Image: dvids, Flickr
Lovefast 9: Afghans of North America
By Phil from Mahabba Woking
Daily verse
“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Thought for the day
Khaled Hosseini ‘s film and book ‘The Kite Runner’ is set in Afghanistan and Freemont California.
It is a moving portrayal of displaced Afghans: Baba, who works all hours in a gas station; Amir, who adapts rather easily; and the Taheris, who uphold traditional values with all the stringency and vigour typical of displaced communities.
Amid the piles of junk at the flea market, Afghans gossip and recall their homeland while drinking Coca-Cola and coffee.
The USA becomes, in many ways, rather than the land of the free, rather a place of exile.
Displaced people in search of a home.
This feeling is also replicated in UK among Afghans and others.
Every exile (sohrab) is in need of a kite runner (Amir) who will welcome the stranger with their feelings of disconnection and rejection, and encourage them to freedom, so they too can fly free like a kite.
For you a thousand times over...
Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
Prayer for the day
Pray for Afghans (and others in our communities), that beyond and though their experience of trauma they will experience true freedom, and learn to fly like eagles.
Daily action
Read the book. Or watch the film: 'The Kite Runner’ and find out if there are any Afghans in your area, and maybe get to meet them. This may lead to eating wonderful Afghan food!
Your turn
Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!