Cross-Cultural Communication

A Thai smile is complex and can mean many different things.

Yes?

No?

I don’t know?

I don’t understand?

Communicating in Thailand can be frustrating.

Or for that matter, Cross-Cultural Communications!

A smile in Thailand can convey 4 different answers! This is part of an AIS GSM (largest telco in Thailand) banner ad found in NST Online 4 days ago.

How many times have we smiled and nodded our heads through a difficult to understand portion of a conversation, negotiations, consultations and discussions even though we do not understand or need clarifications! I suspect we learned this in the Asian classroom when we are much younger.

When a Smile is not a ‘Yes’!

When I first began to really work cross-culturally with Thais, I studied hard on my language. I started with a Learn Thai Language cassette tape for a year. Then I have a year of twice a week night classes in mid-90’s followed later by 4 months of one-to-one reading classes 6 times a week a few years later. My motivation was to communicate and to be communicated to accurately. AIS wants to bridge this gap through multi-lingual officers.

Does it make a difference by speaking in their tongue? Yes, they treat me as a serious player and one who have empathy towards them as a people. This is half the battle won. With that I heard from their heart more often in Thai and in English and this gives me understanding into their psyche.

When we have a deal I whooped in joy. In rejection and ambiguity, I do not get frustrated too much. I saw the rejection, the lack of confidence and even their mistrust in me coming much earlier. I was ready mentally and emotionally.

Cross cultural communication is difficult. I have talked with a frustrated and aggrieved businessman who got so worked up with a certain nationality from a bad business deal that he called them ‘conniving thieves’ and ‘b…..ds’.

There are joy of victories and also agonies in defeats. I have tried negotiating with a Laotian on a simple project using a combination of Thai and English. It took me about 10 hours spread over three meetings and over two days. We met again to follow-up. I fulfill my part. But then silence greets me. The deal failed to materialize.

Similarly many professionals who have to deal with cross-cultural communications have to work really hard to succeed. Oh yes on the plus side, I have made good and trusting friendships in work and play, some enduring up to today.

North Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis use, “Acha! Acha!” with a smile and/or gentle swaying of their heads. It is so like our Malaysian way of nodding our heads, smiling and saying, 'OK', 'OK'. To many this means yes, I understand. Do not get the wrong message. It could convey, the affirmative ‘Yes’, the in-between ‘OK’ to an ambiguous, non-committal ‘I see’. It all depends on the context and non-verbal component. I have been to these areas and find it bewildering until I realized that there are other words to communicate a strong cannot be contested later ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

In Malaysia I try to read the non-verbal signals even when I received a ‘Yes’ answer. A ‘Yes’ can sometimes mean ‘I see?’ and ‘I will think about it.” That is a reason why today many do not rely on the term “I give my word” anymore but usually follow-up the verbal agreement with a written black and white contract.

Some blame the failure, breakdown or worse the non-fulfilling of part of the agreement on integrity and honesty. This is unfair as it stereotypes without seeking to empathize. To me cross-cultural differences looms big in any breakdown of an agreement.

That is why, AIS is having staff that speaks in 5 different languages when you are mobile auto-roaming in Thailand. In this way, you don’t need a smile. You get a ‘Yes’ for a yes and a ‘No’ for a no. No misinterpretation.

6 Thinking Action Hats*

Aussie

Fun and Leisure Loving.

Australia is a nation at leisure. They are mad about sports too.

When I need to relax and have some fun. It is especially crucial when I am stress out.

British

Discipline and Rigid.

When there is a need to get work done methodically and systematically in the midst of chaos and confusion.

Sundanese

Opportunistic.

When there is a need to be predatory in seizing windows of opportunities rather than having the “Whatever will be, will be!” mentality.

Mongolian

Aggressive in overcoming.

When there is a need to bulldoze barriers to success rather than being discouraged and wallow in self-pity.

Bali

Gentle and in harmony.

When there is a need to be in meditative and reflective mood. An ounce of thought is worth a pound of thoughtless work.

Bangladeshi/Bengali

Tagore received the Nobel Prize for Literature. I was given a book written by an unknown Bengali writer even though I can’t read Bengali. They are literature proud.

