Students respond to lectures

Following each presentation in the Theological Lectureship by C. Rene Padilla, several members of the seminary community were invited to respond.

Saulo Padilla, a student originally from Central America now living in Goshen, Ind., pointed out things he saw on a recent study trip to Guatemala. “We are not allowed to come to this country and work here,” he said, referring to immigration restrictions. But U.S. businesses—Burger King, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wal-Mart—“invade these streets and local businesses fade.”

He made a modest proposal to Christians in the Elkhart area: “I propose that we embrace those who are being drawn to our communities, those who are searching for a better future and their daily bread, those who are called illegal immigrants.”

Fred Lesakale, a student from Kenya, responded by pointing out that in his home area it is violence, and not only poverty, that has had a significant impact on people’s lives. “Violence has robbed people of their dignity and their very sense of being human,” he said, pointing out that a whole generation of children has grown up without the experience of family life and enculturation.

However, Lesakale, said, “There are always things I can do as an individual that will make a difference.” He added, “We can do a lot if what we do is founded on the Word of God.”