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Weaving theology
Rafael Mansilla, a Toba community chief and pastor in the Iglesia Evangélica Unida (United Evangelical Church), works with a team to revise the Toba New Testament. Read Teamwork and faith fuel Bible Translation for more on Mansilla’s work. Here he reflects on his relationship with Willis Horst, who with his wife, Byrdalene, has served in Argentina since 1968. Willi is a teacher and, at the same time, a great brother. Soon after he arrived in the Chaco, he visited my community of San Carlos. I was around nine years old. In 1976, I began participating in the studies Willi led. Little by little, I started picking up his perspective and also applying it to my life. In 1985, the community named me chief. In that capacity I have used the teachings learned from Willi, since his biblical teachings delve into community organization and social justice. His teachings have led me to love nature, to hate injustice and to demand our rights peacefully before the government. I have learned not to give up, trusting in God. In the year 2002, due to a government school teacher’s mistreatment of our children, the community rose up to demand that the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Province of Formosa appoint a Native American teacher for the school. I was quite surprised when Willi called in to the radio to denounce the misconduct of the teacher and support the community. He said that the government was moving backward by not intervening in this matter, pointing out that when he first visited San Carlos, the little school was taught by an aboriginal teacher. Willi said the government should not think that Native Americans are incapable of teaching. Willi is a brother who loves many people, teaches, gives suggestions, consoles, seeks reconciliation and helps people to grow and to walk independently. He never seeks merit for himself, but rather builds up the worth of others. I believe that the maturity of the Iglesia Evangélica Unida is a result of his constancy and his patience. Willi didn't found a church but laid the foundation for leaders — leaders who are defenders of their own matters and who can trace out their own path. This is counter cultural here in Argentina. This year I have had the privilege of being invited to Willi's Seminar on Intercultural Theology that he teaches for a day each month. Willi, in his great wisdom, said: "We need means to explain God and to come to him. The first and most important means is ourselves, we human beings." The hermeneutical process needs to be something out of ourselves, and for this reason we need to focus on knowing how to read the book of our lives. I personally lament that this seminar will be ending. It is highly necessary for the Toba people here in the Argentine Chaco at this time. But I recognize that the years Willi has worked now are many. If we are grateful for him, how much more grateful must God be for him! I only ask that North American Mennonites continue helping us so that we ourselves can take courage with the help of Jesus Christ as we spread our knowledge to the Toba brothers and sisters. We need this spiritual Mennonite perspective so we can live with heads held high, eyes fixed on Jesus and feet planted firmly on the earth as human beings who affirm life. In this issue: Features Highlights Viewpoints |
