UBUNTU: "I AM BECAUSE WE ARE"

In the handbook (Stand Firm in the Faith) of Couples for Christ (CFC), they adopted the philosophy of UBUNTU, which was originated in one of the tribe in Africa. The reason of adopting the concept is to be able to reflect each members focusing on love, sharing and goodness of life with God.

It's about my time to write and discuss the elements and essence of this advocacy.

"UBUNTU" is an African philosophy that means “I am because we are”.

To illustrate more clearly this concept, I’ll tell you a story:

There was an anthropologist who had been studying the culture and habits of a tribe somewhere in Africa. He had been working in that village for some time, and the last day of his stay, he proposed a game to the children of the village.

He prepared a big basket of fruit and treats from the region and placed it under a tree. He marked a line on the earth a few meters away and instructed the children to run at the count of three, and whoever reached the basket first, would be entitled to enjoy it on his or her own. So the kids did as instructed, but the result came as a surprise to the anthropologist: all the kids ran together, holding hands, towards the basket, and when they reached it, they shared all that was in it.

He asked the children why they had done such a thing when one of them could have gotten the whole basket for him or herself, and a little girl answered: “How can one of us be happy if all the other ones aren’t?”

The UBUNTU philosophy teaches us the importance of two concepts:

• CARING, which is the awareness that what affects one may affect many, and the recognition that we are all bound together, that there is a oneness to humanity.

• Having EMPATHY for the members of our communities, and the ability to understand the feelings or the situation of others from their perspective.

So ubuntu means love, truth, peace and goodness, and has long guided African society. Nelson Mandela was a big advocate of ubuntu and its concepts of connection, community and mutual care – not just about the interaction between human beings, but also between people and nature. Ubuntu is very important in Africa and should also be so worldwide, as the world needs a common guiding principle of human values.

In this TED Talk, Boyd Varty narrates his experience with ubuntu, what he learnt from Nelson Mandela, how a friend risked his own life to save his, and how a herd of elephants seemed to behave under the same oneness and unity philosophy.

Please check for the slide presentation I've made for you to download and share to everyone. See below.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pQCUBGdEN744jarChw-f_vU1-xtjQppGU3oIJAQv2r0/edit?usp=sharing

Question and Answer:

1.In our present community life, how do we walk together?

2.How can I share hope to those who have separated themselves (by choice or circumstance) from community or Church life?

Task:

Chain Messaging.

Step 1. Capture any photo (theme is #UBUNTU) and create any caption.

Step 2. Answers the 2 guide questions Post/Tag/PM to the next person included in the chain, using Social Media APP.

Note: Copy & Paste all the messages you received.

SAMPLE:

---

After I made the talk with my House Hold (PHU MY HUNG), we're blessed that we able to reflect the UBUNTU topic in our personal lives and for CFC community. Please see below of their contributed article.

1st Chain: Sis Richelle

1. As CFC members, we pray together as one. We give thanks and praise to the Lord as one family.

2. Giving moral support and advice to those who are lost, encouraging them to reflect the words and teachings of the Bible.

2nd Chain: Sis Agnes

1. THNK YOU.."Above all... Love is the key 😊 Sharing your love towards helping others to Christ..with Christ😊 Loving others is how we help them share our hope, our time, our hands❤️

2. So they are no longer two,but one body.Let no one separate what God has joined.(Mark 19:1)

3rd Chain: Bro Rey

Everything is possible, when Christ is in the middle.

4th Chain: Bro Chris

1. Even though my family is not together but deep within our heart, we are UBUNTU (I AM because WE ARE!)

2. I may say that we can share hope to other who are separating themselves to their community or church life by making our self as an example. Even though that we are far from our community, family and loved-ones due to our job situation, we still see to it that we fulfill our covenant with God by continuously serving HIM and praising HIM no matter what the circumstances may be.

5th Chain: Bro Ed

1. We, in the CFC Community here in Vietnam are trying our best to play our role in fulfilling our MISSION: To Bring PEOPLE Closer to GOD. We always remind ourselves that we are our brother's keepers. We Keep in Touch and Stay Connected, as much as we can...and we backslide, there is always someone to come to the rescue and remind our bro./sis. about our COVENANT with GOD.

2. Many of our Bros./Sis. and some, with their families have already been separated from our CFC Community either by circumstance or by their own choice. But for me, it must note end there. I still try to REACH OUT to them by way of all forms of media, I use my FB, Viber, Chats, Instagram and the like, to at least say hi and hello and how are they doing now? I'm sending them BIBLE VERSES , send invitations and forward pieces of information to keep them abreast with our latest activity here in VN. I also say PRAYERS for them.

