Need that verges on the overwhelming

Monday afternoon and I have met with the staff and students at the college, which was fantastic. By western standards they have so little and yet what they are doing is fantastic. They have been asking themselves how we might partner with them and here we come to what might seem like the predictable part of the trip... And yet I have been touched by the thoughtfulness of the team here.

As we talked it is very evident that they know the danger of becoming reliant on others who are rich. "Donors come in and think they know what we need", I was told on a number of occasions. "We need to build something that can support itself." And the plans they have are impressive; a model farm, kitchens, schools, much of which is already started. Life is hard but the level of commitment is high.

And yet, this wise commitment and caution about becoming reliant on aid which can dry up at any time does not take away the real need which is here. The person who cleans the houses in which I am staying has a wife with cancer and they cannot afford treatment. The 32 trainee readers have 11 bicycles between them. (Incidentally, the diocese is divided into 70 parishes and 600 sub-parishes. Sub-parishes which are the main local churches are run by lay readers, and of the 600 lay readers only about 70 are trained.) when I taught the readers this afternoon there were only a out 8 Bibles in the room. The college library has fewer books in it than my children own. Feeding a student at the college costs about £1 per day, and yet they struggle to find that. And these are simply the needs I have seen this afternoon... The need goes on and on.

Obviously we can and will try to help, but the key question for me is how we offer friendship and humanity and not simply write a cheque to salve some aching guilt at our own profligate richness. How do we partner in a way which brings sustainable life here and through training readers to work in every community in this huge diocese share something of that with countless others? This is vital and is a question we shall look to address as we build friendship and cooperation in the Lord's Name. And it is furthered tomorrow when the first of my students begins a placement here.

Although the need is massive it is thrilling to imagine what might be done as we step forward in time with Jesus and see what He has in store for us.