Presently I am in Bolivia travelling with a small team from my church on an intercultural educational/service trip. The point is to observe and learn from our friends in the South American Andean culture and to offer support in whatever way is helpful and appropriate. We are also spending time with a sister community of faith learning together in worship, study, and communal fellowship.
We have spent a few days in the city of Cochabamba enjoying the people, food, culture and urban life of this mid-sized Bolivian city (approximately 1 million inhabitants). One of the key cultural sites is the Palacio Portales which was the home of the tin barren Simon I. Patino who was one of the richest individuals in the world and known as “The Andean Rockefeller” (circa 1920s). Today his estate in Cochabamba is a cultural museum surrounded by a sculptured garden replete with magnificent palm, eucalyptus, and cypress trees.
Unfortunately, Patino’s character was not as gracious as his opulent style of living as expressed in the Catavi mine massacre (September 1942) where over 400 striking minors were killed at his behest by armed forces to terminate the strike and resume mining operations. Such power plays happen everywhere, enabling a handful of the super rich to succeed while the masses suffer. Of course, the scriptures remind us that it doesn’t always work out for the elite as the story of the rich man and Lazarus portrays all too well (LK 16:19-31).
For me it points to the paradox of “gaining earthly success” while “suffering spiritual loss.” Morneau alludes to this conundrum when he writes:
One of the stumbling blocks in life is winning and success. Our victories, so often tiny and insignificant, give us a false sense of power and prestige. Little do we realize that every feather we add to our bonnet has to be plucked out before entering God’s kingdom…Again we come across the Christian paradox: being defeated decisively may well be our ultimate victory.
The contented, humble Bolivian folk we are spending our time with seem to understand these lessons much better than those in the north who seek wealth at all costs. Winning and success isn’t the magic potion that many promote. Humility is the key quality that Abba loves and Jesus models—and the quality we must learn.
GM Pastor Alan....You amazed me everytime....Humilty and Wisdom has being rumbling in my quite time....while reading I see humility which is something I often pray for....then you end on humility❤️ one of the 7 Spirit character of God Ps 113 and Phil 2....Father even humble Himself. .His Mercy and Grace are new everyday
Enjoy your trip.....
All my life, there has been one thing clear to me. North America has completely different 'rules' and structures that I don't love and it makes me feel like I'm missing out on a lot! My life based on feathers. If you do this to move ahead, you pluck a feather. The idea of a construct designed from humility! What a blessing to dream of and witness in some cases.
These ideas of getting more while those suffered were created way before I was born. Before my grandparents even. This will always be a truth of the world we live in. Though norms are ever changing as men used to wear heels and women never wore pants. I am reminded of the existence of our vulnerabilities and joyfullness through other cultures. Cultures that have less materially, so have more to draw from spiritiully to create happiness.
Thank Pastor Alan