Dear Mr. President,
Dear Mr. President,
I heard about the comments that you made about Africa and Haiti yesterday and I wanted to introduce you to the amazing and beautiful continent and country that you spoke so harshly of. I wish that you could have experienced the places of this continent and nation that I have experienced. Where running water, clean water, electricity, and abundance is absent. I wish that you could experience the true heart of Africa and Haiti. In the villages and quiet places is where the heart of these places lie.
I believe that the people of a country make it beautiful. They were born there by the hand of the Almighty God and placed there for a purpose. After spending many years among the people of Zambia and a week with Haitians in their home countries, I can tell you that many of them do not love their circumstances but they live with them. Many of them desire for a better life and look to America as their dream home. Many of their stories stir my emotions and drive me to tears because of their tenacity, intelligence, and downright passion to provide a better life for their families. I have seen fathers die trying to provide fish for their family. I have seen fathers falsely imprisoned because of their faith. I have seen mother's give up their dignity and pride to sweep streets in order to provide for their family. They are working hard and striving for a better life.
The people that you spoke so harshly of are not all dirty, uneducated, or thieves. Even if they were, they are God's creation and we are God's creation. We are not to judge, but to show compassion for, and demonstrate God's love to everyone no matter what their birth certificate says. I want you to meet Zeria. She was my house helper, language teacher, market friend, next door neighbor, nanny, cultural guide, and best friend. She went to school and is educated, but because of her birth place do you think she has lesser value?
In this group of women there are uneducated, educated, mothers, widows, orphans, artisans, farmers, and incredibly beautiful women. Their desire to learn and grow more about God is something that is rare to find in our country of America. They have little but are filled with many riches and blessings because of what their hearts desire.
Africans are the most hospitable people and we returned the favor. They appreciate the small things, they value their life because death is so senseless and prevalent. They love so deeply and value family and friends above all else. My stomach was empty and was fed by the most loving and sacrificial hands of many Zambian families.
Mr. President, meet Daniel. A young father of three children. A fisherman by trade and a pastor as well. He was murdered in cold blood while fishing to provide for his family and community. I am not sure I would have the audacity to speak so harshly to his widow and children as you have. His life has meaning no matter where he was born, but he made a difference and provided for his family.
Haiti.
Haiti has suffered. Haiti has been broken. Haiti is healing. Haiti is strong. Haiti is full of beauty. Haiti is a land filled with many people striving for a better life for them and their country.
Who are we to say that these boys, who were street children didn't matter? Thankfully there are amazing people in Haiti (nationals and expats) who saw their despair, gave them a home, an education, and HOPE. Do they even though being born in a less fortunate country not have the same value as those of us who are incredibly blessed? The suffering, the pain, the struggle, and the perseverance of the Haitian people challenged, encouraged, and drove me to be passionate in all things.
Because of Africa, my children saw giraffes, lions, wildebeest, zebras, and many other animals in the wild, not a in a zoo.
Because of Africa, I was able to see the pure majesty of the joining of two oceans in Cape Town.
Because of Africa, my children grew up as the minority and were loved fervently never being made fun of or bullied because of their skin color. Because of Africa, their childhood was filled with overnight camping trips in remote villages and their alarm clock was the crowing of roosters, sweeping of dirt, and the melodious sounds of African voices raised to God.
Because of Africa, these are my brothers and sisters. Because of them, my worldview has changed, my desires are focused, and my passion for the equal right and respect of all human beings has increased.
Oh, Mr. President, if you could go back, wouldn't you want to go back and take back what you said about these beautiful people with complex feelings and incredible lives? I wish that you could know and love Africa and Haiti as I do. Always remember what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Love is the most durable power in the world."
I heard about the comments that you made about Africa and Haiti yesterday and I wanted to introduce you to the amazing and beautiful continent and country that you spoke so harshly of. I wish that you could have experienced the places of this continent and nation that I have experienced. Where running water, clean water, electricity, and abundance is absent. I wish that you could experience the true heart of Africa and Haiti. In the villages and quiet places is where the heart of these places lie.
I believe that the people of a country make it beautiful. They were born there by the hand of the Almighty God and placed there for a purpose. After spending many years among the people of Zambia and a week with Haitians in their home countries, I can tell you that many of them do not love their circumstances but they live with them. Many of them desire for a better life and look to America as their dream home. Many of their stories stir my emotions and drive me to tears because of their tenacity, intelligence, and downright passion to provide a better life for their families. I have seen fathers die trying to provide fish for their family. I have seen fathers falsely imprisoned because of their faith. I have seen mother's give up their dignity and pride to sweep streets in order to provide for their family. They are working hard and striving for a better life.
The people that you spoke so harshly of are not all dirty, uneducated, or thieves. Even if they were, they are God's creation and we are God's creation. We are not to judge, but to show compassion for, and demonstrate God's love to everyone no matter what their birth certificate says. I want you to meet Zeria. She was my house helper, language teacher, market friend, next door neighbor, nanny, cultural guide, and best friend. She went to school and is educated, but because of her birth place do you think she has lesser value?
Africans are the most hospitable people and we returned the favor. They appreciate the small things, they value their life because death is so senseless and prevalent. They love so deeply and value family and friends above all else. My stomach was empty and was fed by the most loving and sacrificial hands of many Zambian families.
Mr. President, meet Daniel. A young father of three children. A fisherman by trade and a pastor as well. He was murdered in cold blood while fishing to provide for his family and community. I am not sure I would have the audacity to speak so harshly to his widow and children as you have. His life has meaning no matter where he was born, but he made a difference and provided for his family.
Haiti.
Haiti has suffered. Haiti has been broken. Haiti is healing. Haiti is strong. Haiti is full of beauty. Haiti is a land filled with many people striving for a better life for them and their country.
Wahoo Bay, Haiti, one of the most beautiful places that my eyes have seen.
Because of Africa, my children saw giraffes, lions, wildebeest, zebras, and many other animals in the wild, not a in a zoo.
Because of Africa, I was able to see the pure majesty of the joining of two oceans in Cape Town.
Because of Africa, my children grew up as the minority and were loved fervently never being made fun of or bullied because of their skin color. Because of Africa, their childhood was filled with overnight camping trips in remote villages and their alarm clock was the crowing of roosters, sweeping of dirt, and the melodious sounds of African voices raised to God.
Because of Africa, these are my brothers and sisters. Because of them, my worldview has changed, my desires are focused, and my passion for the equal right and respect of all human beings has increased.
Oh, Mr. President, if you could go back, wouldn't you want to go back and take back what you said about these beautiful people with complex feelings and incredible lives? I wish that you could know and love Africa and Haiti as I do. Always remember what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Love is the most durable power in the world."
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