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ASIAN MEMBER CAREGIVERS GATHERING
October 5-6, 2001
Asian Member Caregivers Gathering Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel, Pattaya, Thailand October 5-6, 2001--SUMMARY
Purpose
The purpose of this gathering was to bring Asian caregivers together to meet each other, pray, discuss our respective work in member care (specific ministries and specific nations), and look at ways to further develop member care within and from Asia.
The theme for the gathering was "Self and Mutual Care." In other words, in addition to discussing member care issues and our work, we wanted to make sure that we take time for self care in general and at our gathering, along with caring for each other.
The gathering was also related to the November 2000 caregivers gathering held in the USA (following the annual Mental Health and Missions Conference in Indiana) in which 25 participants from all around the world participated. The purpose of the USA gathering were the same as this present one (developing relationships, exchanging updates, discussing projects). It is encouraging to know that two similar and strategic member care gatherings took place within a year, one in the Western Hemisphere (USA) and one in the Eastern Hemisphere (Thailand).
Participants
There were 18 participants from 10 Asian countries.
Grace Lim-Singapore
Grace Maragaret Y. Alag-Philippines, Philippines MC Association
Amilie Dalsalla-Philippines, Translators Association of thePhilippines
Met Castillo-The Philippines, Coordinator EFA Missions Commission
Koh Soo Choon-North Asia Director for Interserve
Kelly O'Donnell-France, EFA Member Care-Asia, YWAM
Harry Hoffman-Thailand, Chaing Mai Member Care Group
Philip Chang-Malaysia, Interserve
Stephen Lim-Taiwan, Pastor, Chair for United Missions Association
Polly Chan-Hong Kong, EFA Member Care Asia, OMF
Ruth Baek-Korea, MK Nest, Global Missionary Training Center
Katherine Tan-Singapore, Wycliffe
Thomas Lee-Singapore, psychologist
Toshio Nagai-Japan, Wycliffe
JJ Rathnakumar-India, Missionary Upholders Trust
Bijoy Koshy-India, Interserve
Diana Srinivasagam-India, IEM
Wisnu Tri Oka-Indonesia, Campus Crusade
Process
The gathering took place immediately after the Global Congress on Church Ministry and Missions. Several of the participants attended this conference and were able to meet with many church and mission leaders. Networking at the GCCMM was an excellent way to meet people, understand Asian church and missions matters, and discuss member care needs further. Polly Chan, Philip Chang, and Kelly O'Donnell did three workshops on the general topic of member Care and the Missionary Family. In addition, others at the GCCMM offered member care-related workshops on topics such as ministry fatigue, mentoring, and the missionary family.
At the Member Caregivers gathering, Philip Chang and Thomas Lee gave devotionals, on body life and bearing one anothers' burdens, respectively .Kelly O'Donnell facilitated the process with help from Polly Chan. We spent much of our time focusing on member care needs and resources for Indonesia (Wisnu Tri Oka), The Philippines (Meg Alag, Amie Dalsalla, and Met Castillo), Taiwan Stephen Lim), India (JJ Ratnakumar, Bijoy Koshy, Diana Srinivasagam), Burma (group discussion), and East Asia (group discussion). The region of Central Asia is mostly the responsibility of the Central Asia Partnership and their Member Care Task Force (coordinated by Annemie Grosshauser). We took time to pray for each of these nations and the missions/member care efforts.
A number of resources were discussed such as opportunities for training in member care and human resource development, secular NGOs such as the UK Humainitarian Practice Nertwork, a video on how to communicate about one's work via video, rest and renewal centers, examples of Asian member care consultations in Singapore and Malaysia, and books such as Marjory Foyle's Honourably Wounded.
We also identified the current status of member care development in different Asian countries:
Developing Well-Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea
Beginning to Develop-The Philippines, Pakistan (expatriate care), India, Japan
To Be Developed-Thailand, Burma, Taiwan, Nepal, Indonesia, East Asia, Banglaesh, Sri Lanka (there are mostly pastors in these countries rather than sending missionaries; an emphasis was placed on East Asia in light of the many changes)
The last part of our time was devoted to discussing plans and the way forward for developing member care. After the gathering finished, several of us went out for ice cream and or a Thai "group foot massage". This was lots of fun and a great way to do member care and end our time together.
Plans
We discussed a number of possible ways to work together as we further develop member care .
Topics:
1. Forming national member care forums and groups-e.g., affiliations associated with national evangelical associations, email forums, etc.
2. Holding national member care consultations-inviting some participants from outside the nation; several countries have had these already (Malaysia, India, Singapore, The Philippines)
3. Strengthening the EFA Member Care Asia group-- We invited participants to become members of the EFA Member Care Asia group. Amie Dasalla, Meg Alag, and Stephen Lim joined this group. Current membership is now 15 people from eight countries. The purpose of this group is to provide personal/professional support and discuss ways to further develop member care resources on behalf of Asian mission personnel).
4. Choosing a new coordinator for the EFA Member Care Asia group. Polly Chan has served as coordinator since the group began in 1997. She needs to step down but will continue as part of the group. No new coordinator volunteered so we will continue without one for the time being (Note from Kelly-I feel strongly that the Lord is in this and that we are to do our best to follow Jesus as leader for now; see Luke 9:35-`This is My beloved son; listen to Him.")
5. Organizing an All-Asia Member Care Consultation. We felt we should consider this in two years time, trying to gather together at least 100 member care people and mission leaders who are Asians and also non-Asians working in Asia. In the meantime we wanted to emphasize convening national consultations, as well as consultations focusing on specific topics. For example, those involved in MK education are encouraged to attend the MCOS gathering in Penang in November 2002. Harry Hoffmann in Chaing Mai is also considering organizing a special gathering sometime during September -November 2002.
6. Related to point five is the desire to offer more training in Asia for member care. No specific plans emerged although topics such as Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills, Human Resource Development, and Crisis Care were mentioned. We also discussed the need to "train trainers" as a way to multiply member care training, although no concrete plans ensued. We ran out of time to discuss in more detail about the opportunities to provide member care training in Asian seminaries and cross-cultural training institutes.
7. We see the need for additional literature to be written from an Asian perspective. At some point it would be good to put together an Asian compendium on member care issues.
8. We want to support and maintain our Asian member care email forum, coordinated by Harrry Hoffmann. This has been running for two years now with good success-it is a helpful source of news and updates.
Pulling it Together
Overall, we really sensed the Lord was with us and there was good group cohesion and exchange between us. There is a more solid foundation from which to work together and several more plans and developments underway to support the church's mission efforts via member care. It was a very special time and we look forward to similar gatherings that will take place for different Asian nations and hopefully for an All-Asian member care consultation in 2003. We felt the Lord uniting us and preparing us for a greater and more challenging thrust into the harvest fields of Asia and beyond.
Warm greetings and many blessings to and from you,
Kelly O'Donnell, Polly Chan, Philip Chang
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