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Bergey, who served as MCC's and Eastern Mennonite Mission's country representative to Somalia from 1991 to 1995, organized MCC's aid efforts and facilitated peace conferences during Somalia's civil war and famine. She is currently a student at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind.
Bergey shared "moments of terror" as she encountered men in "technicals", trucks mounted with machine guns, experienced the death of friends and made difficult decisions about which refugees to assist. Her presentation, which included poetry, was met with a moment of silence as board members absorbed the impact.
"Is it unfair of MCC to ask someone to go into a situation like this?" asked Abe Wiebe, MCC board member from Winkler, Man.
"It was my own choice to be there. I never felt MCC expected more of me than I was willing to give. I didn't feel alone; I felt the support of the church," replied Bergey. "I would encourage more people to be vulnerable like this, to stand with our brothers and sisters around the world."
Bergey said she found strength through writing and her relationships with other aid workers and Mennonite volunteers in the region.
Dave Cressman, MCC board member from Kitchener, Ont., queried, "What is an acceptable level of risk?"
Eric Olfert, MCC Africa co-secretary, responded that it is difficult to assess risk just as it is difficult to measure the impact of work like Bergey's, which he said was important in building a foundation for peace in Somalia, although it may be "many years before we see the full fruits".
The board reiterated that MCC will continue to place workers in settings of violence, and reviewed the guidelines to be followed. These include consulting with local partners, appointing willing workers who possess adequate spiritual resources and providing administrative support.
Phil Rich, MCC board chair from Archbold, Ohio, noted, "This board regularly prays for workers and their safety. Except for God's grace and protection, we would have lost more lives."
Although the board did not discuss how increasing crime affects workers, this was the topic at a recent meeting at MCC's headquarters. Program administrators concluded workers face a new level of vulnerability and pondered how MCC can support them. At the same time, they recognized the importance of MCC workers standing by partners who live in difficult situations.
Over the past year, in Africa alone, three MCC houses were burglarized by armed men, 12 workers were held up and five vehicles stolen, some at gunpoint.
In January, Jim Shenk, MCC Africa co-secretary, was visiting MCC workers in Lesotho when a gang of armed robbers surrounded their house. The MCCers used a refrigerator to barricade themselves into a room while the house was ransacked.
"Although the majority of MCC workers never have this kind of experience, it does represent a growing trend created in part by the increasing gap between the economically rich and poor. In some countries police forces are ineffective or even involved in these crimes," says Shenk.
"It raises the question--to what extent should we hire security services and build higher walls?"
MCC workers are expected to "lessen temptation by reducing our material standard of living". And MCC recommends that workers "live lightly with the possessions we do have, being willing to give them up rather than defend them".
Still, the dilemma of how many security precautions to take remains. "How do we find the appropriate line between naivete and being overly concerned and building the walls too high?" asks Shenk.
MCC in Africa is considering appointing MCCers in various locations who can be called upon to "de-brief" MCC workers within 72 hours of a traumatic experience.
Shenk said MCC should not underestimate the long-term effect of trauma. "These experiences can jump up five, even 10 years later. MCC and local congregations must remain supportive."
Pearl Sensenig, MCC Communications
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