Standing still

Let us take a moment to stand still. To stand still and see all the things that happen in this world. Besides the corona virus and all the restrictions, demonstrations and all different opinions, we hear a lot about racism. Demonstrants tell us that black lives matter as much as white lives. Unfortunately, not all actions are peaceful and somethings, destructions are made.

Let us stand still and reflect on all this. How are we doing? What is my position? Of course we will say: black lives matter. But, don't we somethings think that Africa will never made it? That a black person is more likely to be suspicious and that we, as white people, tend to be smarter?

Also in the developmental work, often wrong conclusions are being made. We think that we know what the people in Africa need and with some effort, we make all of our plans happen. We are disappointed when our plans don't work and we conclude that developmental work does not help.

But we forget one thing. We forgot to stand still. Forgot to listen to the other. Forgot to ask questions. Forgot to dive in the situation of our African brothers and sisters. Forgot to hear the need of those people and to listen to the solution the expert, our African brother or sister, has to the situation.

As foundation, we try to stand still often. Stand still and consider the need and the solution of the people of Kwanjana. The work in Kwanjana is most frequently done by Constantine and Felix. Both grew up in a difficult situation, but made it. We work together with an Action Committee, our group of experts in Kwanjana. Without them, we would miss a lot of information and make a lot of mistakes. Together, one by one, we consider all the possibilities for the people in Kwanjana. Together, with all colours of the rainbow!

Every time, the life of Jesus touches me. He is such an example to us. He washed the feet of his desciples. It was not common that a Jewish man did so, and especially not the Lord. He stood still and took the time to talk to a Samaritan woman. That was not allowed according to the rules and regulations of culture and religion.

Jesus askes us to be one. Together, with all colours of the rainbow. We hope to show Jesus to the world, by standing still together, one by one, instead of judging each other. Together with your sponsor child, or with the asylum seeker in your neigbourhood, or together with a member of the Action Committee. To God, we are all the same. We all need Jesus. And Jesus came to this world. Through Him, we may follow His example.