Dispatches from Nowhere Near the Promise Land

My title starts with the word “dispatch” and then a reference to “the promise land.” On the latter, I refer less to the particular geography than to our capacity in peacebuilding to offer more promise than practical delivery on the deepest desired change we often hope to nurture. The ups and downs across decades carried even more disquieting impact for me when experienced in deep relationships with people most affected by repeated and sustained violation. The paradox of war zone geographies has been their capacity to produce great harm and ceaseless daily crises, while at the same time we always find some of the most inspiring, creative, and compassionate people who, in spite of the odds, sustain their genius to innovate response and to resist dehumanization. From them I received a depth of honesty and clarity of pattern, often delivered in succinct dispatches, moments that opened my eyes, enriched my understanding and placed me before the need to unlearn the habits of harm wrapped often in my own vocation. This recognition today provides a good opportunity to revisit some of these dispatch moments as I look back…