Newsline: World Friendship Center (Hiroshima) directors reflect on 'world without borders'

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl 
Brumbaugh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

World Friendship Center (Hiroshima) directors reflect on 'world without borders'

(Aug. 10, 2012) Elgin, IL -- The following reflection was written by JoAnn and 
Larry Sims, volunteer directors of the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, 
Japan. The Sims are working in Hiroshima through Brethren Volunteer Service. 
They reflect on the meaning of the Peace Bell in Hiroshima's Peace Park, in 
advance of the annual Aug. 15 ceremony at the Peace Bell to remind the world 
that on that day peace began after World War II:

"Borders are everywhere. There are borders separating countries/nations, 
borders drawn between states or municipalities, and even borders that define 
factory areas or commerce areas within cities.

"Some say we have to have borders. It keeps areas economically and culturally 
sound. It is said that borders keep your home safe and protect your family from 
dangerous "others." If jobs were available regardless of national origin or 
immigration status those willing to work for less and employers eager to pay 
less would corrupt our Social Security system. So...borders are necessary to 
keep economies functioning and homes safe.

"What if borders between countries didn't exist? What if people could travel 
from one area to another without hostility? If there were no borders, would 
countries need weapons to keep people out or in?

"The Peace Bell in Hiroshima's Peace Park in Japan imagines such a world. The 
bell is a permanent part of the Peace Park. It was crafted in 1964. The bell 
displays the continents of the earth carved around its surface with no national 
borders. This design represents Hiroshima's earnest hope that the world will 
become one in peace. Every Aug. 15 there is a ceremony at the Peace Bell to 
remind the world that on that day peace began after World War II.

>"Is a world without borders a dream today?

"There is a medical NGO called, 'Doctors without Borders.' The thrust of this 
group is to provide medical assistance to people who need help as a result of 
war, conflict, or natural disaster. These medical teams arrive in an area, set 
up a clinic--often in some sort of temporary tent, and work to provide medical 
help to people who come to them. Country of origin, location of home, religious 
preference, or political allegiance is not important. What is important is to 
tend to the medical needs of the patient.

"At the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, many guests from around the world 
gather for breakfast each morning. The conversations often include the sharing 
of vocations, hobbies, and travel experiences.
"A French couple explained that she lived in France and worked in Germany. Her 
companion lives in France and builds buildings wherever the job is. He works in 
both France and Germany.

"A couple from India currently living in London said he was a computer systems 
sales and installation manager. He lives in London and works part of each week 
in Brussels. The wife works in London and frequently visits him in Brussels.
"Families living near the border of Canada and the US frequently shop in the 
country where their wages have more purchasing power. They often travel from 
border to border weekly.

"One traveler from Pakistan shared his hope for a Peace Museum on the border of 
India and Pakistan. His hope is to bring peace-loving people from both 
countries together at a place that celebrates peace, where boundaries are not 
important. What would be important would be the common heart for peace. His 
dream is like Hiroshima's Peace Bell.

"Peace: A world without borders is maybe not a dream at all, maybe it is 
already beginning to happen."

>-----

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing 
the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in 
community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith 
traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated its 
300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 123,000 members across the United 
States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, 
Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org