"How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World"

A subject in school that I always loved was history.  I remember my Old Testament History class at CCU being one of my favorite classes during my college years.  I have not always been a very politically in tune individual or even a very devote watcher of the news!  I do remember the good old days of Channel 1 in junior high.  As an adult I admit I was one of those people who thought events on the other side of the ocean were to far away for the stresses that consumed my eyes day to day.  Once my days took me oversees my interest has heightened a bit.  I realize now the importance of good journalism that can make us aware of current events.  But, I have seen where journalism doesn't hold a candle to what is really out there as well.  Now here on the eve of 9/11 my thoughts are far more global.  Now these are more than just clips to scroll through on CNN its a part of my day like the air I breathe.

I met a fellow missionary friend this past summer who served as a teacher in Afghanistan.  We became fast friends and she encouraged me to watch the movie that's  based on the true story of the Congressman Charlie Wilson.  Mr. Wilson was a man of colorful character so be warned if you view the film.  The movie brought to my attention some of the accounts in Afghanistan that were going on in the 1980s when my life just began.  It talks about the events that led to the Afghanistans defeating the Soviet Union.  It is the ending statements of the movie that have stuck with me.  Over a billion dollars was given without much thought as a result of a few people who saw with their own eyes the suffering from Soviet Control.  After years of war and millions of dollars victory was reached.  But those same men launched a proposal because they had the foresight to know how important it was to rebuild.  A million dollar ask was declined to help with the rebuilding of schools.  The men a part of the assistance in the Middle East knew that help with infrastructure and schools was an important step after this initial investment that assisted with their freedom.  I am not sure why but I guess these men of colorful character in congress surprised me that in a wave of victory they saw the importance to educate.  Half of the country of Afghanistan at that time were under fourteen years of age.  These young people had been through war, seen a great amount of pain and no longer had people to care for them.   They were going to need leadership, hope, and belonging.  

The United States cut back support and money for Afghanistan after the Soviets' withdrawal and civil war broke out. Wilson regretted the pullback and said that if the United States had stayed, "We would have had a friend in the Muslim world, which we could use."  With the United States and Soviets out, foreign terrorists moved in. Osama bin Laden, who fought alongside the Mujahideen, returned to Afghanistan and contributed to the rise of the Taliban regime and the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.  (ABC News)

Oh how it seems that history keeps on repeating itself!  

I found an additional influence to my thoughts a book about a young girl in Pakistan named Malala.  The quote used to title this blog post is in yellow on the book's cover.  It is what caught my eye as I strolled through the bookstore.  Malala is a young Muslim girl who bravely talks about the move of the Taliban into her home town.  Not only was it her courage that kept me intrigued but how she shares out of her experience how it began. Malala is the daughter of a school principal who encourages her desire to learn and love of politics.  Most of the area around her beloved valley are filled with illiterate people especially the women.  In 2005 there was an earthquake that shook that area of the world.  This young girl unfolds in the pages of how this tragedy opened the door to unwanted guests.  Due to fear and lack of education an area of the world opened up to being run by terrorism.  Malala would not be run by fear and spoke out concerning the injustices especially a girls freedom to go to school.  In 2009 she wrote about life under the Taliban for BBC and was featured in the New York Times documentary about education in Pakistan.  2012, Malala was targeted by the Taliban and was shot while returning home from school.   She survived and continues her campaign for education.  As I read through the pages almost in one sitting many things went through my mind.  More than ever I realize the power of education and the key it holds of hope and transformation in our world.  Many of these pockets of the world Tanzania being one of them there are people eyeball deep with injustices that we could never imagine.  I know because I have not only read about them but I have seen.  Young people who are hurting, engulfed with fear, and have no hope.  Children who want a place of belonging and to know the causes of such things like earthquakes.  The enemy is prowling like a lion coming in with the answer in the form of militant groups that give false answers and  fearful belonging.  People who are not just in a news clip but God's children (who we are called to love) are looking for a place to belong.  Many do not understand nor have the experience outside of the hills around them where control and fear take over in unexplained acts of nature.  On the eve of a day filled with great emotion on our calendar I am not consumed by fear.  I believe even more the power and beauty that the tool of holistic education brings to young people.  75% of the population of Tanzania are under the age of 20 years of age.  Militant groups seem to be getting closer and closer to its borders of my beloved Tanzania (ALL borders really) and I want to change the World!  I know it is the way God has gifted me to bring hope to those who need it and it is my way to expand the Kingdom!

Prayer Points~

• May my Creator and Savior reign in my heart all the days of my life!  "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!"  
• Wow!  What I could do with a budget of a billion dollars or even like the million that was asked by Charlie Wilson.  But, for now I will be happy and content with the meager budget here before me and pray for the Lord's provision.  
• May the younger generations who fill the Earth and who lead them know there is Hope and Freedom found only in Christ!