On 11 January, Robert and Margaret Ann Seiple returned for their 13th visit to Laos, a country where they have been integral in efforts to promote religious freedom. During their trip, they will meet with representatives from the Lao government, including Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction, Mr. Tong Yeu Tho, and provincial governors; U.S. Ambassador to Laos, Patricia Haslach; and Lao religious representatives at the national and local level.
The Governor of Savannakhet was in command. We were meeting on his turf. Members of the Lao Front, the ministry of Foreign Affairs, and 5 different note takers comprised an entourage of 15 people. The meeting was relaxed. Our questions were each thoughtfully and honestly answered. There was no defensiveness. A friendly atmosphere, full of smiles, dominated the proceedings.
What a difference a few years makes! In 2003 we were in this same room, pleading for the Christian community of nearby Keng Kok, threatening international condemnation if any of the protesting demonstrators would be punished. This group met us that day behind a church that was confiscated by the local government and turned into an elementary school. Their leaders were dressed in sackcloth and ashes. The pastor greeted us with "we are the face of persecution." Their request of us that day was to let the world know that they still existed, forced renunciations of faith to the contrary. "We want you to be brave, as we are brave, and make our situation known."
We went into a full court press with the Governor's office, wrote letters to the Deputy Prime Minister and officials of the Lao Front, had the U.S. Embassy keep the issue alive with pressure on the central government. We also offered to build a new school for the village if the government would return the church to the Christians.
It took six months of intense negotiations but we finally got everything in place: the return of the church, a new school for Keng Kok, and an unpunished group of demonstrators who could begin again to practice their faith without fear. Today we revisited Keng Kok to see how sustainable our efforts have been.
We met a number of members of the church, including the new pastor who was part of the demonstration four years ago. No one was ever punished for that display, even though the government was acutely embarrassed that it took place. The church has grown considerably. Relationships within the community, and with other faiths, are strong. The spectra of persecution has clearly passed.
We next visited the school. More smiles, deeply appreciative adults, and equally grateful children. A Baci ceremony was offered to honor our visit (gratefully, without the witch doctor and the animal parts). This cultural event was designed to share blessings, to wish us safe travels, to invite our return. We listened to the children sing for us as we sipped our coconut milk, took some pictures, and made their happiness our own.
This is sustainable development, but it is never quite finished. Before we left, we were apprised of another church that had been taken over by local officials some years before. The congregants meet in houses now, a couple of miles from Keng Kok, while the government officials enjoy the free use of a church. Could we do something? Could this injustice be confronted and dealt with? Could the people have their church back?
We will be meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister in Vientiane later in the day, and this will be the key subject of our visit with him. In the meantime, we are reminded of how fragile success can be, the uneven dispensing of justice that still characterizes Laos, the work yet to be done, and the patience required to see that work through to completion.
It seems like this is such a common theme: the continuing work of sustainable development. It begs the question: What do we mean by "sustainable"? I think the concept of sustainable development is normally taken to mean independent, autonomous, and unaided. But I wonder, how much of our Western individualism influences us when we suggest that sustainable development means standing alone, being self-sufficient, and no longer needing support? Perhaps sustainable development results from both the empowerment of the marginalized to develop themselves, as well as the growth in empathy and determination of the privileged to go on trying. It seems like sustainable development requires simultaneously bringing the disenfranchised to a place where they can stand alone, and developing the willingness of the fortunate to stand alongside.
At least it's apparent that the Lao church still needs those who will stand alongside. Thanks Bob and Margaret Ann for being there.
Posted by: RebHaines | 19 January 2007 at 22:31