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APPENDIX
#9 — “We
Learn to Live a Christian Life as our Vocation” “I find it difficult
to understand you people and
your work. In the midst of
our suffering and trauma we needed help.” This was no ordinary
person speaking. He was the
Minister of Social Affairs in the new government of liberated Bangladesh.
He had been one of the chief leaders of the government-in-exile,
escaped into Assam, who had conceptualized and organized the new
government. Now as one of its
most active officials, he was speaking. “It’s true,” he
continued, “we have obtained our independence, and for that we were very
happy. But our whole country
and its government, institutions, economy, and life have to be rebuilt.” He was speaking against
a special background: Immediately after the liberation of East Pakistan,
which then became Bangladesh, the World Council of Churches and related
national church service groups came into the country to work with the
repatriation of refugees that were returning from India and to provide
general assistance to a people whose life had been disrupted by war.
They had each set up their own independent organizations.
This was necessary, especially since the local churches and their
national council, weak in the beginning, had been practically forced out
of existence during the war. Now, after almost a year, those agencies related to the World
Council wanted to terminate their independent status and transfer
authority and activities to local leadership. A meeting to discuss
these matters was being culminated by a festive dinner at which the
special speaker was the Minister of Social Affairs.
He was a giant of a man, a picturesque Muslim.
All ears were alert, awaiting his comments, for most Muslims were
defensive about any Christian inroads. He continued his
speech: “Then who came to show their goodwill and provide assistance to
our people? Was it the people
of the various religions in neighboring countries, the Hindus, the
Buddhists, or the people from China?
Or from Japan? Was it
our fellow Muslims from South Asia or the Near East?
No, it was you Christians from many countries, you whose
representatives in Bangladesh number less than half a percent of our
population.” “What made you do
this? What motivated you to
come and help us? Even though
your action is hard for us to understand, we do appreciate it and want to
express our deepest gratitude to you.
Thank you!” I went home that
evening reflecting again on the thought that Christian faith in action
does make an impact. |