Airport connections and God's concern for Justice

Our travel to and from Cambodia did require several connections in airports like the eight-hour layover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the way home but I want to write of other connections. Our job with AAANZ is about making connections, connecting people to resources, other like-minded people and God. This happens at various places and times and sometimes unlikely places.

Having a snack while awaiting our departure from Phnom Penh, we heard the familiar Aussie accent and then the mention of World Vision from the man's phone conversation at a nearby table. Mark and I both mentioned the accent and wondered aloud if he knew a friend who heads-up World Vision Australia. So true to my (Mary) nature as an extrovert, I approached the man in the souvenir shop later and asked. It was funny that he had noted our Celtic crosses and was going to ask about them so my question opened the conversation for that question as well. He knew of our friend but didn't know him. But this man was a Christian and working in Asia for World Vision.

Our conversation didn't last long for our boarding time was approaching rapidly but after my explanation of what we do, he mentioned how as a child he had learned to read scripture a certain way and now realized that we often miss God's consistent concern for Justice and Mercy. He mentioned learning recently that the “turn the other cheek” passage suggests that one sees into the enemy’s eyes as turning their head and they connect as human beings. I asked if he had heard of Walter Wink's take on the passage and proceeded to explain.

After my brief explanation he asked me to send him a list of our top 5 suggestions of books to read on God and Justice. I suggested instead that he check out earlier editions of AAANZ’s journals and twice weekly emails on the AAANZ website for book reviews and suggestions. Then he asked to be added to the email list. It wasn’t your typical airport shop conversation.

Another connection in an unusual place was offering Spiritual Direction in the pool at the hotel during the EMM retreat in Cambodia. I only intended to get cool and interact with others lounging around the pool but my line of questioning with a fellow missionary about her next steps after leaving their mission field in the next few months led me to ask deeper questions. She didn’t know what she would do so I asked about her deepest desire; if she could do anything, what would she like to do? Near the end of our conversation she asked, “Is that what you do as a Spiritual Director; help people listen for God in their lives?” I answered, “Yes.” So she thought that she would like another session.

While meeting for lunch with MCC workers in Cambodia, we met with another Australian who has helped develop a peace education curriculum for Cambodian high schools and now works for Asia Action Network, a regional network of peacebuilders, focused on supporting people living in violent conflict. Since returning to OZ, we connected her to Frontiers in Korea, others working in East Timor or at peacemaking in other Asian settings and Peace Study Centres in Australia.

[Photos just arrived from the Frontiers folks in Korea]