ARK... Global Journeys for Young People to Build Peace
SUGAR-COATED ARK NEWS? NOT! from ARK Director, Judy Maghakian
The ARK News of July is written during a tense gathering of nations in Hamburg, Germany. The questions floating over the gathering is, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ALL NATIONS BECOME ‘ME FIRST’???
ARK has always attempted to become a FAMILY that transforms “ME INTO US.” Exercises in listening and speaking with respect and compassion to move us over bridges that build interdependence, respect for diversity and a challenge to create a future for the common good. The ME FIRST movement of selfishness will only produce a global system that defeats peace. ARK will never walk this path. The path of the ARK FAMILY is a journey whose destiny is to involve something larger than self-interests.
The ARK FAMILY has no room for sarcasm. Put-downs have no room here. One-upsmanship has no room here. Classism has no room here. ARK is a FAMILY where the differences of the world meet and melt, where all come together as equals. ARK has always known that whatever happens to the heart is the beginning of a new world. When we let strangers and strange ideas into our hearts, the communities of Guatemala, Palestine, Lithuania, Malawi, Iran, Pakistan, Albania, Minnesota and New York become places where the voiceless are given a voice. Barriers of fear, disrespect, ignorance, racism are overcome. All know they are part of a FAMILY that seeks truth with honest knowledge that smashes falsehood and we all have a place at the table not as ME alone but US together.
I read this newspaper article years ago and filed it away. It is simple but affirms what happens when ME BECOME US. The event takes place on the southbound Bus 151 in Chicago, Illinois. Get on the bus and experience a transformation.
As the bus approaches the Magnificent Mile, a voice suddenly rings out, “ATTENTION! ATTENTION!” Papers rattle. Necks crane. “This is your driver speaking.” Stillness. The drivers voice has authority. “Put your papers down. All of you.” The papers come down, an inch at a time. The driver waits. The papers are folded and placed on laps.
“Now, turn and face the person next to you. Go ahead.” Amazingly they all do it. Still no one smiles. Just mindless obedience. They see the faces of people they see every day. Eyes meet. They wait for the next order from the driver.
“Now, repeat after me…GOOD MORNING NEIGHBOR!” Voices are weak, timid. For many these are the first words spoken that day. But they are said in unison to the stranger beside them.
Then, smiles begin to light up faces and the bus fills with chatter. Many people shake hands as they depart the bus. All are laughing, warm bubbly sounds never heard before on bus No 151. The driver who concentrates on safe driving seems unaware that he just pulled off an event that would be repeated on bus after bus as they cruise through Chicago.
The ARK FAMILY is a journey where we have had the opportunity to experience a Bus No. 151 and take the experience home to communities, schools, work places we go every day to affirm that ME BECOMES US as we look one another in the eye and say ‘GOOD DAY FRIEND’ and then listen and learn.
Favour has agreed that Malawi will support THE SEED PROJECT TO CELEBRATE A PARTNERSHIP THAT CELEBRATES US AS THE ARK FAMILY!
Tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow, look someone in the eye and simply say: ‘HELLO, MY NAME IS……WHAT IS YOURS!” If this happens, the selfishness of ‘ME FIRST’ will cross the ARK BRIDGE OF BUILDING A NEW WORLD THAT US TRANSFORMS ME INTO A COMMUNITY OF US.
Love and Peace, Judy Maghakian, ARK Director
JULY SEED PROJECT
CHANGING 'ME' TO 'US'
It seemed to me that one of the activities we did while in New York last summer fits this SEED PROJECT. I suggest that each country work through the questions together. Save your responses and bring them to place with the responses from all of US. This is what you are to do together.
How do we listen to one another to understand and not judge?
How can we understand and not judge?
Self-awareness leads to an awareness of the other
We must see the big picture of us all
We must see the past, present and see in a way that reaches for the future
We must trust one another
Commitment to the growth of all people
Never me but us, never them, but we
For all of US, the Malawi ARK FAMILY, we have moved away from just ME TO US as a whole ARK FAMILY. Do this SEED PROJECT TO CELEBRATE ME INTO A COMMUNITY OF US. Bring your work to the next ARK Summit.
Peace and Love to all of US,
Favour
INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR SAMI ABU GHAZALEH in United States early August
Sami is the head of student affairs at Dar Al-Kalima University College of Arts & Culture in Bethlehem. He is also Church Court Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). based in Jerusalem.
Guest of ARK in Minneapolis, MN with participation at First Congregational Church of Minnesota plus additional activities - find details in an early edition of the August ARK newsletter
MISSION TRIP AND YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM by Natalie Abu Ghazaleh, Palestine
This is my first trip to South Africa generally and Mozambique specifically. I wonder though how many people in my age had this opportunity to visit this country in their life. The country itself is full of greenery and beautiful nature. It gives you the impression that you reached the farthest point on earth or heaven. I can’t forget seeing the sunrise and the sunset in this tropical land. The huge forests, the lake and the life of people there are all attractive. It’s far away from our busy city life. Together with my colleagues we were so happy to participate in this 10 days gathering. We slept in small cottages made of bamboo on the beach. All night we were listening to the ocean roaring in our ears.
