Doing More

I just finished speaking at a conference in a serene mountain setting not far from San Jose, California. It was hosted by a Filipino group.

We discussed money, family life, dreams, spirituality and frustrations. We ate together. We laughed a lot. If you know the Pinoy community, you understand that is guaranteed.

Because of our focus with Grace for Asia, of course, we talked much about home; Philippines. We now have a condo in Manila. Many of the attendees have been gone from the country for 10,20, or more years. But no matter how long they have been absent, it is still home.

As we visited during breaks we discovered common experiences, common friends and most of all, common needs and hurts.

In time, our conversation turned to exactly what can be done to "fix the Philippines!"

Answer seems obvious, but tragic. Nothing can be done until the government there stems the epidemic tide of corruption.

Why start a business if double-taxation will drain it dry?

Why send medical equipment and supplies in to assist those who cannot pay for medical treatment as long as custom officials extract 20, 30 or 40% for their own pockets?

Why educate young people if jobs are not given to the most deserving, but to the most connected?

Why send more OFW overseas who must send all their money home when those at home refuse to work and simply waste the funds on a lazy lifestyle?

Why vote if the votes won't be counted?

After 10 years of hearing the same statements and frustration I admit it is tempting to give up. But I return to a couple basic premises which should drive all efforts. Not just in the Philippines, but around the world.

1) Because we cannot help everyone does not mean we should help no one.

2) Teaching people to fish is superior to giving them a fish.

Grace for Asia will continue to do all we are able. Just sitting here in another airport (will be in 23 during the next 16 days) and feeling a bit wistful. Wish I knew how to do more. Feeling so strongly I would like to do more. Sharing the angst of those I have just been with.

We can do more. If we all work together. Let's not give up.

President Bush's comments on Religion in China

Like millions of viewers, I watched President Bush's interview with Bob Costos two days ago.

The president was pushed repeatedly on whether he continues to confront Hu Jintao on matters
of human rights and religious freedom. President Bush said, "Yes." He even offered that he made a point the previous Sunday to attend a church service in Beijing.

International politics are far beyond my pay scale. But I simply must make one comment regarding a specific comment. President Bush said he has encouraged Ju Jintao to: "Allow the house churches to register."

This is one matter we know a little bit about. We just came out of China last Saturday and spent some time with friends of the CCC (Protestant registered church) and RAB (Religious Affairs Buruean) in several provinces.

There is nothing preventing house churches from registering. In fact, according to notable leaders within the CCC, there is a campaign being initiated from the top down to encourage all house church leaders to register. Many of them are. Many more house churches are working closely alongside of the approximately 55,000 registered Protestant churches.

I am not here arguing these house churches should register. That is a complicated matter. Rules
and policies vary from Province to Province. Some may be able to register, operate legally and find virtually no change in their operations and ability to govern themselves with great autonomy.

Other house churches may find the restrictions brought upon them would be intolerable.

Those are internal and personal issues which the church in China must resolve.

For the record, however, our president, though surely well intentioned, mis-spoke himself. It is not that the Chinese authorities will not allow the house churches to register. The house churches, or at least many of them, have decided they would prefer not to.

China prior to the Olympics:

We are having a wonderful time here in China. The country has never been cleaner, safer, or better prepared to receive guests.

However, there are a few balancing observations.

First, as we travel from city to city, there is an obvious absence of the number of ex pats (foreign workers) one normally sees here in the major cities and hotels. I am not sure what number of VISA were granted for this summer but suspect the number is lower than last year during the summer vacationing season. As a regular visitor here in China, when I walk through public plaza areas and sit in the lobbies of hotels I am struck by the absence of white faces.

Friends who operate travel agencies in Beijing bemoan the lack of foreign guests and the hotels are not booking anywhere near the number of guests they had hoped for.

Second, the opportunities and open doors we usually enjoy have been decisively and suddenly shut. Each of our Chinese friends says sadly, "Be patient. After the Olympics we can enjoy the relationships we had previously."

