Traveling as a missionary to an impoverished area or country should be a learning and humbling experience.
Instead of imposing solutions, living apart from the people and returning home grateful to live in the United States, Gladys Munoz has a different approach.
The co-founder of the Justice & Peace Awareness Center, based in Suttons Bay, recommends asking questions, building partnerships and working together. Before even leaving, it is also key to learn some of the language, circumstances of the people, cultural norms and expectations — steps that will enhance the dignity of those in need.
The mind set she encouraged was one of mutual service not paternalistic care.
"This makes you think, 'What are you doing here,'” said Munoz, after highlighting an in-depth article describing the costs and pitfalls of short-term missions. "We are representing our country, for better or for worse, so it's important to learn the history there.”
Munoz spoke Sunday afternoon at a public forum on Latin American Issues as part of Northwestern Michigan College's Safe Passages program. Rev. Wayne Dziekan also spoke at the event, which was held at the University Center and drew attendees from the college and the community.
With a dozen students and staff from Northwestern Michigan College traveling to Guatemala in May, the Latin American Issues forum kicked off January 27. It will feature nine meetings through April 20 covering a range of topics that will prepare the travelers for their expedition. Future topics will include intercultural communication, volunteering in Guatemala, the American economy and its influence there and the Spanish language.
"This experience is for you to be challenged in many different ways,” said Munoz of the upcoming trip.
The NMC visitors will work with Safe Passage, a non-profit organization whose mission is to use education to empower indigenous children living in a garbage dump in Guatemala City.
A refugee herself, Mai Ia Vang, a third year student at NMC and Ferris State, knows what it is like to be powerless, shunned and told what to do. Studying for a degree in social work, Vang is part of the team from NMC traveling to Guatemala from May 4-11.
Believing that there are so many people who feel utterly alone and forgotten in the world, Vang wants to make a difference.
"I've lived in those shoes, I know what it's like, I've been there,” said Vang, who was a refugee in her homeland of Thailand. "Whatever I can do to help these families and kids, whatever I can learn from them, I will.”
"Hopefully, I will inspire them, give them a sense of hope — you're not alone, there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel,” she added.
Knowing the history and circumstances is key to reaching out to others, counseled Dziekan, who has lived and worked in Latin America and South America. His talk during the second half of Sunday's Latin American Issues forum was in part a call to action. After showing the heart-wrenching movie "We are Guatemalans” he spoke passionately about wars, indigenous people, refugees and the responsibility of both the United States and individual travelers.
"People say, 'I'm thankful for what I have,'” he said. "I hear that a lot, but what about what you saw? How does that affect you?”
"When you get into all these issues and start seeing the events from the perspective of the people there, all of a sudden it looks very different,” Dziekan added. "Go there in humility and be challenged.”
For more information on upcoming public forums, see the web site www.nmc.edu/news and scroll down then select the option on Latin American issues forum. For more information on Safe Passage, see their web site www.safepassage.org.