Sharing lives…reclaiming our humanity
Last night at our discussion group where we are crossing racial, economic, gender and age boundaries we stopped to reflect on what God has done and what we have learnt so far. We stopped to remember that 6 months ago most of us didn’t know each other and many of us were living the usual South Africa story of division and separateness. We are starting to slowly tell a different, new story…
From the voices of the people:
I have learned to face conflict and not shy away from difficult conversations.
I am finding my voice, this is a safe space to speak up.
People are speaking their minds and not holding back, learning to be real.
I am learning that the wounds of the past go very deep.
I am grateful that I am accepted for who I am.
This is my support group.
This is my second family.
I have learned to not treat all people of a particular race the same. Not just "those people" but individuals.
I am learning to trust those of different races and backgrounds, to share my life.
I have a place to share frustrations and struggles that I have bottled up my whole life.
I can be proud of my African name and don’t need a white name.
Hearing others stories has allowed me to have more compassion, to understand better.
Honored to be together. Privileged to share this journey.
Dissatisfaction with Church and segregation, wish there were places like this in the Church where we could talk about real issues.
Realize there are issues we need to work on amongst our own people.
Have been challenged to work on our friendship outside this group.
Helped us talk about real things in our friendships.
We are meeting each others families.
Wished we could bring colleagues and other Church members to this group.
Grateful for peoples generosity as I take small steps.
Blessed by opportunity to relate cross culturally.
Learned to respect other opinions even if I don’t agree.
We are on a journey and a different story is unfolding…we have taken small steps…and we have many more to take together. We are recovering our humanity.
God is at work and restoring his people.
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing Trev. Sorry we missed last night. The journey unfolds, and at times I'm walking strong. At other times, I feel like I'm crawling. I'm thankful that this is a collective journey.
This looks like a beautiful group of folks, thinking of you guys a lot these days and I am encouraged to read these little snippits of story from folks. Be praying for those faces and you guys. The LORD bless you and keep you, The LORD make his face shine upon you, and give you peace.
Looks a lot for 6 months, very good, do it again in a year?
Facebook refuses to show me your updates, glad I went looking!
Sorry it's taken so long to comment.
As I've been sharing stories from my time with you all with friends here in the states, I keep realizing that what is happening in this collective "reclaiming of humanity" is nothing short of a miracle. There is an undercurrent of humility and vulnerability reflected in these words that feels like the foundations of true reconciliation. And I feel like these words are the testimony of God's grace that needs to be spoken and remembered when the "journey" is not easy. And I would give up easy for the thrill of being a part of the adventure of divine transformation and restoration.
As someone said above--it was my privilege to share the journey with you, even for a short amount of time. And hopefully it will be my privilege to share in it again in the future. :)
It is beuautiful to see God at work through this group and hear the testimonies...thanks for sharing! It will be in my prayers.
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