Third, one must appreciate the control the central government exercises here in China. There seem to be few corners which have not been touched by central policy. For the first time in 10 years a host mentioned as we were escorted to our hotel room, "The PSB may come to you door this evening and ask you what you are doing here and where you are headed." They did not. The fact we needed to be prepared is significant. The public security is marvelously efficient and certainly is monitoring all activity not only in the large cities but throughout the countryside.

Fourth, our hosts on one occasion encouraged us to leave the city sooner than planned because of phone calls they have received. Another location gently suggested it would be in everyones best interest for us not to show up. We are happy to oblige but it is sad to see them feeling a loss of face in needing to ask this of old friends. We love our friends and wish them all the best.

Finally - all should be in prayer now for a successful, peaceful and harmonious Olympic Games.

For a short period politics and routine activity can be put on hold. It does not serve the people of China nor the world well to have the event disrupted. It certainly is the authorities right to govern as they deem best.

The overwhelming number of citizens here simply want to be good hosts and have the world come to appreciate the amazing progress their country has made in the last decade. We wish them well.

All for now--5 days before the Olympics.

Leadership in a Recession

Yep. The recession is real. As most leaders of non profit organizations I have been sitting quietly and hoping/praying the recession would fly over us and not touch down. Sort of like home owners when tornadoes blow into their neighborhood.

We expected gas prices to go up, but not from $1.85 to $4.20 overnight. Wow! I was on an overnight bike cruise with some other "Wild Hogs" last week. We rode 850 miles in a day and a half. Along the coast near Big Sur, we filled up at $5.40 per gallon. What a sense of savings we enjoyed at the next station when it was back down to $4.40.

We expected inflated housing prices would correct. But not by 20% in a year. The building boom and all industries related to it seem to have hit the skids.

Add in the presidential elections, a protracted war in Iraq, increasing college tuition, a couple of unprecedented natural disasters overseas, to say nothing of the price of Cold Stone ice cream and we have ourselves a good old recession.

As mentioned, I work in the non- profit world (and we prove it every day). What should religous, humanitarian, and social service providers do?

I'll share some commitments I want to make:

1) We will not become stingy. There are too many hurts and needs which must be met. If required, the dollar amount may go down, but the percentages will not. Note: I'm quite concerned the fuel prices are going to challenge our ability to do as much good overseas. Might drive some creative alternatives.

2) We will seriously evaluate where we get the most bang for the buck. This means, of course, as we prioritize, we will also de-prioritize some things we might otherwise wish to do.

3) We will look for and give high commitment to other organizations who share our values and vision and come to the table of service as sharing partners. I'm learning most organizations can be divided into two categories. Those who are taking and those who are giving. In lean times, we must find those who can offer parity. Synergy between two giving entities is powerful.

4) We will live within our means. Simply we will not spend what we do not have.

5) We will accept that survivorship is a worthy goal during difficult times. Recessions are not pleasant. Like you, I wish they did not come. But they do. They will force us to evaluate what is necessary to achieve our goals or calling and what is dispensable. When the recession ends, and it will, we will be prepared and structured for even more effective service and growth.

Would enjoy hearing from some of you if you have a list of your own for such times. What would you add? Found any articles on this topic?

Children's Day

Irony that this past week brought Children's Day in China with thousands of little children dead from the earthquake and thousands orphaned. Be a bit difficult to celebrate or should it be?

I have my personal feelings regarding China's one-child policy. I also have feelings about what is happening in other countries with a birth rate far beyond the people's ability to care for, nourish, provide medical care or education for the children being conceived.

I'm delighted to see the theme of "children" surfacing during this time of catastrophe. Somehow children touch us more deeply than adults. Are they more valuable? Probably not. But there is something in our human DNA which cries out for justice, fairness and protection for a child. Decent human beings love children and rush to care for them.

I pulled up in front of the house of my colleague (John Dix) to pick him up for a weekend retreat last Friday. His children rushed out to the car. "Hey, can you bring us home one of the little orphans from China?" I smiled. The reality is the agencies in Sichuan are receiving thousands of calls per day requesting these children. Being blessed with one of them would be like winning the lottery. Because of the one-child policy, they are highly sought in China. The rest of the world loves children, too.

