There are many paradoxes in life. Reading the current headlines of East Timor got me thinking again - at the same issue.
1 in 55 children die before the age of 5, and 1 in 35 mothers die during childbirth. If you think East Timor is poor, you will only need to enquire about their petroleum fund and Timor doesn't look that poor anymore. There is currently X billion dollars in East Timor's petroleum fund.
So the dire straits of the common folks is not because the country does not have any money, but it is what, how and where does the money go to. While it is true that East Timor is still comparatively poor when a country's wealth is gauged by her GDP(it's not 100% accurate anyway), in terms of funds, East Timor is not short of it. Millions of dollars are poured into the country by other countries and aid organizations.
So why is the common folk still suffering from the same trivial problems such as:
1. Death because of common(in East Timor), curable illnesses such as diarrhaoue, fever, malaria, typhoid, wound infections
2. Lack of education opportunities; especially in the rural and mountainous regions
3. Lack of proper water sanitation and access
4. Lack of medical facilities
and the list goes on.
Can't money solve all these problems? Can't we build schools, build medical facilities, build a world class sewage system, hire experts and doctors? But the reality is that money can't solve all these problems because solving these problems are just not as straightforward as I wished it to be; even if it does looked straightforward. There are so many underlying nitty gritties such as the person driving the project to the approval by government agencies that a discussion on why money alone cannot solve these problems is just beyond the scope of this article.
Yet at the same time, without money, nothing much can be done. To quote a chinese phrase, "You qian ye shi zi yang, mei qian ye shi zi yang". It almost make things sound so hopeless; a kind of resigning-to-my-fate sentiment. What does it take to ensure that less children die before the age of 5? And what does it take to ensure that less mothers die during childbirth? Could the answer be you and me? Perhaps the no.1 reason why many Timorese are still suffering is because you and I are not bringing to them the knowledge and love they need to get themselves out of their malady.
It's time to think again. Where do we go from here?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Random CNY musing
(Wrote this during CNY but without net access, here's the post now)
Spending time in Malaysia should not be too different from Singapore, or so I thought. Not having the internet, no friends to call on, and a virtually non-existent public transport have certainly made me a different creature. Not to mention I do not have the luxury of browsing through my collection of books(many of which I have not completed reading). So how do I make the long hours shorter?
As usual, I enjoy very much looking at some old photographs, and laughing at some of them - those geeky looks of the younger days, those who were once skinny, funny faces and enjoyable events. Then I got a little bit more creative and got my parents to dance and learned some steps from them. And if that is not enough, I even made some crafts. Yes, yours truly doing craft. I figure craft is quite fun - only my hands didn't think so. So when I chanced upon a DIY kit for making a pom pom pet(whatever that is), I thought I have found the perfect solution to burn my time away. Unfortunately, the manufacturers forgot to put in - "Only for Dummies". So yeap, even for someone like me with a craft skill of 4, my alien pet was completed within 5 minutes. Not too bad.
(Then I discovered a new game on my old PC. Well, I burned more than I should. Zzzzz.....)
Spending time in Malaysia should not be too different from Singapore, or so I thought. Not having the internet, no friends to call on, and a virtually non-existent public transport have certainly made me a different creature. Not to mention I do not have the luxury of browsing through my collection of books(many of which I have not completed reading). So how do I make the long hours shorter?
As usual, I enjoy very much looking at some old photographs, and laughing at some of them - those geeky looks of the younger days, those who were once skinny, funny faces and enjoyable events. Then I got a little bit more creative and got my parents to dance and learned some steps from them. And if that is not enough, I even made some crafts. Yes, yours truly doing craft. I figure craft is quite fun - only my hands didn't think so. So when I chanced upon a DIY kit for making a pom pom pet(whatever that is), I thought I have found the perfect solution to burn my time away. Unfortunately, the manufacturers forgot to put in - "Only for Dummies". So yeap, even for someone like me with a craft skill of 4, my alien pet was completed within 5 minutes. Not too bad.
