“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” -Jesus (Mt. 25:40)
Most faiths teach love of neighbor, and Jesus invited humanity to take a step further – to proactively love our enemies (Mt. 5:44). This level of engagement is deeply challenging, yet, research agrees that one of the best ways to transform conflict is to proactively care about the needs of the other. When parties in conflict begin to sincerely care about each other’s needs, they can find ways to collaborate. In working together on shared goals, they can become partners. When they understand that their well being is inextricably bound together, even enemies are capable of joining hands to work for the common good. Eventually, they may learn to trust each other, sometimes even transforming animosity into friendship.
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy to a friend.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Malik and Jennie have had transformative experiences in relating to enemies, on an individual level and extending to wider social relationships.
Malik experienced the horrors of war since childhood. Raised in a remote part of Sudan under attack by the government, he grew up recognizing Arab people as his enemy. When he was 12 years old, he traveled far from home and met people different from him. One empathetic interaction with an Arab peer began to challenge his hatred, setting him on a journey of recognizing the humanity of even his enemies.
Currently Sudan is suffering under another war, this time waged by two military leaders vying for political supremacy and control. Those who pay the cost for their power struggle are ordinary Sudanese people of all ethnicities. Sudan is currently enduring the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with 12 million people displaced from their homes, millions at risk of death from war-induced famine, and untold human suffering. Would you engage with these people in an act of generosity?
As an American citizen, Jennie first knew of the DPR Korea (North Korea) as her nation’s enemy. In a desire to follow Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies, Jennie sought engagement with people in the north to learn their history and their perspectives. She was shocked to see how the war is still so alive to people inside DPR Korea, while most Americans have forgotten that this war has never ended. In her interactions with Korean people since 2010, her understanding of their nation, America, and our shared history is continually challenged and expanded. She’s had the honor of partnering with humanitarian and development projects, meeting people devoted to serving vulnerable children and the sick. The everyday heroism of their diligent service in an isolated and harshly sanctioned context inspired her. In her last visit to Pyongyang, a man said to her, “Tell Americans not to be afraid of us. Tell them we’re good people. And, then, come back to us.”
Special Projects
Support children and the sick in DPR Korea through the links below:
“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King, Jr.
Although anyone can join Jennie and Malik in small actions to advocate for an end to the wars in Korea and Sudan, we also welcome partners to join us through the links above in sharing the practical needs of our global neighbors through acts of kindness and generosity. If you take the step to share your resources once or set up a recurring donation for any of these beloved people and amazing projects, would you let me know?
If you seek ways to engage with these people face to face, let’s talk further. Relational solidarity builds bridges where we all learn from one another and grow in unexpected ways.
Seeds Will Grow 