Day 2: Restless Provocation

Dan Muthui

The day was characterized by an enriching exchange between participants from various jurisdictions. The Assembly brought together representatives from the countries of Guatemala, Haiti, Dominican Republic, USA, Canada, Nicaragua Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina, Costa Rica and of-course the host, Honduras. 

What is striking from the presentations and conversations we had is that regardless of the context, youth everywhere are experiencing identical challenges. While some challenges are predominant in some regions than they are in others, the challenges experienced by the youth in our days are plenty and often, the mountains they form appear enormous and insurmountable.

One example: members of a group discussion I was leading went on to describe the challenges in their respective contexts. They cited varied issues facing the youth ranging from identity crisis, violence, gang association, fractured family units, contemporary pop culture which has been globalized through the media, use of illicit drugs, teen pregnancies, under-age prostitution, high unemployment rates, low educational attainments, deficient criminal justice system, immigration and an array of other social, economic, cultural and spiritual concerns. While these did not strike us as new, the sharing reminded us of the grievous reality of youth struggles. Sadly, there was a sense of frustration that the church has not responded as it ought to, and where it has, its approaches have not been inviting or engaging.

Listening to the myriad of challenges could easily evoke feelings of helplessness that could lead us to slide to the ‘undisturbed’ security of our individual, community or church spaces. Although this may be an easier and safer option, we felt challenged and inspired to take the hard route of creatively confronting them knowing very well that the God who has called us to build the kind of communities He envisions will equip us with the tools we need to succeed; this assembly is serving that purpose. We awake to each day of the assembly with heightened expectations, open minds and hearts, and restless provocation.