by Tim Sullivan
When will we learn acceptance? When will we learn violence and war only lead to more violence and war? When will we learn to elect leaders who are peacemakers and believe in the common good rather than people who believe that power makes right?
My impression is that people everywhere are basically good. I've come to this belief based on my experience rubbing shoulders with people who are different from me. Please let me share a few examples.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a shelter on the Mexican side of the border. There, I met two young men about to risk their lives crossing the desert. One of them from Honduras had worked in a banana factory. We had an instant connection because I sold bananas that he boxed. He told me how much he made and how many boxes of bananas he could fill every day. Now I knew why bananas were so cheap. These were good young people trying to improve their lives, the only way they thought was possible. I did my best to talk them out of taking their dangerous journey but I'm sure I didn't succeed. I have no idea if they made it to where they were going alive.
At last year's Servas International conference in France, I was fortunate to sit next to the National Secretary from Iran. People had great fun taking pictures of the Iranian National Secretary sitting, talking and smiling with the USA National Secretary. I can tell you he was a good person and just like us proud of his country, proud of his family, and trying to create a good life and peace in our world.
And just this week I met a young man, his wife and child who emigrated from Pakistan to Spain where he runs a little produce shop. They were absolutely some of the nicest people I've ever met.
With such good people living in them, why then are all four of our countries involved in wars? Is it the leadership of our countries and their desire for power and wealth that lead us to war? Weren’t these people elected? Where is acceptance for others? What will it take to transform a world from acceptance of violence to an ethic of acceptance and peace?
Sadly, I have no answers to any of these questions. I have only hope in the common people of all countries, who I know are good people, that they will prevail in the end and make peace possible.
For my part, I will continue to plant and care for the trees on our little plot of land. I will help tend our garden so we can eat as much of our own food as possible. I will continue the ministry my spouse and I share with the elderly in our community. I will also keep volunteering for Servas, as it is one small way I can help build acceptance in the world. Thank you all for being part of Servas. I hope you will continue helping Servas foster increased acceptance throughout our world.
