My Family (Home Away from Home)
Greg & I on Table Mt.
My Kiddos (the Youth I worked with in Cape Town)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Looking Back
I just arrived home after a twenty-something hour long plane flight from cape town to Joburg to Atlanta to Dallas. Here are a few photos to enjoy while I recuperate.
Zimbabwean Friends at the Refugee Center
My Kiddos (the Youth I worked with in Cape Town)
My Kiddos (the Youth I worked with in Cape Town)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
blessed are the peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
“Put your sword back in its place.” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” – Matthew 26.52-53, 56
Ever since arriving in Cape Town and getting to know the Zimbabweans living in the church hall in Obz, I’ve been trying to do what I can to keep up with the recent news about Mugabe and the situation in Zim. Thinking about the horrors that have been committed and about Desmond Tutu’s declaration that it is time for the international community to do something about Mugabe, I can’t help but feel conflicted. I can’t help but question my non-violent idealism. What decision would I make if I could use violence to take this ‘president’ or his hatchet men out of power? Would I choose to follow Niebuhr? Bonhoeffer? or Gandhi? Would I act like Peter who is all too quick to draw his sword? Or is this situation different because there is no scripture to be fulfilled, because I am called to defend the orphan and the widow?
I am undoubtedly called to the role of a peacemaker. We all are. But does peacemaking preclude force for the sake of the suffering? Is the price of setting a violent precedent too great? I’m unsure about the most faithful action. In my idealism, I want to believe that by confronting violence with overwhelming love and (in Sam Well’s terms) over-acceptance, by acting as Gandhi did, we might usher in the alternative kingdom and break the cycle of violence. Yet when I sit with my friends and hear their stories, I can’t help but doubt the truth of these convictions. Is this enough? What if nothing changes? Am I not responsible for these deaths? Am I not responsible for simply standing by?
I sense this tension especially as I sit here in South Africa or in North Carolina and not in Zimbabwe. If the answer is non-violent resistance, then I must be the one to go. I must be willing to give my life, not merely espouse a grand theory, expecting others to follow through with action. Yet, I wonder, am I willing to go? And, if not, is this option false and hollow?
What is faithfulness? What is it that Christ is calling us to do in the face of utter disregard for human life? The world cannot stand by and watch. Now is the time for action. Now is the time. But what action are we to take?
I struggle to gain clarity. I am afraid to act and afraid not to. God, grant us the grace to know the right and holy way to face this situation. And forgive us, Lord, for our fumbling ways. We know not what we do. Amen.
“Put your sword back in its place.” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” – Matthew 26.52-53, 56
Ever since arriving in Cape Town and getting to know the Zimbabweans living in the church hall in Obz, I’ve been trying to do what I can to keep up with the recent news about Mugabe and the situation in Zim. Thinking about the horrors that have been committed and about Desmond Tutu’s declaration that it is time for the international community to do something about Mugabe, I can’t help but feel conflicted. I can’t help but question my non-violent idealism. What decision would I make if I could use violence to take this ‘president’ or his hatchet men out of power? Would I choose to follow Niebuhr? Bonhoeffer? or Gandhi? Would I act like Peter who is all too quick to draw his sword? Or is this situation different because there is no scripture to be fulfilled, because I am called to defend the orphan and the widow?
I am undoubtedly called to the role of a peacemaker. We all are. But does peacemaking preclude force for the sake of the suffering? Is the price of setting a violent precedent too great? I’m unsure about the most faithful action. In my idealism, I want to believe that by confronting violence with overwhelming love and (in Sam Well’s terms) over-acceptance, by acting as Gandhi did, we might usher in the alternative kingdom and break the cycle of violence. Yet when I sit with my friends and hear their stories, I can’t help but doubt the truth of these convictions. Is this enough? What if nothing changes? Am I not responsible for these deaths? Am I not responsible for simply standing by?
I sense this tension especially as I sit here in South Africa or in North Carolina and not in Zimbabwe. If the answer is non-violent resistance, then I must be the one to go. I must be willing to give my life, not merely espouse a grand theory, expecting others to follow through with action. Yet, I wonder, am I willing to go? And, if not, is this option false and hollow?
What is faithfulness? What is it that Christ is calling us to do in the face of utter disregard for human life? The world cannot stand by and watch. Now is the time for action. Now is the time. But what action are we to take?
I struggle to gain clarity. I am afraid to act and afraid not to. God, grant us the grace to know the right and holy way to face this situation. And forgive us, Lord, for our fumbling ways. We know not what we do. Amen.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Finding Our Way
I arrived back in Cape Town three days ago from a short trip to Durban to find my friends at the refugee center were leaving the following morning. I was completely blindsided by this news. I had assumed that the last part of my time in South Africa would be similar to the first. Apparently, SHADE felt it best to ask the 30 remaining refugees who were still living in the church hall to reintegrate / repatriate.
This is difficult for me. Not only because I feel that some were not yet ready to reintegrate, but also - and perhaps more overwhelmingly - because I will miss them... deeply. They have been the heart and soul of my experience here. Though I encountered some challenges in the midst of these relationships, I also found great joy when I was with them. I met God in their hope, in their laughter, in the way they accepted and encouraged me.
My experience in South Africa wouldn't have been the least bit as rich without them. And so for the gift of these relationships, I am eternally grateful.
From here on out, I'll be working on SHADE's normal programing, which includes a camp for at risk youth, putting together training material for the satellite projects, and SHADE's 10 year magazine.
Time continues to fly by. And I know that I'll be back in the States far too soon. South Africa has been a beautiful experience thus far and I am incredibly grateful for all of your encouragement and support. You all have truly blessed me by enabling me to be here, to experience God in this way.
I love you all,
- jess
p.s. This is a piece of newspaper propaganda from The Herald - the only newspaper allowed to be in Zimbabwe at the moment. The other newspaper was bombed five times and finally closed down. It's interesting to read the way that Mugabe and his men are spinning the situation. Thought you might enjoy to take a look.
ALSO PHOTOS!!!!
I got the chance to see Mbeki speak / Meet and have breakfast with Desmond Tutu the other day! Ridiculous. I know.
This is difficult for me. Not only because I feel that some were not yet ready to reintegrate, but also - and perhaps more overwhelmingly - because I will miss them... deeply. They have been the heart and soul of my experience here. Though I encountered some challenges in the midst of these relationships, I also found great joy when I was with them. I met God in their hope, in their laughter, in the way they accepted and encouraged me.
My experience in South Africa wouldn't have been the least bit as rich without them. And so for the gift of these relationships, I am eternally grateful.
From here on out, I'll be working on SHADE's normal programing, which includes a camp for at risk youth, putting together training material for the satellite projects, and SHADE's 10 year magazine.
Time continues to fly by. And I know that I'll be back in the States far too soon. South Africa has been a beautiful experience thus far and I am incredibly grateful for all of your encouragement and support. You all have truly blessed me by enabling me to be here, to experience God in this way.
I love you all,
- jess
p.s. This is a piece of newspaper propaganda from The Herald - the only newspaper allowed to be in Zimbabwe at the moment. The other newspaper was bombed five times and finally closed down. It's interesting to read the way that Mugabe and his men are spinning the situation. Thought you might enjoy to take a look.
ALSO PHOTOS!!!!
I got the chance to see Mbeki speak / Meet and have breakfast with Desmond Tutu the other day! Ridiculous. I know.
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