It was the day after Christmas and the last day for celebrating Hanukkah. Dushan and Chioma were in their hotel suite in Bratislava getting ready to go to his cousin Havel's apartment for dinner with him and his girlfriend, Brigita. Chioma was still getting dressed and Dushan was waiting for her. As soon as Chioma …
Canada’s New National Holiday
Image by Government of Canada Today is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This holiday was proposed in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which under Action 80 called upon the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, to establish a statutory holiday “to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, …
Laird Visits His Father
"Tell me what you think of this opening line for my book, Time stole his most prized possession--his mind." Mr. Pendlebury asked Laird. They were in his study. Laird had called him the night before to tell him he wanted to see him. "Sounds good but I thought you were writing a book about genuine …
FGM in America
“To cut off the sensitive sexual organ of a girl is directly against the honesty of nature, a distortion to her womanhood, and an abuse of her fundamental human right”- Joseph Osuigwe Chidiebere Jennifer, seen here as a child, underwent FGM When you hear about female genital mutilation (FGM), you automatically think of Africa where …
It Matters
Colleen and her friend, Marlene were having their regular morning Bible study in the lounge area at the office. Colleen was reading. "For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body. In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean." "Wait a minute. Where does it say that …
The Word Became Flesh
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14, NIV God, the Son and the Word who was with the Father in the beginning became flesh. He came …
Carmela’s Story
Carmela sat in the empty church which was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. She was on her way home from the salon where she worked when she decided to stop in and pray for her brother, Guido who died five years ago from a heart attack. She hoped and prayed that he …
Love vs Tradition
"You're such a hypocrite, Kaito" Hana told her brother. "You object to my relationship with Danny because he's not Japanese and yet you're sleeping with Duana, my African American friend." Kaito looked up from his laptop, his expression darkening as he met his younger sister's incensed gaze. "I don't have to explain myself to you," …
Sacred Vows
His strategy for forgetting Justine Samuels was to keep busy with his work as the local parish priest but his efforts failed miserably. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he couldn't stop thinking about her and wishing that he could see her again. He missed her terribly. Against his better judgment, …
Saved by Grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God - Ephesians 2:8 Years ago I stood watching people ascend what is commonly known as Pilate's Staircase. Just today my family and I were talking about it and I got emotional as I thought of the people …
Notes to Women 