Swords into Plowshares

Malawi: The fabric of life

The women in Malawi use a national dress that consists of a wrap skirt called a chitenje, which is made of a length of fabric between 4 and 6 yards.  They sometimes make a blouse and headdress out of the same material.  The design of the fabric is as colorful and unique as the smiles of Malawian women, and the wrap provides much in a woman's daily life.  They sparked this reflection ...

My chitenje - the fabric of my life.

I wear it with pride expressing my individual style through the colorful design - but it is so much more than a piece of clothing.

I carry new life in my chitenje - my new child hugs close to my body as I wrap her over my shoulder.

I carry the substance of life in my chitenje - I take goods and products to and from the market wrapped and carried on my head in order to support my family.

I carry a message in my chitenje - as a home-based care volunteer serving those stricken ill by HIV/AIDS a message of my work is dyed into the wrap I wear.

I carry my identity in my chitenje - it is the fabric that weaves through my life as a Malawian girl, daughter, young woman, sister, wife, mother, aunt, granny.

Photo by Amanda Craft

Talking about Race

Many groups are engaging in dialogues on issues related to race and racism in the aftermath of the March 18 speech by Barack Obama. There are a couple of study opportunities coming this summer as well as some print resources that could help Presbyterians engage in such dialogues.

The Fifth Annual Multicultural Church Institute at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico from August 4-10 will include a number of helpful seminars. Two seem particularly appropriate:

Lambs and Wolves Talking Together will draw on the work of Eric Law and others to look at communication across cultural differences.

Building Community — Dismantling Racism will make use of tools from the PC(USA) antiracism training program to understand the ways racism continues to impact our lives and how we can work to dismantle racism.

Print resources can be ordered through Presbyterian Distribution Service by calling 800-524-2612.

Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community (1999)
The report of the Initiative Team on Racism and Racial Violence, approved by the 211th General Assembly (1999) as the PC(USA)’s comprehensive policy document on racism.
$2.00 plus shipping and handling, order PDS #OGA99033

Living the Gospel of Peace: Tools for Building More Inclusive Community
This six-session study teaches communication guidelines, mutual invitation, community bible study, and power analysis and explores how to use these tools to build community in the face of racism and other factors that divide us.
$3.00 plus shipping and handling, order PDS #7027004014

Facing Racism: In Search of the Beloved Community
This five-session study for youth was developed to help youth confront racism and work to build the “beloved community.”
$1.25 plus shipping and handling, order PDS #7027098002

Malawi and South Africa: Fear

As I reflect on our time in South Africa and Malawi, I am struck by certain messages that bubble up.  I want to share one message.

Each congregation we visited, each home based care center we saw, each clinic where we stopped, the message was clear that many do not go for HIV/AIDS testing because they are overwhelmed by fear.  It does not matter much that they would know their status, could keep others safe, and could seek help when they would be ostracized from and reproached by their community.  These stories sparked the following personal reflection . . .

When I feel afraid, what do I do?

If I don't want to know, what do I do?

When I feel ashamed, what do I do?

If I don't want to lose my family, what do I do?

When I feel alone, do I turn to God?

Photo by Amanda Craft

Easter Greetings

Several Easter greetings have come my way that seem worth sharing. It is late in the week for such greetings, at least if one would want to use them on Easter Sunday. Remember though, liturgically speaking Easter is not just a day but a season. Here are some excerpts and links:

In an Easter message to the PC(USA), the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk, writes
“In my years of working in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the church around the world, I have been struck by how the Easter message brings life, hope, and salvation to people in so many different contexts and finds expression in so many different ways. The ultimate triumph of the love of God in the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, brings incredible hope and joy to people who, like Jesus, face tremendous obstacles to fullness of life.”

The heads of churches in Jerusalem write, “Many people limit their thoughts on Easter to the empty tomb. How important then, for us to concentrate on the first manifestation which our Lord made to his disciples. There is considerable encouragement to be gained from the fact that the living Christ is greeting his living Church. We do not under estimate the burden of so many of our faithful today from the continuing violence and acts of terrorism that surround them, and of which we all are victims, in the West Bank, in Gaza and in the Israeli society. Nevertheless, the Risen Lord reminds us and tells us that we have a role and we have to change the present situation, through the power and strength which He gives us.”

In an email message, the Chairman of Baghdad Presbyterian Church and General Secretary of Presbyterian Churches of Iraq states, “I would like to wish you a Happy Easter with many, many returns and always the blessings of our Raised Lord. May the Lord bless all your works for the glory of his name. Pray with us so God may protect the Christians in Iraq.”

The Rev. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, writes, “In the history of the world, it often seems like Good Friday.  As in the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, innocent people still suffer violence, starvation and daily threats to their survival. For Christians, however, this is not—cannot be—the final word.  Death may seem to hold sway, but we confess that its power has been broken by the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of the One we worship as Savior and Lord.”

