VIEWPOINT
The Sharing Economy Learning to receive from our partner territories. BY ROCHELLE McALISTER
A
decade ago, my husband, John, and I had the opportunity to work for The Salvation Army in the Zimbabwe Territory for just over two years—an experience that transformed our lives and perspectives forever. We were there at a time when the economy collapsed. Hyperinflation made us billionaires, but the money was worthless. There were shortages on everything from food to fuel to electricity. Everyone we knew was struggling with poverty, so we shared what we had, and others shared with us. I learned a lot of valuable lessons along the way. A few months after arriving, one of our colleagues had to go to the hospital. When a group of women planned a visit, someone suggested I bring some money. I was offended and felt targeted. Why should I bring money just because I am the white Canadian? I thought. So I didn’t. At the end of our visit, we prayed with her—and then everyone discretely passed her some money to help with the bills. Everyone except me. I felt so ashamed. My friends had tried to include me as part of a loving, generous community, and I had made false assumptions. What does it mean to be partners in mission with another territory? How can we have truly reciprocal relationships, where we learn from and share with each other? Marriage is a good example. I believe my marriage works because we love each other, communicate well and have learned to honour and respect each other. We both bring our strengths and skills—which are different, but equally valuable—into our marriage. We both think we got the better end of the deal. For those of us who live in rich parts of the world, we need to bring our wealth and resources to the table, as well as our love, compassion and respect. And we need to be open to receiving from our partner territories as well. In Zimbabwe, I met people with incredible, deep faith who trusted God without a back-up
John and Rochelle McAlister with children in Zimbabwe
plan, and prayed in profound ways. I met people who shared without question or worry. We need this faith, this depth of prayer and this boundless generosity, just as much as others need our money. If we are to be true partners in mission, we will respect and honour one another, each thinking we got the better end of the deal. I have come to realize that not many people think of themselves as rich. As a kid, my parents took us to visit some wealthy people and we marvelled at their huge house. They suggested we go for a drive so we could see where the really rich people lived. In Canada, most of us are rich. We eat every day, we’re clothed appropriately, we have access to free health care and social services. Most of us are also rich in choices and opportunities, sometimes to an overwhelming degree. My hope is that those of us with abundant choices use them to support those with limited choices. I was born with a lot of privilege. I’m healthy and able-bodied, with white skin, and from a stable, Christian family in Canada. I could just as easily have been born into vastly different circumstances.
I used to feel crippling guilt over the privilege, power and opportunity granted to me at birth. I have realized that it is mysterious grace that I will never understand, but that my role is to be mindful, to be grateful and to share. Luke 12:48 says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” I don’t feel sorry for people living in poverty; I feel compassion and love. I also feel respect for their resilience, determination and hard work. And this makes me want to share—both giving and receiving. We need to move beyond guilt, indifference and even pity, to love, respect and sharing. Loneliness and isolation are not part of God’s plan for us— we were designed to be in community. May those of us in rich countries or rich neighbourhoods never exclude ourselves from the opportunity to connect and be impacted by our brothers and sisters in poorer countries or neighbourhoods. Rochelle McAlister works with seniors in crisis through WoodGreen Community Services, and has two boys. Salvationist February 2018 21