life on Planet Earth by Darcia Narváez and Wahinkpe Topa and Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira.
As part of the program, we will be offering gifts to our hosts as a tangible reminder of our gratitude. I figured I could make some original art to share. I have been exploring the idea of our cloud of witnesses and the people, places and processes that shape who we are and what we bring into every new encounter. Playing with layers of paint, photographic image transfers of the forest where my feet are currently local, and an ancient Celtic symbol that has become a metaphor of encounter for me, these images arrived. In response, I wrote a poem in Spanish, translated it into English and hope to have help translating it in conversation with our indigenous hosts into their heart language. I share these with you not as a show, but rather to ask for your solidarity, support and sacred curiosity of the wisdom and care that can be nurtured and
shared through these encounters. Thank you for being part of my great cloud of witnesses. Without you, I wouldn’t be me.
In gratitude and grace,
Mylinda
Encuentros en el Camino
Por M Baits
El encuentro en el camino conocido
Caminando acompañada
Rodeadas por ancestros antiguos y amigas nuevas
Sostenidas por la tierra santa, el viento respirado, y la compañía compartida
El encuentro en el camino desconocido
Descubriendo fortalezas escondidas
Acompañadas por aprendizaje y apapacho
Sorprendidas por las memorias destapadas, la belleza regalada, y el alma tocada
Hagamos un camino nuevo
Tejiendo nuestras historias, cicatrices y celebraciones
Invitadas a aprender, imaginar y crear un paso a la vez
Animadas por los cantos, colores y conversaciones sobre la marcha
Encounters on the Way
By M Baits
The encounter on the known way
Walking accompanied
Surrounded by old ancestors and new friends
Sustained by holy ground, wind breathed in, and company shared
The encounter on the unknown way
Discovering hidden strengths
Accompanied by learning and soul’s embrace
Surprised by the memories revealed, the beauty gifted, and the soul touched
Let’s make a new way
Weaving our stories, scars and celebrations
Invited to learn, imagine and create one step at a time
Encouraged by the songs, colors and conversations along the way