[amc] Garland: [CPTNET] IRAQ REFLECTION: A table prepared

Ray Gingerich <rjgingerich@xxxxxxxxx> · Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:57:37 -0500

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: CPTNET: the news service of CPT <cptnet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Subject: [CPTNET] IRAQ REFLECTION: A table prepared
To: cptnet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  CPTnet

20 August 2009

*IRAQ REFLECTION: A table prepared*

by Garland Robertson

On 30 July, with the mayor of the Kurdish village Kaladze and his gracious
staff, we sat and ate on the Iraqi/Iranian border.  For some time, the Iraq
team had asked for access to this section, not only to observe the damages
from continuing attacks along the border but also to accompany villagers who
have decided to return to their homes in this beautiful mountainous region.

Displaced by both unregulated bombings from Turkish fighter jets and random
shellings by Iranian rockets and mortars, families had moved out of the
area, appealing for protection.  Yet, circumstances of their temporary
relocation are less fulfilling than living again, despite the risks, in
their villages-the place where their families have followed rich traditions
and experienced the blessings of community for centuries.

The mayor assisted his staff in preparing food and serving us.  They spread
the table in the presence of sophisticated surveillance operations monitored
by both U.S. and Turkish military agencies.  At this border between Iraq and
Iran, we enjoyed kabobs, stuffed grape leaves, fresh vegetables, fruits, and
tea.  As we ate, we talked about families and vocations, experiences in
Kurdistan and Iraq, and relations among other countries both nearby and far
away.  We talked about our concerns for the welfare of the villagers who are
vulnerable to recurring violent disruptions.

We talked with the mayor about relationships and personal dignity and our
dream of finding a way for every person in the earth to live peacefully
within the human family.  We spoke about our belief that all persons should
enjoy the blessings of community and the pleasure of anticipating a safe
future for their children.  The mayor dismissed our vision as unrealistic,
indicating this kind of inclusive respectful community is only an
apparition, an empty hope, a fantasy.  We confessed our belief that this
kind of existence would please Allah.  The mayor confessed his belief that
if Allah desires this kind of life in the earth then Allah would bring it to
pass.

We wonder if a table could be spread so that every person on this planet
could eat and visit together, and if we could do something to help make it
happen.

----------------------------------------------

CPT's MISSION: "Getting in the Way." What would happen if Christians devoted
the same discipline and sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies
devote to war? Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks to enlist the whole
church in organized, nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of
trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict.

COMMENTS: To ask questions or express concerns, criticisms and affirmations
send messages to peacemakers@xxxxxxxx

NEWSLETTER: To receive CPT's quarterly print newsletter fill out the form at
http://cpt.org/participate/subscribe

DONATE: Donate to CPT on-line with your credit card! Go to
http://cpt.org/participate/donate and click the DONATE button to make a
contribution through Network for Good, a secure way to help support CPT.

YOUR SUBSCRIPTION: to change your subscription settings go to
http://mailman.cpt.org/mailman/listinfo/cptnet

-- 
Center for Strength-Based Strategies
Ray Gingerich, Associate
5631 Bentwood Lane
Greendale (Milwaukee), WI  53129
phone (414) 331-5957
email rjgingerich@xxxxxxxxx
fax (815) 371-2292
website: www.buildmotivation.com

"“Everything can be taken from a man but the last of the human freedoms: to
choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.” Victor Frankl

[amc] Garland: [CPTNET] IRAQ REFLECTION: A table prepared

Other related posts: