re-conceptualization of urbanization

Urbanization. The term itself stirs paradoxical emotions. Rich and poor, young and old, developed and underdeveloped, modern and ancient, good and evil, purity and sinfulness, certainty and mystery all reflect the complex relationships of urban environments. My perception of urbanization, the trend towards urban environments in which mass numbers of migrants flow from the rural areas to relocate in larger areas, has admittedly been attached to destruction. Although with limited quantifiable research, I have defined this modern and recent phenomena as degrading: both to the environment and more importantly, to the human population. The poor and unemployed rural inhabitants either voluntarily or involuntarily seek hope for an improved quality of life in the urban world. Falsely assured of employment, housing, sanitation, education, and health care, these rural migrants envision a future radically different than their traditional past. Instead of being embraced by the urban and modern realm, the migrants become increasingly marginalized, discriminated against, wrought with disease, and savagely treated. Consequently, unity among the urban poor forms from their shared mistreatment and the urban poor establish what is known as squatter areas. Marginal in size and limited in resources, the shelters the urban poor seek fail to adequately accommodate a person, let alone an entire family. All human senses are enveloped with appalling disgust: constant smell of rotting feces amidst the odors of unwashed human bodies, sight of malnourished fragile bodies daily digging in mounds of waste from the rich for something to fill their frequently empty stomachs, sounds of stories recounting the realization of a traditional fruitful past swiftly erased, taste of poisoned water from the outstanding amounts of pollution emitting from the urban environment, and the feel of rough crooked material erected to blindly direct nature's renewal away from their meek resources. Describing such environments in this manner evidently arouses distaste, disapproval, and a general dissatisfaction. In addition to the reproachful conditions of the urban poor, I am disheartened by the trend toward urbanization due to the effects on the environment. Acutely aware of environmental needs and responsibilities, I am frequently saddened by the actions of humans on God’s creation.

Having recently read a few articles passionately arguing for increased urban ministry that conclude that perhaps the international augmentation of urbanization is a means for God to guide unreached people groups towards areas where evangelization can effectively occur, I am challenged to redefine my understanding of urbanization. The romantic and adventurous ideal of penetrating the luscious jungle forests or ascending steep rocky mountains to the isolated communities has historically attracted thousands of missionaries. Less appealing is the urban environments harshly described above. Yet theologians, missionaries, and followers of Christ agree that the urban environments boast of unreached people groups seeking both hope and faith. Thus, the personal challenge presented by the articles relate to my own conceptualization of urbanization. While I likely will never regard urbanization as an entirely positive process, whether correct or incorrect, I do however maintain a more optimistic outlook of urbanization.

On a more appreciative note, last year I was privileged to hear about a friend’s short experience in urban ministry in Vancouver, BC. I was especially encouraged by his accounts of what God is doing there. Following the converstaion, I have thought regularly about Vancouver, even envisioning living and serving God there, as some of you know. For the current time, however, I anticipate serving God in Uganda.

rain

I was reminded yesterday of the joy and blessing of rain. Bicycling home from the University greeted me with an intense thunderstorm. With the impossibility of avoiding wetness, I embraced the powerful winds, inches of water, and subsequent showers from passing automobiles. In any case, I couldn't help but silently laugh as my clothing turned from its normal colour to a darkened shade.

Last evening, much of Waterloo Region changed in appearance: tree branches helplessly soared above ground, the sky gradually transformed from sun to cloud, and large droplets of the powerful ingredient needed for growth majestically infiltrated every crevice and speck of dirt. Running this morning with my father was less of a speed workout than a flexibility and agility experiment. Snail oceans (also known as human puddles), branches, and soggy dirt was the foundation upon which my running shoes touched. Coming home, I was freckled with dirt. A natural reminder of human uninvited presence in forests and tranquil environments. The newspaper boasted of public complaints of power outages, of clean up, and of property damage, yet I thought less of the rain in Canada and thought more of the curse of rain in Africa, notably central Africa.

Allow me to briefly explain. The inconsistent rain patterns confusing local African agriculturalists hinder the productive ability of the soil to produce Africa's life support. Extended droughts, accompanied with short and intense rainstorms destruct the land on which central Africa has traditionally thrived. Familiar to each of us is the necessity of water for growth: human, animal, plant, or in summary: the ecosystem(s) in which we each belong. I will not burden this post with emotional reminders of the effects of drought but I will gently ask that the next time a rainstorm destructs an eaves trough, a front porch, a mature tree, or a running route, thank God for the blessing of rain and say a prayer for the countries of Africa depending on rain for sustainable development.

running solo and running buddy

Last week, my father and I resumed our weekly running time together. For him, this is preparation for football season in the fall. For me, it is a welcome change to the solo running I do four times a week. This year, however, there is also another purpose to running for me. I am training myself to participate in the "Drewitz Triathlon" - a combination of running, bicycling, and rollerblading from my house in Waterloo to Riverside Park in Cambridge, an estimated distance of 25 kilometers. Apart from time spent with my father, exercise, and fun, the Drewitz Triathlon is a means for me to raise funds for my service with the Mennonite Central Committee beginning August 11 in Uganda for one year.

Running solo enables me to engage my mind and body in ways otherwise not attainable. Sorting through challenges, life situations, and small tasks is best accomplished for me while I run. One complete hour of solitude in nature, or worse in suburbia where the cars are coughing their morning gasoline drug, also allows me to draw closer to God. Through running I am reminded of my purpose on earth, God's blessings over my life, and challenges God has helped me to withstand. Notwithstanding, however, running solo dissuades necessary new adventurous challenges brought forth only with the smile and running shoes of another person.

Running with a buddy offers a unique perspective. Destroying previous physical limitations, I am able to defeat what I thought I could not attain. Cramped walking and shortness of breath become more enjoyable with someone else. Realizing each other's strengths and weaknesses offer "friendly" competition. Talking in changing paces creates an environment in which discussion of trivial to the basic can occur. At the very least, and sometimes more importantly, a running buddy provides the needed comfort of companionship.