Tomorrow, which is actually already today here in Lebanon, they are holding elections. Visiting this place has been amazing, it's truly beautiful in so many ways. The food is among the best I've had anywhere (cheese, bread, olives, lamb, a little bit of wine, it's amazing). The landscape is accentuated by beautiful snow-capped mountains, roman ruins, breathtaking sunsets over the sea, Parisian-esque cafes and pedestrian streets, stunning architecture, rolling hills and valleys and...lots and lots of political signs and campaigning for tomorrow's elections. Because of the national and global security issues at stake, there is a very real, but surreal [to me at least], threat of violence. Even this afternoon it didn't seem entirely real that as i was drinking coffee at a cafe on the street, there were several hundred soldiers in the plaza scattered among multiple tanks and jeeps, monitoring people driving through with flags and honking their horn for their particular party (apparently each party has a distinct sequence of honks for their candidates which is entirely indistinguishable to me). It feels a bit like Y2K.
Today I facilitated some focus group with teens that attend Youth For Christ programs. We were discussing politics, religion, spirituality and identity and there is so much apprehension about the political instability and religious bickering that has encumbered Lebanon for the past 40 years. Many nations have poured money into the elections fighting for a stake in this country and it somewhat leaves the Lebanese left to try and figure out their own identity in the midst of all the voices seeking their attention. Most of the youth love their country, but don't see a future here b/c it is not safe and they are tired of always living scared.
Religion has been so closely tied to politics that most students are entirely turned off to organized religion, although they are quite open to spirituality and really are searching for meaning and purpose. The Christians are divided politically and will likely determine whether a pro-western/democracy gains power or a syrian and Iran backed hezballah party gain control. Israel ironically supports Hezballah and so do a decent percentage of Christians. It's not a straight forward topic, but it has shown me how little i know and understand about middle east politics and how much i need to learn to truly love people and be a responsible citizen of the Kingdom of God as well as the American government, particularly considering how much the U.S. gets involved in so many countries here. (i.e. U.S. funding a bridge reconstruction project near the Roman ruins I visited that were blown up by Israeli missiles that are also mostly U.S. funded, that's a head scratcher). Regardless of the outcomes, Christians will likely be responsible for pushing the balance of power one way or another and there could be some internal fighting among the christians and against the Christians in general, particularly if the Hezbollah coalition are successful as the polls are indicating.
Pray for peace and stability in this beautiful country and particularly that the Christians would be unified in trusting God alone and not man or any party. Pray for, "God to preserve and build his Church in Lebanon, sanctifying her for her own sake, for Lebanon's sake, and for the glory of God; may faithfulness, humility, spiritual authority and blessed unity in the gospel of Jesus Christ be forged in this furnace of trial."
I aint skerred, God's protected me wherever i've been and I trust Him and there are 50,000 troops deployed to curtail any possible violence. I honestly feel quite blessed and privileged to be here during this important hour. I'm in a very safe place a bit above the city center at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary a few minutes walk from the Book of Hope Director's family's house. I have a beautiful view down into the city from my window. If there are civilian casualties particularly in the Christian areas, the U.S. cracks down on Israel, Syria & Lebanon, so that keeps me a bit safer b/c no one wants to bite the hand that feeds them ;c) I love you all and covet your prayers. Don't worry mom, i'm fine!
one love,
pete
pete
These are two articles with a bit more clarity than my ramblings, i can't exactly vouch for the bias in either of them, but they are interesting reading if you're bored :c)
- this explains about the Christians viewpoints in both parties, i stole the bottom part of the prayer from it: http://www.assistnews.net/
Stories/2009/s09060011.htm - this article talks about Lebanon/Israel conflict and why they are supporting Hezballah's coalition: http://yalibnan.
com/site/archives/2009/06/ lebanon_electio_2.php
No comments:
Post a Comment