The current vision for missions by PCUSA is that missionaries are "partners" with the nationals in the country where they serve. We have heard the stories about why all the missionaries from the Presbyterian churches were asked to leave in the '70's and have chosen to approach our ministry with the partnership model instead of the patriarchal model of the past. This has benefits in relationship building and demonstrates our belief that we are able and willing to be servants to those who know their own land, customs, culture and paths to success better than we do. This commitment to partnership bring challenges too.
Yesterday I left on my second caravan with flood relief supplies for Villahermosa. I traveled without the benefit of an interpreter and with 5 other people who didn't know how to get around the city of Villahermosa any better than I do. Hindsight's always 20/20, y'know?!
Since my first visit to Mexico in 1999, I have heard Pablo's orientation about Plan A being Man's Plan and Plan B, C, G or Z being God's Plan.
Plan A: Leave Ocosingo by 7AM with 2 vehicles with supplies to meet Lorena Valesquz (Exec Dir of Hebron Foundation) who would be there with another truck at a bridge on the outskirts of Villahermosa. Lorena would then take the supplies to boats distributing supplies in the areas of Villahermosa where families are still stranded on roofs and without access to the resources available to those in shelters. Lorena would get supplies to those who needed them the most, and we would be able to drop supplies without having to go all the way into the city and get back to Ocosingo by nightfall.
Plan B: Late departure from Ocosingo, so by the time we arrived, there was no truck and no Lorena at the bridge. My traveling companions spent lots of time talking, making cell calls, etc. Finally it was agreed that I should lead us to the new seminary. Unfortunately, we had already passed the turn to the new seminary, but of course I didn't know that! So, after realizing that I wasn't going to be able to get us to the new seminary, I managed to get us to the old seminary where the shelter is set up (a miracle in itself that I got us there!). Pastor Joel identified someone to lead us to the new seminary in his car. That's when all control was clearly out of my hands!
Plan C-Z: We followed this guy through back streets to his own business where he had us deposit about 1/2 our load. Then we resumed travel through the center of Villahermosa along with about 10 million other cars! Villa traffic is pretty bad when all the roads are open, so when more than 50% of the roads are closed, it's horrific! Trying not to exaggerate, I'll estimate that during most of this part of our wild-goose-chase, there were cars within 6 inches of me on all sides of my car! We finally exited the city, following the man, only to find that the road to the seminary was still closed. So we began the second part of the wild-goose-chase, following the man as he took us miles and miles away from Villahermosa. He was trying to find another way to the seminary, but it truly seemed like the blind leading the blind! To make a long story short, he eventually called for help, and we were met by someone who led us to his home.
In fine Mexican fashion, we were invited in with lots of hugs and kisses, served a very generous and tasty meal while we all talked about what a shame it was that there were people not getting help....all while our trucks sat loaded with supplies in front of their home. Finally, we unloaded the remaining supplies into the family's back bedroom, prayed together, and began the 3rd part of the wild-goose-chase - again following the same man, back through the same 10 million cars and finally exiting the city about dusk. I deposited my passengers at their homes and finally fell into my bed about 11:15.
Last Sunday, I was so concerned for the people of Villahermosa that I didn't care if we ended up giving our supplies to perfect strangers...at least someone would benefit. As I gave up all control yesterday about what I thought we should be doing, I just had to keep reminding myself that God must have another plan. But it was very hard because, no matter what I did, I had to sacrifice something....we couldn't honor both efficiency in helping AND honor the culture!
Efficiency in helping....Get the supplies to Lorena or insist on leaving them at the presbytery's shelter. This would require me to insist to those traveling with me that we do it my way instead of their way. Had I objected when we deposited the supplies with the individuals, it would have appeared that I did not trust them, even though my traveling companions did. Not exactly partnership, huh?
OR...
Honor the culture....Graciously accept and enjoy the meal that was offered to us, receive the hospitality in the spirit it was given, and leave the supplies with this family who promised to get the supplies distributed appropriately. This required accepting a good meal that could have been given to someone directly affected by the flood and leaving the supplies with an individual (which Pablo didn't want to happen). Although the family lived in a small community that may need help, it clearly was not under water or anywhere close to the living on rooftops or those who are the most desperate. Not exactly an efficient way of helping, huh?
It was a long, hard day. It was not possible to honor partnership, servanthood, efficiency in helping and cultural norms all at the same time. I can only fall back on Pablo's lesson about God's Plan and trust that God is working it all out. I can know that I demonstrated our commitment to partnership and servanthood....but not without paying the price of letting go.
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