Contemplative Mission by AFM Workers

There are two Chinese Words that come to mind as we walk on the streets of a city like Bangkok or Beijing, "Cai Diao" or "Tear Down" and "Jian Cheng" or "To build up and complete." One can often see the Cai Diao Character on many buildings and see just as many buildings and roads getting Jian Cheng. This is a nightmare for traveling for no one knows which road is open today and tomorrow which one will be closed!

It is the same for us coming to S.E.Asia from N. America. We came with an "idea" of how things should be done, which was formed by our education, training and of course background and culture. Our first couple of years we did our best to follow through with this "idea" but for several reasons we saw no results. These "ideas" did not work and initially this was disappointing, but as time went along we saw this as a blessing. Eventually, we had to "Cai Diao" and then "Jian Cheng." We had to tear down all the ingredients that created the "idea" so we could rebuild a new structure. Since then, we have Chinese friends who are also in the midst of reconstructing and now we have much in common to discuss together.

This action of "Cai Diao" and "Jian Cheng" takes time. It involves "sitting still" and even "doing nothing" and "waiting" to hear the Voice and being ready to respond. As it says in John 5:19, "Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."

We too are learning how to respond when directed. This is what we call Organic and/or Contemplative Mission.