a simple cab ride

it was very, very cold on saturday night. so cold, in fact, that it hurt to breathe. the painful air made me impatient. i was going to take the el to visit my friend liz, but i couldn't bear the thought of waiting outside in the sub zero wind. so, my priviledged self hailed a cab. i got in the cab, thawed a bit, and struck up the usual conversation with the driver.

you know, it's nice to talk to the cab drivers. i assume more than most passengers are intoxicated or in a hurry or just simply take the service for granted, but i've always been rather grateful for their work...especially on such a cold night. so i like to hear, if just a bit, some of their story.

after a few minutes of small talk, i come to find my driver, Abaku, is from Nigeria. he brought his family to the united states for opportunity. only he, his wife, two children, and a few suit cases came along. i respect them a great deal. i couldn't imagine the courage necessary for such a tremendous move.

their extended family remains in Nigeria and the deep sense of loss he felt by being thousands of miles from them was palpable. no people should be forced to leave their home, their context, their community for the pursuit of...survival.

Abaku's generosity overflowed. he offered to connect us with his family and their village and told us we could stay with them and they would "give you so much to eat and you would have so much fun with them!" i have nothing but gratitude for that kind of openness.

what i carried most from my time with him, though, was the sparkle in his eye when i told him i would be spending time in his home this summer. he lit up. there was a very real sense of place in Abaku and his love for that land was everywhere. it is my prayer that our time there does justice. it is my prayer that Abaku and his family will maintain that sense of place and community, despite the miles which seperate them from their loved ones. it is my prayer that they and millions of others around the globe will one day be able to not only exist but be able to thrive(!) in their home. i guess that's quite fundamental, to have a healthy and whole home. that's a right. i hope i can be a part of protecting that right. i really do.

so thank you Abaku for revealing grace and hospitality and identity to me...all those are quite Godly.