I look forward to Thursdays when I can publish thoughts on my spiritual journey and hear the thoughts of others on a weekly basis. It has become a space for an encouraging and fortifying community to come together. We welcome anyone who would like to join us!
For the last couple of months we have been writing about each other's One Little Words. We're done after Bobbie Ann Taylor's word today, MERCIFUL. Thank you to all the participants in this journey, full of wise and wonderful ideas to enhance each OLW. I hope all of you will continue to contribute to SJT. I will continue to post each Thursday morning. At times, I've Tweeted out a topic, and other times I ask bloggers to write about whatever speaks to them that week.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. - Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. - Matthew 5:7
I knew I wouldn't be done talking about Salva Dut's visit yet. I wrote about him last week, and one of these upcoming Saturdays, I will write a celebration post. When I think of merciful this week, I think of his message of peace. If you've read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, you know that two tribes, Dinka and Nuer, were at war in Sudan. The Nuer invaded Salva's village when he was 11 years old, forcing he and his fellow schoolmates to flee. During Salva's dangerous and grueling walk to a refugee camp, a Nuer tribesman shot and killed his uncle. Devastated, he continued to persevere on this walk and led about 1500 boys to safety. When he presents, one of his most impactful messages is one of mercy. He tells his audience that revenge is not the answer. Doing something positive is more powerful. Revenge will never bring back the dead or injured; it will never right wrongs; it will never bring about peace. Only positive actions can do that.
Salva has partnered with Buey Ray Tut of Aqua Africa as part of the United Peace and Development Project (UPDP). Buey is from the Nuer tribe, and Salva is from the Dinka tribe. Their organizations (Aqua Africa and Water for South Sudan) have come together to drill wells, showing people how to work together and build a nation of peace. That's merciful.
Salva has partnered with Buey Ray Tut of Aqua Africa as part of the United Peace and Development Project (UPDP). Buey is from the Nuer tribe, and Salva is from the Dinka tribe. Their organizations (Aqua Africa and Water for South Sudan) have come together to drill wells, showing people how to work together and build a nation of peace. That's merciful.
