A week before the event, Loma
was invited to close our worship by singing something on the theme
of peace. She said she didn’t have a song that specifically
spoke of peace, but that she would set her mind and heart to creating
one.
The words she crafted and shared with us that morning articulated
the prayers of our community. The stanzas recounted the numerous
sufferings and hardships that had befallen Ethiopia in the past
and those that continue to ravage the land and people today. The
chorus was a simple plea, that God would stretch his hands across
the lands, heal the wounds, and bring peace.
If the words were an appropriate fit with the theme, the voice
gave them life. Her voice carried the message directly into the
hearts of all who were blessed to be present that morning. Loma’s
rich and haunting sound filled the small space of the chapel,
lifting our spirits. And on the wings of her prayerful melodies,
our own prayers and concerns were lifted to the heavens that the
chorus would come to pass.
The morning was concluded by a charge from the general secretary
of the EECMY. The Reverend Megersa Guta called each of us to act
upon the message of the day. He reminded us that we must be the
positive change we so eagerly wish to come to pass. We each have
an important contribution, a gift to offer towards achieving the
vision of a world at peace. When we feel our contribution is insignificant
and will not accomplish anything in the face of the breadth and
scope of issues, we must recall the scriptural lesson of the mustard
seed—that if we have faith even the size of a mustard seed,
we can move mountains, and all is possible.
Prayer requests
During the same time that our denomination was observing this
day, the president of the EECMY, the Reverend Iteffa Gobena, was
a special guest at a United Nations commemoration of the International
Day of Peace. The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
(UNMEE) observed this day at their headquarters on the other side
of town. This mission continues to work with the leadership of
Ethiopia and Eritrea to broker a sustainable peace. Their mission
has been present in the two countries for over five years, ever
since a formal cessation of hostilities was signed in Algiers.
On this day of lifting up the idea of global peace, the very need
for the continuation of UNMEE is a concrete reminder of the need
for peace in this country and region.
Please pray that the leaders of both Ethiopia and Eritrea find
the wisdom, patience, and vision to continue the process of achieving
a truly sustainable peace. Help the citizenry of both lands support
this peace process. Pray that God provide UNMEE with all that
is required to carry out their worthy and righteous mandate.
Continue to lift up the leaders of Ethiopia and the various political
bodies as they strive for democratization and stability. Pray
that this journey be inclusive, transparent, and nonviolent. Pray
that constructive thinking override an the destructive past. Pray
that the leaders set aside personal agendas and implement a more
inclusive and holistic approach to governance. O Lord, please
enable and support them in the effort of developing and providing
for communities, empowerment of women and children, and ensuring
the protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law.
Please visit my Web page
during the last week of October. I will be writing about a women’s
empowerment conference that the EECMY Peace Office is conducting
from October 19 to 21. The letter will explore the role of Ethiopian
women in peacebuilding.
Until then, stay well.
In service,
Brian C. Gilchrest |