The staff of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program prays that you may experience anew the hope and wonder of the resurrection.

End Modern-Day Slavery in the Fields

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has launched a Petition Drive to End Modern-Day Slavery and Sweatshops in the Fields. Clifton Kirkpatrick and Linda Valentine have signed the petition and encourage others to join them. The petition calls on Burger King and other food corporations to immediately work with the CIW to increase farmworker wages and establish an enforceable human-rights based code of conduct. Signatories pledge “they are prepared to cease patronizing Burger King now” if the company continues to refuse to do these things. The petition may be signed online or downloaded for use as an educational and organizing tool.

2008 marks the 200th anniversary of the U.S. ban on the importation of slaves.  And yet in November of 2007, the seventh instance of slavery in the agricultural industry was uncovered in Immokalee. Indictments were made against six people in January.

The PC(USA) works to address this situation through the Campaign for Fair Food. The campaign works in partnership with farmworkers from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to establish purchasing practices within the retail food industry that ensure and advance fair wages and other human rights of tomato pickers who labor at the base of these corporate supply chains.

In his public statement on signing the petition, Clifton Kirkpatrick observed, "Jesus Christ inaugurated his ministry and the ministry of what would become his church by quoting from the prophet Isaiah, announcing 'good news to the poor' and 'release to the captives.'  Embracing that call and standing on the shoulders of our ancestors in the abolitionist movement, through this petition campaign, let us proclaim 'freedom' for the men and women whose labor puts food on our tables.

Fifth Anniversary of War in Iraq

Five years. It has been five years.

Whatever one thinks about the war and the ongoing aftermath in Iraq, the fifth anniversary on March 19, brings a moment for reflecting, remembering, and thinking for the future.

We mark such an event in worship and through public acts. Ideas for marking this day in worship or in a public witness have been assembled by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, the Office on Women’s Advocacy, the Office on the Middle East, the Presbyterian United Nations Office and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.

At such a time, as at all times, we mark such an event through prayer. Prayers from Iraqis, soldiers, families of soldiers, and peace activists are available. Additional prayers are being added.

Prayers for our Iraqi sisters and brothers in Christ seem particularly appropriate. As have all Iraqis, they have suffered greatly over the past five years. There have also been instances of violence specifically addressed at Christians.

Sojourners suggests that an appropriate response on this anniversary is to lament and repent.

The United Nations News Centre provides reports on the work of the UN in Iraq.

The United States Department of Defense provides quarterly reports to Congress on progress toward stability and security in the country.

May God bless all who are impacted and affected by the war and ensuing events in Iraq. May all turn from violence and seek justice and pursue peace. May our nation care well for those in the military and their families who served and are serving in Iraq and around the world. May our nation work with the international community to stabilize and rebuild Iraq, providing humanitarian support and caring for those Iraqis who have been displaced. May learnings from the past five years provide wisdom for the future.

Malawi: Simple Gifts

We broke into small groups. With a translator and a Home Based Care worker, we visited two homes. Each of the Home Based Care patients we visited on received a cross from Pittsburgh.

Some of the nurses in the intensive care unit at Allegheny Hospital Suburban Campus in Belleview in the North Hills of Pittsburgh started a project in which they made and sold handcrafts. The proceeds are saved and used for mission efforts dear to their hearts. They provided over $2,000 for a group from Presbyterian churches in the area when they went on a trip to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Linda Robertson had been thinking of a small gift to bring on our travel study seminar. The week before we left, she thought of her colleagues. Among their creations are crosses made of ribbon. When she asked if she could purchase some crosses, the reply was that there were none. But the craftspeople said they would make crosses and she could have them for free.

As we broke into groups to visit in the homes of persons received Home Based Care through the program at Kapaza Presbyterian Church, each set of visitors was given a cross for each person we would visit. These simple gifts were gratefully and graciously received—profound reminders of the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ who brings us hope and profound symbols that in Christ we are one.

Photo by Linda Robertson. Note: the woman wearing the blue wrap is a Home Based Care volunteer through the program at Kapaza Presbyterian Church.

Malawi: She Is Granny

Written by Joy Gaska

…Her contagious smile reveling teeth neglected, thinning extremities speaking days gone hungry, weather worn skin with wrinkles that marked an age unknown and a compassion that echoed and told a story far more potent and poetic than any Blockbuster hit. She was Granny. This is whose story lured me into Africa. Seared onto my heart like the dark lines tattooed on her weary face. I will not forget Granny.

