The following is a beautiful article written by friend and co-worker Anthony Jones, Managing Director of International Teams UK (ITUK).
The evening was unique and deeply moving. A group of 13 people from 7 nations wept together.
It began with a debate exploring the tensions that have or could arise in multi-cultural teams. We listed specific issues that could cause conflict within teams that have people from different cultures. The debate was robust and people were encouraged to be transparent and speak freely about past hurts and misunderstandings.
We selected the top four issues and discussed the top two. The first related to the tensions that arise when cultures collide when team members place high value on task completion whilst others highly value relationship building. The second explored the sometimes ‘know it all’ attitude of westerners and, conversely, the potential for the elevation of westerners beyond their true status. During our time, we recognised that many wounds are inflicted and received as a result of skin colour and our colonial history.
The question as then asked … "Are there any lingering hurts and resentments arising from our colonial past, that still effect relationships today?"
The floodgates opened. People felt able to express innermost damages that had been caused by attitudes of people from former colonial or western countries.
We stood. Spontaneously, we drew together to form a tight circle. Arms were wrapped around each other as we stood in silence.
The silence broken only with the sound of weeping. We prayed. Each prayer was heartfelt, asking for forgiveness for the sins of colonial forefathers and present attitudes. Each prayed for healing from those hurts. We looked into each others eyes … we broke apart and went around the room hugging one another and blessing each other.
It was now 11pm after a long day… and yet we again sat in a warm, comfortable silence. The comment was made that a healing had come and now everything else on our list suddenly seemed less important. None wanted to leave that overwhelming sense of unity and love.
A foretaste of heaven.