When there is a need to break the writer’s block this will be the inspiring one.

* Borrowing from de Bono's 'Six Thinking Hats'.

Thinking and Rehearsing

An once of careful thinking is worth a pound of thoughtless labor.

Jeffrey J. Fox is a prolific author. In one of his books entitled 'How to Become CEO' he recommends an hour of hard thinking everyday. As one move up the corporate ladder, it is no longer the work life that is crucial. It is the thought life.

Senior executives arrive early to the office to have quiet time alone. When the office arrives for the day there will be no more time to think, rehearse, muse, meditate, reflect, scheme, dream and visualize.

Photo taken at Musee d'Orsay in 2005

I personally practise musing, reflecting, rehearsing and dreaming and visualizing.

Musing is particularly useful when I am faced with complex situations esp. those that I am ill-equipped and have no experience in. Webster gives the definition as, "to become absorbed in thought; especially : to turn something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively." It is like talking and discussing with oneself all the time looking for the answer or solution. I am looking at the problem from different angles. By combining it with researching or talking to experts this will usually yield what I am looking for.

The other is reflection. The ability to pause and reflect is a gift. Many lunge headlong calling this courage. It fails to recognized the fact that victories are won by careful thought and reflection. Reflect on what? I look for connections, linkages, histories and then relate and align them to the present situation. Thereafter the answer becomes academic.

Horizontal meditation! - Also shot at Musee d'Orsay, Paris in 2005

Rehearsing is another integral part of success. When I was part of a choir I was told that to be perfect at least 19 rehearsals are needed. Reads rehearsal not practice. The professional and business part of my life needs rehearsals esp. in the presentations, speeches, meetings, consultations and everything new. Rehearsals smoothen and enhances delivery. The rehearsals are the easy part. But the rest will come smoothly if I have done my rehearsals.

Possibly some may think that rehearsals will make one look stiff. Like the recent debate between Anwar and Cheek. Anwar came off well rehearsed and Cheek is more natural. Look at Clinton and Obama. Clinton is rehearsed while Obama is natural and even inspiring. In our mind Anwar and Clinton came off as though they are well prepared. In my opinion Cheek and Obama are better prepared and rehearsed. My reasoning is only those well rehearsed will not be too concern with the contents and can afford to be natural and inspiring.

Finally, I need to be able to have dreams and visions. This differentiate me from animals. It also gives me a life and a reason to work and live. Dreams and visions activates and launches. It brings life to my being.

Travel Tips - Safety and Precautions

After making over 200 overseas trips to 22 countries and protectorates since 1997, I have learnt to observe a few routines to make my trips enjoyable and stress-free. Leave the sense of smell behind and bring along a sense of humour. Be adventurous. Being over-cautious will spoil your trip. Go for the well-beaten path and also the road less traveled. Explore the city and country.

Here are some travel tips to make your trip interesting and safe.

1. Personal property.
Prevention is better than cure. Do not hang your phone on the belt. Do not use a waist pouch if possible. Keep your camera out of sight when walking near the roads. I felt safe in all the 17 countries I went, some repeatedly over a 15 years period. However beware of snatch thieves and pickpockets in Vietnam and tricksters in exchange booth in Bali.

Elephant painting in Chiangmai. Costs a few hundred bucks each!!

2. Personal safety.

My life has never been threatened in any way before in all my travels. I dare make out of the way trips without a guide. There are times I allow my whims and fancies to take over going on the road less travelled. Even in South Asian countries I feel safe from criminals and petty thieves.

Thousand year old church in Harrow, London.

3. Shopping.
The key word is respect. Treat the vendors as equals. Do not bargain too hard during shopping or negotiating fares. Do not compare prices unless you are sure that the quality and quantity is the same. It is totally unfair. This may lead to arguments and harsh words. These can spoil your trip. Contribute to the local economy. What is USD0.50? You are on holiday after all. Lap it up and enjoy the bantering.

Shopping for a Sri Lanka cricket shirt for my son in Nuwara Eliya

4. Tipping.
Be generous with tips for services and transportation. Have some loose notes ready. If the service is good give more. Many depend on tips to survive.

