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Diosito: God never stops loving us
Editing is a very interesting process that becomes even more interesting when translating manuscripts into Spanish that were written in English. It is a challenge to check that the translation is accurate, but that is not the only important task. It is essential that the editor also make the translation culturally sensitive for a specific group of people. This exercise is one of constant study and self-discovery. As the editor of Así Creemos, Marissa Galván-Valle says, “I have had to study the Hispanic culture and theology in the United States and Puerto Rico very intentionally. I have had to try to see every church setting, every child, every room, every material cabinet and every teacher. This is something that is hard to do, and a task somehow doomed to failure . . . but I keep on trying, studying, but most of all praying that these words can reach the hearts and minds of our children so that they can be transformed by the word of God.”
One of the things Marissa loves most about her
work with children’s curriculum is knowing the impact that Así Creemos will have on the students’ Reformed identity. She is confident that Así Creemos teaches that “we are children of God, the people of God. This God is a God who cares for us, who loves us no matter what. This is a God who calls us to be intimate and to be in relationship with God. God is faithful and is in journey with us.”
In speaking of her work, Marissa mentions a book that was important to her in her personal preparation. It is the Handbook of Latino/a Theologies, a collection of essays of theology in conjunto by various Hispanic theologians. One of the writers, Javier R. Alanís, writes about the way the Hispanic/Latino community sees God. This God is better known as Diosito. This diminutive is in no way an attempt to say that God is small or powerless. Instead, it’s a word that denotes deep affection and love. Alanís writes, “God, as experienced by the Hispanic/Latino/a community, is not an exclusive metaphysical reality, but a personal and communal God who journeys with the people in daily life.” Diosito is God with us, taking care of us, walking with us and loving us.
It is wonderful to see how Diosito is present in
Así Creemos as an affirmation that we are, indeed, God’s children. Marissa offers this example from the curriculum.
In a lesson called “Israel without a home” we find the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Usually I had heard this story from the perspective of the great faith that these men showed. They were brave. They were faithful. They were obedient . . . but somehow God got lost while these three men were exalted. Así Creemos presents these people as God’s children. The people of Israel had behaved badly. They had turned their backs on God. Nevertheless, God’s love and faithfulness did not stop. God was faithful to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and saved them in their time of need. The children using the curriculum are taught about God’s faithfulness, about how Diosito is a real presence in their lives and loves them even when they are facing difficult situations. Diosito will not desert them and will give them the strength they need to be obedient and to trust God. Their identity lies in that they are indeed children of God: Diosito will take care of them.
This story from the book of Daniel translates well into any language and culture. We need to teach our children that God is not a relative or abstract thing. God is indeed Diosito: real forgiveness, real love, real power, real faithfulness, real friendship.
Do not let the opportunity pass by to share Diosito with your children. |
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