R E S P E C T

So as soon as I typed the title to this post, I decided I had to listen to a little Aretha Franklin. It had been quite a while until now that I've listened to this song, and all of a sudden I wish I had some more soul music on my iTunes. Guess I'll have to work on that.

But, that is not what this post is about. There are a couple of articles out in the news that I'm sure will go largely unnoticed in the West. Last week I saw on CNN International TV an episode of the show 'Prism' which was talking about the fighting in Mogadishu and how it has intensified between the TFG (UN backed government in Southern Somalia which controls a few blocks of the city including the presidential palace, the airport, very little else, and very little outside of town) and Al Shabaab (terrorist group linked to and supported by Al Qaeda in control of a large chunk of the rest of the South of Somalia). The African Union troops in Mogadishu continue to battle insurgents daily, with people being killed all the time.

Meanwhile, up in the north in a region (or separate country depending on who you ask) called Somaliland where I am, things function. There are police. There is a military. But there is also an elected president and a two house legislature. There are storied buildings and pipe-born water. Electricity reaches many houses in the city in which I live, and it is all run by private businesses. Construction is booming rather than places being destroyed by mortars and heavy artillery fire.

I posted at the end of June/early July about elections which took place in Somaliland. The challenger beat the incumbent, and the loser stepped down recognizing the vote and giving up power. Little has been said about this. Little attention is given to the fact that while so much international attention is given to the Somali 'problem' with all the fighting and killing that continues to take place, there is a part of what the world knows as 'Somalia' that is developing mostly on its own. In fact, I wonder if there were more international attention if it would continue to develop, or if the special interests of the outside would cause chaos and confusion pitting people against one another for what they can profit instead of what profits the people.

We just may be able to see if that is the case, or if this region could actually be used as a place to bring development and inspire the South to change. There are a couple of articles you can read about the US being about to start ties with Somaliland. Until now, the North and South have been considered as one, and only the government in the South was recognized (even though it has power over just a tiny pocket of the entire country). The articles on BBC News and Voice of America News both talk of the problems in Somalia, but show that maybe the world is beginning to give some of that R-E-S-P-C-E-C-T that the people here have struggled to earn. It surely hasn't come easily as people were caught up in fighting back in the years before and after the infamous 'Blackhawk Down' episode. There has been civil war and Somaliland is still surrounded by areas of instability both in Somalia and neighboring Ethiopia with Eritrea not too far away. However, peace prevails and progress is happening. I hope that the investment of the US and other countries helps progress to increase and doesn't just complicate things and add too many interests to this small beacon of hope. Even though I will be leaving in a couple of weeks, I will continue to follow what happens in Somaliland.

Play Ball

FIBA. I don’t know what it stands for, but it was the international basketball championship which ended over the weekend in Turkey. It seems that Europeans and Africans don’t really care about basketball. But, I got to catch some of the final game in which the USA beat Turkey for the gold medal. I don’t think it really made much news as there were very few American NBA stars playing. And, in spite of that, the US led by Kevin Durant won it all. In a similar development, American football season has begun. Working with only Europeans and in Africa, my colleagues would not be aware of the fact above were I to make sure to spread the message. The Eagles disappointed in an opening game loss to the Packers, but I was excited nonetheless as I got to watch ESPN Sportscenter for the first time in quite a while and see the highlights.

The Olympics and the World Cup are universally known. Cricket and rugby have followers crossing continental divides. The biggest sports in the US, however, are relatively new in the world market. While the DR, Cuba, and Venezuela have been big with baseball for some time, it’s only recently made its way to Japan where it has become popular. American football has sprung up in leagues in Europe, but is not followed by many. Basketball leagues have begun recently in a lot of countries in Europe and Asia, but also are thin on supporters and fans though gaining ground.

The US can compete with the best countries in any sport really. There are professional leagues and competitions for just about everything, but ice hockey, tennis, and golf are probably the only ones with big followings outside the US in which competitors make millions (not really going to count the MLS as it is a relative newcomer in the US). And these three have nothing of the control on television broadcasting and merchandising deals that the MLB, NFL, and NBA control.

I don’t know where I’m going with this, but just think it is interesting that as an American, I find little common ground with others internationally on the sports that I grew up with. It isn’t just that we like boring sports in the US. NASCAR may be the exception as far as the rest of the world is concerned, though I don’t think Indy car racing (with worldwide popularity) is all that different. NASCAR usually only has four different turns that drivers go through over and over and over again over 3 hours of driving while Indy Car drivers at least have road courses that mix things up a little more. One cricket match can last days. It is not exciting. And yet, it is probably the 2^nd most popular sport in the world behind football (soccer).

ESPN has no equal in the US. It is by far the most popular channel in the US among men. It is one of the things that I miss about living overseas. We do get an international version of ESPN, but it is not nearly as good as the US version. However, none of those from outside the US understand what I’m talking about (except maybe Canadians). And while ESPN is not something I’ll really be able to pass on to others, at least I can try to build up support for baseball, football, and basketball, and eventually the US will be able to spread its sports influence throughout the entire world. Maybe ESPN will be able to be universally recognized in the next 5 or 10 years. Then maybe I’ll be able to watch Sportscenter or NFL, MLB, or NBA games at convenient times and not just replays during odd hours in the time zones I find myself in. Until then, March Madness, playoff races and Top Ten plays of the Day will be things I just have to continue to live without.

Unfitting Title

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.

Ponderings of an Itinerant Aid Worker

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?