Chronicling my journeys and adventures across the globe. Hopefully is a cross between a journal and source of information regarding places I am or have been.
Unbelievable!! (I wish it were unbelievable – in actuality, we’ve all interacted with people enough to know that there really are too many idiots out there who will do anything for attention or money or some deluded idea of righteousness.)
It has been in the news for quite a while, but now the time is nearly here. Some ‘pastor’ (he definitely doesn’t deserve that title) in Florida is going to burn Qurans on September 11. Thankfully, I’ve forgotten his name right now. I wish when this was over his would be a name that goes by unrecognized, because this must be more a publicity stunt than anything else. He’s either trying to get rich off of this, or just the attention is enough for him. Therefore, I request anyone who reads this to please not purchase any of his books, don’t go to his website, don’t watch videos on youtube or anything else related to this foolish man and those connected to him.
This embarrassment to the Church and to pastors is so shameful. There is no good reason at all for such an action to be taking place. It is completely opposite what the Bible teaches, what Jesus taught, and what Churches should be doing. Antagonizing and polarizing things such as this should be disregarded and ignored and are not worth even the attention of a blog post. I only write this to try to put in perspective how foolish it is, and talk about the correct responses and what we might learn from the reactions to it.
On Easter, how would Christians feel if someone (who claims to be a Muslim cleric) were to burn Bibles or crosses and try to make a big deal out of it? What would you think if you heard about a Nazi destroying yarmulkes or menorahs on a day to commemorate the Holocaust? How about people wearing KKK hoods and parading around with nooses on Martin Luther King Jr Day?
Saturday will be a part of the Eid celebration to mark the end of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. It is the equivalent to Christmas or Easter in Christianity. And there is a ‘pastor’ who is going to burn Qurans. How disrespectful and divisive. A similar type of action would be for this guy in Florida and people like him to rape the wives and daughters of Muslims. That would similarly be very much unchristian and offensive, but I’m sure would have a result that would actually affect him more, so he is scared to do it. He values his life, just no one else’s.
Most Muslims know that this guy does not represent Christianity and that this action is not typical of a follower of Christ. However, there will surely be those who try to use this as further fodder to attack the perils of the ‘Christian Western World.’ Just as you would (should) want to confront anyone who would support someone burning Bibles on Easter, wearing KKK hoods on Martin Luther King day, or destroying Stars of David at a Holocaust Memorial, you should want to confront anyone who would burn Qurans on Eid. You would want to confront it anytime, but during times which are dedicated or sacred, it becomes even more of an emotionally charged climate. We all know how crowds can easily be incited and people do things as a group they would never do alone.
It is my prayer that Muslims teach Christians a few things about forgiveness and show the world the Osama bin Laden’s of their ranks have little standing. I wish that Christians could stop this fool from shaming himself and others by burning Qurans. If it happens, though, take note of how the world responds. Most are condemning it already, and even though you may hear of a few isolated incidents in response that are similarly hateful and foolish, recognize that such a response is no different than the action itself, and is representative of a minority of Muslims. Just as most Christians would not want to be associated with this idiot, don’t associate all Muslims with those who may retaliate. And, if you don’t hear anything about any retaliation, consider what you would have done or expected to be the result of the other examples already mentioned. And know that people all over the world have sin. Don’t put people of your own religion on any pedestal while thinking that people of another are anywhere lower. People are people. Sin exists in every nook and cranny of the world. We all need to experience the grace of God and for God to reveal himself. I hope this ‘pastor’ in Florida someday realizes this as well.
One last thing: For those of you who may be Christian, please apologize for this on behalf of all Christians to any Muslims you may know. Ask their forgiveness for such a thing done in the name of Church and tell them it doesn't represent you or most others within the Church. Love them, respect them, and tell them this. If you don't know any followers of Islam, find the nearest place where they may be a mosque and write an apology letter. I hope it can be clear just how far this is from the message of Christ.
So I’m nearing the end of a year in Somaliland. Within the next two months I’ll be moving on to greener pastures (most likely – there are definitely some, but not too many places which will be drier than where I’ve been the last year, and I don’t plan to go to any of them). It has been nice to see this year be much wetter than most here, and the camels, goats, and sheep appear much healthier than when I first came, but it is definitely still very dry and brown around. The capital of Somaliland, Hargeisa, seems to be getting quite a lot of rain, but we’ve missed out on most of it here in the East.
As I’ve recently informed our staff of my planned departure, and the earlier end times during Ramadan leave long afternoons / evenings in the house, I’ve become contemplative. Over the past four years I’ve lived in the jungle of Liberia, a couple places in South Sudan, and in Northern Somalia. I’ve seen communities embrace projects that provide opportunities and give hope. Others have rejected similar endeavours and the greediness and ignorance of a few has spoiled the chance for their friends and neighbours. Some leaders and community elders have struggled to improve things for the next generations, while other officials have sought only their own interests and divert funds and resources intended for the common good to their own pockets. Along with the challenges have been many rewarding experiences and motivation has come when needed in so many different ways.
