Interfaith Delegation to Afghanistan

Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto travelled to Afghanistan as part of an interfaith delgation organized by Global Exchange in June of 2002. It was an incredible experience. Below you will find links to images, stories, poetry, and tons of resources for learning more about our trip and the situation in Afghanistan.

Between July of 2002 and September of 2003, members of our delegation told the stories of this trip in schools, churches, libraries, on TV, in newspapers, and at other gatherings. In August of 2003, we wrote a two-page story called "One Year Later" to summarize the good and the bad of what has happened in Afghanistan since our trip. Click here to read that story (requires Acrobat). We've also put stories, images, and poetry onto this web site and we invite you to check out the links below.

Here's a quick index to what's available:
 

The Global Exchange Interfaith Delegation in Kabul, Afghanistan
 

First the Phone Rang

The phone rang on May 17th. Global Exchange was arranging an interfaith delegation to Afghanistan and two of the people that had planned to go couldn't make it. Did we know of anyone who might be able to go? David Mineau, Derrick Kikuchi, and Craig Wiesner of First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto said yes. Given the hopelessness so many people feel in the aftermath of September 11th and the ongoing wars in Afghanistan, Colombia, Israel and the occupied territories, and throughout the world, when an opportunity to do something concrete that promotes peace comes up, it is very hard to say no.

About the Delegation

According to Global Exchange, "September 11th opened the world’s eyes to the devastating crisis in Afghanistan. With the removal of the Taliban government, the people of Afghanistan have the opportunity to end the decades of war and start the rebuilding of their nation. The purpose of this delegation is to bear witness to the human costs of war and promote peace and cooperation. The delegation seeks to establish ongoing "sister relationships" between congregations in the US and mosques in Afghanistan, both to enhance cultural and religious understanding and to concretely support economic development and humanitarian projects at the community level. An an example, the delegation will contribute to the rebuilding of a mosque destroyed by an errant US bomb."

The delegation included Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders and lay people. Among the delegation were people who lost loved ones on September 11th. Since January 2002, Global Exchange has been helping families of victims of September 11th meet with people in Afghanistan who lost loved ones in the bombing raids. There is now an organization called September 11th Families for a Peaceful Tomorrow, whose name comes from a Martin Luther King quote, "Wars are a poor chisel for carving out peaceful tomorrows."

During a trip with members of Peaceful Tomorrows arranged by Global Exchange, the delegation brought cards drawn by U.S. children to children in Afghanistan. We thought that would be a great way for us to interact with kids in Afghanistan so we asked congregation members for cards. We knew it was short notice but within a week we had over 100 cards, all hand-made, to bring with us!

Craig Wiesner said "As I sat looking over the cards on the day before we left, tears streamed down my face. The messages sent in both words and art were powerful. Most of the cards wished the children of Afghanistan peace. Many children said they were sorry about the war. Others prayed for the health and safety of the children and people of Afghanistan. At a moment when I was getting nervous about the trip and needed a little emotional boost, reading those cards truly prepared me for the journey. Love and hope can be spread, especially through the hands and hearts of little children. What better gift to carry with us on our trip?"

Stories

Our delegation spent significant time listening to the stories of people who were impacted by the coalition forces bombing campaigns in October through January of 2002. Click on on each of the pictures below to read some of the stories.


Narisula's Story


Other Victim's Stories


The IDP Camp and the Mosque


Mariam's Reflections

 

Poems

Derrick Kikuchi used poetry as his method of journaling our trip. Click here to read some of his poems and see images selected to go along with them.


Poems and Photos by Derrick Kikuchi

 

Simple Gifts

Shown below are delegation members Craig Wiesner and Derrick Kikuchi, receiving cards from John Bayer and Susan Kramer. Susan is wearing an Afghan dress she got when she visited Afghanistan in the 70's.

The cards were a welcome symbol of solidarity and the children receiving them in the tent schools of Afghanistan expressed their love and hopes for a better tomorrow.


An Afghan student who received a card wishing peace.


Teddy Bears were shared with children and parents coping with the loss of loved ones.

Our thanks for the cards and Teddy Bears go to:

  • Susan Kramer's class at San Miguel Elementary School in Sunnyvale
  • John Bayer who helped get cards from the Forrest Hill School in Campbell 4th/5th grade
    • Mr. David May's class
    • Mr. David Fletcher's class
    • Ms. Shirley Enos' class
  • The Charneys
  • The Kramers
  • The Nordlunds
  • The Schaupps
  • Lynda Alexander

How You Can Be Involved

There are three specific calls to act we are sharing at this time.

  1. The United States government should establish an Afghan Victim's Assistance Fund to provide direct financial, medical, and home rebuilding assistance to innocent people impacted by our military campaigns. The recent stories about the wedding party make it clear that we need to help the people we have harmed. Regardless of how you feel about the war efforts, we must show compassion for the innocent victims. Click here to read a sample letter to elected officials (requires Microsoft Word).
  2. The President and Pentagon should allow international peacekeepers to be deployed throughout Afghanistan to provide stability so that relief agencies can do their work. Several countries have offered to deploy peacekeepers but their efforts are being blocked by the United States. Click here to read a sample letter to elected officials (requires Microsoft Word).
  3. A fund is being established at 1st Presbyterian Church to which you can contribute to immediately assist people who were injured, lost family members, or who lost their homes in U.S. campaigns. Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto and in the comment area write "Afghan Relief Fund." Global Exchange will assist us in getting money to the families that need it right away.

NOTE: If you don't know the address for your elected officials, visit ActForChange.org.

We will host adult study and other presentation sessions at First Presbyterian Church AND members of the delegation are available and hope to visit other congregations and organizations to share the stories of what was learned on this trip. Click here to contact us to set up a time when we can present to your group.