Perhaps in some unexpected way this recent tragedy will alter the governments policy. I have no inside reason to suggest that. Just a gut guess--or perhaps a hope on my part.

Please join in praying for the children of China, all of Asia, and the world. They are the hope.

Friedman suggests in his book "The World is Flat" - the difference in the world is no longer between East and West. The big difference is between young and old. Put all the young people together and leave them alone they will quickly bond and become unified."

Thanks for caring about the children. If you would like to help we will send 100% of your donations to Hua Mei International and if you desire, desginate it exclusively for the children.

Our Most in Times of Crisis

From Manila:

Like most of you, I've received no short supply of opportunities to help serve the suffering in China this past 12 days. I have no desire to start questioning the integrity or credibility of anyone of those who have written to me. But, I would like to share some of the guideposts I choose to prioritize where funds will be sent in times of crisis. You might refer to this as "glocal guidelines."

1) Was the person or agency already on location prior to the disaster? Amazing how many groups seem ready to capitalize on other's misfortunes.
2) In extreme cases, perhaps those at ground zero are unable to serve because they are disabled by the event. In that case who is closest to the scene? They will probably have the most passion due to personal acquaintance with those suffering. They already know the culture, language, and knowledge to ferret out the truth from the bola bola (that is a tagalog expression, but most of you can figure it out).
3) How much of the money being asked for will go for travel expenses? And how much will go directly to those most deeply touched by the tragedy?
4) What is the capability of those traveling to the sight to actually help? Are we going to look or do something? This is one reason I decided NOT to travel to Chengdu; though I was only 2 hours away and have friends there.

Years ago when we lived in Ohio there was a tornado which passed close to our house. We sheltered in the basement with the children till it passed. The next day I loaded the family in the van and drove through the neighborhood where it had touched down. Whole tops of houses were ripped off. It looked like a war zone. People were standing dazed in the front yards either trying to clean up a little or search for lost belongings. As we cruised through the neighborhood our window was down and one man obviously beside himself looked at me and said honestly, "If you must come here you can at least get out and help."

That was many years ago. His words still haunt me. Am I going to look or do something?

Some countries such as the one I sit in now (Philippines) are a perpetual disaster zone. The GDP grows. The Asian market stated it is the second cheapest country to live in. Yet the ability of the general populace is not able to afford to live. What does it say? The money is in the hands of a very few. The country is in crisis.

We don't want to come and just look. We're hoping to provide jobs. I had a conversation with a person today which indicates we can join another foundation for still bigger things. We may fail. But don't want to just look.

Glocal and Provision Financing

I'm in Manila tonight. Meeting today with our Provision Financing team.
They have just returned from visiting four quite diverse sights. Fair to say
they are excited with the possibilities, though weary.

We have crafted some guiding posts to help us in this endeavor. What we will do is quite similar to the more customary micro financing plans well established but include some distinctive features. Let me share an abbreviated list:

1) We agree it is more important to teach people to fish rather than give them a a fish.
2) Because we cannot help everyone does not mean we will help no one.
3) We will charge no interest. That's right - zero interest. This means those who participate in funding loans are using gift money, not investment money.
4) Those who loan will never take their money back. However, they will be ruthless about expecting results. Results mean those who receive the loan become capable of funding their own employment after the loan into perpetuity.

More to come on this matter, but expecting some tremendously fulfilling results in this arena. Already the stories from our first tests are encouraging.

By the way, the gap between the rich and poor appears to be widening here in the Philippines. Be great to see an increasing middle class.

The team just called to say they took a taxi home - five in one very small cab. 45 minutes later they found themselves on the other side of the city at the Mall of Asia. Opposite direction from our condo. It is pouring rain and hard to find a taxi at all. Before they arrive home they should know what sardines feel like. :) Ah, they joys of traveling away from home!

Just a few thoughts to share tonight.