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There appears to be a growing trend developing as countries begin to refuse the aid of humanitarian workers among their needy. Last week we were stunned with the announcement made by Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to expel foreign aid to the thousands who are hungry and sick in Sudan. Just this morning Reuters AlertNet reported that North Korea has climbed aboard the foreign aid refusal train, with a seat next to Sudan. See the full report here. Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir will be responsible for "every single death" caused by the expulsion of 13 foreign aid groups from Sudan, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday.
This move by both Sudan and North Korea has shaken the world of humanitarian workers quit a bit. It has people who care for the poor and the oppressed outraged and disgusted. The “Eternal President” Kim Il-sung, spends millions on his military advancement procedures while disregarding the humanitarian condition of his own people. What’s not to be outraged about? This numbing reality of refusal of aid from 2 of the world’s most humanitarian oppressed nations begs the question, how are we to respond? Jesus said that when we feed the hungry, we are feeding him. When we clothe the clothe less, we are clothing him. When we serve the poor and needy, we are serving him. When the freedom, and mandate, to feed, clothe and serve is stripped from us, what do we do? Do we go or not go? Do these nations have the right to refuse humanitarian aid from outside nations and individuals? If so, should we respect that right? It is also clearly stated in the scriptures that we are to obey and respect the law of the land. So which is correct? Obeying the national laws of Sudan and North Korea and complying to no longer send foreign aid or disobeying that law in order to obey the command to serve the oppressed? Last summer, Franklin Graham shocked a host of individuals when he encouraged Christians around the world to respect the laws of China during the Olympic Games and to keep from proselytizing. This Article, states that, “He said he wanted to encourage authorities to resolve conflicts with the church, but would not criticize policies that critics say limit the church's independence and religious rights.” Further more, Franklin stated, "I would not support any illegal activity at all." So what do you think is the correct response to new policies set in place by Sudan and North Korea? Do we bow out gracefully and allow these governments to decide what is just and unjust for their own people? Or do we disobey man’s law in order to obey God’s law and cross borders with illegal aid, Brother Andrew style? What does acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly look like in a world that refuses humanitarian aid? |
Comments
Carrie these are great questions, and they're hard to answer--as you already know, otherwise you wouldn't have asked them. Here's the thing there's no right answer, in my opinion, because I think that there is a place for both. First, there are still groups in Sudan that have not been forced out (i.e. World Vision), in this situation we need to come behind those groups and help them in anyway we possibly can. I will admit I didn't know anything about the situation in Korea until I read your blog, so I can't comment on what we should do there. But there will be some who are called to obey the law and others who are called to break it.
Take Muslim countries for example it is illegal to proselytize in many of these countries, and the government has and can force people to leave when they break these laws, and so there will be some who will do more good by staying quiet and living among the people, yet others who are called to break the law will help bring about changes in the law, and possibly give courage to those afraid to accept Christ, helping them to secretly reach out to the Christians among them and ask questions. In these examples the disobedience of an unjust law works side by side with the obedience of an unjust law.
I think that the same is true in Humanitarian Aide, there will be those who have to be sacrificial in their aide by outwardly defying the government, this will help those who stay in the shadows and quietly obey the laws by possibly providing lawful opportunities through either the change of legislation or possibly moving those who need aid or who have loved ones who need aid to cross borders where it is legal, and help them to find those people who are lawfully staying near to provide aid where it is needed. Again I think they can work hand in hand.
We have to remember that we have a God who is above all things and as Job 5:15-16 tells us "injustice shuts her mouth" because of the hope that we have in Him. So, I think that we've got to do what we feel the Lord is calling us to do and the body will be moved together even if we all are not called to the same action. So, I will end on this note, a quote from Saint Augustine, "An unjust law is no law at all."
Kristen-
Your comments are dead on. Thank you for your thoughtful answers to the tough questions. You are right. Christians have been bending the rules, breaking the laws and listening to a much higher authority than human law for a long time. There are countless examples, throughout church history, of individuals who obeyed national law and those who haven't always done so. Yet, the Spirit moves and transformation takes place constantly.
Yes, there are still certain organizations inside these countries who will continue on in their assistance to the needy. I think it's also important to remember the many believers and servants who are Sudanese and who are North Korean. Something interesting to note about North Korea is that, for the 6th year in a row now, the country has been number 1 for the highest percentage of Christian persecution in the world. North Koreans don't exactly leave their country to persecute Christians. They are doing so in their own country. This tells me North Korea is loaded with believers. Underground and hidden most likely, yet very present all the while.
Also interesting to note, is that South Korea sends out more missionaries into other countries than any other country in the world currently. God is moving in that part of the world whether aide is administered or not by large agencies. But I have a feeling the individuals, whose names we may never know in this lifetime, and small underground churches are busy, busy, busy attending the sick.