Reflections: Connecting Park Restoration to Malaria

Terwilliger Park

“When many birds take off at once, they make a big noise” (Malian Proverb).

In the dialogue following our Sanitation Service Project, an illuminating connection was made between our role in the removal of invasive species in Portland and the removal of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa: we cannot be afraid to take one step at a time. When we first walked into the forest at Terwilliger Park, virtually every tree was covered in thick, heavy ivy. It wasn’t just as simple as pulling the ivy off the tree- we were told that unless we cleared a three foot radius around each tree trunk, the ivy shoots would latch right back onto the bark. If any of us had been standing in that forest alone and without tools, I think we would have walked away. But because saws and loppers were placed firmly in our hands with clear instructions and could stand side by side with others and save one tree at a time- we were able to do something big. In the same way, if we can work side by side to share the tools that we have, educating others about the reality of malaria and providing clear action steps on how to support Project Muso in providing families with access to just health care, that is the start of systemic and widespread change.

Another fascinating line of discussion that came up during our dialogue was the relationship between prayer and action. One participant commented with honesty and frustration that from his perspective as an atheist humanist, he observed far too many friends substitute prayer for actual service. “If you read about a problem in the life of someone else, don’t say that you are going to pray about it- you now are charged to take action.” A woman from a Muslim perspective responded, saying “prayer and action are not mutually exclusive,” testifying that her source of strength and conviction came from her submission to God. Another group member added that we had just spent a large part of the day in the woods on our knees, which was to him a meaningful act of prayer. These personal reflections were enriching to all of us, and wouldn’t have been able to be shared without the safe, trusting space that was established by everyone’s honesty and respect.

What does action have to do with prayer? What does removing invasive ivy from trees have to do with malaria? What do individuals in Portland have to do with the citizens of cities on the other side of the globe? What do a humanist atheist, a Muslim, three Christians and two Buddhists have to do with one another? Upon initial observation these ideas seem unrelated. On Saturday, we did not meet with the purpose of solving these questions through theory or intellect. We met to work in the dirt with our hands and share the personal significance of that experience, from our own point of view. The divide between local and global and between faith differences was filled by action.

Everything is connected. In community we have a deep well of wisdom and strength, but we can only draw from the well when we acknowledge those connections. As we reflected on our service during an intentional follow-up dialogue, I was inspired by the depth of insight and range of skills present in the room, reminded of how much we need community to make connections.