SMU Dispute Resolution faculty, students and guests recently traveled to Rwanda to deliver peacebuilding and peer mediation training. After returning to Texas, the group shares their individual experiences with the Rwandan people and insights on what we could all learn about peace.
Dr. Evelyn L. Parker, associate dean for Academic Affairs and Susanna Wesley Centennial Professor of Practical Theology at Perkins, is leading students on a tour of South Africa during an immersion course offered through the Perkins Global Theological Education Program (GTE).
Thirteen SMU students, faculty and staff are in Rwanda from August 4-13, 2016 with SMU’s Embrey Human Rights Program. After the country’s 1994 genocide, in which as many as a million people were killed in 100 days, “history lives on,” says group leader and program director Rick Halperin. The group are visiting genocide sites and meeting with survivors, government representatives and representatives of NGOs, They are also carrying donated books, classroom supplies, toys and clothing to share with the schools and orphanages they are visiting.
Lindsay G. is a rising senior majoring in international studies and human rights. She travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo this summer with Army ROTC for closer study of the country’s culture and language.
Christopher Kiahtipes is a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences working on reconstructing past environments in tropical Central Africa to better understanding the links between culture, ecology and climate.
Christopher Kiahtipes is a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences working on reconstructing past environments in tropical Central Africa to better understanding the links between culture, ecology and climate.
Today’s reflection is from Perkins student Kantrice Robinson, a Master of Divinity degree candidate (2016, Pastoral Care and Women's Studies Certificate Programs): We entered Monday, May 25, in the afterglow of the worship experience and visit to the Table Mountain. We awoke early to make the ferry to visit Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27-year sentence. We were given a tour by former prisoner, Mr. Sparks, who spent seven years of a 15-year sentence at Robben Island as a political prisoner and for committing sabotage. His ability to move with fluidity and calm was surprising to many of us. He feels liberated by the ability to share about his imprisonment experiences, and [...]
Today’s reflection is from Perkins student Kantrice Robinson, a Master of Divinity degree candidate (2016, Pastoral Care and Women's Studies Certificate Programs): When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:1-5.) On Sunday, May 24, 2015, the Christian church celebrated its birthday, a day on which we remember when the [...]
Today’s reflection is from Perkins student Jonathan Allen, Master of Theological Studies degree candidate (2016). The day began with a zero six-thirty alarm urging me to embrace the morning breeze and awakening sun. As we all gathered for our devotional and breakfast, we were informed of today’s itinerary. Our driver, Oupa, arrived on time as usual; and after we all boarded the van, we were off to The Urban Studio (a center for contextual ministry) to meet with Dr. Stephan de Beer. In our discussions, we explored various post-apartheid issues present within the city of Pretoria. Dr. de Beer made striking comments regarding the work that is still left to do to move past the Apartheid era, and thus stated [...]
Members of the Perkins School of Theology South Africa course embrace the world with Nelson Mandela, the first president elected in a fully representative democratic election and who served from 1994-1999. Today the group toured Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, including the Apartheid Museum and the Nelson Mandela monument. The guest dinner lecturer was the Rev. Dalene Flynn, who spoke on “Sport, Ritual, and Social Cohesion in South Africa." Today’s reflection is from Perkins student Hannah Escalante, a Master of Arts in Ministry degree candidate (2016) with an emphasis in Urban Ministries: Our first day of our immersion trip has been filled with the history of South Africa. From the museum of President Paul Kruger's house to the [...]