Frolicking in Tonle Sap, Cambodia

5. Taxi.
Over 99% of the time I have no problems. Mostly they respect the customers by using the meter. In some places you have to negotiate the price. Go easy is my advice.

6. Hotels.
If you are staying in budget hotels observe some precautions.

Marriott Karachi

a. Be careful of the room air-conditioning. The indoor unit may be laced with germs and fungi. Being new to a country there is an added risk of getting hit. Only with more visits or stays one get use to it. If you have a bad throat and running nose soon after using the room, you may have caught some of the germs. I experienced 2 such incidences in Vietnam.

b. Carpets in some 3 stars hotel are so dirty that it is matted. Don’t sit on it. Too near to the mites and bugs. Being bitten before.

c. Beware of dirty linen and towels. If you have no confidence, bring your own. This is esp. so for budget hotels. I once contracted conjunctivitis because of a towel. I was quite foolish to use the dirty looking rag after the shower.

7. Weather.
April is the hottest in many countries in the tropics. And December and January the coldest in the temperate countries.

Horse riding in Mongolia at -15 degree Celsius. Have to pulled up and tightened my hood later.

a. Drink fluid regularly. I once traveled 400km on a motorcycle in Vietnam. I started at 5am and arrived at 5pm. My pulse was at 125 beats/min for many hours. My normal rate was 70 beats/min.

Fat Tire Tour from Paris to Versailles by bicycle

b. For those living in the tropics and are not used to temperature of around 20 degree Celsius always keep a sweater or jacket ready. Do not wait until you feel cold. It is too late by then. One may fall sick within a few days with a temperature, running nose and aches. Common cold victim.

c. If temperature dips to between 15 to 5 degrees, and you have to be outdoors for long periods always use a light gloves, scarf and cotton long johns to protect yourself.

d. Once the temperature dips below 0 till (-15) degrees there is a need for woolen long johns.

e. Below (-15) there may be a need for fur-lined headgear, clothes, gloves and shoes.

8. Personal hygiene.
The locals that you go with and interact amongst may pass germs or the viruses. However, do not be suspicious. It also happens in own country but we are use to those.

The best grilled catfish in Central Kalimantan.

a. Avoid being near one who has running nose, coughing and sneezing.

b. Wash the hands regularly. It is terrible to catch the flu virus.

c. Go for a flu jab around Oct/Nov. There are the Northern and Southern hemisphere shots. Your choice of one or both depends on your destination. Look into having a Hepatitis A jabs.

9. Food.
Generally the food in the cities and towns are clean esp. when it is in a packaged tour. If going out of the way then observe some precautions.

Roti in Bangladesh

a. Eat food immediately after it is cooked.

b. If it is set on the table, see whether it is covered or if on the shelves whether the doors or curtains are drawn. This is to avoid housefly diving into it.

c. Best choice: Any food cooked to order. Fried rice and noodles. Soup noodles are also good if it is cook in a hot pot. However, watch out for dirty plates and bowls.

d. Eat fruits that you can peel. Do not buy cut/peeled fruits. It may be washed in dirty water. Fancy eating prepared fruits washed in river water. It happened in Bangladesh when I was travelling in a ferry. Bananas, oranges and mandarins are the best. If you need to peel and cut fruits like apples and watermelons washed the skin with bottle water first before using your Swiss knife. Another caution: eat watermelon immediately when it is cut. Do not leave it covered or in the refrigerator and eat it later. It upsets the stomach.

e. If you have food and fruits that do not look and taste what it should be throw it away and discreetly remove those from your mouth. Why fight it.

f. Beef keeps best follow by chicken and pork. So the choice is yours. Beef may have the lowest risk if all being the same.

g. The best food. Hot stew or soup just off the pot!

h. Do not take ice esp. in the country side. The ice in the city and towns are generally ok. Otherwise get your canned/tetrapak drinks off the refrigerator. If there is not refrigerator you can do this. Pack the ice in a plastic bag and pack the coke into another plastic bag. Put the coke in the plastic bag into the other plastic bag of ice.

