August Newsletter & Closing Thoughts

Recognizing Reality

A 14-year-old South Street regular has aspirations to build a hospital in Cambodia, and I find myself angry about it. I'm not angry because of her servant’s heart or her ambitious dream (which will evolve as time goes on, I’m sure). I’m angry because she told me that her uncle told her that it will never happen based on where she grew up. I’m angry because as much as I want to disagree with the man who said this, I find myself asking if it’s possible as well. I’m angry because I think that if I wanted to build a hospital in Cambodia (or intern for little pay over the summer at a ministry) that I could do it. That if I wanted to go to medical school, with a lot of hard work, it could probably happen.

You see I have the luxury and privilege of really being able to do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it. I have the money, the means, and a way. I have societal power; a power that this 14-year-old may not have growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood. This is not to say that growing up in an “advantaged neighborhood” (if that’s a real term) would make this dream a reality for her, but I have to think that it may sure make it a lot easier.

This is why South Street Ministries is so close to my heart. The Executive Director hears this girl’s dream and desire to help others and he says, “I know someone who runs a non-profit to help middle school students reach their goals. Let’s look into that for and with this girl!”

Here I have seen what it is to truly care for my neighbor, both my advantaged neighbor and my disadvantaged neighbor. Here I have seen what it truly looks like to treat each person with the respect and dignity, regardless of circumstance. Here I have seen what it is to distribute resources justly, and what happens when resources are distributed unjustly. Here I have seen what the Lord meant when he said His desire was that we “loose the chains of injustice” and “set the oppressed free” (Isaiah 58:6). Here I have seen that gap begin to be bridged between rich and poor, black and white, between the Church and the world, between stranger and neighbor. Here I have seen Jesus Christ through people being His hands and feet.

Here in Akron, I have seen redemptive love.

The Elephant in the Room: Part 2

Note: I grew up in a middle class, suburban(ish), predominantly white neighborhood. South Street Ministries is in an urban area, predominantly black, lower class (majority) neighborhood.

Soon after I worked through the cultural shock of these differences, I soon found that my “middle class” values clashed constantly with the kids. Once, a young girl told me that she was going to fight another girl who was poking fun at her brother. I was repulsed when she said this. Yet as the summer went on at South Street, I realized that fighting was more cultural. Fighting was a way to exhibit protection, either over a relative or over oneself. The girl wanted to protect her brother; fighting was the way to communicate that to the threatening girl. In addition, I learned that fighting is a form of protecting oneself. If fighting isn’t chosen, one may be depicted as a “wimp,” thereby lessening one’s credibility of sorts (to my understanding.)

My time at South Street Ministries has helped me to recognize that Amber Cullen’s “middle class” values and cultural doings do not reflect the way that everyone does things. Through experiences like these, I have learned what it means to actively listen to an individual, community, and an entire neighborhood. 

And to be honest to you, this notion is absolutely radical.

                                                                             Sending much love to you all,

                                                    Amber

A video I created for South Street Ministries last summer! Check out what's going on here!
(If the entire six minutes cannot be viewed here, click on the link to see the full video on YouTube!)