Fatherhood, Heritage and Legacy.

A few months ago, I heard a message from a very intense female preacher. She has a ministry in Uganda and was basically talking about Fatherhood and spiritual authority. She talked about many things but here is what stood out for me. She mentioned how she got a call from one of her mentors. He was planning a trip to the city and wanted her to know that he would honor her. 

The message has many applications but I think one of the most important things that comes with this is feeling of empowerment, protection, love and approval that can make the toughest of struggles bearable. 

The other benefit that I have found in heritage is that if for example you sit under the 'ministry' of one, you tend to get the advantages of all those that have contributed to the health and wealth of that particular 'Man of God'. 

It is the same with all sort of other disciplines. 

Politics, art, music and much more. When you study history and philosophy as well as other mainstream disciplines, you often concentrate on the historic aspects of the study to understand how the people that developed those theories thought. It also allows you to connect with them on an intellectual level but also in a much stronger spiritual level. 

The trick is being able to 'endure' the time spent with these people who if they know the trade will often be nasty on purpose just to make sure that they give out their gift to the right people. 

It may also be a secret to living longer...or forever. Finding someone who can be a useful vessel for your spirit when you pass (but that is a discussion for another forum). 

The Rise of double meanings and Risqué Advertising.

Back then, I was having some trouble working with my device. Airtel, Warid and I have some history. I used to give them quite a lot of trouble with the customer support. But this is different. I once sent a request to client support. There was a problem with my device or sim card. The device was 'seeing' my phone as though I was in a foreign country (roaming). When I requested assistance from support, the person on the the side simply said. 

Please Remove and Re-insert. 

One of my followers or Airtel Support followers (people who can see our conversation), replied with quite a lot of laughter and humor. Apparently he had interpreted the conversation and taken it out of proportion to the point of some innuendo. 

This kind of thinking does not come from the Telcos...this is much too risky for global players but it is often used when for example you wish to have conversations regarding adult matters in the presence of Children. You can find similar uses of language when you tune in to local radio at say about 3AM. 

But this got me thinking. Do we have a universal acceptance for at-the-edge advertising?

Example 1

I am asking because another major player recently decided to have an ad campaign dubbed-Threesome! Probably some calling things that could let you have three way conversations with people on the same network and at a low cost. 

Example 2 

A local retirement and social security service provider has decided to create a program called 'friends with benefits'. The first time I heard this term was way back in 2000 while in the U.S. we were 'working' with some young people (was sent to us for community service). He casually mentioned the term 'benefits' in reference to an agreement between two young people that allows them to 'enjoy' the additional opportunities that they may accrue out of a relationship (I use my words with caution). 

Example 3 

There is another provider that has created a service that allows users to have access to social media during weekdays for the services are least costly. They are calling it WTF. That fine for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday but unacceptable when you do a search for new emerging terms often used on social media. So imagine my shock when I found a post on twitter where I had thanked the provider for WTF! 

Other casualties can be found in Charles Dicken's book but you have to read it all to know what I am talking about.

Are we there yet?

This is so typical of me, on day when I am supposed to be readying myself to tap into the presence of God, I am busy thinking about Church History and wondering where the Body of Christ is (a reference used to think about the Universal Church of God). 

So here goes. One of the Authors that I was raised to think keenly about is a theologian called Peter C. Wagner. I believe that he got the bulk of his training from Fuller Theological Seminary in California. In one of his books he talks about the new moves of God that are outgrowths of the Charismatic Renewal (mainly main stream catholic movements) as well as other movements in the sixties that brought about a great transformation of the modern day church. Uganda for one is no stranger to these types of moves and has produced the great Revival of the 1930s. This took place in the East African Region and has it seems been transferred and inherited at least in the broader leadership sense by the sons and daughter of this move. Leadership because at least in Uganda, many of the people that were sired by the revivalists of the past are now in significant positions of leadership in the Country. 