10. Toilet facilities.
If you need to be out early in the morning without the chance to clear the bowels and expect bad toilet facilities, eat a very light breakfast.

a. If there is a need to use the toilet, I prefer the squatty potty than the western style sit down toilet. There is no contact. There is also incentive to finish it as soon as possible to avoid needles and pins on the feet.

b. However I am not choosy. If I can wipe it down with Dettol Wipes first or line the seat with tissue it is fine. If it is unsightly do not attempt to squat on the throne. This is dangerous.

c. Try to do the 'horse stance' i.e. sitting without touching the bowl. You have to be able to last 2-3 minutes. Anyway if it is a bad stomach. This is enough time.

d. Otherwise it is not urgent and you can look for a better one elsewhere.

e. If stomach is bloated or have wind take 2 tablets of charcoal 3X a day.

f. If possible take a sachet/tube of Probiotics a day.

Jethro’s Management Principles (Part 1)

Text: Exodus 18:13-27

INTRODUCTION:

Moses father-in-law came for a visit and as any astute successful man, he has a sharp eye and observed Moses his son-in-law at work.

- His interest is more than a passing one where one man watches another at work and tries to compare his son-in-law with his own work ethics or style.
- His interest is also more than a personal one though he wanted a successful SIL for his daughter and grandchildren. This will guarantee their future.
- His interest is really in God’s interest as he was a humble, experienced and wise man and God wanted to use him to help his servant Moses.

This is a case where a good father-in-law offered counsel and not criticism.
- He offered his experience and not just cash to help solve problems.
- He offered to teach rather than spoon-feeding.
- His solution was well-thought out and workable.

I can compare Moses’ management to that of any well-meaning pastor and leaders trying their best in an area of work which they are not familiar with.

Let me share the five management principles applied by Jethro in the passage. There were observation, investigation, analysis, consultation and execution.

1. OBSERVATION (VV 13 – 14a)

And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.14 So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people,

Moses saw and over many days.
He is the first customer surveyor. All eyes and ears (a reference to our senses).

Careful observation reveals facts and evidences that can be used to make recommendations to solve problems or challenges.

What he saw! People stood in line. Morning to afternoon.

Apply:
Today’s organization is reactive to problems and situations. It’s a knee jerk reaction. The have no time to observe and apply wisdom. Many are fire fighting the symptoms rather than curing the cause. Observation gives understanding to the “cause and the effect”. It will bring us to the source of the symptoms thereafter yielding action steps to solve the problems.

2. INVESTIGATION (VV 14b – 16)

he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?"
15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God.16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."

Interview, questioning, interrogation.

A. Jethro’s Questions:

"What is this thing that you are doing for the people?
Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?"

B. Moses’ Answers:

"Because the people come to me to inquire of God.
When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."

C. The First Question was answered by Moses:
There were legitimate and real needs. Moses was doing it within the scope of his responsibilities. They were biblical and valid.

D. The Second Question was not answered by Moses:
Morning till evening. Long Lines and “alone” doing it.
The problems laid in the Delivery of justice not the justice itself. The Process and Strategy was not up to mark. It was also wrong in its methodology and in execution.

Apply:
It was too much business for Moses to undertake alone, it would harm his health and bring fatigue to him. Worse, it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people.

Wisdom is, we must not do less than our capability and responsibility or over-work ourselves so much that we went beyond our strength.

- continued in Part B -

Restricted Access Nation - Apprehended!

Apprehended!

More than 10 officers came at 1010 am (Sunday). A few Asian teachers were at hand together with twenty over top local leaders in our four hundred square feet seminar room. My early assessment was that we were in no physical danger. This gave us hope. We were very concerned but not cowed. I texted the message, “We are busted!” to my organiser and his Operations Director. My Board Member, Bro D was just ten minutes into his teaching. He and wife will later be ‘interviewed’ the longest.

