“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
~ Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was an incredible woman. She chose to live on nothing so that she could give others something. She chose to follow the call of God on her life, living out ‘the true fast’, as described in Isaiah 58. Throughout our training here, the theme of ‘the poor’ has come up over and over again. In the Bible, many times it is written that we are to feed the poor, to give up what we have in the hope of improving the lives of ‘the least of these’.

I have been thinking lately about what that actually means for us this year. We have essentially given up our own hopes and plans for what we could do this year, and are following God with everything we are, and everything that we have. Fasting is something that I have been learning about recently, and have experienced both the joys and the pains of this spiritual discipline. My understanding is that in fasting, you are denying yourself as a way of drawing closer to God, in intercession or desperation.

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‘Partnership’ is an over-used and tired word, especially if you see a partnership as merely a business contract! You may have observed situations that indicate partnerships don’t really work, and the novelty of the idea or term has lost its capacity to envision.

How does the Bible define partnership? The Apostle Paul’s analogy in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 redefines the term anew for us, and gives us the opportunity to speak a common language – not of business, not of marriage, but of the body. Paul pictures the church as a functioning body, with each part playing its role. Traditionally we read this passage (and Rom. 12, 1 Pet. 4 and Eph. 4) as applicable at the level of personal spiritual gifts in the local church. However, globalization has extended our view of church. Instead, let’s look at how the analogy of the body is useful in reflecting on the role of global church partnerships.

Diversity

Organic diversity is the strength of the physical body; different parts with unique functions. Too often local churches try to copy models of ministry that work elsewhere, and expect that they will have the same results. Paul helps us recognise the differences and uniqueness we each bring to the body (1 Cor. 12:15-19). The Asian church should not seek to replicate the European church. Each should celebrate its uniqueness, and serve in that context, recognising it belongs to the whole. I will point out however, that diversity is no excuse for allowing or tolerating ungodly and un-Biblical church behavior/models.

Reciprocity

All the organs need one another. No matter how mature any organ becomes, it will always be dependent on the rest in a healthy way. Each gives, and each takes. The heart gives blood to the lungs, and the lungs give oxygen to the heart. Sometimes local churches/Christians operate as independent organs that do not need anyone else. Paul argues that we will always need each other (1 Cor. 12:21-26) for a healthy exchange of ideas, resources and gifts.

For example, the South East Asian Church needs the New Zealand Church to make the most of historical wisdom, institutions, books, faculty, and financial resources. But the South East Asian Church offers fresh personnel resources in huge numbers, vibrancy, zeal, and new paradigms for mission.

Unity

Like the body, we too are connected intricately, as Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:3-6: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Jesus prayed for all believers in John 17:20-23: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”. Developing meaningful global partnerships brings honour to God’s name and enables the worldwide Church to be a great witness!

Nurture strong cross cultural relationships

Money and need should never be the first and only things we consider. We were created for relationships – with God and one another. The Fall (Gen. 3) disrupted all of our relationships. Building and sustaining God-honoring, person-and-community respecting relationships stands at the very heart of partnerships.

Our involvement with cross-cultural partnerships has the capacity to change us significantly by helping us identify our blind spots and giving us skills to engage and learn from people from other cultures, grow God’s Kingdom and bring honour to God’s name. Here’s my challenge for you to consider: What global partnerships are you currently developing?

And from one rat to another…

This morning I (NZCMS Associate Mission Partner Steve Tripp) was sitting in a nice air-conditioned cafe having a mentoring session with Emma, our intern, when we see a small rat running around the room. It’s unusual to see rats in this particular cafe but nothing really surprises us here in Cambodia. What was more unusual was that this rat seemed rather out of sorts to be in the cafe at all – generally if a rat is in a cafe it isn’t too worried about it. This one was running back and forth, trying to run up the walls and over the furniture and quite clearly didn’t know where it was or how to get out. As it was only a smallish one none of the customers were too disturbed…. just amused.
Emma had been staying with a Cambodian family in a very poor community on the outskirts of Phnom Penh and as we watched this rat she shared how there is a small rat in her bedroom that keeps her awake by shuffling around at night. She actually felt a little sorry for ‘her rat’ when she came back to her bedroom after a couple of nights away to find her rat had been eating her soap. As she related this story she commented that this rat looked very similar to her rat and then the penny dropped! This rat was her rat! During the night it had crawled into her bag for a sleep and she had brought the bag, with the rat inside to the cafe. Oh well, at least she will get a better sleep tonight!

Canon Andrea Mwaka School in Tanzania is also recruiting for teachers. Long term (more than 2 years) commitment is preferred. For more info see the CAMS website: http://www.cams.ac.tz/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=54

Primary and Secondary education in South Asia. Teaching positions are available for kiwis looking for a challenge. This international school is based at the heart of a vibrant South Asian city and provides great education as a way of supporting and caring for the children of Mission Partners who are serving the surrounding communities. Contact Sophia (sophia@nzcms.org.nz) at the NZCMS for more information.

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