One of the major markers that he used in distinguishing the moves of of in the end times was that unfortunately it was geographical in scope and therefore restricted to the Southern Hemisphere. Predominantly third world countries were therefore experiencing a massive growth in numbers and pastors were beginning to lead mega churches of upwards of tens and thousands. This move at least in its other manifestations brought about what we call the Cell Movement (pioneered by Yongi Cho in 

South Korea). These congregations were often so large and influential that they were seen as a threat to governments whose citizens were submitting to the authority of these leaders. While the cell movement cannot be thought of strictly as a revivalist move, it represents a shift in thinking that attempted to refocus the body of Christ back to a point where the small group became supreme. The idea behind this move was that as the church grows bigger it must become smaller. You can find traces of this in the book of Acts where the early church began to form right after Pentecost and was therefore driven to meet in the local homes of new believers. 

It may not be possible to differentiate between the move of God that can be created or initiated by people and those that are created by the activities of men with a working knowledge of history. So we also attempted to distinguish between the tent revivals of the past that were celebrations of American History as opposed to genuine deep rooted changes in society that were often birthed by praying-church-attending-older people that decided to devote themselves to prayer and fasting. 

The second distinctive marker that he uses in the attempt to discern the new moves of God is that they are often driven by very young people. 

There are echoes of church history in this regard too and worries as well as concerns about the possibility that one generation can be by-passed by another. Perhaps one of the most difficult things to deal with in this regard is the frankness and oppresses with which the current crop of young people view the world and in which there is little room for foolery. Maybe this sense of openness is what makes them so pliable and able to receive from the divine. 

The third has to do with the plethora of names that are used in references to these churches. It might be troubling for main stream congregants but for the attendants of these churches the answers are often found clearly in their names which tell of their mission. It is common to see a little tag of war taking place between the main stream churches and the off-shoots as they jockey for position and place in a rapidly changing world. The main stream has found itself tempted to take on a few new instruments or even to increase the volume of its sound systems in order to appeal to these new crowds. 

The fourth is the emphasis on tongues and the reference to Pentecost. That an the drive towards the expressive gifts of the spirit. The tongues, the interpretation of tongues, prophecy, word of knowledge (a release of information unknown to the speaker that often scares the living day lights into the receiver and yes helps strengthen faith), word of wisdom (often used to strengthen and give direction). Perhaps some of the greatest criticism of these gifts is the manner in which they are expressed. For new believers, the public display can be challenging and frightening. Some have drawn parallels of this move with the change at took place in the tower of babel where God decided to confuse the language of men who were determined to build a tower (to reach the skies). 

None of this is possible without the fifth expression that provides the foundation we often refer to as a five fold ministry. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. These leadership set is important because if used correctly can provide a lot of direction and guidance as well as safeguard the younger saints as they grow in their faith. Growing up in the faith. We were often more obsessed with the power gifts because these made us feel much better and more powerful than our peers. Those who could call out the faults of others were often revered so you can see how this has proven to be a challenge. 

Another useful markers is location. Maybe it is important to have a place that we can call Holy or that can be devoted to worship and that we can set aside for what we call divine. But these new moves seem to flourish everywhere. They are not as structured and therefore not controllable but that does not mean that they are out of his sight. On the local scene there is a split that has arisen in the 'Balokole' churches that emerged in the early eighties after a struggle with the Idi Amin Regime. During his reign there was a struggle to keep the government in power and to control the level of resistance most of which (it was reported) emerged from the established religious order. As a result people or faith suffered. This was not only restricted to Christians but also to members of other faiths. We however cannot rule out the existence of other forces which could also have come into play influencing the politics of the day. The believers of the day prayed fervently and brought about the emergence of a new faith that used to meet in what were called 'Biwempe'. These are reeds common in swamps and wetlands but that were also used in Historical accounts to punish the subject of the Kingdom who chose to accept the new faith that had emerged in the Buganda Kingdom of the day. 

