circles

Going back to my time in Canada with Christian Peacemaker Teams...

One of the recurring themes or topics of our time with the First Nation people in Canada was circles. Circles are continuous, they have no beginning and no end. The earth and sun and moon are circles. Water drops, tree rings, wigwams, the cycle of life and water.

In a wigwam or around a table one sits in a circle. There is no head or foot, everyone is an equal presence. When discussing things they use the idea (as did we for our time there) of a sharing circle. In our culture we more often use a popcorn style discussion in which anyone can talk, but often it is only the outgoing who speak. We learned the sharing circle where the time to speak goes around the circle. Everyone gets a chance without having to break in or push for a turn.

The life cycle was explained to us that everyone grows old once but everyone is a baby twice. As newborns and as very aged we need others to take care of us. As those who are adults have learned from their elders, they take care of the babies and the elders as the time comes. It is community living and it is based on relationships and interdependence.

When we met with Judy da Silva, a First Nations Elder, in the wigwam she explained to us that they live life in circles. In cycles that don't end but that continue...whereas the industries and businesses, the government work in squares. And I could picture it. The excel spreadsheets that have figures and numbers in them rather than names and faces. Big business isn't taking care of the land and the people but their bottom line. To clear cut the land isn't good for the people or the land, but it is cheaper and better for profits. To leave the mercury poisoning in the rivers, streams and lakes isn't good for health of the land oor people but it is the easy and cheap way out. The goods and profits can be packed up, lined up and put in a box--in a bank or a safety deposit box or excel spreadsheet.

It is a sqaure peg and a round hole. They won't go together until the priorities align. To see the people and the earth as more important than money. To see that the future will be better for everyone if we take care of it now.

Ubuntu -- I am because you are...we depend on each other.

thanksgiving thoughts

There are so many things to be thankful for and now is one of the times that we recognize them even when they are with us year round.

Friends, family, housing, electricity, running water, food, clothing, transportation, and the list goes on...

I know that not everyone has these things or the abundance of them that j have been blessed with. This, of course, becomes obvious when I'm in Malawi but it is just as true at home in Black Mountain.

Putting in wells gives clean water to people who have been struggling to find any water. Water is then available closer to their village and it is clean as it comes from a covered hole.

At some of the villages, we were putting in a second well. Some were close to the first well and others were on the other side of the village. I found myself thinking, "Why are we here? There are so many other places that don't have access to one well and yet we are putting in a second here." And that is true. There are many places that still need a first well, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't provide another well. In the remarks of the village, they would talk of the size of the village and the fact that the women coming to gather the water still have to wait for hours for their turn to pump water. That some women are resorting to the unclean water because the lines are so long.

I would realize that these wells are needed. Right where it is. With the first well that is there. I would realize the double standard that I have. I dont understand having to walk for water or wait for water. I get frustrated, even in Africa, when my hotel doesn't have water in the room or at least the bucket bath ready when I want it.

Who am I to judge where a well goes in...I have tap water at my disposal, clean, safe, hot or cold and pretty much unlimited. I'm glad it isn't up to me because I am flawed and come with premade judgements (prejudices). I work to remember to do whatever I can, for as long as I can, because I am blessed.

manja a wiri

In the remarks of the head men and women I heard the phrase "manja a wiri" many times. It means with two hands or with both hands. It was often used as 'we thank you with two hands' or 'we welcome you with both hands.' It is such a beautiful image. We show appreciation by clapping with both hands. Or when we are overjoyed, we often clap.

In Malawian culture, you give and receive gifts and shakes hands using both hands--either together or with the left hand on the right forearm. It takes your full attention. It shows respect for the gift and the giver. We don't do that. We are often multi-tasking, with our attention split, only paying partial attention to who or what is in front of us.

But here I am (was) in a village. The villagers did the hard manual labor for their well. The villagers will still have to walk and carry water to their homes. They don't know me and yet they are welcoming me into their village with both hands. They are saying thank you with both hands, giving gifts that they can hardly afford to give. They look you in the eyes as they say thank you. Fully present and joyful and committed to their open giving and their new well.

