During the two months of deployment, I traveled by road and air twice to Bangladesh and once to Indonesia, in addition to traveling extensively within India by rail and road to various churches. I met their leaders to learn more about their ministry, specifically in health and development. It was a wonderful experience as I was able to connect with many church leaders, take part in many social and church activities and also dialogue in a spirit of companionship with many partners. I was able to convey the message of companionship and building relationship to do God’s work with our hands.
It was an assignment that opened my eyes and ears towards the brokenness of our world. I experienced that the Holy Spirit is working in most parts of this region. In India and Indonesia, the churches are growing. Many new churches are being built. Small church buildings can no longer accommodate the growing number of believers. So they are building larger churches to meet the growing needs. I attended many worship services during this two months and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in every congregation. The songs and praises inspired me immensely and enriched my life.
In Indonesia, I took part in long term strategic planning meetings for two major programs for our companions. First one was the HKBP committee on HIV/AIDS and the second one was for Center for Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Development through Nommensen University in Medan, one of the largest Lutheran Universities in the region.
In Bangladesh, I attended the donors’ meeting for RDRS (Rongpur Dinajpur Rehabilitation Service), one of our companions for many years. It was encouraging that this organization is working in one of the poorest geographical areas in Bangladesh rather than spreading too thinly around the whole country. I was encouraged to witness the affirmation given by many partners who have been supporting this organization for many years. The long term plan for RDRS is to achieve self reliance through micro-credit and other income generating activities.I also visited Lutheran Health Care, Bangladesh (LHCB) with which ELCA has been in partnership for more than 15 years. In addition to providing primary health care for the people in Dumki, one of the remotest areas in Bangladesh, they are also working to provide safe drinking water and reducing the risk of serious arsenic contamination, which has been a problem in that area for a long time.
They recently started the popular micro-credit program through formation of co-operatives for women. I attended two meetings of these women’s groups and have a sense of satisfaction in what the LHCB is trying to achieve. It was heart breaking to see many men and women who have been affected by the contamination of arsenic in drinking water. Due to ignorance and the lack of early detection of this deadly poison in the drinking water, many lives are in danger today. However, I came back with a sense of relief - it is “BETTER LATE THAN NEVER”
I feel fortunate and humbled by the opportunity to be part of the ELCA-Global Mission to reach to the poor and oppressed who are in need. People in this region may be poor and hungry but they are strong in spirit. They know how to survive in severe adverse situations and how to live with less. Our mission is to walk with them, learn from them and work to find solutions.
Dealing with gender equality is a large part of the work we do with the oppressed and poor. I have come to realize that it plays an important role in our approach to eliminate inequality and poverty in these societies. To quote the former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan: “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a pre-condition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance”
Please pray that everyone in this world may live in peace and, I/we, as God’s people may be the instrument for peace and justice in this broken world.
May the God of peace and mercy be with us.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my family to yours.
Richard Sarker
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