Staggering Needs in Critical Times

Today I had the extraordinary experience of crossing the Mediterranean Sea on a flight south from Amsterdam to Nairobi. It is precisely here among these beautiful Greek islands that the world's attention is now focussed. Those forced to flee their homeland seek passage in vessels unfit for the passage. There is no guarantee they will make it anywhere, let alone a place free of tyranny and oppression. Their very existence on planet earth hangs in the balance. Most make it while tragically growing numbers become statistics, washed ashore. I feel deeply about this human tragedy. We are seeing a migration of people by the tens of thousands, refugees leaning on the mercy of those who are unprepared yet willing to take them in. The cries of displaced peoples have touched our hearts. Wounded and broken, they deserve better.

We cross into Africa. The stunning view of Egypt's aquamarine shoreline to the west seems endless. From this altitude I can see a hundred miles or more. Then like an African nightfall, the vastness of the desert floor suddenly appears beneath. As we head towards the source of the Nile River, the topography undulates like the waves of the sea. The wind has carved out its own version of valleys and peaks. Rive beds that once had a daring and fleeting life of their own grace the parched landscape. A sand storm as thick as a Canadian winter whiteout is making its way north. Such power, with dimensions some 500 meters high and a kilometre thick, it marches like an army platoon bent on destroying the enemy.

With no vegetation in sight, a thousand shades of light brown, orange and creamy yellows are alive to the light of day. It must be 50 degrees Celsius on that carpet of sand. It is hard to imagine that for centuries caravans of travellers have passed through this area and made it to the other side. The vastness of the Sahara is staggering. In a place close to where human habitation began, there is nothing on the horizon that would suggest any form of life other than reptiles and scorpions. What secrets can be found in its history? What resources lie under its surface?

Listening to the jazz sounds of South Africa's Abdullah Ibrahim playing African Marketplace, I see a straight line fully built highway passing through oil fields on either side. There is life after all, just a different kind. Perfect timing and as if by brilliant design, the KLM stewardess offers some tasty vanilla ice cream and a cup of cool water. If only the rest of Africa could experience the same.

I pray that frightened, desperate Syrian refugees will find the shelter they deserve. In their time of crisis, whispers of hope will hopefully be heard through a welcome cup of tea or some cool water. As Mother Theresa said it, "Let's do what we can, when we can and as often as we can, for as many as we can."

Kenya now appears on the southern horizon. The magnificent Rift Valley is beginning to reveal its glory next to a brilliant setting sun. I pray that the work of CES Canada continues to bring hope for Kenyan scholars who seek to survive, adapt, and grow no matter what. They are not powerless; they don't need pity. They just need a chance to contribute positively and become professionals in all fields of work.

Humanity groans for freedom and a new way of living. Surely we are part of that in ways we cannot comprehend.