It reminds me of a covenant made at summer camp. We agreed to giving at least 3 hugs a day. We went on to say that they had to be real hugs-bear hugs. Not a one-arm shoulder squeeze but two arms around the other person. It puts you in the moment with the other person. They have your full attention for that moment.

So I am working at doing things with both hands. To thank people with 2 hands. To welcome people with both hands. To see people with both eyes. To be present and acknowledge others as children of God and worthy of full attention.

moments

This year was different. Yes, I had the same partner, worked in the same areas, drove the same truck, did the same dedication services. Yes, the wells all seem to run together in the evenings when we were trying to remember the small special things from the different wells. But there are, of course, different things that stick out.

--one headman said that he was so grateful for the well on behalf of his and surrounding villages because now the women can stop fighting over the small amounts of unclean water they have been able to find in the area.

--we installed a second well in a couple villages. They are very large villages and the headman said that with only one well, the women were getting up very early and still not getting home until midday. Other women were using open holes and dirty water because the wait was so long.

--a headwoman expressed her appreciation for our coming to install the well. She said that even after they had dug the hole, and bricked it in, and covered it, she couldn't figure out how we would ever get water to come out of the hole. And now she had seen it done!

--my favorite this year --
--a young Malawian child ran TO me in tears...I'm very used to them running away in fear but this was a first! When we arrived, I greet as many people as I can, adults and children. She just looked at me -wouldn't say anything or give me a thumbs up. At the end of our dedication we were lining up for the picture. And the villagers and Jan and the field officer tried to get this little girl into the picture. She would have none of it and ran to me and buried her face in my skirt. I wondered whether she realized that she'd picked an azungu. After I took the picture I rubbed her back some and she then looked up at me and took my hand. Everyone was shocked.

dry wells

There were many more dry wells this year than there have been before. After the flooding last December in Malawi, the rains didn't come and there has been a drought. How they were able to have a flood and a drought in the same year is hard to imagine but it has happened. And it has made life even harder both for finding water and for the bad harvest that came out this year.

The first thing done when we come to install a well is to measure the depth of the well and the depth of the water in the well. Drop the pipe down and pull it back up to measure where it is wet. Our computer program wants a depth of 2 meters (6 feet) and asks if it is less than that why you think it is ok to install. At the very end of dry season (which is when we install) it is ok to not have 2m of water...the rains are on the way and with at least 2 feet it should be ok. But 6 inches will not do.

Of course by the time the measuring and installing have gotten under way, we volunteers have been greeting and singing and dancing with anyone who is there. It is so hard to stop the celebration when there is no water. At 2 of the villages we found, they continued to sing and dance after the explanation. The explanation of not being able to install because the well isn't deep enough and that they will have to take to top off, dig it deeper and then we can return to install. At the third, they didn't want to see us go.

In Africa it is often part of the culture to tell you what you want to hear. To agree to whatever even with the knowledge that it won't get done. And I think that third village thought we were telling them that we'd be back without meaning it. Possibly they had been waiting a month or more since the well had been dug and covered for the team to come and install. And now we're leaving again.

We did make it back to 2 of the villages (and the Malawi team will get back to the others before the rains) and I got to dance and sing again.

In many of the headman speeches at the end if the dedication services they mention how they didn't believe it would ever really happen. That the well would never really get finished. That we were an answer to their prayers. What a blessing. We come to bless others with the gift of water and yet feel blessed ourselves at the sharing of joy.

Want to sponsor a well? Become a volunteer? Check out www.mmmwater.org or let me know!

3 weeks!?!

Wow! The 3 weeks have flown by and with no Internet connection in site! Jan and I moved to Mponela after the first week to work with Wilfred again. The next 2 weeks we were covering 'familiar' territory (we worked here last year) and even started recognizing some of the turns and bumps in the road. Our grand total was installing 102 wells! We were very excited. And on the last night we found out that MMM over the 6 weeks installed 2513 wells! That is roughly 377,000 people with better access to clean, safe drinking water!

wells in Ntchisi

Jan and I are together again! (Jan's my partner from last year). After the training we are paired up (mostly-tho some go out on their own) and sent out to the different areas where wells are being installed. Jan and I are staying in central Malawi starting in Ntchisi. Our Field Officer, Mr. Francis Kaponda, came to get us from the lodge and we moved to Tuneza Lodge in Ntchisi. Dropped our things and headed out to the field.

