India 2004

For those of you who have been waiting for me to finally post thoughts and pictures from India and Zambia, the time has finally arrived. The past year has been a time of HUGE growth and many many new experiences. And I have loved it. My passion for the marginalized and for those living in poverty has deepened and my life has been touched by many incredible people. I will definitely never be the same.

In India, I had the priviledge of working with SOFMEDA -- the Society of Micro-Economic Development Activities. I loved my time there. Apona, Baia, Mr. Amzad, Atola, Shalome, Alemla, Druba -- these are just a few of the many friends who I still hold in my heart.

SoFMEDA works with women and marginalized tribes in NE India to empower them to create a sustainable future for their families. Many of SoFMEDA's clients have small businesses such as a vegetable stand or the retail of craft items.

The region I was in in NE India is very diverse. I was in a state called Meghalaya -- which is majority Christian. There is also a strong Hindu precence and many traditional tribal religions -- although these are not as strong anymore. Hundreds of different tribal groups make up this region -- so there were so many different cultures and languages all around. I had it easy -- the official language is English so there was not a language difficulty except when I went into rural areas. Each staff person of SOFMEDA speaks different languages -- so they are able to represent many different clients who are part of the program. SOFMEDA works in about 6 of the states in the NE part of India.

I lived with a woman named Atola. She is one of the greatest persons I have ever met -- and one of the most encouraging and inspirational as well. Atola is the Vice-President of the Asian Baptist Women's Federation and was recently in the UK for the World Baptist Alliance Conference where she was asked to speak! She runs a Christian girls' hostel in Shillong that I was priviledged to get the chance to speak at.

The girls were so sweet -- and really loved hearing about America and my passions and convictions that brought me to Shillong. Atola became like a mom to me -- and we still keep in contact by email. There is a large part of my heart that is going to be stuck in Shillong forever!!

I also spoke at several youth gatherings/hostels while in India. I was able to share my faith and how I have chosen to put that Faith into Action. There was a Christian boys hostel on the compound where I lived with Atola, and I had the chance to speak with them a few times. It was encourageing to see the next generation of guys who have a passion for Christ and outreach. And let me tell you -- the youth movement in NE India is incredible. I felt like I was back in college again -- with all the different fellowships with INCREDIBLE worship.

I also taught Sunday School for college girls for a few weeks at one church in Shillong. Then I began teaching in a neighborhood outreach program in the community I lived in. Most of the children were Hindu and came from very poor families. They would gather in a community hostel for a couple hours on Sunday mornings where we sang songs and told Bible Stories. The children were so precious -- another highlight of my time there.

At the end of my 4 months in Shillong, I got to do a bit of sightseeing before flying home in time for Christmas. I spent 4 days in Delhi. I was pretty sick at the time, but I did manage to get out of bed to take a day-trip to Agra to see the Taj Majal. I also saw TONS of monkeys -- which was a highlight for me. Of course, when I went into a "rest stop" bathroom with no electricity -- this sign that informed me to "beware of wild monkeys" slightly unnerved me as I fumbled through the dark praying that no wild monkeys would be in my toilet stall!!

At the end of my time in Shillong, I sent home my last update where I shared some of the highlights and experiences I had in India -- also some things that stuck out about my living there! Some are things I love (and hate) and others are just events that struck me as being special. I thought I'd post it for you to see. Here it is from Dec. 2004:

1. I am so sick of rice!! I've eaten it several times a day for the pastmonths, and I think if I never eat it again I will be just fine!
2. I LOVE masala chai (it's just tea with milk--but mixed with the tea leaves are lots of spices: cinnamon, bay leaf, ginger). My host, Attola, makes the very best tea I've ever had. And this is coming from someone who has HATED tea her whole life!
3. I will really miss the children here: they are so precious. Even the poorest children, who can't even afford new clothing or to go to school have a glow around them. They are just like all the little children in the US---they love to play, sing, and run around. And they don't even realize that they lack so many of what we consider the basic necessities.
4. Teenagers here are just like teenagers in the US---they like the same music, movies, and they even dress the same! When I spoke at several hostels---the girls always wanted to know this: 1) Have I ever met any celebrities? 2) Do I have a boyfriend? 3) When I want to get married! - I think all teenage girls in the world want to know about boys and movie stars!
5. So many people here are struggling to just provide enough food to feed their families---and it's not because of laziness or bad choices---they have full time jobs that pay them nothing, and they have lived in poverty their whole lives---it's almost impossible to break free from this cycle.
6. There are SO many loving, compassionate, innovative people here who have brilliant programs and ideas to target poverty---but they just don't have the funds to implement the ideas. I think about how easy it would be to raise the funds in the US.
7. I have a new favorite food that I will have to find somewhere in the US when I get home: Naan and Chicken Kurma. YUMMM. I get it for lunch a couple times a week! I've also eaten some really weird and gross stuff: cow spleen and eel are two of them. And I think we've established that fermented bamboo shoot does NOT agree with my tummy!
8. To my surprise and delight, my host prepared a big Thanksgiving dinner for me and all the neighbors (of course, there was no turkey or pumpkin pie) but it was so nice!
9. I went to the PETRA concert that was held in Shillong last month. For those of you who don't know Petra-- they're a Christian rock group that has been around since the 70's--and they're still winning Grammy and Dove awards! Shillong has NEVER had such a huge concert as this-- and you would have thought they were hosting the Olympics for the hoopla the whole region made! It was an official event-- even the Governor spoke, and there were about 20,000 people at the concert! It was so fun for mebecause Petra was the first concert I ever went to when I was young. Then to make it even more random: I ended up meeting the band and the other people traveling with them (my white face stuck out in the crowd)--and then showed them around Shillong for the next few days. It was so nice to have some Americans to hang out with after three months without seeing any!!
10. People here are so generous: My suitcase is completely full of gifts from people I've met. Gifts of traditional shawls from different tribal groups and the traditional skirts the women wear are taking up most of the room! But they are gifts I'll always treasure. I just have to remember the story behind each one!
11. One thing I will NOT miss: the windy, bumpy roads. I don't think anyone could not get sick riding on these roads!! I also am looking forward to taking nice hot showers -- having no running water has been fun -- but I can't wait to shower without just pooring buckets over my head!!
12. Being one of the only Americans in Shillong, I'm always the "special guest" everywhere I go, and people want me to speak at different functions. It's been great to have such a warm welcome to share about my life and why I'm here. I don't even have to look for opportunities to share-they always invite me!
    

The people I met and lived with for these 4 months are still some of the most special people in my life. I look forward to someday going back to Shillong -- and helping them in any capacity that I can.

Uganda Night Commuters -- Nightline -- August 23

If you missed Nightline on ABC Tuesday night at 11:30pm -- I highly recommend that you go to www.abc.com where you can watch the presentation. (For those of you who have Comcast as your internet provider, you can also go to comcast.net and click on "The Fan" where they have an archive of the news presentations) Search for "Cheadle".

Dan Cheadle (who many of you know as portraying Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda) filmed a special documentary news program for Nightline in Uganda earlier this month. Traveling with his family, he visited the Northern Ugandan town of Gulu -- where thousands and thousands of "night commuters" come every night-- aka, small children who are trying to avoid being kidnapped and forced into being child soldiers. It is a powerful presentation and it highlights the work of World Vision who helps former child soldiers overcome the psychological damage and atrocities that have happened to them.

As hard as it is to watch, the more we are aware of what is happeneing there, the more we can do. Dateline NBC also focused on this same issue in its show on Sunday night. For those of you who want to know more, here is a link to a photo essay by Human Rights Watch.
http://hrw.org/photos/2005/uganda/ . Also on the Human Rights Watch website is information on what you can do. Also, check out World Vision's work in Uganda.

Reaching Across the Divide

Brian McLaren has really made me think about Christianity and how it is displayed in the world. For those of you who aren't familiar with him, I suggest you check out the book "A Generous Orthodoxy" or "A New Kind of Christian." Both these books are both incredibly interesting and controversial at the same time. I think they have several great insights! Hopefully I've piqued your interest so you'll go out and read them!

