Fronse Pellebon Smith

Brother Daniel, Your plans sound feasible and I concur on most points. I would offer the concept of utilizing the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, Univ of Stellenbosch, the Reformed Church in Zambia and Justo Mwale Theological College all who have active programs touching on your numbered items especially seminary, diaconal training and church planting. Working on-the-continent with established Reformed institutions and the URCSA will be efficient and practical.

You have thought well and shared your wisdom ideas and I thank you.

Brother Daniel, I'm not sure if modifications are needed. My key question is HOW a strategic, cohesive discussion can take place in the CRWRC and other agencies with business people who are CRC and other serious interested parties. For me I've learned to read as much as I can that is available from CRCNA about Mission and to trust their leadership to shape and guide members' participation. This said, it has not been easy and requires faith, trust and communication.

You know 'Business' thinking is different from the norm and too often structure has to be understood to navigate positively.

My emphasis has and remains focused on implementation that will build stronger African churches and denominations in Africa.

Philosophical or theoretical discussions I must admit are NOT my strong point. Strategy yes, the Great Commission yes, going and consulting in Africa yes.

In lay church language: I am not 'comfortable' with policy discussions, debates and meetings that will not uplift the Church in Africa. I am just being honest.

Brother Daniel

7), I believe participation by ALL stake-holders is needed before proceding in continuing an important dialogue such as this. This is my wisdom sense. This includes our Missions and Reformed African church partners. Our partners' ideas suggestions and wisdom should shape forward positive shaping of our business involvement in Africa.

We are doing well in this discussion and appreciation is  given to all participants. I am asking that we all include

an olde gospel song: "Standin' in the need of prayer" in our ' way forward'  to uplift the Church in Africa.

It is with God helping us that we can work together with our African partners, pastors, elders, deacons, congregants and lay buisnesspeople. I believe we are called to provide poles to the people we are teaching to fish.

It is a gross generalization to assume all people of 'other' ethnic or cultural backgrounds are poor and/or do not have or give resources to their churches. One person's opinion does not shake my foundation of faith in God or the CRCNA. And they have a right to their opinion(s). I find my Joy and Peace in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christs' assurance of Grace.

I read this article with interest because in my personal travels and discussions with African business people in several countries comments range from 'we can't do this ourselves' to 'it prevents local businesses from developing.' For example is a few countries men are tailors and make traditional clothing to support their families. When western clothes flood the markets too often they 1. drive the tailors out of business, 2. create demand for brands, icons and that cannot be met locally, 3. builds a 'dependency' model that drastically reduces personal innitiative, 4. printed messages are inappropriate for cultural value system, 5. imposes western manufacturing techniques that can't be duplicated on Singer machines, 6. creates a street market for containers of clothes donated yet sold when clothes get to ports. I could go on yet a final point: The cost of shipping containers often is more than the value of the materials within them. Money for transport only makes surface shipping companies richer and does not improve local economic development.

Compassion, Caring and Determination are exhibited in the Matthew, Mark and Luke quoted Scriptures (to me).

A person in need of these three traits (C,C,D) is better aided when they 'see' all three in me.

Thank you Albert Hamstra, Amen.

Being just an Elder I often search for right words and I find Scripture my guide for Wisdom.

Appreciation and respect is given to ALL who share their views in this discussion.

Proverbs 16:33

Lou, appreciate your discussion and responses, how are the meetings going now?