Yes, it was my first time in this part of the world going on an important mission from my church to participate in a youth exchange program. The participants were from Sweden, Palestine and Mozambique. During our stay in one of the villages there called: Macine we were able to take part in group discussions on certain topics like: tradition & religion, human rights, freedom of relationships, and globalization. In these discussions I learned a lot about other cultures, religions and opinions. In Mozambique there are good people living on a peaceful land with a beautiful nature and surroundings. I am so grateful to my church because they made this decision to send us to this African country to explore more about the life of people there and to speak about it to all people all over the world. The idea is to create awareness that Mozambique can really be a touristic destination and by encouraging people to visit there actually you help this poor country to flourish and help its people to make a better life.
Natalie Abu Ghazaleh
MEET NEW ARK MEMBER - SAMANTA
Samanta Hysa, from Albania, will be coming to St. Paul, MN and will become part of the Minnesota ARK FAMILY. She is engaged as a peacemaker and is working to become a diplomat. She has written the following about ARK:
"My biggest dream is to spread peace wherever I go and to make the world a better place is feeding my soul every day. I BELIEVE ARK will help me make this possible ARK is an architect of change. Being part of a community that respects all people with diverse minds, different cultural backgrounds and diverse economic conditions coming together is my goal.
Being a TEAM PLAYER means ‘all for one and one for all’. It means working with others, to be open minded and that every team player is important.
PEACE is a simple word but with deep meaning. It is sharing love instead of hatred. It begins in the heart and spreads through a smile. It is forgiveness and equality.” Mahatma Gandhi once said: “YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO START IN THE WORLD.”
I am ready to be that change and am honored to be accepted into the ARK FAMILY.”
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT ACTIVITIES
Making a difference - transforming lives that change the world...
THE WORLD WE WANT TO TAKE HOME 2015 AND BEYOND
As ARK participants left New York in June 2015, each country made commitments. Review them. Celebrate accomplishments. Work on those things that need attention!
GUATEMALA
Education, the rights of women, economic prosperity, jobs.
Write letters to US Ambassador to UN and Guatemalan Ambassador to UN to express concerns and offer solutions.
Educate our village, San Lucas, on Universal Human Rights.
Be a volunteer in the schools, encourage and support children and young people to stand for the common good.
BETHLEHEM
Work with relevant institutions to develop models and better services for three major concerns: HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, GENDER EQUALITY.
Utilize social media to build a culture that respects the needs of all people.
Stay committed to the ARK VISION AND MISSION for all the world.
Build partnerships and exchange information with local organizations engaged in the development of peace regardless of religion or political background, applying the principles of ARK of listening, respect and partnership.
LITHUANIA
Resolutions for representatives of Lithuania in EU Parliament to make changes to upgrade education for all people, especially immigrants.
Use social media to foster awareness, advocacy and action for Universal Human Rights for all people.
Volunteer in refugee camps to create cultural exchanges, music, dance and educational opportunities.
Communicate that all humans have dignity and self worth.
MALAWI
Continue to equip and empower communities with knowledge in water sanitation and hygiene.
Continue to work with MDGs to educate adolescents by mentoring various issues that affect them, like sex education, career choices, and civic leadership.
Continue working with girls, giving them the tools for financial literacy and to build them up as persons.
USA-MINNESOTA
Write to legislators to advocate for the two oppressed members of our ARK FAMILY, Guatemala and Bethlehem, Palestine.
ENVIRONMENT: Advocate for taxes/higher prices on plastic goods. Speak out for REDUCE! REUSE! RECYCLE!
Speak out on bullying in schools.
Become aware of sex trafficking and speak out!
Volunteer to read to kids in school, library programs and after school programs.
Start a KIDS BOOK CLUB.
ALL COUNTRIES MADE COMMITMENTS TO TAKE HOME ACTION FOR THE FOLLOWING:
SEEK EQUALITY OF GENDER, RACE, AGE, RELIGION AND LANGUAGES.
ACCESS TO QUALITY FREE HEALTH CARE.
ELIMINATE DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS.
USE RESOURCES TO BENEFIT NOT JUST THEMSELVES BUT ALL PEOPLE.
BE A STUDENT OF THE NEWS. SPEAK OUT! HAVE A VOICE!
ACCESS TO QUALITY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
UPHOLD FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
SUPPORT CLIMATE CONTROL.
SPEAK OUT AGAINST VIOLENCE OF ALL KINDS.
EVALUATE YOUR PROGRESS SINCE ARK's 2015 GATHERING IN NEW YORK AS PERSONS AND COUNTRIES. Write an article for the AUGUST NEWS.
THIS IS THE WORLD WE WANTED TO TAKE HOME FROM NEW YORK! REJOICE AS THE JOURNEY CONTINUES.
Your Global Coordinators are ready to make this journey with you,
Douglas and Leonel: Guatemala ~ Sami: Bethlehem ~ Dalia: Lithuania
Favour and Chikondi: Malawi ~ Steve and Judy: Minneapolis
Send your ideas and suggestions to: mag@arkforpeace.org.