Friday - Asia Plenary

The plenary was informative and laden with words. It picked up the theme of the Bible Study - that 'Asia is the continent of suffering and hope. On the one hand, Amos focuses on people's suffering and struggle for justice; on the other hand, it provides a vision of the reign of God. The text suggests concrete ways in which to live out kingdom values on earth through the achievement of justice and peace'. The question is, how to transform suffering, tears and despair into liberation, joy and hope in our context.
The doctor from India told a very moving story about co-joined twins. Dr Deepanna Choudhrie studied and trained as a radiologist at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. Since 1989 she has been serving in Padhar Hospital, a 200-bed mission hospital in rural central India, among the Gond tribe. She received international media attention for her care of abandoned conjoint twin girls Stuti and Aradhana, who were operated in Padhar Hospital in 2012.
Here's a link to the full Asia plenary on youtube. 
I have come to learn that the issues in Asia are so profound and complex that the lengthy speaking about the plight of people in Asia is in direct relation to the inability of those who might influence an alternative outcome to really hear the desperation and lament. The plaintive question, 'who will speak if you don't' lingers on.
As I write this entry, I am heartened to hear that the Uniting Church in the SA Synod (Australia) has approved a new partnership - Middle Luzon Jurisdiction, United Church of Christ in the Philippines. This is a large jurisdiction, taking in all of Metro Manila as well as outlying areas. The SA Synod already has a partnership with North Luzon, and the Vic/Tas UCA Synod has a partnership with South Luzon. The SA Synod also has partnerships with the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT), with the PCK church in Korea, as well as West Papua and Papua New Guinea. It is through these kind of partnerships, and the exchange of personnel, that the words of lament and the words questing for justice in Asia can be 'heard' beyond the region, and that partnership engages others in the issues.