Word from Myanmar

The Archbishop of Myanmar wrote a letter. You can read part of it at The Lead or all of it here.

...the Church of the Province of Myanmar formed a relief committee on Wednesday 7 April 2008 and immediately sent out 4 teams to survey the affected areas. 3 of these teams returned, reporting general damage but little loss of life. The full extent of the damage in the Delta region, however, is still emerging. The team that was sent to what appears to be the worst affected area has confirmed widespread damage and extensive loss of life. In some places, entire villages have been devastated, with few if any survivors. In other places, survivors have huddled together in makeshift shelters awaiting aid. Travel in that area is very difficult, and villages are often in very isolated and remote areas, accessible only by boat. We have already sent a medical team to some parts of the most affected area, meeting both medical needs and distributing relief supplies. We plan to send a second one in the next few days.

--the BB

Keep the support coming

Red Cross boat sinks in Myanmar
CNN - 3 hours ago
MYANMAR, Yangon (CNN) -- A Red Cross boat delivering supplies to victims of last weekend's cyclone sank Sunday when it hit debris in the Irrawady Delta region, as the US prepared to deliver relief supplies to Myanmar.
Boat carrying Myanmar aid sinks; toll climbs beyond 28000 The Associated Press
Red Cross boat carrying relief good for Myanmar cyclone victims ... International Herald Tribune

Episcopal Relief and Development is one channel for aid.

ERD has established relationships with local partners in Myanmar to get assistance quickly to many of the most vulnerable people.

"Episcopal Relief and Development's programs in Myanmar have helped people achieve economic stability through education, vocational training, and micro-finance initiatives. We have also provided tools and training to improve the food supply and access to clean water," said Abagail Nelson, ERD's vice president for Programs.

In the wake of the catastrophic devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis, ERD is providing churches and individuals with an opportunity to support people affected by this crisis.

"This is a major disaster that will require a strong and committed response," said Nelson. "Survivors urgently need water, food, and shelter. We must respond generously to save lives now and help people recover."

...

To help people affected by the cyclone in Myanmar, make a donation to ERD's "Myanmar & Cyclone Response" online here, or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development "Myanmar & Cyclone Response" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

--the BB

Господи помилуй - 5/7/2008

I can't do a full tour but this needs to be on our minds and in our hearts.

Burma death toll 'likely to hit 80000'
ABC Online - 1 hour ago
By ABC correspondent Peter Lloyd and wires An aid official in Burma says the death toll from Cyclone Nargis may be 80000 or more. Kyi Minn is health adviser for World Vision in Burma and he says that on top of the 22000 the military regime has admitted ...
Burmese prisoners 'executed after cyclone hit' Telegraph.co.uk
Burma's twin disasters: A cyclone and the generals International Herald Tribune

Caminante has a couple of good posts up on this (here and here).

Maha has a good article about the pathetic US response (after all, the Bushes are focused on whatshername's wedding - you know, the drunk girl).

Holy One, look with mercy upon those injured, displaced, ill or starving in this current devastation, and receive into your arms those who have died. Strengthen those who bring succor to the people of the region. Guide Myanmar and all nations toward grace-filled openness and peace, free from oppression and fear.
--the BB

Nations in transition

Just because it is not in the news does not mean things are fine. We know that information in The Union of Myanmar (Burma) is tightly controlled and that the plight of the Buddhist monks and nuns, who led huge protests not so very long ago, remains dire. Civil rights activists like Aung San Suu Kyi remain under detention. MikeF pointed me to the Avaaz site where you can learn more about the situation in Myanmar. He also has a moving passage from a Sutta in one of his posts.

I realize there are many other spots in the world that need both prayer and concrete action (politically, economically, etc.)--in fact, there is no place that doesn't. But here are five other countries that are going through transitions.

The tensions in Kenya are far from resolved. This may be the first day in a while that I did not see several headlines about Kenya on the Google news page. A quick search yields results like this:
Kenya crisis talks break with no deal
Reuters South Africa, South Africa - 1 hour ago
By Duncan Miriri and Daniel Wallis NAIROBI (Reuters) - Negotiators for Kenya's political rivals broke off talks on the post-election crisis for the weekend ...

