Update (June 2005)

It wasn’t Pentecost when the InterAmerican Conference gathered in Brazil.  The wind and fire were not evident.  The chatter and cacophony English, French, Spanish and Portuguese filled the hallways, the dining room and auditorium as we discussed the issues before us.  The gift of understanding each person who spoke in his or her native tongue was painfully absent.  Even with translation, we did not receive the full communication of the emotion and passion that words in one language could not convey in another.  We stretched to hear and really listen to the interventions, knowing that they came out of a distinct culture, tradition and experiences that we did not share.  We prayed as we struggled knowing that achieving authentic unity requires us to listen to the spirit in the other.