Musings of a Mosquito-bitten Missionary
Recently I received emails from my family following a talk given by Steve Saint (author of End of the Spear, son of Nate Saint) at Highlands Community Church. I thought it was interesting food for thought and perhaps some of you have been pondering the same things as I.
Steve spoke on I-TEC, a company he began to help teach nationals in Ecuador skills like dentistry that they might not otherwise have learned to help decrease their dependency. He said that too often missions has been about feeling good or how we (missionaries) can help people (think immediate need fulfillment and gratification), when whatever we do needs to be a foot in the door to talking about Jesus and enabling people to help their countrymen spiritually and physically (think long-term, continuous problem-solving body and spirit). [Please forgive me if I misrepresent him as I paraphrase.]
So, I came here, to Zambia, with vision of what I believe God has inspired me to do- practice midwifery as a Christian and even to teach Zambians the skills I have. Now that I am here I begin to understand some of the crippling effects of dependency on the nation of Zambia. From schools begun by missionaries who won’t restock supplies or fix things because the missionary’s school (not their school) has a problem to pastors and people who are only interested in a handout and not the TRUTH or a solution.
Where does that leave us? Both as missionaries and as world-Christians with real responsibilities? It leaves me trying to figure out what the best way of practicing medicine is in a country where foreigners and their money is such a crutch. Action Zambia (the branch of Action International Ministries that I work with) has taken on the philosophy of working only through churches. We have seen that when real relationships are built with churches then we can come alongside areas of ministry and strengthen them. For this we have a pastor teaching program as many pastors are without formal education in this area, an HIV program that helps those already reaching out to this stigmatized group, a child evangelism program which aids children’s programs by teaching teachers and leaders and helping produce good curriculum. It is crucial that ministry be done in such a way that we are not taking the job from the churches- thus cutting them off from their potential- but are enabling them to take responsibility and stand on their own. I guess you could liken Zambia to a teenager in some respects.
If I train others to be midwives, will they take that calling seriously and will the church and community support them, or when they run out of supplies will the ministry end? If my ministry supersedes the churches, then I am setting myself and Zambians up for a short-term solution that very likely will not last longer than heavy funding from the Western church. And how do I go about finding churches who already have vision in this area, rather than superimposing my ideals on them and trying to get them to support and take responsibility for something they don't have passion and conviction for? This is the struggle- finding God’s way.
This is, as I said, food for thought. I don’t expect to find simple solutions to complex issues, but if anyone has enlightened thoughts or further musings in return, feel free to post them. :)
Steve spoke on I-TEC, a company he began to help teach nationals in Ecuador skills like dentistry that they might not otherwise have learned to help decrease their dependency. He said that too often missions has been about feeling good or how we (missionaries) can help people (think immediate need fulfillment and gratification), when whatever we do needs to be a foot in the door to talking about Jesus and enabling people to help their countrymen spiritually and physically (think long-term, continuous problem-solving body and spirit). [Please forgive me if I misrepresent him as I paraphrase.]
So, I came here, to Zambia, with vision of what I believe God has inspired me to do- practice midwifery as a Christian and even to teach Zambians the skills I have. Now that I am here I begin to understand some of the crippling effects of dependency on the nation of Zambia. From schools begun by missionaries who won’t restock supplies or fix things because the missionary’s school (not their school) has a problem to pastors and people who are only interested in a handout and not the TRUTH or a solution.
Where does that leave us? Both as missionaries and as world-Christians with real responsibilities? It leaves me trying to figure out what the best way of practicing medicine is in a country where foreigners and their money is such a crutch. Action Zambia (the branch of Action International Ministries that I work with) has taken on the philosophy of working only through churches. We have seen that when real relationships are built with churches then we can come alongside areas of ministry and strengthen them. For this we have a pastor teaching program as many pastors are without formal education in this area, an HIV program that helps those already reaching out to this stigmatized group, a child evangelism program which aids children’s programs by teaching teachers and leaders and helping produce good curriculum. It is crucial that ministry be done in such a way that we are not taking the job from the churches- thus cutting them off from their potential- but are enabling them to take responsibility and stand on their own. I guess you could liken Zambia to a teenager in some respects.
If I train others to be midwives, will they take that calling seriously and will the church and community support them, or when they run out of supplies will the ministry end? If my ministry supersedes the churches, then I am setting myself and Zambians up for a short-term solution that very likely will not last longer than heavy funding from the Western church. And how do I go about finding churches who already have vision in this area, rather than superimposing my ideals on them and trying to get them to support and take responsibility for something they don't have passion and conviction for? This is the struggle- finding God’s way.
This is, as I said, food for thought. I don’t expect to find simple solutions to complex issues, but if anyone has enlightened thoughts or further musings in return, feel free to post them. :)
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on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 2:00 PM.
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Stephanie,
R Abode: Steve Saint Dinner Photos
Here's my post on this topic.
Take care!
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