Leon Oosthuizen & Xola Skosana The meeting with Leon and Xola was inspirational. These men demonstrated that people can change. As they dialogued, both in person and in the pages of their book Roads to Bridges, they gave us a glimpse into their hearts. Too often we are afraid to share how we really feel or to ask questions of which we may not like the answers. Leon and Xola showed us how to walk through the painful process of really learning to listen to others. At times, I felt uncomfortable with their words of truth to each other; I can only imagine what it must have felt like for them. They modeled an integrity that says are more important than my personal comfort”. They “you provide a great example for us as Christian leaders. Mary Burton-Truth and Reconciliation Commission I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the trust and Reconciliation Commission. When we have been wronged, we want the truth to come out. Once the truth is out, we want justice—usually meaning revenge. The idea of exposing the truth of horrible acts toward humanity and offering pardon rather than punishment is not a normal human reaction. What I love about this is that it reflects the nature of God. We all have sin in our lives, but as we confess our sin to God, the truth sets us free. Hearing Mary’s story was inspiring. As a white woman, she was a person of privilege. She was not expected to feel for those living under the injustice of Apartheid. It would have been easy for her to live a quite life, enjoy her privileged status, and not make waves. She strikes me
Leon Oosthuizen & Xola Skosana The meeting with Leon and Xola was inspirational. These men demonstrated that people can change. As they dialogued, both in person and in the pages of their book Roads to Bridges, they gave us a glimpse into their hearts. Too often we are afraid to share how we really feel or to ask questions of which we may not like the answers. Leon and Xola showed us how to walk through the painful process of really learning to listen to others. At times, I felt uncomfortable with their words of truth to each other; I can only imagine what it must have felt like for them. They modeled an integrity that says “you are more important than my personal comfort”. They provide a great example for us as Christian leaders. Mary Burton-Truth and Reconciliation Commission I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the trust and Reconciliation Commission. When we have been wronged, we want the truth to come out. Once the truth is out, we want justice—usually meaning revenge. The idea of exposing the truth of horrible acts toward humanity and offering pardon rather than punishment is not a normal human reaction. What I love about this is that it reflects the nature of God. We all have sin in our lives, but as we confess our sin to God, the truth sets us free. Hearing Mary’s story was inspiring. As a white woman, she was a person of privilege. She was not expected to feel for those living under the injustice of Apartheid. It would have been easy for her to live a quite life, enjoy her privileged status, and not make waves. She strikes me
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