All this took place at the same time or in parallel to the birth of an American Church that produced movements and activities and personalities that all blended together with the developments of the time. For example we cannot divorce the faith we hold from the massive technological changes that took place in the eighties. Here there was the Rise of the Televangelist, then there was the rise of the Faith Broadcast Movement. Then there was the word of Faith which was interlinked with the healing movement. Most of these moves were carried by men and women who sought to draw from older wells dating back to what we refer to as major moves of God. You cannot speak of the Assemblies of God church or the Church of God in Christ in the U.S without reference to Azusa Street. Most the Pentecostal fire that marks our days emerged in some form out of activities traced to that move. Then there were the Revivals in Hebrides for England and Scotland and those in Uganda that it can be argued indirectly brought about the emergence of new states as well as invigorated the Church. 

The sixties and seventies at least in the U.S, were times marked by great change which also caused much religious activity. The supreme need of the day was probably discipleship which was made necessary by the new converts and also the difficult times in which the people lived. Naturally the need for discipleship and the need to maintain a level of closeness with others was covered by Anti-communist sentiment that is still alive to this day. The combinations of these forces brought about a revulsion to communal living that had thrived in the day (flower culture). This was further hampered by the emergence of cult movements which run counter to the activities of the day.

Where do wolves go when in distress

So Thursday June 30th was a rather intense day and all that before the clock even struck 9am. We were in a safe place listening intently to one of the local stations. The discussion for that day was supposed to be about a young man who falls in love with a young lady only to realize much later in that his real love is the young lady's sister. And so it began and the calls began rushing in and presenters began flooding the small studio to give their opinions to the seemingly perturbed host of the show. 

It was all, left to the imagination and I sat there trying to form something significant in the minds eye at the chaos that ensued in the production room. 

There were several camps that emerged but one of the main ones was about was what referred to as the Code. This is supposed to a set of unwritten rules between women that forbids one (friends) from encroaching on the love space of another. So the violation which was falling squarely in the hands of the fella, was made much worse because the two young women were friends yes, but more than that sisters. The conclusion then was simple. The guy should abandon ship and leave the family intact. The experts when on to say that he was risking ruining the lives of the family. 

Others decided to use Scripture in defense of the actions and referenced characters like Jacob who was fooled into marrying one sister instead of the one he really wanted to Marry. 

This is not the only show that covers relationships but this was unique in the sense that it was giving a Christian perspective. Other shows are much more brutal or honest (depending on where you are sitting). But the advise is often noteworthy. 

Maybe this is a crisis unique to our generation where we are less inclined towards commitment. Evidence of some if this thinking is found in the types of responses you will find in many of these posts especially where challenges are faced. The advice often is often to jump ship an find someone else, or something along the lines of life is too short. 

The rest of the show was peppered with humor from past presenters and other calls that attempted to give responses based on tribal biases. One example of this was the girl from the north who threatened to use a stick against the aggressor who dares to put her against her sister in a matter so delicate as one of affection. 

In a world devoid of innovation at least in regards to affection but where the reign of Kings means that the bulk of us a willing in some part to trade and share our affections with others, the question is where do wolves go when in distress and in a world that favors sheep? 

The Time of Jacob's Trouble

Jeremiah 30:7-9

Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it:

it is even the time of Jacob's trouble;

but he shall be saved out of it.

 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts,

that I will break his yoke from off thy neck,

and will burst thy bonds,

and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:

 But they shall serve the Lord their God,

and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

We are at an interesting point in 'post-apartheid' South Africa. We walked through the gates of freedom with Nelson Mandela. We negotiated with caution with De Clarke. We watched with fear and awe as many ordinary South Africans spoke and shared in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We even watched similar committees replicated in the rest of the world. We noticed and took notes as our Friends in the south penned a very well thought out constitution. We were amazed and taken aback when the Admiral chose not to lengthen his term in office even if we would have gladly given him more time. We noted the strides that were made by the African National Congress. The leadership transition that took place with the choice of deputy presidents. Thoughtful and calculating Mbeki has come and gone. 