Granny is not alone. She is one of countless Grannies who thought their work was done when their children were grown. Culturally speaking, she should be enjoying the life of being cared for by her grown children. Instead, they have all passed away (most likely from AIDS related causes), leaving 10 orphans to be cared for. School fees, clothes, food are just the beginning of their needs, not to mention love. Granny has taken them into a 2-room house with a thatched roof, maybe 200 square feet. The youngest of the children was still breast-feeding when his mother died.

Two children, too young for school, were there during our visit. They stood there in shirts too big, no pants, no shoes. They did not seem to notice that their attire was scarce. You could tell they knew they were loved and cared for. The children listened to Granny and she looked at them with affection in her deep eyes. I wonder when their last meal was? I wonder when their next meal is? Granny is too thin, how many times did she skip a meal in order to feed the mouths of her growing grandchildren?

Granny was selected by a local hospital to receive a new house. On her property stands the old house and new home- a glimpse of the past and a gift of hope for their future. She does not have much to give but what she gives is priceless. She is whose story cries out, the story that needs to be remembered and told. She is courageous; she is loving; she is selfless; she is Granny.

Photo by Joy Gaska

Malawi: Special Delivery

Written with Kyle Kittrell.

Even in this day of instant electronic communication, there is a thrill when something lands in our mailbox or when the UPS truck stops by our door.

Some of us will return to our home with suitcases lighter than when we began the journey. Kyle and Christie Kittrell made two deliveries during their time in Malawi.

They brought a computer to the Rev. Levi Nyondo, the pastor at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Mizuzu. The Rev. Nyondo currently serves as Moderator of Livingstonia Synod. First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City, MO, where Christie and Kyle are members, has had an ongoing relationship with St. Andrew’s for about five years. First Presbyterian Church has helped build a church and three prayer houses, dug a number of wells, and built a house for teachers. Levi and his wife, Ruth, visited Jefferson City in 2006.

Kyle and Christie also brought medical supplies for the Mary Beza Clinic in Ethuleni. They have visited the clinic twice. Mary’s husband is Dr. Jablani Beza, a minister of parliament in the government of Malawi. He taught at Lincoln University in Jefferson City and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He told the congregation about the need in Malawi. In response the congregation helped with a prayer house and a well in Ethuleni. From there, the relationship has grown.

Christie and Kyle will bring much home with them to enrich this relationship. Who knows what special deliveries they may make in the future. Their next trip to Malawi will be in June.

The photo is on Kyle's camera, but I'm thinking he did not take it since he is in the picture. Timer, perhaps?

Malawi: Among the Maize Stalks

Jean Schneider, Guest Author

It’s this amazing thing about Malawi. You trundle over dirt roads through tire ruts and truck-sized gullies with maize leaves crowding in the window. You arrive at an old mission statement and there you find a six-year old kid on a cell phone to his mom.

We took the back roads out to our last project visit of the day on Monday, March 3—a garden started by a church to improve nutrition for people with chronic illnesses. At the other site visits, choirs of volunteers greeted us, waving and singing, but here there was only a woman hoeing a patch of soil in the midst of the maizefields.

When we pulled up, people started to come in—we had been expected hours earlier and the group had dispersed. What we got was not the celebratory ceremonial welcome of so  many places but a serious and direct conversation about the real issues people are facing.

The Rev. Kagodana introduced the volunteers from the support group and then Andy Gaston, the Livingstonia Synod AIDS Program (LISAP) Coordinator asked an unscripted question: “We sent caregiver kits a while ago. They had towels and medicine in them and they also had condoms. What did you think of that?”

Pastor Kagodana chuckled and then explained that at first they asked why a church was given them, because condoms were for adultery. But then they learned that condoms were also to protect married couples with one partner HIV positive and one negative and they were for preventing re-infection when both partners have HIV.

Then the questions started flowing in the other direction. The pastor asked when the mobile testing clinic could come to their area so that he and the elders could be the first in line to be tested and lead the others. The volunteers who served as caregivers for people with illnesses asked for more training opportunities. People wondered why food parcels, that had helped improve health and even boosted immunity for many, had come briefly but stopped after a few months. They showed enthusiasm and directness and as we talked, it became increasingly clear that they were doing their utmost with what they had as was LISAP.

Andy encouraged the trained volunteers to speak to their session and to train others. He commended the Rev. Kagodana on his forthrightness and enthusiastic leadership. When it came to the food parcels, Andy explained that they had come in response to a period of great need in 2006—by the time the food arrived, it was a year later and then, since it was a one time call for help, the food stopped coming. 

The people were focusing on local, sustainable projects—like the vegetable garden—but I tend to agree with the sentiment that we need some donor education—to think about both self-sustaining projects and sustained commitment to partnership initiatives.

Who knew? Out among the maize stalks you’d have this committed congregation wresting with and tackling seriously and lovingly the challenges of their community.