Bouncing along to get as close to the well site as we can (sometimes driving right to it and sometimes with a bit of a hike to arrive). Sometimes the villages know that we're coming and sometimes we just show up. Sometimes they are told we'll be there but then we can't get there and I'm not sure they are told...This year we have come to an area where a headman has died and so there are not many people at all left in the villages as funerals are heavily attended.

The singing and dancing of the women at the wells is so much fun. The rhythms and clapping, repetition of songs meant that I can catch on pretty quickly and get right in. Most of the time it is the women who sing and dance but at some of the wells the men also get into it. You can tell that those are very happy villages!

49 wells put in in the first week (Tuesday to Tuesday) and we're moving to Mponela!

MMM again!

I'm back in Malawi with Marion Medical Mission to install shallow wells and bring clean water to villages. Upon arrival in Lilongwe, I was the first of all the volunteers through and so I started unloading the action packers from the luggage carousel. (Action packers are big black rubbermaid boxes.) With about 15 people coming for Team 2 and many have 2 (one with stuff from MMM and one personal) that is a lot of action packers.

Monday morning began our orientation/instructions. The devotion was from Mark 9:17-29. A boy with an unclean spirit could not be healed by the disciples. He was brought to Jesus who asked the boy's father if he believed. "I believe, help my unbelief!" When the disciples asked why they couldn't do it, Jesus answered that only prayer would work for that spirit.

Ed talked about how the disciples have been studying and working and preparing with Jesus to go out and do the work and spread the word. Yet when they are asked to heal this boy, they fail. All of their preparation gets them nowhere. There are some things that only prayer and the Holy Spirit can overcome.

The talk was of the preparation we do to come to Malawi for the three weeks we are here. Praying for MMM employees and volunteers and for the villages as they prepare to get the wells. Packing (and repacking) and getting the things needed for the trip. Walking so that we are in shape enough to get to the wells after bouncing in the trucks to the far out places we go. Getting visas and shots and tickets to come. But then of the things that we can't prepare for. The unexpected happenings that occur. The blessings and challenges that come up each day when we try to put in 2500 wells in only 6 weeks. Something that would not be possible without God to help us.

So here we go. With prayers and praise in our hearts. To put in wells. To celebrate with villagers. And to be the love that we know.

1600 weeks have been funded this year (so far) yet we will move in faith and aim for the 2500! If you would like to donate toward a well (or for a whole well--only $400) go to www.mmmwater.org !

CPT part 1

I spent 10 days in mid-August on a Christian Peacemaker Team delegation. I have been thinking/hoping that my thoughts would sort out and make sense and then I could write about it. But that doesn’t seem to be happening, so I’m going to write about it and see if it works in reverse.

There were 11 of us who met and stayed in Kenora, Ontario. Kenora is in northwest Ontario about 2 hours from Winnipeg, Manitoba. During this week we were to listen, learn and be with the First Nations people in that area. We spent lots of time discussing effects of colonialism and our cultural norms that we take for granted and often impose on others unconsciously. We also met with many elders who shared their wisdom and teachings with us.

The first speaker we had was Larry Morrissette. Before his teaching we asked if we could take notes while he spoke. He paused before he answered, “Yes, as that is the way you are used to doing things. In our culture, an oral culture, it is the way to listen. At the end you will remember what you need to remember. The ideas, the themes, maybe not all the details, but the bigger picture.” I decided that I was here to try new things and learn in different ways so I didn’t take notes. (I did jot notes later and am quite grateful for those who did take notes as we shared after.) It is a different kind of listening I felt, more deliberate in a way.

Larry came to talk to us about the history of the First Nations and the dismantling of the culture by the colonization of the land. It is stated in the Indian Act that the laws were designed to eradicate the First Nations people.
“Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic, and there is no Indian question, and no Indian department.” ---1920, Duncan Campbell Scott, Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs.

