I'm living with two amazingly compassionate and faithful men!
Recently we welcomed an Earthcorp volunteer into our home who will live with us for the next 2.5 months. (We had such a great experience with our guest from Colombia last year that we decided to do it again!) This time we welcome a young man from Pakistan.
At first, I honestly didn't know what to think. On one hand I was thrilled that God answered a prayer of a deep desire for interfaith exposure and conversation with someone from the Middle East. On the other hand, I was feeling some mixed emotions about the ever so current news reports about Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syrian regions and the huge web of issues that swirl in my mind and our media. Where do you begin? War, peace agreements, foreign relations, trade agreements, truth, civilians, troops...
So, it was with more than a bit of hesitation that I prayerfully considered this opportunity.
After two weeks, I am moved to tears by the amazing opportunity and spiritual blessing that saying YES has brought.
I have 10 short weeks to provide a home to an open minded and devout Muslim. I am blessed to live with two amazing men. They are both compassionate, both with troubles and fears, with love for the human race, both with the desire to provide for their families and to be strong and supportive spouses, to bring peace to this world and to survive each day with happiness and joy while there is much pain and hurt in the world. Both in awe of the mystery and love of a source that can not be understood with a certain label.
Last night, as the three of us spoke of our religious stories, experiences, similarities and differences, I was struck by the myriad of similarities and differences in new ways. One lives in a country where each major city sees deaths of 15-20 daily in their spiritual war while we live in a city where we might see that number of deaths by homicide in 6-9 months! How people live and hope for a life of opportunity to gift to their children when constantly dodging death...I'm at a complete loss. It is such a far cry from my life experience. Somehow he brings a level of hope, love and desire to life, each day, and I am in awe of it and encouraged beyond belief. My fears, worries, problems, trials are different compared to his...they are mine and I still struggle but it is with a more enlightened and compassionate world view and grace.
I have learned what halal meat is and where to get it. I have shared my love of Ten Thousand Villages with our guest and we have spoken about this mission and the artisan's items we carry from Pakistan. We have shared some meals. We have slept under the same roof. We have learned that we have cats and they have pigeons. We have told stories of saints, of parting seas, of dividing moons, of ponds of the King, of birth and resurrection, of life and death. We have discussed marriage, relationship, arranged marriage, dating, pain, family expectations. Baseball playoffs and cricket! The list continues to grow.
I live with two compassionate and wonderful men. I am blessed. The journey is a wealthy experience.
God, Allah, Yahweh, Mystery, Mother, Ancestors, be peace and grace and love unto us all.