There were a few miracles. My son, who never text me while I am overseas, sent this ominous message to me on Saturday, “Dad, if the police and the military are watching, do not teach.” This was a message from Him and I should have been more alert. Sis CF and Bro D managed to destroy more than 10 video tapes recordings of the just concluded Conference and the class. However, 3 were left together with 1 head cleaning tape. At the end of all the interviews they sat Bro D and his wife with me for one final session. They asked for the 4 tapes which they have seen when the raid occurred. This is a major miracle as 4 undestroyed tapes were produced. They viewed it but there was no audio. I was teaching in one of them. I remembered talking about President Bush’s leadership.

At the end of the about thirty over individual interviews, the authorities concluded that the class as, "Training of Social Development Workers, but with an element of Christianity." This was the track I have taken as our approach was secular, management oriented though much of the teaching was the Bible and with Biblical examples and illustrations.

The night before the raid I had seen a shadowy figure among the trees in the hotel’s compound thinking that was one of the students or hotel’s workers. I think we need to be careful when bringing Caucasians to visit. We have been compromised by their presence on Saturday morning.

The event coordinators Ap and Jan were excellent in controlling the situation to our advantage putting calmness and confidence in us all.

The local brethren were polite with the officers but firm in asking for fairness. They also displayed an innocent calm as the officers explained the law to them and us. They also protested the video taping of us and the taking of photographs.

The officers were polite but there was one who was fierce and rude but he is only doing his job together working in tandem to extract from us what they wanted. It is important not to be taken by their politeness as they maneuvered us into a corner. They also employed one to watch our body and non-verbal languages as another asked questions.

From this particular experience (may not applicable to others) we recognized our rights:

1. To be treated politely.
2. Not to sign anything that we do not understand esp. written in a language we are not familiar/good in.
3. Need not to place our fingerprint on a document if it can be done by signing.
4. To lawyer and consular help (however be careful here as we may not need them).
5. Ladies can demand for the door to be opened when she is in the midst of man/men in the interview/interrogation room.
6. Need not admit or confess that we are wrong without a court pronouncement.
7. It is OK for them to declare our activities illegal in the statement that needed to be signed. It is unilateral anyway.

My recommendations:

1. No foreign looking people near any future training sites.
2. The teachers are to be briefed on what to do in the event of a raid as well as on what to do and say.
3. Be vigilant and it is better to err on the side of caution.
4. Include elements of secular, management and social into the training.
5. Organizers need to map a strategy together with teachers and students on a clear line of action/answering questions if raided.
6. No audio and video recording.
7. No printed notes to be given to students. The teachers are to use handwritten notes (not verbatim).
8. The whiteboard is to be wiped clean immediately after class and during intervals.

Finally:

1. We experience the love of God, the love of our local brethren who were very concern for us as well as they felt bad that we have to suffer with them.
2. This is an experience that we do not welcome but it is also a feather on our cap in our ministerial experience and a story that will be told as a glory to God.
3. We will also be watching out for emotional depletion if there is of this experience as it may come in 1 day or in a week…
4. We wish to see this incident as giving us the notion that we are on the right track as all good ministry will be opposed!
5. We want to believe that this incident will not dent the momentum of the ministry but instead provide the momentum for more classes.

Financing Missions Work

Giving for Growth or Dependency
Mission ministry is a giving work. It is transacted through the expenditure of energy, time, ideas, and funds. Most often than not, the last item may be the most important. I liken funds to be the lubricant for the engine of growth.

But then there are some who disagree to the giving of funds to the mission field, period. And they have reasons. Suffice to say the differences are not over Biblical giving. The major objection is that giving creates unhealthy dependency. After spending many years and having expended many dollars in the mission field, I have concluded that it is productive to give. The fruits are there for all to see. My mentor in missions has a very simple target in giving. He said, “Give. Make sure it goes to the furthest and the poorest!” He did not even address the dependency problem and I think for a good reason. We have the wisdom of God not to allow that to happen to the recipients. And crucial still, the recipients will not allow funds to create friction, competition, jealousy and all things unhealthy and detrimental to their spiritual dynamism and hunger.

So resources are there to be shared. We need not give to all and sundry though. But we must give with no expectation of its return in any forms. We must give careful consideration the how’s, what’s, why’s and where’s. And then making sure it is used as intended and judiciously. These two conditions are to be honoured by the recipients and the donors must have some mechanism for feedback for control purposes.

