We have just heard that all our 130+ colleagues working in Japan are safe although some have harrowing tales to tell. We have several living and working in Sendai...
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Fractured relationships, fractured hand!
Mass Rapid Transit or MRT is the island-wide transport system that moves millions of Singaporeans daily. The train system is clean, cheap, fast – and so packed that all of us have had the experience of leaning back into the crowded carriage as the closing train doors rub across the skin of our faces! The opportunities for people-watching are plentiful!
Josh came home indignant. He had seen an older Singaporean woman enter a crowded carriage. A young migrant worker from South Asia immediately stood up and politely offered his seat. The Singaporean went over without a word, opened her bag, took out a packet of tissues and carefully and thoroughly wiped the seat before perching gingerly on its edge. Publicly humiliated for his kindness, the man stood silently, staring out of the carriage windows.
An exuberant, dreadlocked, black South African leant across to talk to Steve. She had been reading Tom Wright’s commentary on Matthew over Steve’s shoulder (packed carriages mean that one can take advantage of other’s reading material!) and wanted to talk. She was a midwife, working in Saudi Arabia and after a few questions was pouring out her heart about the tough, exploitative conditions that she was working under and the casual discrimination she experienced on a daily basis in the Middle East.
Anna watched as a young Australian school boy was asked to finish his drink before getting on a bus by the driver - eating and drinking is not allowed on the transport system. There was an explosion of bad language from the young man, used perhaps to doing as he liked on public transport at home, as he tossed his unfinished drink away and jumped on, without another word to the driver.
These are reminders of the powerful currents of tension within cross-cultural relationships in our supposedly globalised world. Who can heal the deep fractures & hostilities that lie between peoples, temporarily & imperfectly covered by a veneer of respectability but not truly accepting, affirming or loving? “We look forward to the wealth, glory and splendor of all cultures being brought into the city of God – redeemed & purged of all sin, enriching the new creation”. This vision of the future brings a present challenge – to begin living alongside others now as we intend to go on.
Anna and Steve had a lightning visit to the UK to join in OMF UK’s National Conference. It was wonderful to see our parents (briefly ☺), to meet up with friends and engage with the exciting changes and reshaping of the OMF UK homeside. As we touched down at Changi Airport and turned on our phones a text came through from Fiona, who had been looking after Aimee and Joshua. She was in casualty with Josh who had been injured at the start of a rugby practice. Later that night, Josh underwent three hours of surgery to repair his broken right hand. Josh's hand looked like a grapefruit with fingers - seriously swollen. We are grateful for caring friends and expert medical care.
Pray for stamina for Josh as he shadows Dr Lim Poh Lian (who did her elective 20 years ago in Zimbabwe, staying with Steve’s parents!) at the Infectious Diseases Unit of a local hospital from 12th- 18th March. Steve will improve his rugby coach skills by attending a training course with the Singapore Rugby Union on 19th/20th March. Steve and Anna take part in a STEPS weekend run by the OMF Singapore National Office for those considering cross cultural service, 26th/27th March. Pray we might be an encouragement to those we interact with as they seek to know the Lord’s will for their lives.
Josh came home indignant. He had seen an older Singaporean woman enter a crowded carriage. A young migrant worker from South Asia immediately stood up and politely offered his seat. The Singaporean went over without a word, opened her bag, took out a packet of tissues and carefully and thoroughly wiped the seat before perching gingerly on its edge. Publicly humiliated for his kindness, the man stood silently, staring out of the carriage windows.
An exuberant, dreadlocked, black South African leant across to talk to Steve. She had been reading Tom Wright’s commentary on Matthew over Steve’s shoulder (packed carriages mean that one can take advantage of other’s reading material!) and wanted to talk. She was a midwife, working in Saudi Arabia and after a few questions was pouring out her heart about the tough, exploitative conditions that she was working under and the casual discrimination she experienced on a daily basis in the Middle East.
Anna watched as a young Australian school boy was asked to finish his drink before getting on a bus by the driver - eating and drinking is not allowed on the transport system. There was an explosion of bad language from the young man, used perhaps to doing as he liked on public transport at home, as he tossed his unfinished drink away and jumped on, without another word to the driver.
These are reminders of the powerful currents of tension within cross-cultural relationships in our supposedly globalised world. Who can heal the deep fractures & hostilities that lie between peoples, temporarily & imperfectly covered by a veneer of respectability but not truly accepting, affirming or loving? “We look forward to the wealth, glory and splendor of all cultures being brought into the city of God – redeemed & purged of all sin, enriching the new creation”. This vision of the future brings a present challenge – to begin living alongside others now as we intend to go on.
Pray for stamina for Josh as he shadows Dr Lim Poh Lian (who did her elective 20 years ago in Zimbabwe, staying with Steve’s parents!) at the Infectious Diseases Unit of a local hospital from 12th- 18th March. Steve will improve his rugby coach skills by attending a training course with the Singapore Rugby Union on 19th/20th March. Steve and Anna take part in a STEPS weekend run by the OMF Singapore National Office for those considering cross cultural service, 26th/27th March. Pray we might be an encouragement to those we interact with as they seek to know the Lord’s will for their lives.
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