Giving and Receiving in Unity

November 8th

Today is a travel day to Liberia. But that doesn’t happen until this afternoon. This morning I had the opportunity to meet another good friend of the SSNDs here, Mr. John Bosco Amayene. He is from Ivory Coast, taking one year of study at the University of Ghana both to improve his English skills as well as to better understand Law. He is a public lawyer trained in his home country and hoping to work in the Hague as part of the International Criminal Court, probably moving around Africa to do inquiries. He also works now for the UN in the Statistics Unit while in Accra. But each and every Saturday he comes to the SSND house and helps keep up the garden, clearing overgrown branches, cutting grass, etc. He does it to keep fit since he says he does desk work most of the week. His roots are from a farming family which he misses. But most importantly, he does it as a way to offer humble service as a Christian. He remembers well the Johinine story of the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. So must he serve. (Wouldn’t it be great if young lawyers in DC did more gardening?) He only asks for a cup of coffee in return, so Sr. Pat gladly makes a fresh brew (yes, coffee!) and they have some quality times sharing friendship, various perspectives on life in Africa, as well as the great spirit that binds us all.

He and I spent a good hour sharing some of what we at AFJN are doing, various situations that call for our attention, an example being the critical elections process in Ivory Coast which again has been delayed due to fear mongering that may threaten a peaceful process. But they have been delaying this exercise since 2004! Do opposition parties have to see each other as enemies rather than simply opposing agendas or philosophies of governance? This moved me to share a concern of AFJN, noted in a recent article, regarding the use of violence as the wild card to get a seat on the “government of national unity” that regional and international communities strongly suggest be formed to avert further violence. But, truth be told, it really simply allows the mistrust to fester, enflamed in new conflicts later.

The US election process has been a powerful example to many Africans that a fiercely contested election process can end with mutual respect and full support of the elected one for the good of the country. John Bosco is a real gift. His presence reminded me of something I became aware of in Sierra Leone years ago. It is true that we leave home and family, renounce a family ourselves to become a member of a mobile community in mission, etc… Yet God sends us brothers and sisters like John Bosco or Sumalia who care for us, protect us, challenge us, love us. God is good, so very very good. All we have to do is open our eyes and look around, not with eyes of fear and mistrust, but eyes of love and compassion. It is contagious, boomeranging all around us, supporting us and sharing our deepest fears.

I haven’t had the opportunity to ask many Ghanaians here about Obama’s win. I hope to do more of that in Liberia and Sierra Leone. However, I did hear a comment on TV by the Ghanaian President Kufour who saw this election as a great step forward for equality, a coming of age, and in so many words was able to say that if the US could elect someone of the minority then even here in Africa all parties and players could have an equal chance in elections.

Sr. Pat had an interesting encounter that indicates a new sense of self and relationship. She met one of her neighbors the other day and they spoke about an upcoming meeting to formalize a neighborhood association. She said that she would be there, but as the only white person there, she didn’t think her presence would mean much. He spontaneously and quickly told her that color now has nothing to do with it since Obama’s election. She is a neighbor. Neighbors aren’t white or black, they are neighbors. I will look forward to seeing if and how this plays out in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Stay tuned.

And so I find myself at the Ghana International Airport penning these thoughts with deep gratitude. (I also have an extra 2 hours due to a delay in departure to Liberia… we go with the flow now matter where we are….) So, I would like to sincerely thank the School Sisters of Notre Dame who have hosted me here: Sr. Pat Frost, a long time friend, Sr. Peg, Sr. Sylvia and Sr. Maris. Your hospitality and kindness is greatly appreciated. And a warm and sincere thanks to Mr Ben Assorow, the communications director of SECAM, asked at short notice by Fr. Clement and friends to help set up meeting at SECAM and WANEP. He got the Catholic Newspaper of Ghana, the Standard, to interview me. It should be in next week’s edition. Ben drove me to the appointment and took me here to depart. Ben, thank you and I look forward to reciprocating your kindness when you come to DC. I would like to thank Emmanuel Bombane of WANAP for his time and insights. We will have future opportunities to work together on common areas of concern. And I thank Harum, Mohamed, Always Win, Andani, Abadu, the other men and women, and the push boys of Medina Market who trusted me with their stories.

It was evident from the first day that this visit was too short, but as Fr. Henry of SECAM and I shared, serendipity is not accidental. What was meant to be has been. We can plan or not, but in the end it is God’s Mission, God’s Time and God’s Glory, and it has been very very good. Ghana, thank you. I carry the concerns and information home in a grateful heart.