s you know, the theme for this journal is "Building Bridges." Usually this means reaching out to connect to someone else on a meaningful spiritual level. This process usually starts with building a bridge to the deepest recesses of our own hearts and souls so that the outward connection has a strong and honest foundation. This "Little Miracle" story is an excerpt from a wonderful article written by Mervyn Davids of South Africa. He tells us how the labyrinth aided him in beginning to build "A Bridge of Reconciliation."

Readers who are interested can read the full article, along with details from Mr. Davids' extraordinary life and background information written by Clare Wilson. Remember that "Little Miracles" is a connecting bridge for all of us. Send me a story when you have one.

Blessings on the path,
Linda Mikell, edlinmik@optonline.net

Mervyn Davids walks the labyrinth and the path of reconciliation Photo: © Herby Halls

Building Bridges in South Africa
Summarized from Clare Wilson article
In 1964, in Protea Village in South Africa, 100 families were forcibly removed from their homes in accordance with the 1950 Group Areas Act. These families were descendants of freed slaves and had lived and worshipped there for 100 years. Now they were sent to an ill-serviced area named Cape Flats designated for people of mixed race. By 1968, their Church of the Good Shepherd was closed and homes were boarded up and demolished. Many members of the Mother Church, St. Saviours, although also forced to live elsewhere, were able to go back to their familiar church—but the wounds remained deep. In 2006, a Capetown CCN (See Community of the Cross of Nails) hosted a conference for youth from 10 countries. Here is a personal, reconciliation labyrinth story from Mervyn Davids from this period.

Excerpt from Mervyn Davids' article
I still have good memories of living 33 years in Claremont, Capetown: my neighbors, my school, being an altar boy at St. Saviours, until we were forcibly removed. When the time came for us to move, my mother said we were moving because our home was too small for our family of eight. But on the last day, she told my oldest brother, "Take a saw and cut the bottom of all the fruit trees. We must not leave the best for the whites." She never came back to the house.

We had to make huge sacrifices after we were moved. But the most upsetting incident was when a white warden at St. Saviours asked us why we did not move to a church in Cape Flats. My hatred for whites grew, even to my workplace. At times I would say I forgive my white colleagues, but deep down I would not forget. I felt whites said things because they had to, but were not sincere. I became confused about myself, my future. I even asked myself at times if there is a God and why He does not hear me.

When my son became involved in CCN, I became more interested in reconciliation. Last year, as we prepared for the CNN Youth Conference, I met whites who were truly committed to reconciliation and forgiveness. I became quiet as my mind started to bring back all my memories of the past as I listened to them, But I felt something which I never felt before.

During our preparations for the conference, we visited a humble labyrinth in Kommetjie called the Reconciliation Labyrinth. I started walking, but something within me did not feel right. I turned back rather than enter the centre, realizing I had not forgiven completely. Later, during the conference, I revisited the labyrinth with young people from communities around the world. I felt differently this time. When I stood there, I realized I was ready to completely forgive the past. As I walked, I could feel a sense of relief as I shed the many things that I had bottled up inside me. At one stage, I picked up a stone, remembering my stone-throwing days in younger years. I placed it in the centre of the labyrinth because I felt that I could leave all my hatred there and walk with new ideas and views of life. Today family and friends are trying to find out what has happened to change my attitude completely. I hope the experience in walking a labyrinth will be as rewarding to others as it was to me.

• Using the Labyrinth to Build Bridges: Opening avenues between individuals, communities and groups who want to work together...main.

• Bridging the Gap With a Circular Path: More than just the physical journey...page 2.

• Building Bridges in Santa Fe: A weekend of labyrinth activities...page 3.

• Little Miracles on the Path: A story of reconciliation...page 4.

• New Orleans Labyrinth Dedication: A sacred space for a healing place...page 5.

Journal Navigation: Main - p. 2 - p. 3 - p. 4 - p. 5