(Then I discovered a new game on my old PC. Well, I burned more than I should. Zzzzz.....)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
What kind of church? - Food For Thought
The following short extracts are from an excellent website, Cross-Cultural Impact In the 21st Century. I've penned down some of my thoughts of it. Care to share yours?
Thought No.1 - Which one?
"The communal oriented church can be compared to a theater. The goal is to encourage people to come in and be a part of what is happening within the program of the organization. To facilitate this the atmosphere is comfortable and appealing, the programs presented are satisfying, and the hope is that people will want to come back and support the agenda. For a theater the agenda is that people enjoy the movie, for the church the agenda is that people should become committed participants.
The missional church is more like a computer company whose goal is to bring the product into the homes where people live. Their efforts are focused on making the product relevant and appealing to the needs of the person within their context. The aim of the missional church is to make the gospel relevant to people where they live, rather than seeking to create appealing programs that will draw people in."
This is not to say that the communal oriented church is bad and the missional church is good. (read the full article) However, it does matter what a church's primary orientation is because it'll likely produce disciples with similar worldviews and mindsets that the church propagates. "What you win them with is what you will win them to",my friend once quipped. Was it because of Christ or was it a good show? Is the person living a life that testifies God's love, and touching the lives of his friends and family? Or is he a person who has only friends in church, thus having little impact in society?
Thought No.2 - Maintenance or Transformation?
"In general, there is a tendency to plant churches that are safe backwaters; controlled environments that are easily measurable.
As a result people are taught to be content to scoop out fish rather than swimming in the rapids. When this happens, the maintenance of the community of believers becomes the aim of the church rather than the transformation of society."
Have Christians lost their mind? That is, have Christians lost their ability to think and make wise decisions for themselves? There is always the danger of "not thinking" and do whatever is the status quo. Sometimes, this actually make us weaker because we can get so used to scooping fishes that when an unexpected rapid comes our way, we crumple with a mighty thud. Churches that try to make their environment as safe and as controlled as possible (with an 'unconscious' fear that the outside world will eat their members up) will get a rude shock when the rapids come. The result can be very devastating because most have not learned to swim in the rapids. Some survived, some rescued, and many a times, many drown.
An engagement with the society with the aim of transforming it with good deeds, godly character, and the proclamation of the gospel will strengthen the church and the individual. And it does not stopped there. Lives are transformed, hope is found, grace abounds, healing flows and God becomes real in all facets of life.
Thought No.3 - Waiting for them or Going to them?
"We are good at sending missionaries, we are good at bringing people into our meetings, but there is often a lack of conviction that we are a people who have "been sent" by Jesus to make the gospel relevant to others where they live. When churches talk of “outreach” a primary goal is usually to bring them in and assimilate them into church life."
This has always been on my mind. While I think that it is good(and still relevant) to invite people to church, I feel many have missed the point. And what is the point? The point is We are a people called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses in our Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
i.e. Living out our faith demonstrated in love in our one-to-one conversation with friends, family dinner time, gatherings & reunions, schools, workplaces, neighbourhood and contacts with different people groups. Inviting people to church is just one means of outreach. The greater need is for us to live out our faith in wherever God has placed us. That is really OUTreach.
Thought No.1 - Which one?
"The communal oriented church can be compared to a theater. The goal is to encourage people to come in and be a part of what is happening within the program of the organization. To facilitate this the atmosphere is comfortable and appealing, the programs presented are satisfying, and the hope is that people will want to come back and support the agenda. For a theater the agenda is that people enjoy the movie, for the church the agenda is that people should become committed participants.
The missional church is more like a computer company whose goal is to bring the product into the homes where people live. Their efforts are focused on making the product relevant and appealing to the needs of the person within their context. The aim of the missional church is to make the gospel relevant to people where they live, rather than seeking to create appealing programs that will draw people in."