Let us consider some areas that are worthy of funding.

Indigenous Work
Even up to today Partner’s International still fund many overseas ministries and supports indigenous ministries all over the world. It is a dynamic agency, which has an income of US $15,765,039 in 2010. It was established in 1943.

In their Spring 2001 newsletter, Paul-Gordon Chandler, President/CEO quoted Rev Wilson Wong (Partners Board member) as saying, “Training indigenous Christians to spread the Gospel is still the most effective means to reach this part of the world.”

Paul continues to say, “We train for a purpose: to send workers to the unreached. But they cannot be sent unless someone supports them. The small size of the indigenous church and the low economic state of their countries hinder the launching of these strategic ministries. This is where Partners comes in: identifying innovative opportunities and coming alongside and serving God’s servants in the hard places.”

Essentially, indigenous works are more ‘cost- and result-effective’ in comparison to the placement of a foreigner/missionary. They need no acclimatization, language learning, visa and facing a host of cross-cultural issues. In my experience indigenous workers can go further (distance), address local concerns and culture in their messages, take advantage of the citizenship’s privileges without arousing suspicion of the authorities and consternation of the locals.

Frontline Workers
In Vietnam a lot of funds go into the workers’ training and support program. The Vietnamese government persecutes the church esp. those in the villages and ethnic groups. A church can lose 90% of its membership in severe persecution. But with proper training of the local leaders it can reduce the rate of attrition. The Cham church is a case in point. The church was in shambles because of persecution in the mid-90’s. Today it has through a combination of funding for church planters and training programs, grown in size and leadership to become viable as a force for evangelisation. The Chams was listed as the top priority in the AD2000 and Beyond unreached people groups.

Frontline workers have a right to access good training and support. They are the spearhead and most often are found in the most difficult environment. Trainings and support will not and cannot be provided unless funds are forthcoming from external sources. We need to look for transformational results in our partnership rather than the transactional short-term, short-sighted policies of the result-oriented biggest bang for the buck mindset.

Strategic Work
George Soros the currency speculator and democracy advocate has a soft heart for those whose human rights were violated. He has pumped millions in socio-economic programs to help these countries. Before the breakdown of the Iron Curtain he has poured in his millions to aid democracy’s activists. According to the Readers Digest, in one of their rare foray into investigative journalism, credited George Soros as instrumental in the downfall of the Romanian regime. George Soros foundation has a powerful guiding principle in their funding: funds are used to build capacity in people living in dictatorial and autocratic nations.

Besides, frontline workers in church planting and evangelism, strategic work may include many other approaches like Bible School, social support programs in resistance and restricted areas, outreach to the least reached and unreached peoples group.

In my experience in Laos, they don’t need and don’t want monthly support for their frontier pastors and church planters. But they gladly receive the offer of support for his frontline workers’ training program and other forms of assistance. In some areas in Thailand they want funds for training and church planters’ support while in another province none was asked. Cambodia is willing to shoulder part of the funding though not much. Bangladesh wants both and their support for front-liners will be for the duration of seven years due to difficulty in their socio-economic and religious realities.

In Vietnam, a good example of a successful model for support of workers is that urban and rural church planters are supported up to 35-60% of the tithes and offerings of the congregation. Funds can initiate and propel a work but it can also create jealousy, favouritism and greed. One thing for sure each local groups will learn how to use these funds for the good of all, progressively.

Conclusion
There are many hard places around the world that are smitten with poverty. That’s not the main reason for funding but if grouped with the above reasons then there is no stopping the transfers of God’s blessings from the haves to the have-nots. Let us not put ourselves in a straitjacket. Training programs that build capacity and empower, should have top priority in our consideration for funding.

Due Diligence for Field Organisations - Acquisition and Turnaround

Ever been asked to turn around an organisation or take over a ministry? What are the steps to be taken to evaluate the resources and stakeholders? Drawing from my work in different countries and specifically in Indonesia and China, here is a general framework and details to work from and look out for.

