The last time I went on retreat I spent the day of silence on the retreat center grounds. I watched the sunset and a turtle crawl out of the woods. This past Wednesday, I got on a train and rode into downtown San Francisco. It was amazing to be still and yet moving on the train. Through the window of the train I watched the fog crawl over the mountains. Upon arrival in downtown San Francisco, my companion Dietra and I, boarded a MUNI light rail in silence. We rode past the bay, pier after pier.
Then we wandered the streets trying to find fresh seafood. In silence we found a sandwich restaurant, not our first choice, but a place to eat. Then we wondered the streets to the museums. After some confusion on the streets, we found the Museum of the African Diaspora. It was powerful to listen to the stories of African people who traveled to United States in slavery, escaped slavery, and fought for their freedom. As I sat and watched a video of Dr. Howard Thurman, my heart swelled. I was overcome by the courage, passion, and conviction of my brothers and sisters.
My day of silence was filled with energy, sounds, and life. God was alive and well on the streets of San Francisco that day. I was thankful that I was silent, aware, and watching. Time and
time again I have experienced God in the beauty of a sunset or calm of water. In San Francisco I experienced God in the drums beats, the rush of people going in and and out of shops, the stories at MoAD, and in Urban life.
For more information about the Bethany Fellowships, visit http://www.bethanyfellowships.org/.
For more information about the Museum of the African Diaspora, visit, http://www.moadsf.org/