Hopes fade of Kenya crisis solution The Press Association

Africa's top diplomat pushes Kenya rivals to agree Reuters Canada

Kenya Reconciliation Talks Continue; Focus on Power Sharing Issues Voice of America

Mark Harris shares how the retired bishop Gitari has spoken out about how the Anglican Church in Kenya has not played a leadership role in reconciliation but rather split along tribal lines. Harris also notes: "The National Council of Churches of Kenya and CMS both have acknowledged the failings by providing contexts for leaders to explore the extent to which they participated in divisiveness in Kenya."

Pakistan has huge challenges following the recent elections, its complex situation and role in geopolitics, and international concerns about its harboring al-Qaeda members and its possession of nuclear weapons.

14 killed by Pakistan wedding party bomb: police
AFP - 1 hour ago
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) — A roadside bomb ripped through cars carrying wedding guests in northwestern Pakistan Friday, killing at least 14 people including ...

Musharraf Promises to Back Pakistan's New Parliament, Democracy
Bloomberg - 3 hours ago
22 (Bloomberg) -- President Pervez Musharraf said he would back Pakistan's new parliament in creating political stability, fighting terrorism and sustaining ...
Pakistan coalition partners thrash out PM choice AFP

New Pakistan government must free judges
AFP - 11 hours ago
ISLAMABAD (AFP) — Pakistan's new government must swiftly release all the top judges President Pervez Musharraf detained last year after street protests ...

On border, Pakistan polls raise hopes for peace with India
AFP - 12 hours ago
WAGAH, Pakistan (AFP) — Every evening as dusk falls on the India-Pakistan border post near Lahore, crowds gather on either side of the frontier and scream ...
Washington Post, United States - 4 hours ago
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's plea for American forbearance today comes at the very moment when those who represent the newly elected government are ...

Afghanistan (aka "The Forgotten War") has not exactly made the progress one would have expected, unless one were a realist with an awareness of Afghan history and how foreign influence works, or usually doesn't, in that country.

32 Taliban fighters killed in clashes in southern Afghanistan ...
International Herald Tribune, France - 18 hours ago
AP KABUL, Afghanistan: Clashes in southern Afghanistan in recent days have killed 32 militants, including two Taliban commanders, officials said. ...

Afghan, Coalition forces make continued arrests in S Afghanistan Xinhua

No Injuries As Senators' Chopper Makes Emergency Landing In ... CBS News

NATO chief calls for more commitment to Afghanistan
AFP - Feb 21, 2008
Countries contributing to a 50000-strong NATO-led force in Afghanistan must also rid themselves of the notion that the mission is failing, the alliance's ...
EurasiaNet, NY - Feb 21, 2008
The death sentence given recently to a 23-year-old journalism student in Afghanistan has fast emerged as the focal point in a culture clash, the outcome of ...

No one is secure in Afghanistan
The Post, Pakistan - 1 hour ago
The recent suicide attacks in Kandahar and district Spin Boldak proved the inability of the Karzai government in maintaining law and order in Afghanistan. ...

Kosovo just declared its independence from Serbia last Sunday (cf. earlier post below). This is a huge step and one fraught with conflict as Serbs consider the region part of their historical heartland. This nostalgic attachment does not square with current demographic reality as the population is not mostly ethnic Albanian and Muslim, not Serbian and Orthodox. This is why so many Albanian flags were seen as Kosovars celebrated independence last weekend. I imagine the new official flag, pictured above, will take a while to be produced in quantity and take hold. It was designed to avoid regional and ethnic favoritism, colors or design elements suggesting prior national identities.

The tensions might be reflected in common versions of the nation's name: Republika e Kosovës / Република Косово / Republika Kosovo / Republic of Kosovo (Albanian, Serbian, Turkish, English)

The Serbian response, as might be expected, is strong and negative. Small incidents have erupted and the U. S. embassy in Belgrade was attacked and set on fire. Russia backs the Serbian position rejecting recognition of Kosovo as independent.

Friday's Developments on Kosovo - 44 minutes ago
Developments Friday involving Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia: IN NORTHERN KOSOVO — Protesting Serbs attacked UN police guarding the key ...
The Associated Press

Q&A: The history of strife in Kosovo
MSNBC - 44 minutes ago
The breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo once again captured the international spotlight when it declared independence from the Republic of Serbia on Feb. ...