6th Chain: Sis Debs

1. Teamwork is often a crucial part of our world today, as it is often necessary for all to work well together, trying their best in any circumstance. Teamwork means that people will try to cooperate, using their individual skills and providing constructive feedback, despite any personal conflict between individuals. Example, there is no perfect community, there will are problems that will arise but as a child of God, we should know our purpose in life is to bring other people who are lost morally or spiritually. Love does not end alone we should practice loving and being kind at all times even if it hurts. Have an open communication to everyone because some people needs someone to talk to. Some may need moral support, some may need a shoulder to cry on. Far more than this, we should know that as a child of God, we should not be complacent that we are in good situation. We should help those who are in need. make them realize that sacrificing for the welfare of others is the most important.

2. Important thing in life. God will not ask about our education background, our riches. But, he will see how we become as s human to others.

7th Chain: Sis Azi

1. Acronym of SUPPORT S- upport in all our community activities P- pray for each and everyone of us P-atiently wait for God"s blessing O-pen our hearts to needy R-espect each other T-hanks be to God for our community 2. Share inspiring life experiences, how merciful and compassionate our God is.

8th Chain: Bro Ric

1. Purpose 2. Motive

9th Chain: Bro Ryan

Ang ating community ay inahahalintulad ko sa concrete:

As a CFC member ito tayo ihahalintulad ko sa cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates and water. Magkakaiba ang personalidad pero may iisang layunin ang masunod ang utos at maibahagi ang mabuting balita ang ating amang lumikha. Pero hindi magagawa lang ng isang member, pagnagsama-sama tayo makakabuo tayo ng isang matatag na group kagaya ng concrete.

10th Chain: Bro Philip

1. I don't need to go far to check if I'm "walking together" with the community. I only need to re-visit my CFC I.D. and see if I've been keeping each & every promise I made in the covenant and pray that others are making good on theirs as well.

2. If I am to share Hope with those who have lost touch with the community, I have to have that Hope first in me, or run the risk of making matters worse with the other. Such CONVICTION should be seen in me when the other asks the question, "Why are you still in CFC?"

It is also crucial to find a COMMON GROUND where revival of communication can take place. And this is only possible with humility. One of the most humbling experiences I've had in the community was when I, myself, drifted away from it shortly after my graduation from CLP. Worse, I dragged my wife with me, & did not move back after more than a year. This is indeed a blessing in disguise as it now serves as constant reminder I was once in the same situation, and how I would want my leaders or brothers & sisters in the community to have dealt with me back then.

Acknowledge the hindrance, but do not judge the person. The problem is real and needs real solutions, but demanding remorse is not one of them. Neither is indifference. What's keeping the member away from the community will not just go away after a phone call or a prayer. If it did, we would not have the need for a community in the first place. Be patient. It takes time so make time. Not instant, but constant.

And in all these, never forget that "We are Christians first before we are CFC". If we want to communicate Hope, then we keep in touch with the Source. Pray.

11th Chain: Bro Dyerie

1. By cooperation and right balance even if sacrificing your own hapiness. But me myself i am still a work in progress, i recognize my weaknessess and i had a hard time dealing with 'emphathy' because of selfishness. Lord knows how much i eager to have that childness mentality on me, pure heart and purely innocence.

2. Just simply motivating them indirectly by walking the talk.

"May God be praise"

12th Chain: Sis Cindy

1. Humble 2. Encourage (People have thier own definition for this)

13th Chain: Sis Jaja

1. We practice UBUNTU by:

•GLORIFYING one another When we glorify God, we tell each other how wonderful and beautiful HE is. We adorn HIM with our praises. Same as through as when we glorify one another, we help each other to deal with sins and problems, both personal and those that are community-related. We praise and encourage one another. We lift our brothers and sisters in Christ.

•SERVING one another Jesus said He "came NOT to be served, but to SERVE." To serve one another is to be PRESENT. We participate in all activities of the community and attend our HOUSEHOLD regularly. We serve the needs of CFC, our leaders and the needs of our brothers and sisters with utmost love.

•LOVING one another This is God's greatest commandment. He loves us so much that HE sent HIS Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We, as Couples for Christ must learn how to love one another as Christ has loved us. We grow in faith together and we despise division and quarrelsome spirit. We need to learn what it means to lay down our lives for one another.

2. We never cease praying and loving our Bros and Sisters who have separated themselves in the community. We continue to keep in touch with them and make them feel that we are their extended family here in Vietnam. We show them how our lives are living testimonies of God's goodness.

14th Chain: Bro Allan

1. We can walk together by helping and understanding each other, and being there by supporting each other.

2. We can share Hope to others by letting them know that God is always there for them no matter what happens no matter where they are, all they need to do is to look up on him and ask him. and also tell them that to Always Trust in God and Hope in God. cause He will never fail ones you believe in Him.

Hope you feel inspired by this article, slide presentation and my House Hold shared article, and that it contributes, at least just a little, to a better and more caring society.

Source:

http://analyze.life/ubuntu-i-am-because-we-are/2/

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