Last week there were international headlines from Durban and other cities in South Africa. Any story about Durban catches my attention since I have been to this beautiful city on the Indian Ocean. South Africa is a country with amazing people. I remember sitting on the airplane watching a sunrise over the green rolling hills…Read more When we look for someone to blame
Don’t judge the book by its cover?
In Latvia we like to use another saying “Don’t judge a man by his hat.” It can have different meanings like do not think he is smart or important or trustworthy because he wears a nice hat. Or that a person is not what he wears. Or that we cannot know the hearts of people.…Read more Don’t judge the book by its cover?
The danger of being a peacemaker
If you lived in unjust and oppressive circumstances, what would you do? If you were desperate to change the life around you, what kind of movement would you join? What kind of leader would you follow? I think about the events that took place 2000 years ago but are as relevant today. During Easter we…Read more The danger of being a peacemaker
Rwanda’s road of thankfulness…
Few days ago our friend tagged me in his post #TURASHIMA. It is a Kinyarwanda word that means "We are thankful". Rwandans and friends of Rwanda are invited to reflect on Rwanda's last 21 years and express why they are thankful. My friend invited me to join this campaign! I feel blessed to be considered…Read more Rwanda’s road of thankfulness…
When fear drives out love…
Sometimes I look like this. At least mentally and emotionally. Like the little frightened and confused Gollum with voices in my head. One voice that talks about love, trust, forgiveness, reconciliation, hope and the other voice – full of fear, mistrust, hopelessness, bitterness, unforgiveness... I talked about being a good listener but there are times…Read more When fear drives out love…
The threat of listening
Are you a good listener? Have you ever felt threatened by listening to someone's story? I have a good friend from Siberia, Russia and she helps me to be a better listener. Here is how... First a little side note: Have you ever been to Siberia? I have and I loved it! Some years ago…Read more The threat of listening
Tale of two cities
What does Coventry, England and Dresden, Germany have in common? Beauty, life and forgiveness out of ashes and destruction! I like history. Blame it on my dad who should be a history teacher. I just wish I had my dad's memory for facts and dates and names and places. You know how they say that…Read more Tale of two cities
Where to begin?
If you wanted to study about reconciliation, where would you start? Well, I started with Google search... It can be quite overwhelming to dig through all the resources and information available but eventually I found what I was looking for - School of Reconciliation and Justice (SORJ) in Harpenden, England. I read the introductory statement…Read more Where to begin?
Burma road…
There is a well-known verse in the Bible. “He has told you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) Because of my work, I have been privileged to visit many countries. In many…Read more Burma road…
peaceroads 