Relief, development and short term missions

These are just some things I've been thinking about lately. This past week, there were 5 people here from around Africa and America. Curt Peterson, our former pastor at Montecito Covenent was here as Director of World Missions for the denomination. Then 1 man from Congo, Mossai Sanguma, a couple from Cameroon, Cindy and Peter Ekstrand and Roy Danforth from Central African Republic. Peter, Cindy and Roy are Americans who have been working in Africa for almost 30 years. There purpose for meeting here was to discuss the future of missions in all of Africa. With the combined experience and understanding of these people including what Dennis and Susan are doing here, I am excited about the future of missions in Africa. I must say, I feel privileged to have met these people. Kalon and I were not part of their meetings, but we did have devotions with them and shared some meals. I learned so much from their insights, their understanding of scripture. To hear from an African how they hear the scripture was amazing to me. I won't forget hearing from these people. Curt of course is a dear friend and it was very special to have a visitor from home, someone who knows us well. I am very thankful for that. Meeting missionaries who have been here for almost 30 years, seen and experienced so much, raised their children here, it's amazing! What dedication and passion they have for a people and place. Although, it doesn't all together surprise me. The people of Philippi that we are in relationship with are easy to love!!

Cindy, Pete, Roy and Dennis
We're standing around a fire looking at our menus

Hearing about issues in Congo and these other places also points out to me how diverse this continent is. Here in South Africa, we don't have the issues of violence, no roads, no basic facilities that others face. We have the under the surface issues left from Apartheid, racism, feelings of inferiority, poverty, aids. But we are all working toward the same end. Helping people help themselves. Development, not just relief.

Linda, Roots (he owns the restaurant) and Sanguma, trying to see his menu!
This restaurant, also called roots, is in Kayamandi, a township outside Stellenbosch.
Does everyone understand what a township is? It's a the nice term for slum.

Most of you know that I have a brother-in-law who is a 2 star general serving in Iraq this year. I recently received a link to a blog about him from a sister. Ok, so be aware, I'm biased, he's my brother-in-law that I've known since I was like 16, I think he's pretty special. But, when I read this, I was SO STOKED! Elephants in Academia: A blogger round table with General Hunzeker He's doing development! He's trying to get to know these people, help them help themselves. I thought, hey! He knows how to help people, don't just do it for them, help them learn to do it for themselves, they are very capable. Now, I'm not going to get on any bandwagon about Iraq. That is entirely too controversial. I am looking at this simply from the personal perspective of an American and a missionary. How do we as Americans, as people who have much and know much, help others in the world? How do we help them see their own resources? How do we share our knowledge that maybe they don't have? This is development, it takes time, it takes being in relationship, it takes building trust. I feel strongly that it's what we need to be about. Relationship, understanding where another is coming from, not just forcing our own thoughts and agenda on another. That's a learning area for me!