This is a recent article from the magazine, SOJOURNERS, that McLaren wrote. I think he's on to something.

A Bridge Far Enough?
How would Jesus address the issues of our day?
by Brian McLaren

You’ve heard the old saying: The hard thing about being a bridge is that you get walked on from both ends. As someone who spends roughly half of my time in the conservative world and half in the liberal (theologically and politically speaking), I suppose I qualify as a kind of bridge person. Unfortunately, my experience confirms the old saying, and I have a few boot marks on my backside to prove it.

The fact is, I don’t feel very qualified to write this article. I’m assuming the best person for the job should be well accepted and respected on both sides of the bridge. He or she should feel successful in communicating with both liberals and conservatives, feel comfortable in both red and blue states, be liked by both Hannity and Colmes. Sadly, the more I communicate with one side of the bridge, the more I feel suspect by the other. As a result, I’ve been invited to stay out of a state of one color, and in spite of my above-average imagination, I can’t imagine possibly connecting with Colmes and Geraldo without infuriating Hannity and O’Reilly, or vice versa.
So, if I’m a bridge, I’m a rickety one, a "plan B," I suppose. My basic qualification to write this article is my belief that we as followers of Christ should at least try to talk to everybody we can - and to do so, as the Apostle Peter said, with "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). I don’t agree with the tone of the conservative author who offers advice on how to talk to a liberal "if you must," suggesting that it’s an odious task that one must do while pinching her nose. Nor do I agree with any liberal mirror image who sees all conservatives as equally stinky conversation partners. I have been given no exemption card regarding 1 Corinthians 13, and my calling as a Christian requires me, in the words of Paul, to "become all things to all people."

To those under the law I became like one under the law...so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law...so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel…. - 1 Corinthians 9:20-23

By the way - people often quote that Pauline phrase about becoming all things to all people preceded by you can’t. But Paul’s assertion was that he must, for the sake of the gospel, no matter how difficult the task was (and it was difficult - resulting in at least one riot in his lifetime!). Paul had what he called "the ministry of reconciliation," and he saw himself as a peace ambassador for Christ.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.... All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

He was called to enter various cultures - Jewish cultures, Gentile cultures - and invite people to be reconciled to God and to one another. Of course, nobody can be everything to everybody at the same time, but you can, Paul implied, cross the bridge on the right side and enter a person’s world without judgment, and then go to the left side of the bridge and enter that person’s world without judgment as well.

If that weren’t hard enough, my hunch is that there are actually four bridges we have to deal with in our hyper-polarized world today.

1. The Religious Right and the Secular Left. On the one side we have people for whom the good news of Jesus and the policies of George W. Bush are bonded with super glue. On the other side we have people who believe that all religion is superstitious mush and wish we would just dispense with the whole business once and for all and trust science and government instead.

2. The Religious Right and the Religious Left. More and more supposedly "secular Left" folk are coming out of the closet as people of faith. For them, being anti-war is more important than being anti-abortion for religious reasons, and for them, some form of recognition for homosexual couples is a moral issue based in faith. They want to argue these issues not only on the basis of politics and sociology, but also on the basis of the Bible and theology.

3. The Secular Right and the Religious Left. I suspect that hiding behind some religious conservatives are some secular conservatives who are manipulating their religious colleagues for a secular, cynical, ideological conservatism. These are the people who have (in the worst sense of the word) a relativist-postmodern conservative ideology, best articulated in Ron Suskind’s article "Without a Doubt," published in The New York Times Magazine last October. These conservative ideologues are happy for religious conservatives to win support for their policies, but in the end it’s ideology, not theology, that guides them. Ironically, they have less in common theologically with those they have the most in common with ideologically, and vice versa.

4. The Secular Right and the Secular Left. In spite of the widespread assumption that religion is the new politics, there still are secular forces on both sides for whom a thoughtful Christian (or generically spiritual) voice is seen as stupid for actually believing in such unscientific and impractical things as God, hope, forgiveness, sacrifice, and prayer.

So, for starters, if we want to be communication bridge people, we need to realize that there aren’t just two kinds of people out there, or one kind of polarization. Becoming all things to all people doesn’t simply mean becoming two things to two kinds of people.

