"Dark days and Shiny Shoes":
Shane Claiborne - 26.03.2003 12:49
Also out of Baghdad this morning, we have a brief reflection from Shane Claiborne called "Dark days and Shiny Shoes":
"I have grown especially close to one of the 'shoeshine boys', a homeless
boy (about 10 years old), named Mussef. The first day I met him, he was
begging me for money to eat. When I stubbornly said 'no' to his relentless
attempts on my wallet, he turned away and muttered,
'Son-of-bitch-mother-fucker.' I whipped my head around in shock, as he took
off running. Not the best first impression. Day after day, we have grown on
each other. We go for walks, turn somersaults, and yell at the airplanes
'SALAAM!' (PEACE!!!). Now everyday when I walk outside he runs at full
speed, jumps into my arms, and kisses me on the cheek. And I have the
shiniest shoes in Baghdad.
"One day Mussef joined our group on a walk into the center of town, carrying
pictures of Iraqi children and families suffering from the war and sanctions.
Press and journalists took pictures and talked to us as we stood in one of
Baghdad's busiest intersections, and Mussef begin to internalize what was
happening. His shining face became bleak. Nothing I could do made him
smile. As the group went home, and the cameras left, we continued to sit. He
motioned with his hand the falling of bombs, and made the sound
explosions, as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Suddenly, he turned, and latched onto my neck. He began to weep; his
body shook as he gasped for each breath of air. I began to cry. Somehow I
was glad all the cameras were gone. We wept as friends, as brothers, not
as a peacemaker and victim. Afterwards I took him to eat, banquet style
(tipping everyone extravagantly so my guest would be welcome). Every five
minutes he would ask me, 'Are you okay?' I would nod, and ask, 'Are you
okay?' And he would nod. To be honest I think we were both scared out of
our minds but we each wanted to assure that the other did not start weeping
again."
 http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw/pages/ipt_updates.html
http://www.iraqpeaceteam.org/
 Website: http://www.iraqpeaceteam.org/
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