Somewhere over Canada (Post #2 on our first day)
by Reed on Apr.20, 2006, under Uncategorized
I love Lufthansa! Not only because their cabin service is excellent, not only because the attendants on board can collectively speak about nine languages, but also because they are so ahead of the curve technologically. This is the first flight I’ve ever been on where I can access the internet while flying somewhere above 30,000 feet (and for you techies out there, the connection clocks at 96kbps down and 42 up). Not the fastest at all but still pretty amazing to me. I love being able to post my second blog entry of the day (depending on the continent of reference as it’s already Friday in Europe, maybe this is my first post of tomorrow) in-flight. Just to prove that this is actually happening, here’s a couple of pictures I just took (click on the pictures to enlarge)!
Now on to other thoughts. Before the trip, I picked up and have just begun to read Jeffrey Sachs The End of Poverty.
He’s a world-renowned economist who is positing the possibility that this generation could take part in ending extreme global poverty by 2025. That would mean helping nearly 1 billion people presently living on less than a dollar a day (and who can’t meet even basic food and shelter needs) enter into their first step toward economic prosperity. I’m interested to get further into this work, although I must say I’m not up on my economics enough to really evaluate his plan all that well. For more information on Jeffrey Sachs, check out this wikipedia article (this article also contains a link to some of Sachs’ critics; notably William Easterly who “savaged End of Poverty in his review for the Washington Post”). Some interesting things I’ve discovered so far, though, include the fact that over 8 million people die yearly because, in Sachs’ words, “they are to poor to stay alive.” Furthermore, I’ve also learned, by his report and without checking the GAO figures, that the US allocates approximately $15 billion each year to fight global poverty. Which while a significant amount equates to less 0.15% of our GNP. Another way of putting is that we spend 15/100th of a penny on global poverty relief for every dollar in our GNP. Commenting on the wisdom of such a figure, Sachs writes: The share of US GNP devoted to helping the poor has declined for decades, and is a tiny fraction of what the United States has repeatedly promised, and failed, to give. It is also much less than the United States should give, both to solve the crisis of extreme poverty and thereby provide for US national security.
Sachs also begins his book by pointing out that we need not fear that economic development elsewhere will hinder our way of life. On the contrary, it may in fact give us a leg up economically and with regard to national security. Again, he writes: Economic development is not a zero-sum game in which the winnings of some are inevitably mirrored by the losses of others. The game is one that everybody can win. Then he backs this statement by tracking economic development and gross world product (GWP) over the past 200 or so years.
I’m also reminded, although not by this book as it is completely secular, that this topic of economics is biblical. From the earliest days of Israel, the promised land was to be one that considered the value of economic justice. You can see this not only in the Torah (consider Leviticus 25, for example), but in the Prophets as well (for example, see Jeremiah and Zechariah).
In all of this I’m struck by where God has placed us. We’re in a time and place where I believe we can, as a church, help those living in abject poverty find both economic as well as spiritual hope. This is my prayer, that we can be a part of God’s move in their lives, one that will cause them to thank their Creator for his goodness and melt our hearts in the process. I am so thankful for Side by Side.
Okay, I’m going to get back into my book now and the next 6.5 five hours of our first flight. I’ll post more on it, and the trip of course, later. But before I do, I just have one encouragement. Take part in this blog by leaving your comments and thoughts. This journey to Swaziland – and even more into the middle of God’s dream – is not about Erin and me. It’s something that God is including us all in; it’s the story into which we’ve been called. So take part (as you feel so inspired) by engaging in a discussion on any of these themes. Feel free to agree or disagree…to ask questions…to write a prayer… We’re all writing this blog-and living in God’s story-together.
Traveling with you,
Reed and Erin
6 Comments for this entry
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I'm Reed Mueller, pastor of Columbia Ridge Community Church. Feel free to read what pops out of my head and onto the web, then join in the discussion if you want.
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April 20th, 2006 on 6:07 pm
Who cares about the technology on board Reed!!?… How’s the food??? Just kidding.
You guys are going to have an awesome trip and God is going to do awesome things through you and through our church! Thanks for leading the way…
April 20th, 2006 on 9:20 pm
Reed, One thought regarding the amount and/or lack of money the US is contributing to world hunger is the fact that in many instances of attempted help, corruption and greed have taken what has been given for good intent and turned it into a perverted way for a very few to profit on the the stomachs of soo many! Just one example would be the UN’s food for oil program that turned into a profitable venture at the cost of help so many people. (Sorry, I don’t have the knowledge to add links to support my argument.) This is also seen with medical supplies and other resources.
World Vision seems to be able to keep the resources clean from this corruption praise God!! But I think it will be the light like Side by Side can and will show that will draw more to do what is right in God’s eyes! Relief has to come from people not governments.
Anyway, off my soap box for now.
God bless you and Erin! God Bless your time in the desert(both figurtively and specifically speaking)
God bless the people you touch while there!
And finally, God bless the people our church community touches because of the growth we experiance as we grow from Side by Side.
April 21st, 2006 on 7:23 am
Thanks for the update . . .and let me ask . . .are your messages as long as you post? Just kidding! I had to laugh about the in flight Internet. My brother-in-law works for Boeing, and several years ago, he worked in the group that was installing this “new technology” on planes. Anyway, I haven’t had the pleasure of trying it out, but I’m glad you did. I don’t know about this now shower thing . . .did Erin bring nose plugs, I’m sure she will still be smelling like a rose, after the 48 hours, but You, let’s just say you will being smelling like that stuff they put at the base of a rose to make it grow. I love the GPS idea, I think goggle earth, will work with that idea really nicely.
Have a great flight!
Your friend PD
April 21st, 2006 on 8:16 am
Kris,
Your thoughts are quite good and yes, there have been many abuses of foreign assistance in the past (and I’m sure, in the future). I, too, believe in what God is calling our church (and the Church) into…and little by little it will make a difference. I think the point to be grappled with, from Sachs’ perspective at least, is our relatively miniscule allocation of funds for development when compared to those dedicated to present military action. His point is that we might better serve our own interests (speaking of the US) in the long run if we help build the infrastructure necessary for prosperty (best case) or at least mild economic growth in developing or unstable countries.
Again, I would comment more on the book if I weren’t loopy right now! Perhaps I’ll have time in the next few days to both digest my reading and post some thoughts about it.
On the work of World Vision I couldn’t agree with you more. I love what they are about and how they go about it…and I’m quite anxious to get involved first-hand in the coming week. Not only that, I’m really interested in sharing our experience of it all with everyone at home!
April 21st, 2006 on 8:16 am
Karen…the food was pretty good, but the technology was better :^) Thanks for your loving thoughts and encouragement!
April 21st, 2006 on 8:19 am
PD, you’re a funny man! I’m still fresh as a daisy and plan on staying that way! At least that’s what I’m telling myself. Who cares anyway…I’ll be asleep (and I hope Erin will be too) most of my next flight!