In the name of Christ - a lament for a lost MCC
Viola Fast Braun first shared this poem on Facebook on July 29, 2024. She has given us permission to share it on our website. We have added some links for clarification. - MAST
IN THE NAME OF CHRIST – A LAMENT FOR A LOST MCC
From one who thought she knew what MCC did and stood for: a well administered organization carefully using its resources to directly help people in need and supporting projects that are directly applicable to local communities around the world.
I thought MCC cared deeply for its staff. Many years ago, I volunteered for a 30-month term with MCC in an African country. There was an issue between me and a co-volunteer, and the area director, who was in the country to visit MCC projects, gave me all the time I needed to express my difficulty working with this person. The country director was equally helpful.
Cared for IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
How vastly different than the experience of John and Anicka over the past year or so. In response to their request for help in solving a problem they were fired. I can’t wrap my head around the behaviour of MCC, its administration arm, that is. This MCC is foreign to me. – Fired for ... what? Asking for help?
Terminated IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
Neither can I wrap my head around the changes in MCC’s organization. I hadn’t been following the doings of MCC very closely – I just expected good things from them. Change happens and organizations need to adapt and make changes as needed. But to include in that change a wall around the administrative offices (directors, human resources and boards) through which service workers are not allowed to go...?
Exclusion IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
Then I heard about the non-disclosure agreement.
I am weeping tears of disbelief
tears of despair
MCC is paying out its workers??
Bribery IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
MCC information sources state:
MCC is a global nonprofit organization that strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development and peace building IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
MCC follows Christ’s example of love and compassion by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
In Gaza MCC is providing emergency relief with local partners, distributing food packages, hygiene items and bedding as well as cash transfers to families in need IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
MCC recently fired a couple with two school aged children IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
The family had been working in a politically unstable country and had experienced two coups one shortly after another and are now living with the reality that they are no longer working for MCC.
What IN THE NAME OF CHRIST is going on?
I read Anicka’s coup update bulletins a year ago. Her descriptions were scary. A few days ago I read her recollection of that time. Suffering is still clearly evident.
What IN THE NAME OF CHRIST is going on?
Among the greater MCC family, distress has arisen as more MCC workers have been fired. Could MCC have fired me IN THE NAME OF CHRIST?
I am tremendously proud of all who have and are participating in running a petition. They have accomplished much IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
I feel scared that the tremendous amount of work and thought that has been expended in creating the open letter and the petition will fade away into the sunset without any resolution. And I no longer believe that MCC’s work is consistently grounded IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.