This is not to say that the communal oriented church is bad and the missional church is good. (read the full article) However, it does matter what a church's primary orientation is because it'll likely produce disciples with similar worldviews and mindsets that the church propagates. "What you win them with is what you will win them to",my friend once quipped. Was it because of Christ or was it a good show? Is the person living a life that testifies God's love, and touching the lives of his friends and family? Or is he a person who has only friends in church, thus having little impact in society?
Thought No.2 - Maintenance or Transformation?
"In general, there is a tendency to plant churches that are safe backwaters; controlled environments that are easily measurable.
As a result people are taught to be content to scoop out fish rather than swimming in the rapids. When this happens, the maintenance of the community of believers becomes the aim of the church rather than the transformation of society."
Have Christians lost their mind? That is, have Christians lost their ability to think and make wise decisions for themselves? There is always the danger of "not thinking" and do whatever is the status quo. Sometimes, this actually make us weaker because we can get so used to scooping fishes that when an unexpected rapid comes our way, we crumple with a mighty thud. Churches that try to make their environment as safe and as controlled as possible (with an 'unconscious' fear that the outside world will eat their members up) will get a rude shock when the rapids come. The result can be very devastating because most have not learned to swim in the rapids. Some survived, some rescued, and many a times, many drown.
An engagement with the society with the aim of transforming it with good deeds, godly character, and the proclamation of the gospel will strengthen the church and the individual. And it does not stopped there. Lives are transformed, hope is found, grace abounds, healing flows and God becomes real in all facets of life.
Thought No.3 - Waiting for them or Going to them?
"We are good at sending missionaries, we are good at bringing people into our meetings, but there is often a lack of conviction that we are a people who have "been sent" by Jesus to make the gospel relevant to others where they live. When churches talk of “outreach” a primary goal is usually to bring them in and assimilate them into church life."
This has always been on my mind. While I think that it is good(and still relevant) to invite people to church, I feel many have missed the point. And what is the point? The point is We are a people called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses in our Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
i.e. Living out our faith demonstrated in love in our one-to-one conversation with friends, family dinner time, gatherings & reunions, schools, workplaces, neighbourhood and contacts with different people groups. Inviting people to church is just one means of outreach. The greater need is for us to live out our faith in wherever God has placed us. That is really OUTreach.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Participating in God's Global Mission - Yes, YOU!
Traditionally, Christians think that the only way to get involved in missions is to be a full-fledged missionary and travel to some dangerous cannibalistic tribe infested jungle. (Okay, I am over-stereotyping) But I have found many Christians not participating in God's mission work because they do not know how to besides becoming a missionary, or they are simply apathetic. Another reason could be the lack of knowledge - who to pray for? who to give to? where to go and support? what can I help if I can't travel?
So if you're stuck in your own country, or you know you're not going to be a missionary(which IS definitely alright), one of the best ways you can help and participate in God's global mission is to give and support a missionary.
Have you heard of people groups called Gond, Halba, Bhatra, Thakur, Raut and Mahara? You haven't? So do I. But a native missionary I am supporting in India is reaching out to them. I don't have to(and probably can't) be there to tell them that Jesus loves them. A number of these groups are unreached people groups who desperately need the gospel (See: The Joshua Project)
So am I telling you that you can pat yourself and feel good about reaching out to people living overseas without having to lift a finger? NO! I am telling you that you have an OBLIGATION to engage yourself in God's global mission in reaching and discipling people of all nations. And one simple way is to help support a missionary who is in the field doing the outreach work while you serve God by your giving. So why spend money on things that will fleet away? Give some of your money to things that are of eternal value. Support a missionary today(Go to: www.gfa.org)
(P.S. It's only USD30 a month! And it'll go a long way for them!)
So if you're stuck in your own country, or you know you're not going to be a missionary(which IS definitely alright), one of the best ways you can help and participate in God's global mission is to give and support a missionary.
