Is Lent the Christian Version of Ramadan?

This was the topic of discussion that brought out a number of people to participate in Resto van Harte’s dinner in Schiemond last evening. Resto is a unique organisation whose aim is to create community in rather disparate neighbourhoods by hosting weekly dinners and conversations. The gatherings take place in a local community centre amongst Rotterdam’s crowded government apartments. Last night’s presentation was just as interesting and multifaceted as the diverse group of people who came.

The speakers included a Muslim Imam, Jewish Rabbi, Christian Pastor and a special address from Rotterdam’s first Moroccan mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb. The Rabbi shared about the significance of Yom Kippur being a time of fasting for atonement, while the Imam shared how Ramadan’s fast helps a follower to attain virtues like humility, while the Pastor spoke about Lent being a time of reflection and prayer to prepare for Holy Week and the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. It was hard to understand everything that was said (because it was spoken in Dutch and I am still struggling to learn) but I found it interesting that the Imam kept mentioning samenwerk, or team work as a theme of Ramadan.

The people I sat with were also full of colour and conviction. Across from me was a man and woman who became friends through a recovery home. Marion shared that she was from Surinam and had lived in Rotterdam for 36 years. She has four children she rarely sees because of her struggles with addiction. Otto is a young man who recently moved from the home to navigate his life from the perspective of sobriety. There were some older women at the other end of the table but the language barrier kept us from sharing. The three ladies were quite happily engaged in their own conversation.Seated behind me was a table of women, mostly related, from Morocco with their children. They were very friendly and open to sharing about their culture and faith. Each stated that they rely on each other for support since they live about 100 km from their families.

I asked everyone I spoke with what they felt was needed the most attention for change in their community, they all echoed the same frustration - crime and drugs brought to their neighbourhood by young men from bordering areas. They believe these young men leave their own neighbourhood because they fear their families’ punishment for their abhorrent behaviour. Most of these youths are out of work and spend their days on the street causing havoc and being especially tyrannical towards women. Otto said, “I would find it hard to be a woman living here, you do not have the freedom to live your life on your own without being bothered.” It seems to be pretty endemic to the poor urban centres throughout North Holland. Should Reckoning be invited to partner with organisations like Resto and GreenGraffiti I am sure we will have the opportunity to touch on this issue.

The evening was well worth the lengthy train ride. It was great to meet and share life with others and organisations that are trying to impact and empower communities. Resto’s weekly dinner program allows people an opportunity to come together in a safe environment. Jim Bowes was sitting at table next to an elderly man who recently lost his wife. When he spoke about being alone, Jim shared that the man seemed to fold into himself at the mention of solitary life. Resto is providing a platform for otherwise isolated or marginalised people to integrate with others. It will take time and effort for some to engage those who are “different” but it is good that Resto van Harte creates a place for all people share a meal and conversation.

Picture from Resto van Harte’s Picasa Gallery

My Dance with Grace

In recent days I have come to realize my relationship with Grace has been in disrepair. What’s Grace? I see it as a force not an it, so I choose to see Grace much like I would see a person who always adds a certain elegance to what is before her. Grace can only build on something, she cannot fathom something upon nothing. Grace is that desirable illustrious creature that offers herself completely and unselfishly to anyone who seeks her wholeheartedly – the catch - you have to continually seek her and fight to stay with her.

I have been examining the nature of my relationship with Grace and I could best quantify it as merely accidental brushes here and there. I can imagine grace as a noun or verb - something I desire to exude; when it comes to receiving or living with her, I have been lacking more times than I care to admit. She often invites me to come dance with her and when I do it is always wonderful and free, but it is so specific and ornate at the same time. When I am willing our movements start to intertwine, I become strangely unnerved and unraveled. Things begin to fall away and appear in ways I do not understand when you are moving with Grace. It feels so off-kilter - I can either move away or I can fall into Grace. If try to grab something to steady myself Grace disappears as quickly as she arrived. If I try to hold onto Grace, my grip is useless I just crash into Grace. When embraced the peace and disruption seem to explode at the same time. It is hard to be cool or feel in control when you are leaning into Grace. You follow and try to press into something that cannot be held or contain. You never feel more alive and ridiculously useless at the same time.

