“We cannot say that in the process of revolution someone liberates someone else, nor yet that someone liberates him or herself, but rather that people in communion liberate each other.”
– Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Communion as Liberation
I’ve managed to visit the Batu 20 Orang Asli Congregation twice this year. I’m looking forward to at least a third visit (if a fourth can be thrown in it will be a bonus). Whenever I think I’m engaged in “luxury” discussions of our preferences often in the context of city life, one of the practices that has been helpful is to reconnect with my brothers and sisters in this particular congregation (which is our companion congregation). It’s been a small step for me but the overall effect has been liberating. This does not deny the complexities surrounding their lives and our lives but I think it’s important not to get self-absorbed in our own little worlds.
Visiting our OA brethren in Christ has always been a blessing to me. It is the same when I visit Cambodia. I guess this is one of the things I miss a lot coming to NZ.
But I have plans to visit my OA friends in Dec to catch up and God willing my church here will be involved in Cambodia in 2008 🙂
Paul – what excites me is when we see “mission” and/or “liberation” not as a one way street, but as both together opening ourselves to the work of God’s liberating Spirit. And seeing ourselves as gifts to each other in communion and practically in cooperation. Those of us who go would go in a humble spirit, and those who host us would also have a sense of independence.