Poverty/Aid/Economic Development

Yesterday there was a press conference on Anglican ministry's devoted to economic development. I participated in that press conference representing ARDF (Anglican Relief and Development Fund) as did Tom Sanderson of Five Talents UK (working in micro enterprise development), and Andrew Taswell of the British Based Transformational Business Network (TBN- no, not the televangelist cable station). We talked together about the different ways our agencies were trying to make a difference, particularly in the global south. While the presentations were worthwhile, the secular press had no interest. They did not even show up. The only outlets who attended this particular press conference were the specifically Christian outlets ( Christianity Today, Anglican TV, Virtue on Line, Church Times UK) and a few others. It's unfortunate that the secular press wants to say that this is all about human sexuality, and choose not to even attend events that would contradict their own presuppositions.

It's too bad, really. These groups are, in fact, doing imaginative and worthwhile work. Each group has its own niche. Five Talents raises capital to help families and individuals start small businesses. Most initial investments are about $5000. ARDF works with local churches and dioceses in both emergency relief (floods, drought and the like) and in community development (hospitals, schools, training programs, water purification, etc.). Most initial investments are between $15K and $50K. Both organizations partner with local Anglican churches and dioceses, using the network they already provide for trustable workers and long term sustainability. Transformational Business Network is involved in venture capital for starting larger business efforts also working with the local church. TBN works with a network of business leaders to create jobs, building skills and providing capital.

Later that evening we all got on buses to visit the western wall of the temple. We got there about 9:00 pm and found the wall crowded with tourists who were observing and taking pictures, and with pilgrims who were there to pray: men on one side (with required head covering) and women on the other. Many of the men came without hats so there were a lot of bishops and clergy with funny looking bandannas and handkerchiefs on their heads. However, as humorous as people looked, the overall mood of those there was solemn. People have prayed here for thousands of years and we readily entered into that same spirit.

The next day it was a morning filled with Latino celebration as 4 Anglican bishops from South America led us in rousing Spanish choruses (the group was dubbed Bp. Tito and the three Amigos). The group included our friend Bp. Frank Lyons of Bolivia and they brought down the house.

The afternoon was spent deliberating a public statement of intention created by the Primates present and their theological advisers. That statement will be made public on Sunday. It was enthusiastically received by all present. We broke up into provincial groups to add our own comments and one notable note of cultural distinction observed quickly: the Ugandan group met for one hour and concluded by singing the doxology. The group from North America met for over 4 hours word smithing every sentence!