I’ve worked with quite a few different teams of national and international staff. I’ve had fun picking on Canadians and their sparsely populated tundra of a home and been confused as to how Europeans of different countries can live so close to one another and yet have so many cultural differences. The same can be said for Africa and the different tribes that are contained even within the same country borders. I’ve witnessed and had to fire staff who have stolen from each of the projects I’ve worked in and who in spite of their relatively well-paying jobs take what was intended for the poorest and neediest in communities. While this is sometimes the hardest thing to deal with of all, the most rewarding experiences I’ve been able to have are positive relationships with staff that I’ve seen grow and develop. There have been a few staff in each location who I’ve been able to work with and help mentor and coach that I know are helping and will continue to provide hope and support to their communities. Seeing those who are committed to improving their own lives, the lives of their families and of their people surpasses any physical benefit of the projects I’ve been a part of. Having access to markets through a new bridge being built, those who are malnourished receiving food that will help them survive, or the construction of lasting buildings that will be used for good in communities is great, but it’s not enough. Without the relationships that have been built with incredible individuals and seeing the development and commitment of these all-stars, there’s no way I’d still be doing this.
As I wrap things up here and prepare to hand over to my successor, I am beginning to look ahead. With the opportunities that I’ve had, the things I’ve been able to do, see, and be a part of, I am spoiled for life. I don’t know how I could go back to a ‘normal’ job in the States or some cosmopolitan city. How long could I last in an office or doing something where all the answers to the problems I might face will be found in a book or the internet? Of course I know that it is possible to do exciting things elsewhere. And all over the world are people in desperate or difficult situations who can benefit from someone walking alongside them through life. Even in offices, workshops, sports teams, clubs and any other type of environment I know inspiring and rewarding things happen. People are given hope, thrive and develop when supported, and lives change. Wherever one may find him/herself, life is life and people are people the world over. But I may have gone and ruined any chance I had at living a ‘normal’ life somewhere where things work. I was chatting (Skype is great!) with a friend working in Afghanistan yesterday, venting some anger after I’d spent way too much time and energy dealing with various levels of bureaucracy and self-interested officials on a couple different issues. After briefing him on the situation, his reply summed up so much about this business: ‘Yeah, but if the job were easy, would we like it so much?’ The work is a challenge, and that makes it fun (once the frustration passes). It is disappointing and depressing at times, but that is also why the rewarding moments are so inspiring and invigorating. How can I ever do anything else?
This is the time of Ramadan. It started 2 weeks ago now, and I missed most of the first two weeks of it as I was away from the office. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the daylight hours for a complete lunar cycle. It will continue until around September 9 (depending on when the next new moon is, the exact day of which cannot be known until it is actually seen). Fasting for a Muslim is not just fasting from food, but it is a fast from food, drink, cigarettes, sex, and they are not even to swallow their saliva. So, during the day for the next two weeks, our staff will be working without the strength and energy provided by food and water. The dates change a little each year, so it would be really tough/easier in the extreme latitudes during a summer/winter solstice. Imagine it occurring during late June in a place like Anchorage where they’ve only got an hour or two of night. But, were it to fall in December, you wouldn’t even have to miss a normal meal. For those who are sick, for children, and for others who have valid reason, they are not to fast. But, for the healthy, it is a sign of devotion that should be taken seriously.
The schedule during Ramadan changes. People will wake up before dawn, and eat a full meal at around 4:30am. This way they have enough strength to work throughout the day before eating again after sunset. Of course by late in the day the body is tired and energy levels drop. The first few days are usually the roughest, so I’m glad I missed out on it. To compensate for this, our and many other offices have adjusted work schedules. We begin work now at 6:30am. It is quite early for me, and it is taking some getting used to, but our staff have not been having trouble showing up on time. Most of them definitely prefer the earlier start as it allows them to sleep or rest most of the afternoon. We’ve got some busy days ahead which will involve a lot of heavy supplies being loaded and offloaded at various locations, and those who will be labouring in the sun and heat will be doing so without the benefit of a drink of water. 8 hours of lifting and moving around 100 pound sacks would be no fun in any condition, and especially during Ramadan I don’t envy those who will be labouring for us. They’re planning to start at 5am so they can be done as early in the day as possible. So, for the next couple of weeks, this will be something which affects the daily life of all of us who are living and working in the Muslim dominated world.
Today I sifted through 48 applications as we are looking to hire a new cashier. Yet again, there were quite a few resumes that brought either a chuckle or provided laugh-out-loud humour. There were one or two more people who said they are combatant who probably wish I thought they were competent (reference to post of a couple months ago). A few applicants have skills in treasure, which would no doubt make it easy for them as a cashier to replace whatever cash loss there may be from errors in bookkeeping. Though I don’t really remember some other funny typos, as they all began to run together, the very first line of the very first resume I opened set the tone, and seemed hilarious as I hadn’t grown tired and bored of the process yet. After the To: and Subject: lines, the first line of the cover letter reads: Irreverence to your advertising concerning a vacant …
Although the candidate didn’t have the qualifications to be shortlisted and participate in the exam or interview stages, I did consider calling him to the office just to see if I’d want to hire him anyway. I might rather like someone farting, burping, being coarse or carrying out any number of other irreverent behaviors to spice things up in the office. Currently Mr. Been is our most irreverent staff member, and I must admit that his stories and general demeanor actually provide us with good dinner conversations and bring us some laughter quite regularly. He's probably the Somali equivalent of a dirty old man. His inappropriateness isn’t over the line, though, but is actually a little bit of what I’d expect from the Mr. Bean most of you are familiar with.
That’s just a little story from today, and I hope the other pictures also give you something to stimulate the visual side of your brain.
Some pics of the sand blowing across the road the other day
There is a truck coming if you look close enough in the above - maybe a hundred metres in front of the vehicle, and barely visible
This will serve as a waterpoint for the community. It fills in the rainy season, and then they use for months on end when it is dry. Chlorine tablets are provided at the household level to treat the water as you can imagine that sitting in a concrete hole for months on end breeds all kinds of nastiness.