Then came the tough talking but tender-faced Zuma dancing his way to the top, bypassing barriers in Education until he reached the ultimate seat in the land. Now Jacob is troubled and nothing short of scripture can deliver him out of this strange place where he finds himself. His bevy of companions, the jokes we made about him and his spending habits, the closeness with which he seems to approach the precipice. 

Further field we quivered at the bold statements made by other challengers named after famous Roman leaders. We waited for the ides of March but there were no prophecies or knives or plots in Rome's Senate to silence the whispers of conniving up and coming opportunists. 

We are now wondering if the wave of radical reform will also hit the Rainbow Nation and stir up the winds of change so desperately needed in the new democracy. Will yet another tough talking borderline-looney rise to the fore of the political space there too? Will we see another Philippines  or perhaps a shake up in the 'Republican Party' as we have seen in the land of the free. Will those who have been marginalized by freedoms songs in the South African nation find a voice in the future. Will there be a agitation and final unloosing of fetters that many now relate to the congress and its rising elites? 

Barking up the wrong tree

A few weeks ago I passed by the ministry of internal affairs. There are a lot of young people lining up to get their passports. If you pay close attention, many of them subscribe to the Islamic Religion. So the most likely destination is the middle east (Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates). Others are probably headed for China and the Far East. The latter are a group of spirited business minded folk who support and supply everything from Used Car Parts to Stationary to Vehicles and all things in between. 

There is another select group that with certificates, degrees in hand have chosen to grace the foreign industry with a learned workforce albeit from the third world to handle tasks like driving, house work as well as to help secure American Installations. 

The difference between some of our adversaries (Philippines, India) in this regard is they spend a lot of time equipping their workers with some useful skills before they go off as 'Ambassadors'- and this they often end up being. 

So without discounting some of the negative reports regarding exploitation that are making the news in some of or dailies. I would like to see a stronger insistence on recruitment and vetting, yes but also on very specific skills training and preparation for work in other countries. 

We have not often scored top of the class for work ethic. So it is easy to see how some will feel frustrated when exposed to the rigors of real 8am-5pm jobs in offices but also in homes where the task master really makes sure that the work is done. 

In addition to this, one need not go too far to see similar possibilities of exploitation in good old K of LA. Take a trip into one of our arcades and watch how much work those young women who deliver food are put through. Watch as they navigate through the alley ways, past the dog like men sitting and banging boxes. Listen as they make their way through cat calls and innuendo and as plates wrapped in cling film are moved from critical hand to critical hand until someone finally accepts the offer only to promise payment weeks later (even as the count wads of brown fifty thousand shilling notes). 

So yes get us excited that you are working on changing the condition of our workers, but do what we elected you for and make sure that we are getting value for our money at the Universities which you are planning for. Also make sure that you are not bringing our young women back from pan into a local fire where they will have to deal with double the shame. 

And please help find us a permanent secretary that can find his way around with some semblance of knowledge of the English language. 

Of Crested Cranes and Construction Cranes.

A few months ago there was an event that in my view marked a major shift in our country. The principle is simple first the spiritual then the physical. 

So by the time you see something in the physical, it has already happened in the spiritual. 

So here is what happened in the physical. A crane (both a bird and a machine that is used in construction) collapsed in Saudi Arabia...but not just anywhere but in a spiritually significant place. A lot off Iives were lost. My guess is that there is or is going to be a major rift in 

Saudi/Uganda relations. I say this because our national emblem is more than just a bird it also inspires and has helped engineers crate machines that can move very large loads. 

The effect on the Ugandan system is going to affect the largest and most significant seat in the country which represents the Muslim Faith. On the global arena already, there is a renewed interest in Shia and Sunni Islam and the so called guardians of this faith. So far the Iranians (persians) have placed themselves at the heart of the Shia movement. The Saudi's on the other hand a sole keepers of some of Islam's most significant holy places. While this is sad, at least the battle is no longer taking place under the surface which can often be harder to mediate and manage. 

