The Idea of America: A light to the Nations

“America America God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.”

It was an unexpected blessing to be back in the USA for this historic election. I can thank David Henry’s marvelous timing for that. I am trying to write this blog with some sensitivity to the fact that many of my friends, for very good reasons, supported McCain. (Who really showed his statesmanship in his concession speech.) I don’t want to debate any issues at this time, but I would like to offer a perspective on this election from an American who is living overseas.

I can’t begin to tell you how interested everyone I met, in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya, were in this election the past 6 months. When people found I was American (often in a French African country you are presumed to be Canadian.) the topic would turn quickly to the election. Many of my friends and colleagues were stunned that a majority white country might elect a black candidate.

Democracy is a pretty cynical enterprise in many African countries (see Zimbabwe). On the one hand, elections are seen as a way to give one legitimacy in his claim to power (and rights to distribute the nation’s wealth to friends/clients.) , BUT elections are frequently not trustworthy, and certainly not a guarantee that even if someone loses, power will be transferred to the opposition. I can't tell you how unique we are in that respect--After an election, the ruling party does not have any legitimate claim to maintaining control. For many years in Rwanda and Burundi an elite minority was in power, but even when the majority finally gained legitimate power, it represented the interests of that tribal group at the expense of the other. (with murderous consequences-see Rwanda genocide 1994.)

Many Africans I met admire America, but are mostly attracted to the opportunity it offers to make money--(or borrow money really). They are familiar with the American ideals of freedom and democracy, but are understandably skeptical. They perceive elections in the US to be like their own--Even if people change, the ruling class stays in control--they can't conceive of a process that would actually give anyone an opportunity to win an election. They also see American ideals and values as something imposed by the ‘sword’ and upheld by financial power, rather than exemplified in our national or international conduct. (“Might makes right.” is perceived by them to be our national morality rather than “Liberty and Justice for All”.)

Understandably they were stunned that Obama was even a candidate, but did not think he would actually win--because ultimately elections are fixed (in their view).

This election was the single most symbolic act of THE IDEA OF AMERICA that I have ever seen in my life and it is resounding loudly in every country in Africa right now. It was a defining moment where our claims about democracy and opportunity in America became facts! We demonstrated unmistakably, the values we say we stand for! I kept thinking of God’s call to Israel in Isaiah to be “a light to the nations.” In the eyes of many, we said more about our ideals and values in this election than in any wars we have fought in the name of freedom.

My hope is that our example might begin to change the way that other nations, especially in Africa, conduct themselves. Perhaps tutsis and hutus will really begin looking beyond their own ethnic divisions and self interest in Rwanda and Burundi. Perhaps we will see the emergence of some legitimate democratic institutions in these countries that reflect a new found idealism, against the tide of cynicism that has been so much a part of politics as usual in sub-Saharan Africa.

Enough about American politics. I actually do not want this blog to be a political forum. But it is hard to avoid any conversation on politics at this time of year—so please forgive my indulgence.

On to Burundian politics:

This is a good time to recount this experience: I participated in a very interesting forum the week before I left Burundi on the role of Christians in politics in Burundi. It was led by Emmanuel Ndikumana, whom I have written about before. The forum had some very distinguished guests, I was sitting next to one of the two vice President’s of Burundi. (They have 2, one for each ethnic group here.) In Burundi, the question of Christians participating in politics is very controversial. This is because the largest and most influential protestant church in the country are the Pentecostals (that is Swedish Pentecostal.) The Pentecostals are quite conservative and do not believe Christians should be involved in politics at all, not even the electoral process. Submission to authorities is an important value, though, and participating in a general strike, for instance, is grounds for excommunication.

The Pentecostals here are big on excommunication and among the things one can be excommunicated for are:
1) drinking
2) being in a room or restaurant where someone is drinking
3) using fermented wheat for chicken feed
4) going to a wedding or celebration at another church. (Even if your own son is getting married for instance.)
5) moving or waving your hands during singing in church.
6) participating in politics
7) not tithing
8) asking questions about where the money is going

In short they are quite legalistic, and also the ‘frozen chosen’ since body movements are prohibited while worshipping. (They do speak and tongues and prophecy though.)

The Catholics, the other major religious group in Burundi, have a rich musical tradition and dance in the aisles during worship and sing beautiful, multipart hymns and praise songs in Kirundi.

This definitely may come as a surprise to us in the USA where we tend to think of Pentecostal Churches as more demonstrative in worship and Catholics as more staid. I also tend to think of conservative Christians as more politically active in the US, but not in Burundi. Again, a reminder that much of what we practice in our faith is rooted in culture rather than some universal Biblical mandate. (I am not being critical of any of this, the emergence of the practices in Burundi came out of very specific cultural contexts and made a lot of sense at the time. Alcoholism was a huge problem and the political process was suspect for good reason as well.)

Now, because of the influence of the Pentecostal Church, many Christians in Burundi still do not participate in politics for reasons of intimidation by church authorities. Changing attitudes is a difficult business. Emmanuel, who is the pastor of the church Rebecca and I belong to had been a pastor in the Pentecostal Church himself before being excommunicated for his involvement in politics. He is a prophetic voice for the moral obligations Christians have to be involved in civic life and to demonstrate Christian values in political office. This is quite radical in a place where ethnicity and corruption are business as usual in government.

Personal News:

Our family is admittedly still feeling a bit dislocated here as we await the date of our return to Burundi. (Jan 6th) We try to keep up with what is happening now back in Burundi, and I have to say it is a bit hard to be in the US right now with the problems in Congo. We live about 30 minutes away from the border in Eastern Congo, and Goma, the city under siege is quite close to us. I know that we wlll be seeing a tide of refugees coming into Rwanda and Burundi, and I would like to be working with our partners right now to coordinate a response and plan for the future. Right now, prayer is the best and only means we have to be mindful of the plight of our neighbors.

Rebecca and I will have the chance to raise consciousness about some of the issues in the area as we will be preaching or presenting at several churches in the next 2 weeks. I am hoping to be able to speak of the power of a Christian witness to address the problem of injustice that underlies so much of the poverty in these countries. We will speak at Valley Baptist on Monday, and North Balitmore Mennonite on the following Sunday.

Oren and David are doing very well. David, thus far is one of those really quiet, mellow babies. Hopefully he will stay that way. Oren, on the other hand, is definitely trying to make the adjustment to all the changes that are happening around him. The many changes of location are definitely disruptive to him being able to establish patterns. Since he is a great lover of order (as reflected in his love of trains) he is struggling with all the changes. He does enjoy playing with his cousins Miriam and Gabriel who live nearby. Here they are playing in the leaves. He and his cousins also visit the train museum here regularly, which is a real highlight for him.