A main reason for coming to Britain twice a year costly as it is, is to renew my friendship with refugees I met and lived with in previous visits while volunteerign at Catholic worker Houses.
Tomorrow we go to a lawyer that I've found to try to help a particularly wonderful friend get help with an asylum request. Imagine: Your father was in the wrong political party; you made the mistake of walking in as peaceful demonstration; you belong to the wrong ehtnic group in the former Soviet Union; you were of the wrong Christian faith in your homeland - for eahc of these, you have been beaten, imprisoned, lost all or most of your family.
Again terrible odds, you made oyur way throuygh various African or Middle Eastern countries eventually to the United Kingdom. Here like at home immigration is a hot issue. They should go home, where they belong.' God help us if we actually had to share the abundance that most of us have. I so easily lament a rise in prices when I so easily spend money almost without thinking. Money spent in one evening that would feed an entire family for a month.
Our visit to the lawyer will nto be easy as it is both promising and possibly hearthbreaking. Please pray for my friend and so many others.
Today, I travel into London to visit with and take out to eat a friend from Senegal, also seeking asssitance.
Tuesday, after the lawyer appointment, it is time to visit with my Ethiopian and Congolese friends who have been granted 'leave to stay.'
Afterwards, my dear British friend, Danny, and his wife are taking me out to dinner. Dany busy as head of company spends much of his 'free time' working directly with those in need. He always opens windows for me to see what is out there and how to frame it within a social justice and spiritual context. He often gives me wondeful books on which I can learn much.
Wednesday, I joiny my British friend who gave a promising career ib finance to work daily for the needy here in Britain. Steve is wonderful company and allows me to not lose sight of the bigger picture. an inspiring young man.
In the evening, I was accompany the soup run with the 'Simon community.' They always ask me if I can drive a van. Happy to, I demure, given it's night, central London and a van. AND as we say the wrong side of the street! I've driven in England twice, but a large van at night in London - I think not! The van will make about 5 stops around London where those ' sleeping rough' will come for soup and sandwiches plus coffee. Seeing a Yank is alway a curiosity and for some actually a 'treat.'
Thursday is a local day of rest in Basildon with my good friend Zelda. for dinner we will meet her friend Peggy who is always good company. Zelda keeps quite busy with many social jsutice activities: Trident Ploughshares, Dale Famr to name just two.
Friday and saturday will eb more visits and good-byes as my flight leave Heathrow Sunday.
Please pray daily for my dear friends and those so many we do not know, but who suffer so much - here, in the Americas, the middle East and the rest of the world.
In all this, I've managed to do my 45 minute exercise walk each day - a wonderul tonic!
Why did I avoid it for so long!
Thanks & Cheers!
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