Have you heard of people groups called Gond, Halba, Bhatra, Thakur, Raut and Mahara? You haven't? So do I. But a native missionary I am supporting in India is reaching out to them. I don't have to(and probably can't) be there to tell them that Jesus loves them. A number of these groups are unreached people groups who desperately need the gospel (See: The Joshua Project)
So am I telling you that you can pat yourself and feel good about reaching out to people living overseas without having to lift a finger? NO! I am telling you that you have an OBLIGATION to engage yourself in God's global mission in reaching and discipling people of all nations. And one simple way is to help support a missionary who is in the field doing the outreach work while you serve God by your giving. So why spend money on things that will fleet away? Give some of your money to things that are of eternal value. Support a missionary today(Go to: www.gfa.org)
(P.S. It's only USD30 a month! And it'll go a long way for them!)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A little human touch
A granny sat on the floor beside the walkways of Junction 8 and beckoned onlookers to buy the packets of tissue in her hand.
*"Hello Auntie. How are you?" She kept smiling at me. I bought some tissue from her and continued making small talk.
"Are you here everyday?" She chuckle and said, 'No la. I come here once or twice a week."
"Do you live near Bishan?" She shakes her shake and replied, "Marine Parade."
"Oh. Marine Parade ah. Do you live alone?" She replied, "I live with my daughter."
I decided the small talk was enough as I would be disturbing her tissue sales if I carried on. "See you another time Auntie. Jesus loves you. Take care." She nodded her head and gave me a wide smile.
A short chit chat, a dollar and a smile is enough to make my day and her day. Yes, the one dollar you and I gave to buy the packets of tissue could contribute to her finances, but it is the little human touch that makes a whole lot of difference. It made her smile, it made me smile and it gets a lot more meaningful than helping her out with just money.
Singapore is a country where it is thought to have no poor citizens; or rather, citizens without a roof and 3 meals a day. Of course we know that is not exactly true because there are needy people who struggle from time to time for a meal and to pay their utility bills. I've met and befriended one such family and mine you, there are many more. Just ask the various(and numerous) VWO(Voluntary Welfare Organizations) and you'll hear many similar stories from social workers.
However, beneath the dire financial needs of the poor, there is a greater need. The need for a human touch. Singapore has no shortage of VWOs who will help a person in genuine financial need. The government has the Public Assistance Scheme in place to help those who are unable support themselves (http://www.mcys.gov.sg/web/serv_E_PA.html). (Note: the rigid structure and inflexible benchmarking of who qualifies for help and who does not, does make successful application difficult sometimes) But it is true that getting 3 meals a day is not difficult in Singapore. An old man will certainly draw some sympathy from the public with a certain degree of success if he goes about begging for food at a food centre.
The stark reality is that while we have all these VWOs, financial schemes, grants and assistance in place, the quality of life does not get any better for the poor. I must add here that the poor in Singapore is very different from the poor in say, Cambodia. In Cambodia, the poor may live in a house with a broken roof and eat just tapioca daily. In Singapore, the poor may be living in a 3 room flat with 3 children still in school and both or one parent is unable to work due to disability or mental illness. It is a different kind of poor but nonetheless in great need. And especially in Singapore, I feel the quality of life is the main problem. And it's a problem bigger than the finances.
I will not be surprised if a tissue aunty or granny is able to eke out a living by selling tissue packets and feel quite good that they are not living on handouts. But when you talk to them, you will hear their many sad stories and the lonely lives they are living. There are of course exceptions(i've met one in Tampines) but in general, these folks yearn for a little more than that one dollar you gave. They want a human touch, they want love and concern, they want friends, they want to be listened to, they want budding relationships that add colours to their lives.
Your one dollar is helpful, but it stops at just the surface. The next time you get some tissue from these aunties and grannies, say hello to them and find out for yourself how long a human touch can go. That was why Jesus say hello to the uncared for in his days - the tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and the destitute. Most people maintained the status quo and bypassed them as if they were invisible. But Jesus would not. He knew they needed a human touch that is real. He knew they needed love, friendship and relationships more than anything else.
So how about a "How are you?" the next time you give that one dollar? Smile and watch that smile.
