From a wonderfully cool and clouded Wednesday in our sunny South Africa, I greet all my friends in the U.S.A. -- and those elsewhere who may be interested. You have a new President-elect!
I for one -- but I think the overwhelming majority of our politically aware South African people -- rejoice with you and give thanks. My prayer is that God will protect Barack Obama from all sides. May he be granted the courage and the strength to stand by the high morals and strong convictions and the promises of positive change he has propounded during his campaign, so that he will not be swayed by the self-seeking powerful who always gravitate toward those in authority. Above all, may Obama be protected against the pursuit (even secretly) of personal popularity and power! It is so true that "power corrupts" -- and so does vanity.
May God keep him humble and wise and intrepid, and grant him and his supporters the insight to seek the advice and cooperation of their opponents in all important matters of state, so together they will be able to truly work for the good of the whole American nation -- and by so doing, as far as possible, work for the good of all the nations.
Annemie Bosch is a teacher, theologian, missionary, and counselor who tried to live love in South Africa before and after 1994 -- always striving to create mutual understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, restitution, reconciliation, and justice amongst and for all our people, and to live responsibly in our wonderful world. She and her husband David have seven children, 20 grandchildren, and soon one great-grandchild.
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