Serbs continue anti-Kosovo protests
The Press Association - 1 hour ago
Serbs protesting over Kosovo's independence have attacked UN police guarding a key bridge in northern Kosovo with stones and bottles. ...
Video: Rioting breaks out on Kosovo-Serbia border RussiaToday
Tensions high as Serbs reject Kosovo independence International Herald Tribune
UN police clash with Serb protesters in Kosovo Belfast Telegraph

Russian, Serbian FMs condemn Kosovo's independence
Xinhua, China - 2 hours ago
22 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic on Friday condemned Kosovo's unilateral declaration of ...

Bosnian Serbs threaten secession over Kosovo
Reuters - 5 hours ago
The parliament of the Serb Republic adopted a resolution late on Thursday branding Kosovo's declaration of independence an illegal act that violated ...

With Fidel Castro giving notice of his retirement for health reasons (and this is one time where that his fully credible), the future of Cuba is a hot topic of discussion (see post below). Many call for Cuba to change; others call for the U.S. attitude toward Cuba to change; and it's anybody's guess what will unfold.

Fidel Castro Rejects US, European Calls for Change in Cuba
Bloomberg - 4 hours ago
US demands for change in Cuba camouflage its intention to annex the island state, Castro said. "Dwindling European powers'' haven't known freedom and ...

Fidel Castro Will Always Lead Cuba, Locals Say
Washington Post, United States - 7 hours ago
García, who remembers being full of hope when Castro led a rebel army to victory in 1959, can't see Cuba truly being led by anyone else as long as Fidel ...

Fidel Castro says he's relieved to be stepping down as Cuba's ...
The Canadian Press - 3 hours ago
He also says that the process of selecting Cuba's next government has left him "exhausted." After nearly a half-century in power, Castro announced Tuesday ...

A fresh start for Cuba, US
Seattle Times, United States - 11 hours ago
The United States and Cuba have one of those rare moments for a fresh start. The best first step begins with an end to the pointless US economic embargo. ...

Clinton and Obama Differ on Cuba Policy
Wall Street Journal - 18 hours ago
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama engaged in a cordial disagreement over the future of US-Cuba relations in the opening moments of the presidential debate ...
McCain Hits Obama on Cuba New York Times Blogs


Well, that is this morning's end-of-week round-up on nations in transition. Obviously, it is a call to prayer.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us, unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

If I were a bird

If I were a bird
and able to fly afar,
I would like to be a white dove
to guide the people to freedom.
If I were a cloud in the sky,
I would shelter and bring rains
to the rice field.
If I were a grain of sand
I would throw myself down
to make a path for the people.
I will sacrifice my life
for the suffering people.
I would sacrifice myself
no matter how many times
I would have to die.
--Nid, Thailand

[This song was written by a twenty-two-year-old student at Mahidol University who sang it at the demonstration against the return of Field Marshal Thanom. When police attacked the demonstrators, Nid was shot and killed."]

The song and comment above are taken from Gifts of Many Cultures: Worship Resources for the Global Community, edited by Maren C. Tirabassi and Kathy Wonson Eddy (Cleveland, Ohio: United Church Press, 1995), page 208. I trust this reproduction falls within their understanding of "educational use with appropriate acknowledgment."

AFP photo via Aljazeera.net

God of Creation, by whose gracious gift all things spring from infinite density and flourish with diversity, you cradle the worlds in your compassion. Look now with mercy on the people of Myanmar and grant that the peoples of the world may be enlightened to see our Burmese sisters and brothers with awareness and solidarity. Grant courage to those who stand up for the multitudes, hope to the persecuted, perseverance to those who must endure, repentance to those who oppress, and a new day of self-determination, dignity, and justice. Pour your grace upon the monks and those who march with them and bathe all things in your mercy.
--the BB

What is good for the world

Sunset by Korean-born Helen Hyunsuk Kang

Maha has such a fabulous quote by Wendell Berry over at The Mahablog that I am compelled to share it here.

“We’ve lived by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We’ve been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption that what is good for the world will be good for us. That requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it. We must learn to cooperate in its processes and to yield to its limits. But even more important, we must learn to acknowledge that the creation is full of mystery. We will never clearly understand it. We must abandon arrogance and stand in awe. We must recover the sense of the majesty of the creation and the ability to be worshipful in its presence. For it is only on the condition of humility and reverence before the world that our species will be able to remain in it.” — Wendell Berry

Thanks, Maha!

She also has a great post on the Burmese monks, international politics, nonviolent protest, and the Metta Sutta. Check it out.
--the BB