A Glimpse of the Happiness that Peace in Diversity Brings

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

It was around 12:30 PM. The cafe was busy. Five out of six tables have customers.

The table at the window corner (Table no. 5) has three ladies happily talking and eating. Through the eyes of the unfamiliar, they all looked Chinese but in fact, two are Singaporean and one is Malaysian.

Just beside them (Table no. 6) are two European Kiwis, a mother and daughter. It’s their first time to try our food and they loved it.

I passed by Table No. 4 with a Filipino couple finishing their desserts of halo-halo and ube ice cream.

“Okay lang kayo, kabayan?” (Are you all okay, my country mate?) I asked.
“Yes, okay lang kami” (Yes, we’re okay here), they replied.

Earlier I saw an English couple browsing over our signs. I recognised them. They’re the speakers in last night’s public meeting of the Full Gospel Business Men group. Yes, Colin and Anita Pownall.

So, I approached them and invited them in. As I ushered them to Table No. 2, I commended them on their powerful life testimony.

Sitting at Table No. 1 are two Brazilian chefs. It’s their day-off today and they took the time to have coffee. One started playing the piano while conversing with his mate.

With all the nationalities freely and happily chatting at their respective tables while enjoying their food, I have a glimpse of the happiness that peace in diversity brings.

It was almost 3:00 PM when the last noon time customer left. I had wiped clean the last table that was occupied.

As I sat down on my high stool for a brief respite, I opened my phone to check my messages.

I got a text message from one of my SEO clients that our scheduled meeting will be postponed due to what has happened in Christchurch earlier.

I checked my Twitter and read about the trending news on the shootings at the Christchurch mosques.

I prayed for the families affected. I prayed for Christchurch and New Zealand.

So, there is a person who can’t see the reality of multi-ethnic communities living together in peace and harmony. I felt very sad.

In the days that followed the 15th March incident, my glimpse of a moment of peace and harmony in our local cafe has been magnified to a macro level. Expressions of love and solidarity are overflowing.

Indeed, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! Hope and love remain strong amidst the recent adversity.

Kia Kaha, New Zealand!