Dear friends,                                                   December 5, 2003

In this Holy Season, amid exploding bombs and a mounting death toll abroad, and increasing militarism at home, we again ask for your help as Malu `Aina partners in peacemaking. Together, by the grace of God, we will continue to stand up for justice and peace in the face of war, military occupation, and increasing restrictions on civil liberties. In season and out, your financial donations serve as important helping hands to our all-volunteer efforts of growing food to share with people in need, and our efforts to promote non-violent education and action.

Today marks the 116th consecutive weekly Peace Vigil in Hilo, sponsored by Malu `Aina since Sept. 11, 2001. Our small "street corner voice" echoes the voice of millions around the world calling for an end to escalating violence and a more just sharing of the world's resources as the foundation for lasting peace.

Preparing a peace vigil leaflet each week is a humbling experience. How can we touch hearts, including our own? What might help change the course away from global war and destruction? When all is said and done, it comes down to a matter of faith. Faith reminds us that small things can and do make a difference. A large tree grows from a small seed. Our job is to plant seeds, nurture them to the best of our ability, and trust that God --Ke Akua-- will do the rest.

Faith reminds us that in all that we do, be humble. When we separate and distance ourselves from Ke Akua, from one another and the earth, we become arrogant; we lose our vision, our humanity, our faith, and our very souls. Money, power, and military might, then become our security, our false gods. We point to the specks in other people's eyes while ignoring the planks in our own eyes. We cannot see to find our way, so we lash out with bombs, missiles, new Stryker vehicles, etc.. We are lost, but either don't realize it or are afraid to admit it.

And so we offer this prayer: Ke Akua, please help us find our way back to you, back to the earth we share with one another, and back to all people and life on the planet. Help us to disarm the weapons of mass destruction within our own hearts and all around us before we point to other nations and groups. Help us to be thankful for all of your blessings -- the gift of life and love, for family and friends, and for the generosity of people with open hearts. Help us to be thankful for the solidarity of people near and far who have stood, and continue to stand, steadfastly for justice and peace; people who refuse to give up hope or give in to hate. Indeed, a light shines in the darkness. Help us to never forget that the birth of a child in a manger changed the world, and that faith the size of a mustard seed, when lived deeply, can still move mountains.

May the blessings of the season from Ke Akua be with you and your loved ones.

With gratitude and aloha,

Jim Albertini

The poem below is written by American Jesuit priest, peacemaker and author of more than 40 books, Daniel Berrigan. He has spent more than 2 years in prison for non-violent resistance to U.S. warmaking. Daniel's brother, Philip, a former priest and WW II veteran, spent more than 11 years in prison for non-violent resistance to warmaking. Dec. 6, 2003 marks the first anniversary of Philip's death at the age of 79. Daniel, now in his 80s and a Jesuit priest for more than 50 years, and Philip have both visited Hawaii on several occasions to support peace efforts here. Both have been major inspirations to Malu Aina. Their lives stand as beacons shining in the darkness for which we are forever grateful.