Tentmaker Development
Worker’s Dilemma

A tentmaker working for an international relief organization writes (us) about her frustration and pain as she struggles to deal with issues of poverty and justice while providing aid to people in the country where she is serving. How do you respond to the abject need? Does giving money to the beggar help meet his need, or just enable him to remain in a dependent state of poverty.

Welcome to the world of development and issues workers have agonized over for decades. Every thoughtful, caring development worker sooner or later in his career faces these issues.

Just having compassion is not enough. History is rife with stories of well-intentioned efforts to “fix” a problem by jumping in with western “can-do” spirit and changing things. The truth is there are no simple, one size fits all, solutions. Workers need to learn the culture and appropriate ways to live out their faith in it.

Thoughtful people in recipient countries are beginning to recognize that simply giving away stuff does not bring about lasting change. Two years ago a conference of African leaders begged Bono (See the “Africans to Bono”) and well meaning groups like his to stop giving Africa money and material aid. They requested instead assistance in developing skills and systems to help take care of themselves.

A work team from North America came to “help” construct a school for the children in a poor rural community. They had grandiose plans for how quickly, with their expertise, they could build a school for the community. They were very upset when told they could not bring their power tools and finish the building in a week. Nor would they take their picture in front of the new school before leaving. It was a blow to their egos.

Rather, they would work along-side the villagers using the hand-tools available in the community. Concrete would be mixed with a shovel and block cut with a machete, instead of the power tools they were accustomed to using. The school would not be completed while they were there so that the villagers would finish it after they left. The community would know that they had done the project themselves and would be able to do it again when necessary. The work team came to help and share of themselves with the village, not to do for the village.

As they worked along with the parents and took breaks to play with the children new relationships were formed. When these accomplished craftsmen left, their project was not yet finished. But there was a special link with the people of the community and tears of sadness at their departure. They came to build a school and instead built bonds of love into the community.

Fundamental change has to take place internally if we are to see lasting results. People have to take ownership of their problems. There must be a change in worldview or mindset. This kind of change takes time and personal relationship. These deeper transformations will lead to changes in the internal social structures and result in real change.

While not written specifically for development workers, LifeWork: A Biblical Theology for what You Do Every Day, discusses God’s plan for followers of Christ to live out their faith in everything they do. When Christ’s followers live out their faith, the transformation the world needs will follow – at home or abroad.

For additional insights, read When Helping Hurts and Against All Hope.
(See links below)

Urbana ’09 Seeks to Mobilize Students to Transform the World

Sponsored by Inter-Varsity, The Urbana Missions Conference brings together university students once every three years to focus on the current issues in missions.

Urbana ’09 has pinpointed the integration of faith and everyday life as a burning issue for today’s church.  Three of this years’ tracks address poverty and how to deal with it.  One track specifically focuses on issues of justice and advocacy.  A fourth track takes an in depth look at Business as Mission.

This year GO will be at the Urbana Conference at Booth #537 in the exhibit hall.   Stop by and find out more about how GO equips and trains Tentmakers to be effective in the workplace wherever they are – at home or abroad.