Love Your Neighbor

So, we pitched up at City Hall at 9:40 ready to march at 10:00 through the streets of Pretoria only to find that there were scarce few people gathered. Obviously, we were disappointed. However, once we located the organizers they assured us that busloads were on their way. The estimated numbers were 5,000, but in the end, I would guess that just over a thousand of us took to the streets. We basically walked for an hour from City Hall to the Parliment Buildings to deliver a document of "demands" to representatives of the President on behalf of foreigners, and more specifically, Zimbabweans.

A truck, equipped with a sound system and a number of chant leaders, led the way. I spent most of the time trying to stay in step with my "comrades" as we (well, mostly the Africans) chanted and sang, drawing the attention of those who lived in the apartments overlooking the streets of downtown. I also spent a lot of time thinking about this process and wondering why there were only 8 whites in this sea of people. The lack of white participation made me sad. Where were all the white people? How come I had never done something like this before? Is it fear? Does it just seem like a big waste of time? The questions linger. Sadly, the Africans seemed much more surprised by my presence, than by the lack of white participation.

Some have asked me why I would do something like this since I don't have a track record of demonstrating, protesting and marching. I guess the plight of Zimbabwe has been on my heart for a long time. What is happening there is simply inhumane. I wanted to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering - I thought it would help them to see there are people who love them and want the best for them. I also wanted to help bring their suffering to the attention of our fellow citizens, as well as those in power. I suppose I've been more and more convicted of staying in my "safe" zone and avoiding such events. The more I read the Gospels, the more I sense that it's places like this where I might have found Jesus...with those who are suffering.

All in all, the march on Sunday probably had the biggest impact on my heart than anything else. This has helped to propel me into action on what has become a very serious situation in our country - latest news is that 42 people have died and tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes due to violence. I am helping to collect food, blankets (it's winter here) and clothing for refugees, who live in and around our area. Also, NieuCommunities has made a room available to a husband and wife from Zimbabwe who are working in the area, and several of our apprentices are working with refugees in different parts of the city. If you would like to see a video of the march follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1nA9PmK_NU

Camping with Jesus

For my 43rd birthday I asked Daleen to plan a two-day personal, spiritual retreat for me. Although I have covenanted with our community to take such retreats for my health, as well as the health of our community, I still felt like I needed to justify the time. Why is it that? Does it feel too self-centered? Perhaps. Or somewhere in our soul do we feel unworthy of such a time? Perhaps.

Well, I figured I'd better just get over myself and take the retreat. However, I also knew that it would be easy to try and justify the retreat by doing lots of spiritual stuff - reading deep books, searching for that nugget of truth that would shape this year, blah, blah, blah. Therefore, I gave the reins to my wife and asked her to plan my time away.

Knowing my propensity to please others and justify my actions, Daleen set about planning the trip. First of all, she did a great job of reminding me of what the retreat was all about - basically, being with God in the same way that I would hang out with a good friend. No agenda. No pressure. This was a time for me to "be" together and enjoy the beautiful surroundings (it is His creation by the way). She encouraged me to not think too much, but rather to just be there with God. I thought about this and realized that when I'm with good friends I don't feel the pressure to talk about deep things. Or to talk at all. Sure those things happen, but I don't have to "make it happen."


The second thing Daleen did was to pick a place. A rustic cabin in a wooded ravine near a bubbling brook in the middle of a game reserve (where wild animals live). Do I need to say more? Is there a better place for a couple of guys to hang out, bond and deepen their love for one another? Maybe for you, but not for me.

Thirdly, she kept the agenda simple. Breathe deeply from the stomach and walk with God, enjoying His creation with Him. Doing that is like balm for my heart (as the Russian saying goes). Leave all books at home except the Bible and a novel. Basically, the two days were focused on one verse, "Be still and know that I am God." Or as the Message says, "Step out of the traffic. Take a long, loving look at me, your High God..." Day 1 - find some animals and as you enjoy them consider what it means to be still at the core of your being, then ask God to meet you there. Day 2 - find some animals to enjoy and consider what it means to know that He is God.

I won't ruin this by making some big deal out of all I learned because I didn't "learn" anything. I did, however, realize that it was easy to spend two days in silence with my Maker. I must confess that I was a little apprehensive about spending two days in silence. In reality, on those few occasions when I did need to speak (to avoid being completely rude to others), I found myself yearning for silence. I didn't want to see anyone or talk to anyone else, I was God's and God's alone.

By the second evening as I sat next to the campfire I realized just how peaceful my heart was. It wasn't some huge revelation, but rather a gentle awareness that my heart was in the place it was created to be - basically, enjoying His presence.