Uganda will become part of this at least to begin with on the intellectual front. The last few years though have brought about an escalation of the battle from intellectual to physical. For a long time there was a rift in what I refer to as the 'embassy of the Sunni Islam in Uganda' which is based in old Kampala. We have struggled in the attempt to manage some of the rifts but this will continue and pull in the Shia parts of Islam especially as Iran merges from it's long slumber (decades of sanctions). 

This is going to affect us on the local level and in our Foreign policy but it will also affect the construction industry globally. Fortunately or unfortunately most of the construction talking place or that needs to take place is intended for the third world. Others though need position themselves in Conflict prone areas in Order to take advantage of post-Conflict restoration. What we hope for though is that there will be more innovation and creativity in support of alternate types of construction that will favor fewer hight rises in places that are prone to war. 

I am to entirely certain what creature was referenced in Rushdie's confrontational book but I suspect that he too will rise and much of his thinking will resurface. 

PS

No matter how urgent the meeting is, we would prefer if you conducted state visits during waking hours. Eh our head of state can use some well earned sleep! 

C.C 

Riak Machar

Ezra and Nehemiah

Walls and Temples.

The reason why i asked you to begin a study of the book of Ezra and the book Nehemiah is because I think that walls and temples are going to be a key part in our days. Walls in this situation are references to the walls of Jerusalem which were central in the character of the nation as well as in overall security. 

The temple in this case is the temple of Jerusalem which has a central place in end time prophecy. So at least in some respect the student has to make sure that they watch very carefully the circumstances around them. 

This will help you figure out naturally what may be taking place supernaturally. 

The Seeing Student

This was one of the characteristics of good students and prophets in the old testament. 

1. The first question that God used to ask the initiates was what do you see? 

The Practical Student

In addition to this, I would also like you to think very carefully about what you read and study in Scripture if you do not have some concrete method of testing it out practically. Do not write about the builder of the wall unless you are ready to dig in an actually participate in some construction. Do not talk about the trenches unless you are ready to get into some fox holes. 

So the second question has to do with fortifying knowledge by engaging yourself practically. Becoming your message...or brand!

2. What can you do to reinforce what you are learning or doing? 

Ravi Zacharias links the prophet with his message. 

Ezekiel 4:4-17

Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it:according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days:so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days:I have appointed thee each day for a year. Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it. And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege.

 Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof. And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day:from time to time shalt thou eat it. Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin:from time to time shalt thou drink. And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight. And the Lord said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them. Then said I, Ah Lord God! behold, my soul hath not been polluted:for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth. Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem:and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment: That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

The prophet who is asked to sleep on his side to signify the days of captivity. The message would be felt in the prophets body and so became much more personal. The prophet was also asked to cook using human waste (knowing full well the implications of this on rituals and cleanliness). 

The prophet who is asked to marry a wayward women to signify the love of God over his people. 

Hosea 1:3-11

So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son. And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah:for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son. Then said God, Call his name Loammi:for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land:for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

3. Finding the link between history and modern day events and places (Persia, Babylon). 

Reading the introduction to the book of Ezra I can see why this will be a useful study. The first reason is that in the book of Daniel, there were mentions of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and finally Rome. 

The image that Daniel saw was a combination of these different metals. They all combined in a delicate balance until it culminated into a blend of iron and clay (my personal thought is to think of this as a time when men will combine humanity with more powerful metallic machines to form a super human). In the prophecy a rock that is used to crush the feet and bring about the collapse of the whole image. 

4. Finding historical characters in scripture that can be studied for relevance in the modern day (Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezra and Nehemiah).