The First Nation was a fully functional culture centered on women and children. Some of the many different aspects of life were food-hunting and gathering to feed themselves, health-medicine men who could use the natural world to heal, rules and laws, spiritual beliefs. The colonizers came in and systematically disrupted each part of their world. They put restrictions on the hunting and gathering that caused them to be unable to feed themselves. They became dependant on the foreign government for food that was not always forthcoming. The colonizers put in place the chief and counsel governing body of the clans that were patriarchal instead of the matriarchal system that was in place. The diseases that the colonizers brought could not be treated by the medicine men and so they became dependent on the doctors and nurses of the colonizers who may or may not treat them. (this chart is one that gives more information on this.)

The views and policies of the government changed over the centuries. In the 1700s there were Protection Policies in which settlers were to leave the indigenous people alone. But then they decided they wanted the land and resources and in the 1800s the Civilization Policies came about in which it was illegal to be Native peoples. The 1900s brought the Assimilation Policies with residential schools and forced adoptions. Now there are the Sickness policies and that the indigenous people need to be healed.

Larry says, “I am not sick, I’ve been colonized.” It has taken time but they are reclaiming their culture. It is a slow process that will take generations to realize just as it took generations to break. The resilience that we saw in the people gives hope when many would rather chalk it up as a mistake—a colossal mistake—but they would like to say sorry and be done with it. But we can’t do that. We have a lot of work to do. We have a lot of learning to do. We have a lot of listening to do.



I will have more about this trip up on this blog soon. But if you’d like to read more, here’s the link to Allan Reeve-Smith’s blog about our time in Kenora and Grassy Narrows.

AYM

This summer I went on the high school mission trip with Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. A week of mission in Asheville -- only 15 minutes from home --and a world away.

Joining with 4 other churches (40 participants total) from the Presbytery of Western NC, we worked through the organization Asheville Youth Mission. Our group divided into 3 work teams that went out each day to volunteer with one or two different mission agencies who work to address the needs of the vulnerable and marginalized. Many of the organizations I'd never heard of.

Asheville Youth Mission's theme for the summer is Breaking Boundaries. We worked that week on seeing all people as God's children, full of humanity and promise. My work group spent time sorting out rotten tomatoes at Manna Food Bank, working with summer school students at Vance Elementary School, painting the prayer chapel and sorting the clothing closet at Haywood Street Community, cleaning at A Hope/Homeward Bound, and painting, gardening and tie-dying at the Veteran's Restoration Quarters.

I loved watching the youth as they served with these organizations. Whether interacting directly with the marginalized people or doing behind the scenes work, they put their all into it.

AYM places an emphasis on meeting people, acknowledging them as people and learning their names. Because making a connection with others is the best way to break down boundaries/barriers/preconceived notions. In my work team, I saw that best at the Veteran's Restoration Quarters. We ate lunch with veterans, finding topics of conversation that showed our similarities (went to Owen High School, ran cross-country at school), or that spoke of where the vet had served and what they like to do. Our afternoon activity was tie-dying t-shirts in the courtyard and I had a hard time picturing this working...veterans and tie-dye?! But it did! A youth would pair with a veteran as they picked colors and tried different designs (we don't knashevilleow how they turned out as they have to sit for a couple hours before the dye sets). Everyone was busy and at times we had veterans waiting for their turn. It was a beautiful afternoon.

The next day, a veteran saw us at the Asheville bus station and came over to thank us for coming. He was very excited to get back to see how his shirt came out.

Our evening devotions and debriefs were led by the AYM interns and were very hands on. We talked about physical, social, and spiritual boundaries--recognizing them (rivers, fences, location),ways to break and cross them (reach out, be aware, talk with someone new), and reasons to keep some boundaries (safety). Through discussions, art, acting, and activities we shared ideas and where we saw God in each other and in our work.

I'm so greatful for this ministry and for being able to participate!

Fasting?!?!

