Yesterday, Thursday was comprised of two primary activities.  First, a meeting with Zaal Tkeshelashvili who serves as pastor for the Evangelical Church of Georgia.  His church is small and unaffiliated and so is facing pressure from the Georgian government to become affiliated with the Pentecostal churches in Georgia, or to close.  We talked at length and shared a meal.  There is a sense here in Georgia, that Americans can move mountains.  We can perhaps move mountains if our faith is strong enough but I'm not clear that extends to corrupt governments.  His church's case is being overseen by one of four Georgian judges that the United States just sanctioned.  There are other concerns that he hopes for help with - much smaller by far - where assistance may be possible.

In the evening Misha and I attended a session with a psychiatrist at housing for Ukrainian refugees.  The psychiatrist is a young and cheerful woman who is sponsored by Act for Transformation.  I was introduced to the participants all of whom were from Mariupol, Ukraine.  One young man showed me a video of his apartment in flames after being hit by a Russian shell.  Another elderly gentleman shared that this was the second time he had been forced to evacuate Mariupol.  The first time was in 1944.  His wife was killed in the fighting.  His daughter was also with him.  Her husband had been killed.  My heart ached for them all.  As I listened to the session, unable to understand a word, I was struck by the clear spirit of hope and determination that they carry. When we were leaving that same elderly gentleman asked me (through Misha) what is my nationality.  I shared with him that my mother was a mix of many nationalities and that my father's family came from Odessa, Ukraine.  He smiled broadly and said that he'd seen it in my face.  I was shocked by how very deeply moved I was to be identified in that way.  The knowledge of this heritage is quite new to me.  Creating ties in this way feels like a coming home.

When I first arrived in Georgia, I was asked if I would give a talk.  I asked what I should speak about and was told that I should decide.  So, on Monday at 11:00 I will speak on Peacemaking in Today's World.  I'm not sure what led me to that choice but it has deeply challenged me to hold questions like "What makes someone a Peacemaker?" "What is Peace?" "What is violence?" "How do we do this thing we call peacemaking?"  "Why do I believe so absolutely that world peace is possible?" "How can we plant the seeds of peace?"  And on and on it goes.  In the end, I suspect I have far more questions than answers but I have always believed that the questions are far more important than the answers.  The questions remain constant while the answers change as we grow in our understanding.  And so, while I have things to share, I hope to open a conversation with those present so that we can learn from one another.

Tomorrow I will be off to Kakheti region with Misha and a Russian family.  Kakheti region is in the far east of the country, bordered by Azerbaijan. It is the country's largest wine producing region.  The father of this Russian family is a conscientious objector who has received three conscription notices so far.  He is in Georgia with his wife and two children.  They will host Misha and I.  Misha shared with me some time ago that they hope to emigrate to America.  I have already shared that I am at a loss as to how that can happen.  That said, I am honestly not sure if there is a point to this trip other than the trip itself but I agreed to let Misha set my itinerary and so here I am.  We will stay overnight in Kakheti and return to Tbilisi in time to worship with Tbilisi Friends Worship Group at 5:00 pm on Sunday.

I continue to be amazed at the depth and breadth of the work that Act for Transformation is engaged in and yes, it is all focused on moving our world toward peace.  It is an attempt, in great part, to open way to the understanding of opening hearts and minds to a loving, and open way of life - a way of healing before potential wounds occur.  I am grateful for that work in the world.