December 2019 Monthly Letter
Dear ORM Reconcilers,
Recently, I went to see a movie about the life of Harriet Tubman. She was known as the “Conductor of the Underground Railroad,” after having escaped slavery herself, with the help of a kind white lady. As a free woman, Ms. Tubman decided to go to Pennsylvania, and later moved to Philadelphia, where she established a home and found work.
Long before the invention of the automobile, Ms. Tubman traveled hundreds of miles to Canada, often times partially on foot, to help her sisters and their two children escape bondage. Then she returned to help free her brother. Concerned for her safety, her husband and close friends tried to convince her to stop making the effort to free other slaves. Although no one knows the exact number of people she helped gain their freedom, it is believed to be in the thousands. She believed everyone should be free and said many times that if God allowed her to die while trying to help others escape slavery, it was all right with her.
I am very moved as I reflect on her dedication to the belief that all people are created equal and should be free to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I’m impressed by the courage that she demonstrated through her actions. Being aware that her own life was in danger didn’t stop her from pursuing her noble cause.
I have been asked several times why I established the Ministry of Reconciliation and Mediation and continue to serve in this Ministry for over 23 years. My answer to this question is, “Jesus is all about Reconciliation, and I want to be like Him. Additionally, I want to help as many people as I can to learn how to love one another, especially people who don’t look like them. It’s important to accept people for who they are and treat them with kindness and respect.”
I guess that is why Harriet Tubman’s story means so much to me. As she was willing to die in order to free others, if I am faced with a life or death situation as I strive to bring reconciliation between people, I am willing to walk in her footsteps so that people can be freed from their own personal bondage.
In just a few weeks, many will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. God the Father allowed his only Son to be born, knowing that one day He would die in order to save all of humanity, paving the way for all people to become part of His family.
I love the passion Ms. Tubman had for others, working to free as many slaves as possible. We share her spirit of determination as we also work to bring people together, looking forward to the time we will live with God as his children forever! His reward too awesome to pass up.
As the year ends, I want to thank you all for your donations to this Ministry, and for helping to keep it going for another year! Thank you, in advance, for any end-of-the year donations you may want to make. We appreciate your commitment to making peoples’ lives better by promoting reconciliation between them.
Jannice and I wish you and your family a safe and wonderful Christmas.
Blessings,
