Listening
Today we had the honor of visiting with Fr. Mike Lapsey who lost both hands and an eye in a letter bomb attack in Zimbabwe in 1990. Accompanied by prayers, love, and support from around the world, Fr. Lapsley began a journey from victim to survivor to victor. The Institute for the Healing of Memories (www.healing-memories.org) seeks to accompany others in their journey to healing and wholeness.
One of the key elements to healing is listening from all perspectives. Often times we don’t give one another permission or space to tell one’s story. In a few short days we have been blessed to hear the stories of those who’s lives have been impacted by the apartheid. Although the apartheid is “officially” over, it was clear to us that there is an opportunity to empower individuals, communities, and nations to celebrate what is life giving and laying to rest that which is destructive.
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate. If they can learn to hate they can be taught to love for love comes more naturally in the human heart than its opposite”. –Nelson Mandela
