The Invisible Humanitarian: China Town (Toronto) And Longing for Africa!

"When you begin to think outside the box, you often become some other "leaders" lousy follower. That usually costs something" (Andy Rayner)

"Our guardian angels are bored." (Mike Foster)

It's where I feel I'm at these days. “In the second half of life, it is good just to be a part of the general dance. We do not have to stand out, make defining moves, or be better than anyone else on the dance floor. Life is more participatory than assertive, and there is no need for strong or further self-definition” (Falling Upward. Richard Rohr.120).

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

China Town (Toronto) And Longing for Africa!

My wife and I

had the opportunity to spend some time with #1 son in Toronto. It was a working trip for the Community Development Organization we work for, but we had some time over the weekend to enjoy Toronto's diversity. #1 Son took us out for a Bubble Tea (Photo 1- In the cup) in China Town. Interesting Ice tea, with small tapioca balls in it.

We agreed to eat only things NOT available on PEI. Authentic Chinese, Japanese, Ethiopian Etc. Wise choice I think for we thoroughly enjoyed each meal so much. The smaller mom & pop Japanese, Chinese, & Vietnamese shops have great variety, great prices, and barely a word of English spoken by most around you. Refreshing!

S-I-L & B-I-L took us out for Ethiopian. The Ethiopian was a highlight with Beef Tartar (Hot spiced raw beef), with a dozen other things on a huge tray - It was simply awesome. We could do that once a week for a "Fix" of Africa. It particularly made me miss the spices of Africa so much.

We absolutely loved the the variety of Toronto. The culture & food diversity (Smoked Squid included, Photo #2, right) reminded us of how bi- cultural we really have become. We are simply at home in places like China Town. China town was like pouring water on a dry soul. I want an apartment there.
It all served to remind us how mono-cultural rural PEI is, and how stiffing it is for people like us at times.

We could live in Toronto. We walked all over China town, with the street sales and everything out on the street. Had a street "Patty" for the first time, B-I-L introduced me to that. Spicy and good. China town reminded us so much of the atmosphere of the African cities like Abidjan, Bamako, or Ouagadougou. Reminded me of the five street food vendors that used to be right in front of our house in Abengourou, Cote D'Ivoire.

The experience served to reminded us, once again, how PEI will never be our true home. Our hearts are truly for, and among, the diverse nations.

We look forward to getting back to West Africa this year.
We love her people, and will do our best with our Poverty reduction community Development projects. Toronto helped us over a hump!

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J. R.R. Tolkien - Peace is Never Free

"………….. and there in that pleasant corner of the world they plied their well-ordered business of living, and they heeded less and less the world outside where dark things moved, until they came to think that peace and plenty were the rule in Middle-earth and the right of all sensible folk. They forgot or ignored what little they had ever known of the Guardians, and of the labours of those that made possible the long peace of the Shire. They were, in fact, sheltered, but they had ceased to remember it."

J. R.R. Tolkien "The Fellowship of the Ring" , 1985, George & Allen & Urwin Pub LTD(Page 22-23 prologue)

Who Is This Dude?

West African humanitarian NGO - Canadian commercial fishing Captain (Yep with his own boat -SCARY). Who writes too much, too poorly, over analyzes human religious behavior (NOT ACCEPTABLE), probably loves Africa WAY too much, outgrew the church container and is finally living free from the busy western paradigm of "program driven" attractional institutional church management (You've got to be bitter, angry or hurt! NOPE!), But is still a Christian, active in service, and is part of a "church" family- just not one that looks like yours with an address, parking lot and shingle out front, is all (That's a bit crazy and REALLY Suspicious). Who keeps pointing to Jesus (Come on, there's got to be more to it than that), as no one needs to see me, just him. LOVES being lost in a conversation, a book, at sea, in the bush of West Africa, and especially on a motorcycle (I knew it - you're a freaking HIPPIE). Is happy knee deep in fish and friendship. Have an AMAZING WOMAN walking with me. "Every foreign land is to them as their native country and every country of their birth as a land of strangers." Diognetus

Challenging Life's Platitudes and Seeking Perspective!

"I have walked that long road to freedom. .....I have taken a moment here to rest........But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended." Nelson Mandela. “Long Walk to Freedom”, p625, 1994, Little, Brown & company.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime." - Mark Twain

"What is the point of all of this? To destroy a man who seeks the truth or to destroy the truth so no man can seek it. Either way, you loose"
Agent Rheas, X Files , "The Truth" Season 9, Episode 19, 20, 2003, Time 53.25

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice when He could do something about it. But I'm afraid God might ask me the same question." Amy Campbell

"One meets his destiny often on the road he takes to avoid it." French Proverb

"When you pray, move your feet." African Proverb

"Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home." Jesus Luke 16:9

“Be afraid to die until you have won some small victory for humanity.” --Horace Mann

After the Genocide of 800.000 in Rwanda “………following my return from Rwanda, a Canadian Forces padre asked me how, after all I had seen and experienced, I could still believe in God. I answered that I know there is a God because in Rwanda I shook hands with the devil. I have seen him, I have smelled him and I have touched him. I know the devil exists, and therefore I know there is a God."...... (LGen Romeo Dallaire “Shake hands with the Devil” pg xviii, 2003, Randon House Canada.)

Be Change Agents!

“Be afraid to die until you have won some small victory for humanity.” Horace Mann

"Privilege is being born on third base and thinking you hit a triple.” Ann Richards

“Some people see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say why not?” Robert F. Kennedy

“The opposite of love is not hate. It is indifference.” Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Crisis is opportunity riding a dangerous wind.” Chinese proverb

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Mother Theresa

“To do good, you actually have to DO something.” Yvon Chouinard

“Every day is a new chance to choose.” Ishita Gupta

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.” Mother Theresa

“I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing, than to teach ten thousand stars how not to dance” e.e. cummings

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

The Invisible Humanitarian

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

China Town (Toronto) And Longing for Africa!

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