Pastor Gabriel

On my trip to South Africa, I was luck to meet Amor's Pastor Board. One of these Pastor spoke to the group and he's story has had an impact on my life.

Pastor Gabriel is an Afrikaner and pastor of a dutch reform church. For those who don't know, Afrikaners are white. Pastor Gabriel was about 10 when the apartheid ended. He grew-up around black children and in a non racist household. In school, he made friends with the black students in his school. even when this wasn't a popular thing to do. He was told on one occasion not to befriend the black students. As an adult, he will write the paper and voice how the racism is wrong, and that the gap between blacks and whites is wrong. This still isn't a popular viewpoint in South Africa. However he stands up for it. He has received death treats not only on his on life but also his family. He has two small children. This however doesn't stop him for standing up for what he knows is right.

The thing that has caught my attention most about Pastor Gabriel is that we have something in common. Pastor Gabriel was talking with one of his mentors one day, and brought the fact that he was white and privileged, and there are many people in his country who aren't. Now this isn't earth shattering news. He wanted to do something about the gap and wondering what he could. His mentor responded, "By asking that, you are already less of white asshole." That's what we both want, is to be less of a white asshole, and do something about the gap.