Thursday, July 21, 2005
No Dirt To Call Home
What a gift this week has been! I’m in a room at a camp in Missouri and each morning and afternoon I’ve done research from the Bible, religious books, and secular books. I’ve also done a lot of reflecting on our work globally, my network and how things work as we engage globally. Right in the middle of that, I’m here seeing it all lived out–-a microcosm of the world in Southeastern Missouri. I’m speaking to several hundred Hmong each evening at their youth camp. It’s been a few years since I’ve spoken at a youth camp. I’ve never before addressed as many Asian-descent young people.
Their worship is incredible. Their arms reach to the sky, their hands clap, their eyes weep, their mouths smile. I love these kids--this is the future. Thank you God for letting me be here. 20 years ago, most of them weren’t born. 20 years ago, their parents were in Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Southern China. Because of persecution of various sorts or their connection with the US, each of the parents of these Hmong youth found themselves in very difficult situations and became refugees and ultimately wound up here. 20 years ago, their parents dressed in the daily Hmong clothes that are so colorful and unique. 20 years ago, they lived in huts with thatched roofs. 20 years ago, the music was a wooden flute and a strange looking instrument--far less complicated than the harpsichord. 20 years ago, they lived for rice. Their crisis was their greatest blessing--it got them out to a place of hope where they could get food, clothing, and security. It was hard for them. A Hmong village and an American suburb aren’t the same thing. As an American, you might say "better." Well, it’s all in how you define it. One man, who is a sponsor, told me when he was a boy he went to school in one room with one teacher and when the bell rang, he went home. He did the same thing here--only to find out there were another 5 classes in different rooms with different teachers!
Now, these young people worship and see life very differently. Their parents have built their entire security around their children and a culture that the children find foreign despite attempts to teach and indoctrinate them. These children love their parents but don’t understand them. Hip-Hop thrives--even among the Hmong!
The Hmong have no nation, no home, no land--they straddle the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia and Southern China. For centuries, and at least 3 millenniums, they’ve lived this way. Yet, God sees them as a people–-a nation--even if they have no land. They are the present future of all God is doing in the world today. They are caught between being minorities here in the US—yet, not 40 in their own culture. But, God is going to use them greatly. I told them how special they were and immediately I had all their attention. People are always hungry to hear someone believe in them. These young believers have a chance at living in the Kingdom and understanding and practicing it better than any of us--if they will. The only dirt that will ever be theirs is in heaven. It’s not bad real estate!
Their worship is incredible. Their arms reach to the sky, their hands clap, their eyes weep, their mouths smile. I love these kids--this is the future. Thank you God for letting me be here. 20 years ago, most of them weren’t born. 20 years ago, their parents were in Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Southern China. Because of persecution of various sorts or their connection with the US, each of the parents of these Hmong youth found themselves in very difficult situations and became refugees and ultimately wound up here. 20 years ago, their parents dressed in the daily Hmong clothes that are so colorful and unique. 20 years ago, they lived in huts with thatched roofs. 20 years ago, the music was a wooden flute and a strange looking instrument--far less complicated than the harpsichord. 20 years ago, they lived for rice. Their crisis was their greatest blessing--it got them out to a place of hope where they could get food, clothing, and security. It was hard for them. A Hmong village and an American suburb aren’t the same thing. As an American, you might say "better." Well, it’s all in how you define it. One man, who is a sponsor, told me when he was a boy he went to school in one room with one teacher and when the bell rang, he went home. He did the same thing here--only to find out there were another 5 classes in different rooms with different teachers!
Now, these young people worship and see life very differently. Their parents have built their entire security around their children and a culture that the children find foreign despite attempts to teach and indoctrinate them. These children love their parents but don’t understand them. Hip-Hop thrives--even among the Hmong!
The Hmong have no nation, no home, no land--they straddle the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia and Southern China. For centuries, and at least 3 millenniums, they’ve lived this way. Yet, God sees them as a people–-a nation--even if they have no land. They are the present future of all God is doing in the world today. They are caught between being minorities here in the US—yet, not 40 in their own culture. But, God is going to use them greatly. I told them how special they were and immediately I had all their attention. People are always hungry to hear someone believe in them. These young believers have a chance at living in the Kingdom and understanding and practicing it better than any of us--if they will. The only dirt that will ever be theirs is in heaven. It’s not bad real estate!
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