I am a political junkie.

I am a political junkie. I get caught up in the news, in the debates, arguments, the policies and the people. I love passion, dialogue, making a difference. I love the idea of a grassroots campaign, making something from nothing. I believe in politics. Many people do not but I do.

I have battled in my head over and over again the significance of politics and the role it plays in my own life and my faith. Politics carries with it a hefty array of derogatory and uncomfortable associations. When in reality the word originates from polis, the Greek representation for city. It speaks to our role as citizens. Citizens of this country and of this earth. Politics, to many has become a game of manipulation. The thought of marrying the concept of politics to faith and the role of church is dangerous and to many individuals treacherous territory. The separation of church and state is something that is strongly upheld in this country both for the protection of the church and the state. However, for the few words I have to offer here I would like to understand the role of the church in state.

People have given up on the Earth. I hear the call ascension and death from the voices of many Christians. So many faces are pointed upward with no appreciation for the beautiful gift of life and Earth God has given us. We are stewards of this Earth and should treat it fairly. People are scared. This world is full of turmoil, strife, and disarray. This country is failing: rising gas prices, recessing economy, violence in schools, hurricanes, floods, health care, social security and education. Nothing is behaving, as it should. However, I do not think this is cause to give up. As Christians we are followers of Jesus Christ. His greatest mission was on Earth. He came to spread the message of his love, forgiveness and our own reconciliation with God. He came to teach us. He taught us that the Kingdom of God is among us. He asked us to pray for God’s will to persevere on Earth as it does on heaven, for his Kingdom to come. We are living manifestations of Jesus Christ. We are God’s citizens, God's creations on Earth. It is our responsibility to take care of this place and the people residing within it.

This responsibility rainbows through every human need: emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, prayer, food, shelter, preservation of the environment, welfare, education, healthcare, childcare. I am not a citizen of the United States; I was born in the United Kingdom. I have no political voice in this country. I was raised in this country but have no option to vote; I can only partake in the dialogue. I am, however, a citizen of this Earth. The politicians of this country are as corrupt as the rest of humanity. However, when we move along with motivation of procuring God’s kingdom on Earth we cannot help but do some good.

Just outside of Pretoria, South Africa exists a beautiful stretch of land with mountains that run along the horizon. Each morning and each night the sun rises and sets. As the sun ascends and descends the amber glow hits the dew of the land’s grass and a distinct smell of dawn and dusk permeates. This planet is beautiful. We have all experienced those moments of lying in our back yard, looking at the stars that float through the atmosphere. I cannot and will not give up on this place and the people that live in it.


For me, the role of the church in state is for the church to be an example of love, justice, kindness, goodness, peace and joy. The church needs to take care of the poor and take responsibility for every human need. Politics is not the resounding answer. However, as Christians we need to start taking responsibility as citizens.

dirt

For all the green that surfaces in Africa, when I think back to my nine months the only color that permeates through is amber, a dark orange that rainbows through to brown. I miss Africa's dirt.


I took every moment for granted.

I don't know if this world is ever going to change. I will prayerfully try until I die. Even if it doesn't, all I want is to sit with my children and love them. Everyday at Mohau, I would watch the clock slowly approach four o'clock because I knew I could leave and go home to rest. I am riddled with guilt. I wish I could hold them for longer. I wish I hadn't taken every moment for granted. I wish I had loved faster.


Everyday I became dirtier and dirtier. I was never clean. I never wanted to be. I would wash the grease, the oils but the dirt remained. The dust settles and never leaves you. I really do not intend the dirt to be metaphorical. I literally want to sit in the dirt. I want to be blanketed by the familiarity of the dust. I long for the moments of sitting along side my children attempting to learn a foreign childhood game, crouching beneath the trees as they read to me.


I miss the moments of mischief. I have never been a very good discipliner perhaps because I love to watch children misbehave. I remember vividly singing with Ernie as I watched several of the children, instigated by Praisewell, filling pales with sand and peeing into them to make the sand moist. I remember watching as they turned the faucet on that they were strictly not allowed anywhere near. Or drinking from the juice that was allotted specifically for the Mamas.

I loved to watch as they would climb too high. I loved when too high became just right. I took every moment and every child for granted. How do you say goodbye to children that become your own? I want to sit in the dirt of Mohau's playground once again.

Busiswe. Xolani. Enest. Golden. Dimakatso. Tshepong. Nthabiseng. Thlasani. Letabho. lebo. Thabo. Xolani. Praisewell. Thulani. Offentse. Lebo. Dipuo. Refentse. Nonthlanthla. Siyabonga. Gontse. Stanley. Solly. Rose. Mpho. Thomas. Sphupmelelo. Zizibele. Dimakatso. Koketso. David. Erik. Koketso. Matome. Refilwe. Gethmedse. Sammy. Reba. Andreis.