Darfur and Memorial Day

I know this holiday weekend snuck up on us.  It’s so early this year.  Did you know you have Monday off?

In 1868, Commander John A. Logan inaugurated the observance of Memorial Day in honor of fallen soldiers from the Civil War.  Over the years it came to serve as a day to remember all US men and women killed or missing in action in all wars.  Most of us just think of it as a day to finish planting the flowers and have a barbeque.

But I was given a Memorial Day gift this year that will stick with me for a long time.  I had to take a cab home from the airport and God put me with a driver named Inwar.  I could immediately guess that he was from East Africa found out He is from Sudan, which borders Kenya. We had a great time talking about his homeland.  I think he really enjoyed having someone who had actually been there, and I certainly enjoyed talking to him.

Inwar is originally from Darfur.  You may now know much about what’s gone on there, but it’s basically the recent equivalent of Rwanda.  And if that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because we live in such a secluded -“the news is all about me” – information market.  Darfur is a place with a very corrupt government, tribal warring, genocide, and other horrible human rights atrocities.  At least 400,000 dead and millions displaced. Learn about Darfur

Inwar’s family is one of the displaced ones, and maybe some of the dead.  He just doesn’t know.  They are lost from each other. 

However, that is not the point of my Memorial Day blog.  What struck me so about Inwar was about how much he loved the United States of America.  He has suffered much, and he is working a difficult job (probably with some difficult customers).  But he loves this country.  His voice rang with excitement as he told me about going to college, transferring to the University of Chicago, being befriended and practically adopted by his professor at the University who happens to live close to him.  He will get his U.S. citizenship in 2010 at which time he plans to go back to his homeland and try to reunite his family.  Inwar says they will treat him differently when he goes back as an American citizen. He will be safe and have rights to information and justice.

He couldn’t say enough about how much he loves the United States of America.

Now I know we have our problems, and I know we all gripe about the things that we think are wrong, but I also know that a lot of men and women have sacrificed a great deal to provide a place for you and I to worship freely, work and get paid fairly, and live and love fully - all under the glorious umbrella of freedom.

So how about if we all just spend a moment this weekend thanking God for this place and thanking God for those who provided our freedom.  Maybe we should look through the eyes of a guy from Darfur, and appreciate again this land of opportunity.

For those of you who have served our country, and especially for those who have lost loved ones doing it – WE THANK YOU!

Happy Memorial Day,

Tim

PS. I’m preaching on Anger Management from James this weekend.  If  you skip out, I’ll be ticked.

Comments

[Paula]

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

For all who served in harm's way and all who fell so that we may live Free... I miss you Daddy, you never talked much about all you saw and did as a Medic in WWII, and I wish you were still here so you could.

I'll be there...don't want to tick off the preacher :)

[Kathy]

Excellent... Thank You, PT..
and thank you, Grandma Foster... for serving on the Veterans commission in Orland Park and carrying the American Flag in the Orland Days Parade with the American Legion... we'll be cheering!
We are proud of you... Col. Foster...
Nope... Don't want to tick off the preacher!
We'll be there, too. :)

[Been There]

Great message and service. It really hit home for a lot of us.Thanks. Happy Memorial Day. We are FREE!

[anthony]

millions of gallons of blood has sunk into soil around the world so we can live the way we live. great reminder.

[Dawn Robertson]

Celebrating Canada Day here in Vancouver, B.C.! Love your sermon on Anger Management "According to Jim" in James. We are also studying the book of James at our home church. The worship is amazing. Thank you.
Blessings, Dawn