A meaningful book
In her book, Bridges out of Poverty, Ruby defines poverty as “the extent to which we do without resources.” Although her book is about helping people in the society we call poor because of lack of financial resources, she identifies eight resources that are part of the bridge out of poverty: emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, support systems, relationships/role models, knowledge of hidden rules, and coping strategies. After defining each of these resources, Payne gives description of a number of clients, their backgrounds. and current situations. She then asks the reader to evaluate each of the clients on the extent to which they lack the eight resources.
At the time I was introduced to the book I found it useful because I was the administrator of a university department that included social work students. However, over the years I have returned to that list of resources many times and examined myself on the extent to which I lacked roesources when making a career change or made a physical move.
When I left university teaching and administration in 1985 to take a position of volunteer recruitment in the medical services department of an international mission agency, I knew that to do the job well I would need help in acquiring some of the resources Payne identified.
A Significant Person
In addition to making a career change and moving to another part of the country, I knew no one when I arrived. What I found in that agency was one of the most colorful, resourceful persons I had ever met. Johnni Johnson Scofield was a special assistant to the president of the agency and was 20 years my senior.
Johnni introduced herself, took me to lunch, invited me to her church, and helped me get acquainted with Richmond, Virginia. She saw what I needed to learn my new work culture and helped me acquire the informational, the experiential, and the relational resources I needed. She taught me the hidden rules of the organization, gave me coping strategies, was a part of my support group, and was a role model of how to be a resource provider for others.
The featured image on this post is a water color painting I have framed and hung on the wall in my office. It was painted by Johnni when she was in her seventies. I think of it as a kind of self-portrait. Johnni’s studio apartment was like living in a library.
Whenever I think of resourceful people, Johnni is the first person who comes to mind. She shaped my thinking and influenced my actions about the importance of resources and mentors more than anyone else.
I never met with Johnni that she didn’t have something to share with me, most often some print resources. They were resources to make me think, or help me do my job better, or understand the big picture, or expand my knowledge on some subject. There were news items or things related to my special interests.
When I was no longer in Richmond, Johnni mailed packets of materials to Michigan and then overseas. Always learning herself, she scoured all kinds of magazines and books.
A worthy goal
Before Joe Ann Shelton and I moved to Slovakia we prepared a pamphlet in which we described our vision and outlined several goals we had in ministry. One of the goals was to introduce three kinds of resources to those with and to whom we ministered. They were the same that Johnni had provided for me: experiential resources, people resources, and informational resources.
Setting that goal and accomplishing it did at least two things for us. First, it helped us frame our picture of people in terms of what might enrich them, give them joy, enhance their lives, and provide them with greater ability to do their work and relate to others. Second, it was a way of doing our part and ensuring that we could leave something behind when we were gone that would be ongoing in the lives of others.
It was reciprocal. People we met, worked and worshipped with in the years from 1997 to 2009, observed our needs and helped us in many of the ways Johnni had assisted me.
When I returned to Slovakia for a visit in July of this year after 13 years away, I was reminded again of the beauty and blessing of all the “one another” commands in the Bible – love one another, pray for one another, forgive one another, carry each other’s burdens, encourage one another, build each other up, offer hospitality to one another, and so many more.
