Consumption Part 3: Short Term Mission and Volunteering

It fulfils our desire to ‘help’, it allows us to post interesting status updates or photos from exotic locations, and it helps us tick the box when it comes to an understanding of global mission or justice. The final (and long overdue) part of this series of confessions about consumption focuses on short term volunteer projects, or if you speak Christianese – Short Term Mission (STM).

Consumption Part 2: Festivals, Friends and Food?

 

Falls Festival 08. Courtesy of Sarah Pannell.

Currently doing a little series on the consumption patterns I experience beyond the materialism of the late 90′s-early 2000′s. In the previous post I confessed about some of the ways I have consumed knowledge. It is now time to be honest about how I consume experience…in three ways: Festivals (of the music variety), Food (and coffee, and beer in an “it” sort of setting) and Friends. 

Much has been written about Gen Y’s obsession with experience – so an exploration of the theoretics and learning isn’t necessary. However looking at the expressions that can occur, particularly emphasising some of the newer, perhaps more debateable ways is worthwhile – I would also like to hear other peoples’ perspectives on their understanding of our instantaneous self-gratifying nature!

Part 1: Twitter, TED, Titles and knowledge consumption.

I have recently been challenged by two close friends in regards to consumerism, especially in relation to my own weaknesses and ability to be tempted and drawn into this cycle. Consumerism in these instances though hasn’t related to the materialistic understanding we often focus on – but on the consumption of knowledge.

Firstly – sorry for the absence – I have missed having a bit of time to write and reflect – so it’s good to be back! I am going to spend the next week or two posting some short reflections on consumerism and my experiences. Hopefully you’ll find it helpful, challenging, comforting and in some way beneficial…if not, at least it helps me!

Going homeless in Yarra Junction

Spending a couple of hours going (oh so stereotypically) “homeless” for the sake of a hunt the leader game allowed for some interesting reflection time as we lay on boxes, covered in blankets hidden by bins – only disturbed by a small but significant number of passers-by…

The Light FM Interview Question: A Critique

Late last week I had an interview with Luke and Lucy on Light FM about my work and Voices for Justice. They began the interview with the question, “Have you ever had a real full time job, other than dealing with mission and poverty, have you worked at Maccas or something like that?”

What does the question say about us? Our attitudes and our values?

Listen to the interview here.

Tea and Toast: Take aways and reflections on Voices for Justice

On the long drive home from Canberra, in the wee hours of the morning, I was asked what I will take away from Voices for Justice. I have come to realise that many of the things I have taken away can be applicable beyond Voices participants.

Politicians with the giant toilet, highlighting water and sanitation justice issues.

Some background: As most of you will know, I spent Sept 17-20 in Canberra at Voices for Justice, organised by Micah Challenge. Micah Challenge is a unified movement of over 50 Christian denominations and aid and development organisations who believe that seeking justice for the global poor and marginalised is an integral expression of the Christian faith.

Voices for Justice is a campaigning event that builds community and trains everyday Australians, facilitating the opportunity to advocate and lobby politicians to meet our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and reduce global poverty.

WWJD? The wrong question perhaps?

I have increasingly confused emotions towards the question that lit up the 90′s Christians attempts to be cool, awkwardly. “What Would Jesus Do?”, or ‘WWJD’, inquired the gordy coloured wristbands.

I have begun to wonder whether this is what it’s all about? Whether we are a) called to do what Christ would do, or b) be followers of Christ, being Him to the world we inhabit.

 

Incarnation and the story of a Nepalese hospital.

A close friend, Emily, was recently in Nepal for a nursing and midwifery placement and emailed me reflecting on some of her experience.  Here is a story she sent – it is long, but worth sticking with! (emphasis added):

“On Friday in the NICU one of the babies was using the one and only ventilator, receiving CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) it was the first time it had been used since I’d been there. It was a 2 day old baby boy born in a taxi at 34 weeks, to a 21 year old mum (her first baby) and had respiratory distress syndrome. In the morning they had some trouble re-intubating it (the baby wasn’t maintaining its oxygen sats very well, so they thought the breathing tube may be blocked) but they managed to after quite a while, and when I left for lunch the baby was stable. At lunch time the rest of the group decided to head home early, but I’d had a really good morning so decided to stay for a few more hours. When I got back from lunch 2 of the nurses were over at his cot, and they were in the middle of disconnecting the ventilator and attaching the bag and oxygen. I asked them what was going on and they said the baby’s oxgen sats had dropped, one of them listened to the baby’s heart rate and it was only 40, so she started chest compressions.

Overwhelmed by East Africa, an impossible hope?