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." ~ Mother Teresa
*Conversation with granny is in mandarin. Translated to English for readability
*"Hello Auntie. How are you?" She kept smiling at me. I bought some tissue from her and continued making small talk.
"Are you here everyday?" She chuckle and said, 'No la. I come here once or twice a week."
"Do you live near Bishan?" She shakes her shake and replied, "Marine Parade."
"Oh. Marine Parade ah. Do you live alone?" She replied, "I live with my daughter."
I decided the small talk was enough as I would be disturbing her tissue sales if I carried on. "See you another time Auntie. Jesus loves you. Take care." She nodded her head and gave me a wide smile.
A short chit chat, a dollar and a smile is enough to make my day and her day. Yes, the one dollar you and I gave to buy the packets of tissue could contribute to her finances, but it is the little human touch that makes a whole lot of difference. It made her smile, it made me smile and it gets a lot more meaningful than helping her out with just money.
Singapore is a country where it is thought to have no poor citizens; or rather, citizens without a roof and 3 meals a day. Of course we know that is not exactly true because there are needy people who struggle from time to time for a meal and to pay their utility bills. I've met and befriended one such family and mine you, there are many more. Just ask the various(and numerous) VWO(Voluntary Welfare Organizations) and you'll hear many similar stories from social workers.
However, beneath the dire financial needs of the poor, there is a greater need. The need for a human touch. Singapore has no shortage of VWOs who will help a person in genuine financial need. The government has the Public Assistance Scheme in place to help those who are unable support themselves (http://www.mcys.gov.sg/web/serv_E_PA.html). (Note: the rigid structure and inflexible benchmarking of who qualifies for help and who does not, does make successful application difficult sometimes) But it is true that getting 3 meals a day is not difficult in Singapore. An old man will certainly draw some sympathy from the public with a certain degree of success if he goes about begging for food at a food centre.
The stark reality is that while we have all these VWOs, financial schemes, grants and assistance in place, the quality of life does not get any better for the poor. I must add here that the poor in Singapore is very different from the poor in say, Cambodia. In Cambodia, the poor may live in a house with a broken roof and eat just tapioca daily. In Singapore, the poor may be living in a 3 room flat with 3 children still in school and both or one parent is unable to work due to disability or mental illness. It is a different kind of poor but nonetheless in great need. And especially in Singapore, I feel the quality of life is the main problem. And it's a problem bigger than the finances.
I will not be surprised if a tissue aunty or granny is able to eke out a living by selling tissue packets and feel quite good that they are not living on handouts. But when you talk to them, you will hear their many sad stories and the lonely lives they are living. There are of course exceptions(i've met one in Tampines) but in general, these folks yearn for a little more than that one dollar you gave. They want a human touch, they want love and concern, they want friends, they want to be listened to, they want budding relationships that add colours to their lives.
Your one dollar is helpful, but it stops at just the surface. The next time you get some tissue from these aunties and grannies, say hello to them and find out for yourself how long a human touch can go. That was why Jesus say hello to the uncared for in his days - the tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and the destitute. Most people maintained the status quo and bypassed them as if they were invisible. But Jesus would not. He knew they needed a human touch that is real. He knew they needed love, friendship and relationships more than anything else.
So how about a "How are you?" the next time you give that one dollar? Smile and watch that smile.
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." ~ Mother Teresa
*Conversation with granny is in mandarin. Translated to English for readability
Monday, January 12, 2009
Children and Joy
"Fruit basket!!!!" -> "Ahhhh....eeeee....ahhhh..... over here, over here", these screams and shouts were followed by much laughter and panting(especially by older folks like us). It was really fun in JSS - not so much of the game itself, but the laughter and expressions of the children.
Children have this uncanny ability to bring about laughter and joy to an adult's world. Their innocence, dramatic expressions and simple joy always bring about a new zest and life to an adult's world where the complex things of life had somehow 'suppressed' the child-likeness in each individual.