As we lumber along I start to I think this cannot be what it is suppose to be. I was expecting something else… I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten to this place with Grace only to find myself pushing away. But once I am on my own again, I eventually come to my senses and realize what I left. Sometimes I am bold enough to I think I can recreate it on my own without her but somehow I just end up further from where I wanted t be. Just when I think there is nothing more I can do and I lay everything down, I turn the corner and there she is again. She approaches with her arms open inviting me in.

What A Day

You ever have one of those mornings that you wish you could stay in bed all day but can’t because you are expected somewhere and it is too late to cancel?

That is how this morning started for me. I was sick and spent most of the previous afternoon in bed trying to stave of whatever bug that was trying to keep me down. When I tried to open my puffy eyes I could feel that my head was on the verge of imploding under the sinus pressure. But I had to get up it was Reckoning’s first event today in Bos en Lommer!

We got the kids ready and dressed and out the door 10 minutes after we were suppose to leave and the throbbing in my head seemed to quicken as my pace did through out the day. We made out way to the Bos en Lommerplein and I jumped out of the car to track down anyone who could let us know where we our booth would be located. It took 7 degrees of separation before I found someone I recognized and could take me to the one person who had the lay of the land and pointed us in the right direction. At this point I was trying to convince myself that it would be worth staying after the set up instead of returning to the comfort and warmth of bed.

It has been my experience though on days like these, when you have nothing to give beyond your presence and you are not really sure you even want to offer that much, that wonderful things happen. Things you never imagined or thought to ask for; today was no different.

It was miraculous that we were asked to be in this festival in the first place. Through the sports and culture director of Bos en Lommer, we were unexpectedly introduced to the New West Regional Directors of Cultural Arts and Education. These two women were so impressed with our off the cuff presentation of Reckoning that they provided a booth for Reckoning to participate in the upcoming Festival in Bos en Lommer. They wanted to help us initiate relationships with the community we desired to work in. For this reason I got up and went and stayed.

But in reality I got more than I expected by being there. We had so many kids show up and watching them express their creativity was well worth it! There are so many stories but I will share my favorite of the day. At one point I think we had about 15 kids making Artist’s Trading Cards and about 7 kids painting at the canvas, three little boys came up to the art supplies and each grabbed what they could and ran off in separate directions but met behind shed on the other side of the road. I am sure that they assumed Ali and I were too busy to see them but I caught the whole thing. So I left the kids and walked around to the side of the building and held out my hands. It was amazing how quickly the kids started making excuses in English. I took the items said thank you and walked away. I told them they could come back and participate if they wanted to. A few hours later when we were cleaning up I saw the boy who was the ring leader standing off to the corner. I grabbed a set of coloring pencils and walked over to him. He immediately started saying, “ I did not take anything else, I swear!”

I stopped him and said, “I know, now that we are finished I want you to have them – here’s two more for your friends.”

He was really confused; he did not know whether to be sad or happy. “I told you, I did not take more, why are you giving me this? I took from you, I don’t deserve this.”

“Maybe not, but I want to give them to you anyways.” So these are for you, I hope you can use them.”

“Thank you …I am sorry…thank you,” he mumbled with his head held down.

I reached down and touched his shoulder and I waited for him to look up and then I said, “You’re welcome, I hope I see you when I come back in October, bring your friends.”

He put his head down then walked away. When he crossed the street I saw him look back and flash me a big smile.

I could not think of a better way to express grace. When you deserve to be punished for your action but instead you are given what you do not deserve. I hope that is the experience that he left with. I also experienced it myself in that I was feeling horrible and did not want to be there, but having that moment made me realize that I also received more than I gave or deserved.