At the vigil against the death penalty many people fast for the four days we are there. Many people don't. It is optional as is the severity of the fast. If you don't fast, don't eat around those who are fasting. If you are castigate it is up to you what that looks like. Some do a water only fast. Others are a liquid only. Some do the daylight fast, etc.

I had never fasted before last year's vigil. And I really wasn't sure I could do it. But, with my sister by my side, I decided to try it and see how long I would make it. I started on the all water but got too shaky and drank some juice for the sugar and that worked. This year I did the same thing. A glass of juice ob the morning and water the rest of the day.

On the Abolition Action Committee website (www.abolition.org) there is a page that talks about the fasting aspect. And I read it before I went. I found it very helpful. Here are two of the points I got from it:

Why? There are many reasons people have for fasting: spiritual, religious, health, and political. A common reason while taking part in a political action is that by forgoing food and not stopping to eat every few hours, we adjust our schedules to focus all our energy and time on our issue of concern. And it is a tough adjustment. I lost track of time since the day wasn't broken into before and after lunch and dinner. I didn't know how to greet people (and was often wrong) in saying good morning or have a good afternoon/evening.

Difficulty: dwelling on the fact that you aren't eating or are hungry. To deny yourself food or the thoughts about it is somehow to make it stronger so that is all you think about. So it is suggested to think about for a bit and then to consciously refocus your thoughts on why you are there and doing what you're doing. In my day to day when I get hungry I start to get cranky if I know that food is not on the way. And I would find that to be true at first during the fast, until I turned my thoughts to why I was there. It kept my spirits up knowing that I was in solidarity with ao many others against the death penalty. It also continued for weeks after...when I got hungry I remembered those on death row and sent up a prayer.

It is amazing how wired we are to food. I woke up ready for breakfast and would be a little hummed when I remembered I wasn't eating. I would be holding up a banner and think that as soon as I got relieved by someone I could go grab a snack. Or during our evening teachings I would think that as soon as it was over we could go get dinner. Oh, wait. Not happening yet...

Starvin' for Justice

I spent the beginning of the month at our nation's capital at the 22nd Annual Fast and Vigil Against the Death Penalty. It was my second time to join this group on front of the Supreme Court with banners, petitions, and speakers with the intention of educating the public.

Some history on the dates:

On June 29, 1972, the Supreme Court decided in Furman v Georgia that the death penalty was applied in an "arbitrary and capricious manner" and put a moratorium on it. All States had to rewrite their death penalty laws.

On July 2, 1976, in Gregg v Georgia, the Supreme Court allowed executions to resume in the US. (Not much had changed though)

So every year (for the past 22) people have been gathering from all over the world and the US. Last year we had a couple from Australia and this year a young man from New Zealand. People come for all sorts of reasons. Each evening we have speakers as well: swath row survivors, murder victim family members, family members of the executed, a jury member from a capital case, lawyers, priests. They tell the stories of why they are here and how they got here. Many of them started on the other side of the issue.

On the sidewalks we pass out a pamphlet entitled "Why End the Death Penalty?" Some take it easily, others decline to take it Brut say they agree, some chant "Texas Texas doing it right" as they walk by. Here are some of the facts inside:

Since 1972, 154 wrongly convicted persons have been released. They were all deemed to have had FAIR trials. In Herrera v Collins the Supreme Court ruled that it is constitutional to execute the innocent if they had a fair trial!

It cost 2 to 6 times as much to execute than to incarcerate for life. The cost is weighted in the initial trial and sentencing, not in the appeals process.

The outcome is racist. When the victim is white, the perpetrator is 4 to 11 times more likely to receive the death penalty.

States without the death penalty consistantly have lower murder rates (as do countries that have abolished the death penalty) . In fact, studies show the murder rate increases slightly after a highly publicized execution.

