How will history remember our good deeds?

Today in history we were talking about the Spanish exploration and conversion of the new world. in this discussion the topic arose regarding how the friars had the best of intentions (not he conquistadors as their intentions were obviously less than positive). The friars devoted their lives to giving the native peoples an education, shelter, clothing, and a reliable food source. Unfortunately in all their good intentions, they failed miserably in the eyes of history. Their actions were more intrusive than anything else by forcing conversion on many of the natives, and imposing Western ideas of civilized culture on a society that already had a culture on their own. This made me start thinking about how the text books in 50 years will remember the actions we are taking now that we feel are positive.

I sponsor a 15 year old boy in India through Compassion International. My monthly pledge provides clothing, food, school supplies, and helps to fund the school where he attends. When I started thinking about this in the context of what the friars were doing in the new world I can see some similarities. I am sponsoring Gopinath in order to provide a brighter future for this young man in an impoverished country. However the issue here could be that I (and Compassion International) am implying and assuming that our Western concepts of this bright future are the same as his. Not only this, but many of the children who enter the program are not necessarily Christian before they enter the program. The program can look very appealing by providing an education to children who may not be able to attend a school otherwise. Along with this education, they are immersed in a Protestant culture and this is taught along with their other lessons. Now in a traditionally Hindu country we are again imposing our religion on the indigenous people.

With all this said, I look at the money I am sending to this young man, and I think deep about what is going on here and all I can think is... let history judge me as they will. I am helping a program provide a better life according to the culture I understand, and from what I can tell, both children I have sponsored are happy and feel privileged to be in the program. Along with this, anyone who supports this program is supporting the opportunity to introduce people to our amazing and beautiful God.

On a similar note, I recently received a letter from Gopinath which was the first he wrote entirely himself entirely in English (no translator!). It makes me wish I had the first clue how to write in Hindi so I could do the same because I am sure it wont do much good to write in Hebrew or German.

I had a lot of other stuff to write about from the weekend, but planned on writing it in this however I forgot what I wanted to write about so I will make more of an effort to Blog as the events happen.