As I walk from the open-plan kitchen dinner in hand, turning off the down-lights on the way, making my way to the plush blue couch, the nightly news on the wide screen plasma plays a brief section on the East Africa famine. My plate feels a little heavier in my hand. 12 million people are starving to death in the worst drought in 60 years. 30% of children under the age of 5 are suffering severe malnutrition and need clinical feeding just to keep them alive.

I struggle to watch. We say the religious grace we have for a long time – I wonder whether it is right to give thanks for our food, when our brothers, sisters and neighbours starve, yet we enjoy the roast beef regardless.

The next morning I wake, eating 5 Weetbix with milk and honey, I open the paper seeing black faces and skinny children three or four pages in – I quickly keep turning the pages, feeling a little sick.

I live in a land of milk and honey. Why do they not? Where is their promised land?

I have been overwhelmed.

Mission Prayer

This was a prayer, prayed in community at Ringwood Church of Christ during our “Mission May” month. At the time a number of people found it challenging, provocative, and useful. I thought, as a first post, this would be a good place to start. I’d hope & pray you would find it beneficial as well.

 

“Lord, we humbly come before you, aware of our brokenness and imperfection. Lord, glorious and magnificent are you.

 

We bring before you now the pain of brothers, sisters and of ourselves. We think and hurt with those in Libya and Sudan as the presence or threat of civil war increases; we hurt with those permanently displaced my rising sea levels in Bangladesh and Tuvalu; we hurt with those facing persecution for worshipping you or persecution for choosing any other religion of their choice; we hurt with those in the US in the wake of devastating tornadoes; we hurt with the families and friends of those killed or injured protesting peacefully in the face of violent regimes.

Lord we pray that in the face of overwhelming injustice and inequality, that we will not be overcome by the challenges that lie ahead but be filled with hope in the knowledge that you are a God who takes our small, humble offerings and does the work of your Kingdom – it is your power and not ours Lord.

 

Lord, we give thanks to you and celebrate with joy in the good news that you’re moving in – we celebrate with those who have life because of reductions in malaria; we celebrate the growing movements against corruption and exploitation in the West and worldwide; we celebrate with those who have benefitted from the greater presence of fairly traded products; we celebrate with those in Gaza receiving much needed life giving aid because of the relaxation of Egypt’s borders; we celebrate the success of the Quilt show and servant hearts of those who made it possible; we celebrate those working with UNOH and the release of Cooking with Poo; we celebrate with those feeling a sense of reconciliation following the Queen’s visit to Ireland; we celebrate with those feeling hope for Burma and the small steps to freedom taken in the last week and the glimmer of hope for a transition to democracy. 

 

Lord we pray that in the face of the apathy, inaction and hypocrisy, of ourselves and others, that you will forgive us. That we will be filled with your grace and patience.

 

Lord we pray for courage and strength in following you, that we will not be stifled by cultural norms and expectations, but filled with your spirit of beautiful, reckless, unconditional love. Lord, we pray that we will lose our life and find yours. Fill us with your dreams, your hopes, your vision and your transforming love.

We pray specifically for those with a calling on their heart, that they will hear and follow.

 

Lord we pray that we do not see the status quo of poverty, excess and the systems of inequality as acceptable. We pray we are filled with your passion and your urgency as we respond to the silent crises affecting all of us.

 

Lord we ask today for our daily bread; that stomachs will be filled and sustenance found.

 

We pray that as we are faced with the complexities of refugees and asylum seekers that we can remember that your Son himself was a refugee. As the boats come, help us not see illegality and overpopulation, but the face of our Saviour.

 

Lord we acknowledge that our lives and everyday actions are deeply interwoven with the issues facing our brothers and sisters near and far. We pray for wisdom and discernment, that we can do justice and show your love in the patterns of our consumption, our attitudes, and our interactions day after day.

 

As we are faced with hopelessness and evil born out of violence in the face of terrorism and war, we pray that we will live only with the hope that peace, love, mercy and grace can provide for us all – Constantly aware that no one is beyond the redemptive and restorative love of You. Let us be aware always of the story of Paul, a brother, once a terrorist, confronted by your love.

 

Lord we pray that your Kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth, here today, as it is in heaven. That we will see justice roll down as we are filled with your Holy Spirit, moving us to be your hands and feet today, tomorrow and the next day.

 

And so Lord we thank you, for the opportunity to be part of your will, for your transformative love offered to all the earth. Let us not remember the issues Lord, but remember the people behind the issues, our brothers and sisters. Be with us all, in sadness and injustice, in hope and in joy, in grace and in our brokenness we pray. Amen.”