The Ministry of Presence

In America we are so used to “doing” something. In fact if we are not doing something we are wasting time, we are wasting resources… and perhaps we are also lazy. This idea gets turned on its head here in Africa. You see, after spending time at the Amahoro Africa Conference this past week I realize that as a white missionary… I’ve taken quite enough power away from these beautiful people. You can hear a talk given by Edward Simiyu here, at my friend Roger’s blog. It’s called “The Ministry of presence.”

You see, in Africa it’s actually quite important for the people of this continent to see us here, to know us and to be known by us. In Africa, you don’t rush off to appointments, you linger over tea, getting to know one another, being present with one another. Rather than coming and implementing program after program we should elect instead to engage in the ministry of presence. Only by spending time with and listening to people here, i.e., blacks and coloureds [yes Americans, that is the proper term in SA for mixed race persons] can we empower them to believe in themselves, to innovate solutions, to value their own opinions. They have been taught by our actions that white people’s ideas have intrinsic value, and if white people share their opinions for growth and change it shuts down what they might otherwise have to offer.

So let us in Africa engage in the ministry of presence… let’s stand with our brothers and sisters in Africa, encouraging them in their wisdom, their strength, their abilities. Let’s show them we care by being here, with them, hand in hand.