I take it as a very good sign when a visiting group arrives—with all its luggage—a full hour an half ahead of schedule on a transatlantic flight. It was, in fact, an accurate signal to how DAY ONE for this group would go.
The group is here for the Senegal Interfaith Engagement Immersion, as part of a wider ELCA “Decade to Overcome Violence.” They’re looking at how Christian-Muslim relations here in Senegal foster peace by reinforcing the mutual understanding and deep respect felt between the two religions here. Part of their immersion is for the group to experience first hand how so many of the programs supported by the ELCA—Galle Nanondiral Community Center, the Health Program in Linguère, and the Dairy project in Linguère—are successful attempts by Christian and Muslims to work together for the well-being and development of their community. It’s a source of great pride for me to share this work with them.My initial impression is that it’s a great group, and that this trip should be a very good one—for them, as well as for the ELCA companions they encounter. Check out their blog at http://blogs.elca.org/equip4peace/ and I'll try to give you my impressions as the trip progresses.
Grace and Peace,
Peter
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