Sometimes in our life’s journey we come across people of diverse opinions and ethnic backgrounds and political persuasions. And yet, what if we looked for ways of joining and strengthening. Instead of swords crossed, what if our swords joined to accomplish something together? What if, we dared to have the moral courage to set aside our sparring words to join in a greater cause outside of our individuals selves? What if?
Last Sunday afternoon, I saw my friend off, “the Czech.” For the last few days, he and his wife stayed over my house resting before heading off to Georgia for military schooling for a few months. They are both European blood. And my friend is from the Czech Republic, a fellow Captain. It has been almost a year since we last met. As he drove off in his 2010 purple Nissan Altima Coupe, I waved good-bye and prayed that his journey is safe and with success.
As I walked up the drive way toward my front door, my memory began to recall how we first met. Our first several encounters were having a cup of good French Press while we talked politics. We came from different worlds, me, a capitalist and him, leaning toward socialist. Although the cup of java was tasteful, our political bouts were even more satisfying. We always remained on the opposite side of the round table but we found our talks sharpen in our views of the world that we live in. Truly, as a sword sharpens another sword so does a person sharpens another. And in this case, political swords crossed often through our sparring words.
But, there was this particular adventure that our swords did not cross but joined. You see, my Czech friend was an answer to a prayer. Sometime back in January 2010, I asked God if He would provide a wooden deck around the newly built 40 X 40 Oasis coffeehouse in Kandahar, Afghanistan. And one day, the Czech friend walked up to me smiling and said, “I have good news my friend.” I responded, “Yea, you brought coffee this time.” “No,” he said, “but I brought some Slovac friends who would build your deck. All you have to do is get the construction material.” I quietly praised God in my soul and said laughingly, “Where in the heck am I going to get three piles of construction materials.” And my Czech friend retorted, “You’ll find a way, Chappie, you came this far.” And we laughed and I quietly said, “It is the most awesome ever to do something for these Soldiers.” And he quickly agreed.
Thank you, Czech for teaching me so much through our political conversations and times of java sharing our lives together. I’ll always remember you and your beautiful wife…