1. VISION

a. What's the organisation's vision in a sentence

b. The strategies and goals

c. Is there a gap between what the organisation is doing now and what it should be in relation to vision, strategies and tactics?

d. Do a SWOT

2. LEADERSHIP

a. Governing Board. Is there one? Governing role.

b. The leadership and administrative team. The Staff. Their roles. Strategic role.

c. The Field leaders. The face and the place. Roles. Tactical role.

d. Can the human resource leadership takes the organisation to fulfill the vision/preferred future? Is there a gap/chasm?

e. Human Resource Development/Strategy in place?

3. BUDGET

a. Income from Board members - do they raise resources or contribute personally to the yearly budget and how much in percentage per year?

b. Income from various units of ministry, departments and divisions? (Drug Rehab?, Orphanges, Micro-enterprise, and Others)

c. Income from other stakeholders?

d. Expenditure (Units and headquarters)

e. Creditors, debtors and other financial commitments?

f. Cashflow and Balance Sheet

4. INVENTORY

a. At the head quarters

b. Various ministry units

c. Land, buildings and vehicles. Ownership and where? Documents

5. OPERATIONS

a. Accounting and auditing system for transparency and accountability. Paper and electronic

b. Clear lines of authority and division of work

b. Reporting system for field workers and ministry units

c. Standards and procedures for all units operations

d. Benchmarks and criteria for operations for all units

e. Policies for staff

f. Yearly and punctual planning and budgetary process

6. PROGRAM and CURRICULUM (esp for schools)

a. Take stock of the needs of the field not what the organisation's have

b. What's successful and those that are not after evaluation and interviews

c. Anticipated future needs or unfulfilled needs

Vision Driven Ministry - Template for the Drive

Relief and Reconstruction - Donation Guidelines

"There's a sucker born every minute." I am not sure who to attribute this phrase to but there is a song going by this catchy yet sobering phrase. If one is taken for a ride due to one's greed it is just desserts.

But how about those cheated for being compassionate, soft in the heart and wanting to help. Therefore, part with your money only after doing a due diligence. In the world of cyberspace, more suckers will be born each minute!

Here are some guidelines before donating:

1. Know the organization.

Who is in the Board? It is not enough knowing someone inside or a cursory check on the organisation's website. Check whether it is incorporated. The easiest part to see to whom a cheque is to be written out. A personal name or an entity? Never issue a cheque to a personal name.

2. Work the network.

Verify using landlines. Ask for referees and testimonials. Check their track records. Check the name of the place and the face.

3. Know its values.

What is its vision and mission? You should agree with it. If you do not agree with their social agenda or political activism find another one. Are they fighting for human rights or serving to alleviate human suffering? Are they politically neutral?

4. Know its operational expectations and their KPIs.

Example: 10% of donation will go to operations and administration. All money should be on the ground within a month. How they allocate resources?

Star - 23rd June 2008

5. Know the reporting system.

What kind of updates and in what regularity will you be getting it? Too much reporting will raise the administrative costs. The key is sufficient information in a timely manner.

6. Who are their 'ground zero' local partners?

Do they having good relationship with the government of the day and local officials? I work with a friend whose network includes the ability to get seats and cargo space in a C-130 military plane to get to the disaster zone. Another knows the Minister in another country. The Myanmar situation illustrates this point. The Western world were held up due to political differences. MERCY was on the ground in a jiffy. WorldVision was already inside and just expanded on their work.

7. Do they outsource their fund-raising?

One may lose up to 80% of their donations at the onset to pay for expenses of these companies.

8. Above all else be generous.

The 3Rs to Disaster Relief Missions Work

Relief effort can be loosely classified into 3 phases.

The author had helped raise funds for medical relief and the construction of houses (Padang and Yogyakarta Merapi) for the disasters in Aceh tsunami (Dec 2004), Yogyakarta earhtquake and Pangandaran tsunami (May and July 2006 respectively), Bangadesh Cyclone Sidr (Nov 2007), Myanmar Cyclone Nyargis (May 2008), Padang earhtquake (Sept 2009) and Yogyakarta Merapi volcanic eruption (Oct 2010).

