Western Development

Now that I've been in Kenya long enough that people raise their eyebrows when I answer the question, "So how long have ya been here?", I get asked a lot of questions about development.  People always want to talk about what development and aid strategies work (or don't work), how money can best be used, where the most spiritual impact is realized, etc. etc.  Instead of writing a long post about all of this, I just read a blog post that Jane wrote and decided that it would be a great start for any of you guys to read who don't follow her blog.  Teamwork is part of getting married, right?  Here's the link:

http://canyakenya.blogspot.com/

She is right on here, and I just wanted to add a couple of questions for YOU to think about in your personal outlook on international development...

What does "secular development" really do?  Is it good (in the big picture of eternity) to take a person with glaring physical needs and satisfy those needs, without attributing the help and love to Christ?  Or is this just making their earthly existence more comfortable, making them believe - like so many westerners - that they don't need God in their lives?  Could it be removing an opportunity for evangelism, or even creating a negative impact?

Where does the church fit in to helping the developing world?  Where SHOULD it fit in?  Where do you fit in to the church?

In addition to the book Jane mentioned, I'll also throw out several books that have challenged my understanding of the relationship between my faith, the western church, loving the world, and helping the needy of this planet.  Read them if your interest in hearing some Biblical truth, but expect to be challenged:

Radical by David Platt

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

Crazy Love by Francis Chan