Uruguay is afflicted by shocking poverty. We were reminded that this is how most people in the world actually live, and that middle-class life in the United States is the exception and not the norm. I never felt so rich in all my life, or more perplexed by the gap between my blessings and others lack. The Gospel is, in fact, Good News. Focused, trusting prayer is extremely powerful.
Life is about giving to others.
Billions of people live in conditions that no human being should have to endure, while many Americans have too much stuff for their own good. The experience of Christian brotherhood in undertaking a shared mission is awesome. God looks with compassion on a suffering world. Every Christian is called to share his or her faith rather than hide it. From now on 14 American Christians will hold the people of Uruguay close in our hearts and in our prayers.