1) Rescue (first 72 – 96 hours).

This is a government-to-government initiative. Red tape may cost lives. Quick action is needed. Usually foreign rescue teams will and should start arriving within the first 24 hours.

NGO is not able to maintain these highly trained and disciplined search and rescue crews with special equipment using listening and imaging devices. They will also come with K-9 units. These are dogs to sniff out trapped and still alive victims.

When the rescue phase is over, foreign search and rescue crews will pack up and leave.

2) Relief and Recovery.

Immediate needs after the disaster and till the next few months depending on situation. Big NGOs and foreign governments fly in relief supplies from dedicated warehouses in strategic locations as well as medical, nursing and other technical and engineering personnel.

- Medical relief for the injured. Different stations for various severity of physical injuries.

- Logistical issues need to be solved to mobilise, store and move supplies.

- Tents, clothing, blankets, food and water for the immediate physical needs for those who have lost their houses, belongings and livelihood. Needs of the dead must also to efficiently managed. Body bags must be made available asap to prevent diseases.

- Generators to power various machines for critical work.

- Heavy equipment for removal of debris and preparation for reconstruction.

- Spraying of disinfectant and sanitation to prevent diseases after rescue phase is over.

3) Rebuilding and Reconstruction – ongoing for up to 2 years or even more.

- Rebuilding of livelihood lost and capacity by replacing boats for fisherman, seeds for farmers, micro-business and credit etc.

- Rebuild lives physically, emotionally and spiritually.

- Reconstructing homes, community areas and infrastructure.

The Super-Spreader and Super-Organiser in a Local Church Planting Movement

What is a Church Planting Movement?

1. It is a force in evangelisation that cannot be stopped.

2. It multiplies not once but again and again and again....

3. It produces the workforce for evangelisation.

4. It ensures that there is a harvest even in times of hostility.

5. It recognizes and uses local knowledge, wisdom and resources.

6. It works within the organizational and leadership infrastructure of each network.

To begin a local Church Planting Movement, the following is required:

Methodologies

1. Work with local partners to surface the best evangelists and church planters using certain criteria for selection.

2. Take advantage of local organizational factors.

3. Selection of a maximum of 7 for ease of monitoring, provide teamwork and complement one another in the early stage.

4. Use mentoring, formal and informal teaching, fellowships, meals together for effective bonding and working together.

5. Regular evaluation of results by reporting and inspection on the ground.

6. Uses a local experienced pastor/church planter for supervision.

Challenges:

The Field:
1. Migrant workers move about.
2. Persecution from police and local officials.
3. Logistics of cells can be too spread out.

Workers:
1. Lack of Strategic Intent in targeting people group.
2. Lack of Organizational Skills in putting harvest into houses.
3. Lack of ability to exercise Evangelistic Zeal as was cumbered with worldly matters.
4. Lack of mobility.
5. Nepotism in selection.
6. Criteria is on faithfulness alone without taking into consideration calling and giftings.

The Tale of Two Church Planters

Name: Chinh (Super-Organizer)

The ability to put the local church in strong footing: in leadership, finance, diversities of members and ability to propagate. Getting the Harvest into the House of Worship.

Planted 7 cell church in 20 months.

Three cells have been recognized as a local church.

The 3 other cells will be recognized soon.

1 new cell is 2 months old with 3 families and on the way of growing more cells again.

Clincher: Divest some of the cells to other local churches and passed on some to other workers.

Name: Thu (Super-Spreader)

Characterised by strong desire to evangelise and effective at it.

Planted 8 cell church in 16 months.

Clincher: The heart's passion is to spread and not organiser. Cells planted are to be passed on to pastors.

What were the Lessons Learned:

1. Super Spreader and Super Organizer are needed.

2. Local Experienced Supervisor to monitor work and provide pastoral help and field advice.

3. Closer reporting needed to be collated by Local Supervisor to ensure the candidates fulfills their responsibility.

4. Network must provide total release for the Church Planters to be involved in the program.

5. Strategic thinking must be inculcated into Church Planters.

Dynamic Praise and Worship