We leave for Ghana one week from today. I believe that this 100 degree heat index is just to prepare us for the journey, so turn down the air conditioning and jump into the sweaty sunshine! It's amazing to me how there is oppression everywhere, even in a country as free as the U.S., and yet we don't often really help one another completely. As we embark on this journey to another world in Africa, I'd like to reflect on the meaning of neighbors. How do we cross the road for one another?
Henri Nouwen reflects on this in several of his writings, but I am particularly struck by this passage:
"We become neighbors when we are willing to cross the road for one another. There is so much separation and segregation: between black people and white people, between gay people and straight people, between young people and old people, between prisoners and free people, between Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics.....there is alot of road crossing to do. We are all very busy in our own circles. We have our own people to go to and our own affairs to take care of. But if we could cross the road once in a while and pay attention to what is happening on the other side, we might indeed become neighbors."
Today in Ghana, a minister recommended the arrest of all gays and lesbians in the Western region. This is devastating for human rights and I would hope that you would read the article and pray for the people. Let's cross the road to listen, to help and to be listened to and to receive help. Here's the article: www.pinknews.co.uk
There's so much good work to be done all around the world, and I hope that we can be of some small assistance!
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