So it's JSS games time and praise & worship again. Time to let down your hair, sing, dance and laugh like a child again.
(I've been singing this ever since JSS on sunday!)
"I'm..... inward, outward, upward, downward happy all the time.
I'm inward, outward, upward, downward happy all the time.
Since Jesus came to me, and wash away my sins.
I'm inward, outward, upward, downward happy all the time!"
Life's a lot more than doom and gloom. There can be joy, and you can be jovial. Sing this song everyday with Jesus! Ready? I'm..... inward outward upward downward happy all the time! I'm inward outward upward downward happy all the time! Since Jesus came to me, la la la la la la... Happy all the time!
Children have this uncanny ability to bring about laughter and joy to an adult's world. Their innocence, dramatic expressions and simple joy always bring about a new zest and life to an adult's world where the complex things of life had somehow 'suppressed' the child-likeness in each individual.
So it's JSS games time and praise & worship again. Time to let down your hair, sing, dance and laugh like a child again.
(I've been singing this ever since JSS on sunday!)
"I'm..... inward, outward, upward, downward happy all the time.
I'm inward, outward, upward, downward happy all the time.
Since Jesus came to me, and wash away my sins.
I'm inward, outward, upward, downward happy all the time!"
Life's a lot more than doom and gloom. There can be joy, and you can be jovial. Sing this song everyday with Jesus! Ready? I'm..... inward outward upward downward happy all the time! I'm inward outward upward downward happy all the time! Since Jesus came to me, la la la la la la... Happy all the time!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
A New Year Means...
A New Year means.... there will again be decisions to be made. Come to think of it, a new year isn't very much different from the past year. If we were to look at life as a whole, a new year really means 'nothing' because if the calendar does not exist, there will be no such thing as a new year.
A new year always seem to give new hope and new strength because I think there is certainly something 'new' about a new year. But in actual fact, there is really not much of a difference because your life continues from the past year till now - time doesn't stop for you. Your unresolved problems from the past year creeps into the new and whatever you inherited from the past comes into the new automatically - because there isn't really a 'new' year.
So what am I trying to say? Well, I just want to say that our lives continue to live on and everyday is still a 'brand new' journey with the Lord. The past comes into the present: there are still processes to work through, decisions to be made, joy to savour and pain to endure.
I am just glad that I have made a wise decision - however it might be 'unpleasant'. A wise decision always taste good; if not now, then at least later. So freedom in Christ is not about being free from pain. It is the freedom to choose the most excellent choice, and after the choice, to feel so much free-er and at rest.
So what does the new year holds for you? Another 'routine' year? Or a year of growth in maturity, character and a deeper love for God? Do what you need to do since 'last' year, seek what you need to seek since 'last' year and learn what you need to learn since 'last' year. The year continues on - whether old or new, past or present. Live for Him today. Today IS the New Year.
"This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" ~ Psalm 118:24
A new year always seem to give new hope and new strength because I think there is certainly something 'new' about a new year. But in actual fact, there is really not much of a difference because your life continues from the past year till now - time doesn't stop for you. Your unresolved problems from the past year creeps into the new and whatever you inherited from the past comes into the new automatically - because there isn't really a 'new' year.
So what am I trying to say? Well, I just want to say that our lives continue to live on and everyday is still a 'brand new' journey with the Lord. The past comes into the present: there are still processes to work through, decisions to be made, joy to savour and pain to endure.
I am just glad that I have made a wise decision - however it might be 'unpleasant'. A wise decision always taste good; if not now, then at least later. So freedom in Christ is not about being free from pain. It is the freedom to choose the most excellent choice, and after the choice, to feel so much free-er and at rest.
So what does the new year holds for you? Another 'routine' year? Or a year of growth in maturity, character and a deeper love for God? Do what you need to do since 'last' year, seek what you need to seek since 'last' year and learn what you need to learn since 'last' year. The year continues on - whether old or new, past or present. Live for Him today. Today IS the New Year.
"This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" ~ Psalm 118:24
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