Additionally, the delegation will be selecting one or more special programs which they will champion in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

You too can go to Afghanistan! Consider one of the other upcoming Global Exchange delegations.

First Presbyterian Church Delegation Press Release

PALO ALTO, July 1, 2002 -David Mineau of Menlo Park, Derrick Kikuchi and Craig Wiesner of Daly City, representing First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, have returned from an interfaith delegation to Afghanistan. They will host an informal report on their trip on July 8th at 7:30pm at 1140 Cowper Street in Palo Alto.

The delegation of 18 people from various faiths, arranged by Global Exchange, helped "Sow the Seeds of Peace" between people of faith in the United States and the people of Afghanistan. The delegation visited refugee camps, de-mining operations, schools, numerous aid agencies, and met with families of victims of coalition bombing campaigns. "The people we met with were profoundly grateful for our presence and wanted us to know their stories so that we could share them when we came home. Our country has promised to help rebuild Afghanistan and the Afghan people are waiting for us to keep our promise." said Derrick Kikuchi.

"It was a trip of so many contradictions," said Craig Wiesner "with a country in ruins yet a people with such incredible hope for the future. Most people we spoke with asked that NATO or the UN deploy a peacekeeping force throughout the country, instead of just in and around Kabul. Without security, the work of rebuilding that tattered nation can not even begin. We plan to lobby for that peacekeeping force."

Among the delegation were two Americans who had lost loved ones on September 11th. On Friday June 21st, the delegation hosted an interfaith worship service, remembering the victims of September 11th, the coalition bombing campaigns, and the 23 years of war faced by the people of Afghanistan. "Together, Afghans and Americans - Jews, Christians and Muslims - prayed, sang and cried as we remembered those we had lost, all the victims of war." said Derrick Kikuchi.

Members of the delegation are available to speak with religious and secular organizations interested in learning more about the situation in Afghanistan and ways they can help in the rebuilding efforts. "We received an incredibly loving welcome in each place we visited. The people truly cherish our solidarity and support." said Craig Wiesner. "Their stories are both heart-breaking and inspiring. We think we can help show people the true heart of Afghanistan and hope we will be invited to do that in as many places as possible. We are grateful to Global Exchange for inviting us to participate in this delegation to Afghanistan."

For more information about the Afghanistan delegation go to www.fprespa.org/afghanistan.htm or visit Global Exchange's web site at www.globalexchange.org

Global Exchange Press Release

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 12, 2002

Contact: Jason Mark (US), 415-558-9490 or jason@globalexchange or
Nilufar Shuja (Kabul), 93-70-275-196

First US Interfaith Delegation Heads to Afghanistan

Group of Christians, Muslims and Jews Will Promote Greater Understanding and Tolerance Between Muslim World and Communities in the US

The first American interfaith delegation to Afghanistan will be in Kabul from June 16 through June 29 on a mission to build bridges between the Muslim world and faith communities in the United States. The delegation—which includes Christian leaders from many denominations, Muslims, and Jews—hopes to promote new understanding and tolerance between Afghans and Americans. The group plans to contribute to the rebuilding of Afghanistan by identifying ways that faith communities in the US can support humanitarian projects in Kabul such as the reconstruction of schools, clinics, or mosques that were destroyed during the US-led military campaign.

The delegation, which is sponsored by the international human rights organization Global Exchange, includes several prominent religious leaders. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit will be traveling to Kabul, as will Bishop Joseph Sprague of the United Methodist Church and Dave Robinson, national coordinator of Pax Christi USA. Two women who lost family members on September 11 will also be traveling with the group. Rev. Myrna Bethke, pastor of a Methodist church in New Jersey, lost her brother in the World Trade Center. Kristina Marie Olsen, a nurse and singer from Massachusetts, had a sister who died on American Flight 11.

“We are going to Kabul, as people of faith, to bear witness to the human costs of war and the suffering the Afghan people have endured during 23 years of conflict,” says Kristi Laughlin, coordinator of Global Exchange’s Afghanistan campaign and a practicing Catholic. “Faith has always proven a comfort to people in pain. We hope that by sharing our faith, Muslims, Christians and Jews can find ways to work together to heal the wounds of war.”

In Kabul, the interfaith delegation will explore ways to link faith communities in the US with people in Afghanistan. Already, an Episcopal diocese in New York City, St. John the Divine, is trying to raise $35,000 to rebuild a mosque destroyed during the US military campaign. While in Kabul, the interfaith delegation will visit that mosque and spend a day helping to clear the rubble. During the trip the group will also hold an ecumenical prayer service for the victims of violence everywhere.

For a complete list of delegation participants and a working itinerary, or to arrange an interview with any members of the interfaith group, contact Jason Mark at 415-558-9490 or jason@globalexchange.org.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

Other Press Coverage

  • United Methodist News Service story on Myrna Bethke and Bishop Sprague
  • Click here to visit the NPR Morning Edition page to listen to a story about Myrna Bethke and Kristina Olsen, entitled Afghanistan 9/11 Civilian Victims.

Links to Check Out

Here are some resources you might wish to check out to learn more:

Our History of Solidarity

El Salvador: First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto has a long history of creating friendships out of war. During a recent delegation to our partner community in El Salvador, Communidad Octavio Ortiz, a member of the Directiva (the group that manages the village) said "We treasure your visits because you bring us solidarity. You have been with us for 14 years, never forgetting us."

Our country has promised to stand along side the Afghan people as they recover from 23 years of war. We pray that our new friendships with the people we meet on this delegation will last and that some day we will all be grateful for that solidarity.

Please visit our El Salvador page for information about our partner community and pictures from several past delegations to Communidad Octavio Ortiz.

Colombia: Carol and Charles Spring, long time members of First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto, recently joined the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) and are now in Colombia. Click here to visit our page about them.