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The International Gathering Together for Justice takes shape
After weeks of preparation, this unique event is finally happening! It is so exciting to see everyone together in one large room. There are people from all over the United States and people from most of the Joining Hands partner ship countries. There are Presbyterian Church (USA) staff people from our denominational offices in Louisville, Ky, Volunteer Hunger Action Enablers from a number of presbyteries, delegates from Joining Hands involved presbyteries, and even interested “public” who just heard about it and wanted to attend. Significant, too, are those that were not able to come.
We are delighted to greet out own Bolivian partners as well as out companionship facilitator. We are thrilled to reconnect with friends, some of who we have not seen in eight years, and at every turn we are making new friends and forging new connections.
I had hoped to be able to present a video from the key speaker this evening, Ruth Farrell, director of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, but did not get the opportunity to film. Perhaps later. In a few brief words she brought to focus why we are all here. It is about Justice. It is about responding to our mutual beliefs and living out our faith. It is about environment and human rights.
Amid the joys and high energy of this wonderful gathering there is also the sober realization that we are not all here. Several of our international partners are not here because they could not get a visa to enter the United States. For example, in post number 2 I spoke about Samuel Nguiffo, from Cameroon who was to be keynote speaker in the morning. He is one who did not get a visa. Is it a coincidence that he is among the most courageously outspoken against corporate greed? I invite you to look at the video, check out what has been done by Joining Hands Cameroon and answer the question for yourself.