WHATEVER IT TAKES

The year was 1994 at a prayer breakfast in a hotel in Washington when one of the several hundred participants, Mother Teresa (RIP) made her famous speech, “You did unto me”. And it was that speech that I vividly recall Mother Teresa quoting from John the Apostle when she said something to the effect of it not being enough for us to say that we love God and leaving out our ‘neighbour’. St. John actually writes that you are a liar if you say you love God and don’t love your neighbour. How can one love God whom they cannot see and yet hate one’s neighbour whom they can see? Somebody killed Benazir Bhutto last Thursday. Or perhaps many people killed Benazir Bhutto last Thursday as in the late Bhutto’s words to her husband before she returned to Pakistan, “what matters (in the case of my assassination) is not so much the hand that pulls the trigger, but the hand behind the hand that pulls the trigger”. It’s such a shame what has happened but also such a cripple to a precarious democracy such as is the republic of Pakistan. Bhutto’s assassination has largely been linked to the work of extremists –after bearing their hallmarks: a suicide attack- and once again we are brought to re-examine this, just what amount of faith (or the lack of it) would tolerate the cold blooded killing of another human being in hope of living a better after-life? Only a madman’s perhaps! Madmen teaching their beliefs to even madder men (and women) and the latter carrying out the murderous intentions of their fearful tutors! When will this come to an end? At this point, I am reminded of a line in the famous movie, Star Wars:“Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?” –Star Wars (Obi Wan)Bhutto’s death, and certainly at this point in the time of Pakistan, is regrettable. It shall not be enough to find her killers, but to stop this whole madness sucking in generations of young men and women in the (false) hope of a better after-life. Whatever it takes!“I, therefore, wrote to the United Nations Secretary General, highlighting the human rights abuses. I was castigated by the regime for doing so. I was criticised for washing Pakistan’s dirty linen in public. They weren’t concerned that they were dirtying the linens; they were only concerned that I was washing it in public.” –Benazir Bhutto, in a November 7, 1997 speech at the J. F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.------------There’s a new Uganda-centred site up: www.citizenuganda.com It’s probably still undergoing a little construction now and again but I’ve been impressed by it so far and I realise it has a good prospect for advancing Uganda online in the foreseeable future. Pay attention. I just got a text message on my phone now. It reads (in part): “…sme tension buildn up, cz of delay of announcn presidential results, I jst pray they be out tday cz…its gna be crazy”. Kenya went to the polls yesterday. It’s still a little close to call but this sizeable East African nation could be having a new president by the end of the day today. News just in is one side have already declared themselves winners of the presidential election –in spite of the delay in official results announcement. I just called up Reena to make sure she was alright after she sent me that. Well, when I see or even hear about something as this; millions of people queuing up to exercise their democratic right to vote in (and out) their leaders, I thank God for this picture, especially in third world countries. To me, it really means a lot. Three cheers for democracy. And once again, whatever it takes!------------And oh! We are still very much in the season. Happy Holidays yet again! The one memorable thing about Christmas and the entire Season really is taking the time with those whom we love and perhaps didn't get to spend as much time with over the year -getting the chance to slow down, reflect, and have the opportunities for moments with those who matter. Sometimes they say, “It's often hardest to love those in your own home” Well, I hope that each of you got the chance to make each moment count for your loved ones this Christmas. And as we draw to the close of the year 2007, we certainly don't know what the future may hold for us, each one, but we know Who is holding us securely there. It is finally my prayer this year and in my last 2007 blog entry that that same One, who holds us all securely in that future, may bless you and all your loved ones with the peace of knowing that whatever is going on in your life right now has reason, and that even though you may have experienced some tough times this month, December might signal for you, the coming of a new year, one with greater lessons learned, and victories from seeming defeat. The world only seems to get more messed up, as we know...but peace of mind is something that will keep you through all of that. Have a prosperous 2008 lads and lasses!