Last week Sunday the first day of March, I was invited to a celebration meeting organized by African Roots Movements. This organization helps the African migrants in the Netherlands to stand up for their rights and mobilize themselves against racism, all kinds of injustice towards the migrants, specially towards the African community. The African Roots Movements is not a religious organization and it origin starts in USA.

Sunday I could not participate on this beautiful event due to some personal reasons, but less I knew that the African Roots Movement gave me an award for my input in human rights and ongoing battle against injustice as well as my love for the African people.

I never expected to receive such an award, but honestly said I don’t think I deserve such an award, because I still believe I do less for my fellow Africans, I could have done more and I have to do more.

Africans are still struggling in Europe to survive, while their own beautiful continent is being exploits by the unjust multinationals from Europe, America and Asia. The undocumented African cannot move freely in Europe, visa’s and permits are being often rejected to him/her, he/she lives constantly in fear while the rich in the West ride on cars that run on African oil, wear rings that carry “blood” diamonds from Africa, while the multinational free can lute the resources, the African brother is still living in fear.

Few weeks ago, once again an African threw himself down from balcony while escaping from the police in Amsterdam South East. So far I know he did not die, but was seriously injured. African deserves the best, they have paid a lot, they have suffered a lot and as a Christian it is my duty to reach out my helping hands to them, regardless who they are. Either they are Christians, Jews, Muslim or have no believe at all. Jesus urges me to help those in need and on the margins of the society. Unfortunately I feel I am not doing enough, I have to do more. I am also not happy - in fact deeply unsatisfied - with the reply of our beloved Christian Prime Minister, who formally replied to my open letter. His letter was a simple and short answer to a very complicated topic of migrants in the Netherlands. I am very disappointed because he has promised me that the State Secretary of Migration will contact me, but it never happened. Be assured my brothers and sisters that I will contact them, write them even will go there to get a serious answer from them. I need concrete answers.

I hope more Christians will be aware of the fact that before we go out to the exotic lands to preach the gospel, many people from these lands are already our neighbors here in Europe. Let us practice the Great Commission and Love here and now!

Once again I express my gratitude to the chairman of African Roots Movements in the Netherlands, Mr. Thomas Moore, the  Committee and others who offered me this Award.

When I was a young boy and did not even believe in Jesus I use to write poems and there was this particular poem I wrote, which I dedicate to you all:

Africa in my Heart

Asia is in my Blood

White is my Color

Black is my Pride...