By Sister Sheena, CSJP
Frank, Bro. Johannas and myself visited the jungle today. Our first stop was at an Afghan camp. As we were introducing ourselves to them, they could right away identify me as an Indian and I, in my broken Hindi (Indian language), and they, in their Urdu language, started to chat. One of the things I felt within me from their sharing was that, they fled from their country because they felt they were refugees in their own land. If they supported Afghan government, then the Taliban will shoot them and if they chose Taliban, then Afghan government will shoot them. “Life for us, young men, was very hard in our own country” was their cry.
While this conversation took place, they served us Indian tea and apologized to me saying sorry we didn’t have the spice to add into it…. and they couldn’t understand how I could remain without being married. But that conversation led us to share how each religion believes in one God and follow the basic rule of love and peace.
Frank and myself took another walk from there and were joined by the Pakistani refugees. They were new to the camp. They left Pakistan just 10 days ago because of the Taliban attacks. Young men were happy to speak with us in Hindi. They insisted that we should have tea with them and we took the offer for another day.
Then, we were welcomed by the Sudanese to have tea with them. The Sudanese are known for their hospitality. When I said ‘thank you’ for their hospitality, they told us that it was their duty. At the end of the day, when I look back … What comes to my mind, is the question many asked me before I came to Calais “are you anxious, worried, any fear….? Yes, I was bit worried…my biggest worry was “will I be able to be effective in connecting myself with the people?” One of the ways that I could find myself connecting with them was that with my country of birth, my skin color, my curly hair, Hindi language and Bollywood movies (famous Indian Movies). Even the Sudanese had so much to talk about Bollywood movies. This was an icebreaker and was a moment of closeness with them. Once we feel the connectedness then we experience in each other the presence of holiness.
I wonder, is this an experience of radical hospitality? Do they teach me today that it doesn’t matter what you have or where you come from, it is our DUTY to be hospitable to one another. I can’t thank God enough for reveling God’s face on each one of the refugees that I came across today and in return allowing me to be her instrument of just a hello and smile.