Thursday morning reflections

It's about 6:30 Thursday morning (September 14) as I write this. As we rode the bus yesterday, we were talking about short-term mission trips. There is a style short-term teams that I summarized rather cynically by saying they "go in, do some project like build a church or something, then pat themselves on the back, go home, and feel good." Sylvia scowled at me, with some justification, but I continued that it's important for people to feel good about doing stuff.

One issue, though, is sustainability. Imagine what happens when this prayer is answered:

O Lord, won't you buy me
A Mercedes-Benz (Janis Joplin, I think)

If the recipient has the means to cover the insurance on such a vehicle (especially if it's the high-powered sports coupe) and the maintenance (how much for a fuel pump now?), it might be OK, but there are people for whom a Mercedes would be a financial disaster. When Western mission agencies or churches build facilities (hospitals and clinics for example) that can't be staffed, what's the use of that?

And if they can be staffed long-term by westerners, that tends to give (or leave) power in the hands of the "sugar daddy." These things can be disempowering and trap the recipients in a dependent posture.

Not that we should do nothing, but there are are more and less helpful ways to share Jesus's love with the needy.

It is very complicated, and our own mixed motives (I want to feel good about my accomplishments, too!) don't make it any easier.

the Lynch kids

Sylvia mentioned that we met Hilary and her kids at the Edo museum the other day. I have to tell you how impressed I am with their friendliness and the sense of joy I get from them. But now that I think of it, having Stu and Hil as parents, I shouldn't be surprised.

The museum was a field trip for them (the kids are home-schooled) and a volunteer tour guide was telling them all about the exhibits (Hilary interpreted for them). Soon it was lunch time, and we gathered in the restaurant's waiting area. Aiden (the only boy) grabbed my arm and offered to eat it like an ear of corn (he was so hungry). One of his sisters (Acacia or Amiel?) did the same. There were 13 of us, so we sat at three tables. Two tables of four were called and we had to select ourselves. Aiden and Amiel grabbed Rob and me and dragged us to one table. We had a lovely meal together.

and what's on deck today?

We're meeting Shigeru and going to the Yasukuni shrine. Beyond that, though, I'm not sure. My head has exploded several times already, and I feel inclined to punch out early today and write some more back here at the TEAM Center.

posted a little before 9am Thursday September 14 in Japan. (about 5pm Wednesday evening)