Archive for May, 2011
Christian Missionaries in Haiti Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
On January 12 a 7.0 Richter scale earthquake struck the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti, bringing widespread death and destruction to the western hemisphere’s poorest nation. The earthquake killed at least 200,000 people, injured at least 300,000 others, leveled at least 250,000 residencies, and destroyed or severely damaged at least 30,000 commercial structures. It was Haiti’s largest and most destructive earthquake in more than 200 years.
Beyond the statistics, the human suffering is amongst the most heartbreaking the world has seen in some time – the break-up of families, the orphaned children, the lack of food and water, the emotional and physical pain, the fight for daily survival.
This tragedy, however, has born witness to the generosity of Americans once again and others throughout the world who have given of themselves financially – donating roughly $528 million as of late January. But long before the earthquake put Haiti on the world radar screen, it stood out for its dismal standard of living. For generations Christian missionaries have come to do what they could. They were there on January 12 before the bottom fell out. A few of them even made the ultimate sacrifice. If we have missed anyone please let us know so they can be honored for their sacrifice.
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Luo Cultural Rights – Foreskin Protection
I was astounded to see an article about Prime Minister Odinga and other Lou government ministers promoting circumcision in their community and admitting that they had the surgery done recently. Odinga and others said they got circumcised because they believe it reduces the chance of contracting HIV. Researchers have said that circumcision may reduce contracting HIV by 40-60%, but condoms have a 90% protection rate. When I first heard of Odinga’s plea to his own Luo community about encouraging everyone to get circumcised, I wondered why does Odinga have to worry about getting HIV anyways? Is he not faithful to his wife? He is trying to set a good example for his people and admitted to this very personal medical choice to the world, but is he really admitting to something much more unethical? If you read my other article on Kenya, I’m sure you can tell that I’m not a huge fan of Odinga, but my respect for him has diminished even more after learning this news.
Circumcision is taboo in Luo culture and elders in the community feel that Odinga’s campaign to promote the practice is disrespectful. African traditions should be respected and honored, but African cultures should be able to progress like all cultures. I understand if people want to get rid of practices that are harmful (such as FGM), but the Luo shouldn’t start circumcising their people because they think it protects them from HIV, when it doesn’t. A Luo elder and pastor points out, “Other communities practise circumcision, but there is still a high prevalence of HIV/Aids…I don’t think it will be a solution to fight the spread of Aids.”
Personally, I think the Luo got it right the first time. I would never cut off a part of my child’s body because it is common place in my culture. A core philosophy in my belief system is to try to be as natural as possible. Being content with the way we are born is a beautiful thing.In 1975, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stated in no uncertain terms that “there is no absolute medical indication for routine circumcision of the newborn.” In 1983, the AAP and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) restated this position. In 1999 and again in 2005, the AAP again restated this position of equivocation.
The Frat Facts
Music blares loudly from a stereo hastily set up in the center of a room. From the speakers drone the usual assortment of top 40 songs, the volume so loud that only the tune not words are barely recognizable. Beside the nimbly engineered sound system is a keg of beer, the contents of which had mostly been consumed by the partygoers. Four males stand in the corner of the room, clad only in their boxers and a white shirt with “Pledge” inscribed in permanent marker. In each of their right hands is an empty red cup, ostensibly once filled with beer.
“Pledges hit the beer bong!” exclaimed a twenty something man child from the opposite end of the room, raising the device above his head as he finished the sentence. He was dressed in a faded grey t-shirt and jeans. The shirt was already stained with beer; the Greek symbols of delta and pi were christened with a splotch of cheap lager.
Upon hearing the call, the pledges filed towards him all eager to be one of the recipients of the device. Other party farers gathered around them, boorishly encouraging the scantily clad pledges to drink.
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