The introduction of this book (Ezra) has references to Persia which I think bears some relevance with the present day. Maybe the battle between modern day Iraq and Iran was the beginning of a move from one civilization to another or the transition from one part of the image to another. But to think solely of physical Babylon and relate that to a region and it's overly enthusiastic leader, would be foolhardy. Some researchers point to a closer relation between not the Arabs but the Blacks as descendants of Ham who happens to be the great grandfather and founder of Ancient Babylon. But this complexities are subjects for another forum. 

5. When you are assigned people under your care, the chances are, a lot of what you go through will trickle down to them. So the dreams you have at night will also probably be related to the people that are under you. Like a father who is in charge of the security of his home, your scope of concerns have expanded now that you are overseer of a congregation. 

Reviews and readjustments

Yes the new year is upon us but that will not prevent us from presenting some of what we think the year will bring. 

. 

To simplify the process we will place all the events and ideas or themes into one letter. 

Religion 

The year that past and the year that is upon us will be marked by major shifts and focus in religious subjects and personalities. The year that past belonged to a large extent to the Catholic Church and its attractive pope. Youthful populations were forced into the foreground of ideas with discussions about the future and employment taking center stage. 

Reformation 

Within the subject of religion we expect to see some major changes which will attempt to shake the foundations of faith as we know it. This will run counter to traditional systems and will be brought to the surface by youthful leaders who unavoidably might end up. Duping those that are traditionally vulnerable to manipulation. One the whole though, there agitations will be healthy and will bring about a dusting off of ancient texts to clarify and verify unusual expressions of spiritual expression.

Revolution 

These transformative processes will take place even if they will seem unrelated. There will be links similar to those in the early sixties that will brought about independence of African states en masse. Even of the independence moves were later criticized for being incomplete, we will continue to see a new breed of leaders and movements emerge which unlike in the past will have no noticeable leadership. 

Red

In Uganda, the UPC is will get a chance to reassert itself. Even if there are not currently represented in government, they will be forced to make an imprint on the country. In the U.S the Republicans will have to make some major changes if they are to retake power. If they do, they will face an uphill battle in redefining some of the massive moves that are the rest of eight years our of power. Other reds will benefit too. Venezuela's leadership will survive some trying economic times even if this will take place under tremendous pressure. 

Russia 

The great bear sees to have awoken after a time in hibernation. She will move to protect her cubs and will express her anger at any one who stands in her way. She will continue to express herself in the economic markets making use her massive size and overwhelming power. 

Rwanda

A small nation with a vast number of lakes will make her mark on the region. We see the military and its strategic leadership expressing her power and influence and expanding her reach beyond her borders. Driven by a fear of two past she too will assert herself. Treasures will be found in her waters which will bring much wealth. To protect this wealth she will be forced to threaten war with those who oppose her. 

Refugees 

When Europe went into crisis, we began to wonder if it was possible to heal one part of the continent by drawing attention to another. Treating a wound by forcing the body to focus on something much painful. So for a moment our attention moved from Economic issues to Social ones and a flood of refugees took the attention of the world. There is a spiritual principle that seems to draw favor on those who take care of people who sincerely seek refuge. These groups of people in need will bring blessing to those who with a discerning heart can make full use of their needs. 

I am certain that there was some pleasure and healing in some part of the German psyche when sounds were heard from one set of citizens demanding to go to Germany as opposed to England!

Reawakening 

Unfortunately the optimism that drew masses to the continent of Europe has taken place at a time of Economic challenges. These two often combine to produce a measure of xenophobia. The flood of new faces as can be expected has therefore taken brunt of the hatred and ire which many far right groups have used to fuel their message. How the far right manages to communicate its genuine fears without isolating the rest of the world will remain a mystery. 

Re-think 

While massive changes have taken place the mainly lighter skinned Muslim part of Africa, covering Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, other parts below our mason-dixon line remain untouched and unaffected. We saw though the first sign of a shift into darker Africa, where Burkina Faso, Congo and even Burundi pushed against their respective governments in an attempt to prevent them from violating the sacred contents to their constitutions.