2015

Dear friends,
As most of you know, I’ve been home from Haiti for over a year and a half discerning what will be my next step/adventure/mission in life. I’ve done odd jobs here in Black Mountain and gone on shorter mission trips: to the Open Door Community in Atlanta to visit my sister and join them in their work with the homeless and against the death penalty, to Malawi with Marion Medical Mission to install wells in villages, to the Los Angeles Catholic Worker House to see their ministry with the homeless on Skidrow, and to a conference on social and ecological justice and how they intertwine.
I now have two upcoming trips! In August, I will join a two week delegation to Kenora, Ontario with Christian Peacemaker Teams. CPT is an organization that offers a nonviolent alternative to war and conflict. It provides support to people committed to nonviolence. Delegation members provide encouragement for communities experiencing violence, challenge violations of human rights and promote active nonviolence to settle disputes. Specifically for this delegation, we will see 1) how corporate clear cut logging of Asubpeeschoseewagong traditional territory has destroyed hunting, trapping, food and medicine gathering activities, 2) how Indian Residential Schools have deeply and negatively impacted families and communities in the area, and 3) how mercury contamination discovered over 40 years ago continues to poison residents. We will meet with indigenous and non-indigenous community leaders and residents to explore these issues, with a goal to plan a public witness/nonviolent action to confront these problems.

This delegation trip is the first step in what could be a 3 year long-term volunteer posting with CPT. When I return I plan to apply to the 4 week training program!
My second trip is back to Africa for 3 weeks, again with Marion Medical Mission helping to install more wells. I know from my last experience with them that the long, dusty days are tough but the smiles, dancing, and celebrations wipe all the feelings of exhaustion away when the well gives up clean water for these villagers. Last year, I helped install 73 wells (providing clean water to approximately 10950 people). I look forward to doing it again!
And so, once again, I am asking for your support. Prayers are most important and needed as I can’t do any of this on my own. Financial support is also helpful and appreciated. Here are my estimated expenses:

$ 725 cost for CPT delegation
$ 725 transportation to Kenora, Canada
$2500 transportation to Africa
$ 400 food and housing
$ 250 vaccines, medication, visa
$4600 total

Checks can be made out to Jessi Stitt and sent to:
Jessi Stitt
203 Tomahawk Ave.
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Or online donations can be made to CPT just be sure to put my name on the memo line!


I will update my blog and give presentations when I return from both trips. Any questions or comments are welcome! 828-674-9113 or jessi.stitt@gmail.com

Thanks for your consideration, prayers and support!
Peace, jessi

Open Door Community

I spent the last two weeks at the Open Door Community in Atlanta, Georgia. The Open Door is an intentional, covenental Christian community that focuses on providing hospitality to those who are homeless, abolishing the death penalty, and other social justice issues. In the house are people off the streets, resident volunteers, local volunteers, men released from prison, and partners who are here for the long haul. Two days a week they host a soup kitchen, welcoming 120 people into their house for a warm meal each day, about 10 women (on Tuesday) and 60 men (on Wednesday) get showers with a clean set of clothes, new (ish) shoes, and whatever other needs they can fill with what has been donated or brought to them.

So I have helped serve in the soup kitchen and helped with the women picking out clothes before their showers. I've cooked dinner for the community and cleaned up after meals and when the days are done. On Tuesday, January 27, at 755pm, Georgia murdered Warren Hill, a man on death row who was mentally disabled. It is illegal in the US to execute the mentally disabled, but his appeal to the Supreme Court was denied. We stood in front of the state capital vigiling in the hopes of a stay of execution or clemency. With words from Open Door leaders and other clergy members, we asked for justice and we read the names of the 50+ people who have been executed in GA since 1976.

On Wednesday we went to the Carter Center to hear Brian Stevenson speak. He is a lawyer who works with people on death row in Alabama as well as children who have been tried as adults and are in prison. He wrote the book Just Mercy and I highly recommend reading it and if you have the chance to hear him speak, do so.

The next week we attended a vigil for Kevin Davis who was shot by a police officer in his house after he had called 911 for help. The officer is back on the streets without an inquery into the matter. The vigil was to ask for the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigations) to look into it. Many stayed all night in front of the Dekalb County Courthouse.

It has been a full and beautiful, heartbreaking and eye opening week. Geaorgia has just put an execution date on its only female prisoner on death row, Kelly Gissendaner, for February 25th. Prayers please.