IF THERE IS a rising purple peoplehood out there - people who don’t want to be defined as red or blue, but have elements of both, and for whom faith speaks to both abortion and war, both sexuality and ecology, both family values and fair, respectful treatment for gay people - then we will need to learn new ways of communication. Again, readily confessing that I’m no expert or example, here are a few hunches I have about those new ways of communication - based on the maxim of one of my mentors, who says, "We must teach what Jesus taught in the manner that Jesus taught it."

1. We must stop answering questions that are framed badly. When Jesus was asked a trick question by representatives of a conservative religio-political party of his day, he didn’t fall for the trap (Luke 20). Rather, he showed how the question was based on false assumptions and used the trick question as an opportunity to expose those false assumptions and instruct the questioners.

2. We must start raising new questions and issues that need to be raised. When Jesus was being tested in another politico-religious interview, he refused to answer the question of whether taxes should be paid to Caesar or not (Matthew 22:17-21). In fact, he cleverly deconstructed and neutered the question and instead pushed another question to the surface: Were those asking the question willing to render to God what is God’s?

3. We must answer questions with questions. Some opponents asked Jesus a trick question for which there was no good answer; rather than falling into their trap, he said he would answer their question if they answered a similarly difficult question (Luke 20:1-8).

4. We must go cleverly deeper. In Jesus’ day, there was plenty of debate over divorce, with clear "liberal" and "conservative" polarities. Jesus went to a deeper level of discourse by dealing with the issue of motives: Were men seeking legal divorces to indulge their lustful desires, trading in their old wife on a sexy younger model - but doing so according to the rules (Matthew 19:3-9)? He exposed the lustful intentions of their hearts on the deeper level rather than merely taking a position on the surface level. Paul did something similar on the controversial question of eating meat sacrificed to idols in his day: It’s the motive that is more important than the policy, he said (Romans 14).

Similarly, when a woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus and he was asked what should be done to her, he refused to take the "orthodox" conservative line - nor did he take the opposite "liberal" line. Instead, he diverted attention from the woman’s situation entirely, first by writing in the dust and then by shifting attention to the sinfulness of the stone-carrying religious leaders. He cleverly shifted the focus from their game to God’s wiser and higher perspective (John 8:1-11).

5. We must agree with people whenever we can. Survey the gospels and notice how often Jesus said, "You have answered wisely" (for example, see John 4:17 and Luke 10:28). Similarly, we must agree with both conservatives and liberals whenever we can. Conservatives are right, for example, when they affirm the importance of good business in lifting people from poverty. Liberals are also right when they affirm the role of government in not trusting business to always behave well. Conservatives are right that personal sexual integrity really matters; liberals are right when they say there is more to morality than personal sexual integrity.

6. We must speak through action, not just words. When Jesus sought to confront people for their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities, he didn’t argue; instead, he healed a man on the Sabbath. This created a stir that made his point more than any number of well-reasoned arguments could have. So, what we do for those suffering in Darfur may speak more eloquently than anything we say about domestic issues; how we treat our critics privately may speak more loudly to them than what we say in public.

7. We must tell stories. While dining at the house of a Pharisee, Jesus was honored by a woman of ill repute (Luke 7:36-50). When the host and guests began judging him for his failure to adequately judge her, Jesus told a story about economics, debt, and forgiveness. The story abducted the imagination of the critics and transported them to a new vantage point.
Now these approaches didn’t help Jesus be well-liked by the counterparts of Limbaugh and Carville in his day. In fact, they heated up the hot water he was in even more, and ultimately he was rejected by both polarities. But Jesus’ ways of responding to the religio-political debates of his day did something more powerful and important than making Jesus popular: They got both sides thinking, and they assured that God’s higher perspective was given a place in debates that generally missed the point.

In fact, Jesus’ rhetorical strategies made Jesus something far more valuable than a bridge between "left and right." They showed him to be a bridge by which both left and right could come to God, and to God’s truth. That, I hope, can be our higher calling today in these divisive, polarized times. May God help us.