Brotherhood

Shower rings hold up the vertical yellow and white striped drapery on the balcony overlooking a noisy intersection in the Shu of Egypt. The drapery is like a cape keeping the blinding sun at bay. The wind whips it out of place from time to time. If the curtain was moved to the side grave danger would have showered upon us. In the distance a department store threatens public welfare with harmless purchases: jackets, pants and shoes. Ring up the apparel for the caliphate fundraiser. A small percentage of the consumption awards the state.

High prices dangle from the labels. Check your receipt. The destabilizing practices are not itemized. There is a theater production happening in plain sight from the flat strategically placed like a box office. The vertical yellow and white curtain blocks the public from viewing the brotherhood of another kind in action. A diesel locomotive passes by with passengers overloaded. Line two shakes water glasses set on the table. Do not fear what they fear.

Dispatched from Los Angeles, California to the Shu landed me inside a customized flat after flying eight thousand miles inside a steel constructed Saudi tube. Left the comfort of the western world only to find a small dish dessert of tiramisu on the foldable tray table. The top layer was dusted with cocoa powder: a target mark with a square in its site’s framework.

The focal point on the balcony became Klaus, a self-taught barber from Hanover, Germany. Seven budgerigar parakeets split open bird seed shells held in a hanging trough. Blue feathered and one dominant yellow pushed their way through from the perch to bow toward the food trough inside the cage. They hopped over one another for seed rations. Like tipping scales their rapidly chewing beaks shelled out seedy weight. Seed shells covered the tile below until it was swept into a pile. He has been cutting hairs since he was twelve years old. So many dudes asked him for a trim of their yeardly or beard fade over the years soon enough proficiency multiplied by repetition. Being born from above, Klaus’ life was whipped out of place by the wind and automatically settled beside a booth. Surprised by each one who sits there. Dialog about origin created ties among perfect strangers. Caution. Each interaction rustles the brotherhood’s formation because the Spirit does what it pleases. Danger.

Widespread wars in the Middle East have driven droves of people in the millions from their homelands in search of safety within the affluent countries of Europe. According the the Brookings Institute in 2015, Germany has recorded 1.1 million refugees crossing their sovereign borders. Human suffering has courageously propelled these travelers to brave natural obstacles like explorers. Death by a pursuit of improvement is better than death by assassination whether it is by knife, bullet or smart bomb. Information on where to go immediately transferred by smart phones. Better off.

The Islamic diaspora massively migrated to Hanover, Germany. Not all family members made it. The scale of the challenge facing Klaus dwindles down to his rooted response in his Germanic community. The enemy came to kill, swindle and destroy, but the King of kings has come to give abundant life through faith, hope and love. Klaus’ name means, “leader in victory.” Jesus is the resurrected example of being the leader in victory when he said, “It is finished.” Klaus has taken on the very nature of a servant by providing a timely service for male refugees. In the beginning about 14 months ago, Klaus’ friends got haircuts on the regular. His brother read in the newspaper how barbers went to the Syrian and Iraqi refugee camps in the big German cities to cut hair for free, but not in the small cities. Klaus liked the idea after his brother encouraged him, “you can make this!” Klaus reached out to his refugee contacts. The wheels stayed in motion.

Mohammed Aduri, an Iraqi refugee was the first recipient to receive a haircut. He came the most frequently; close to every two weeks. He didn’t speak any German or English. The refugees recognized what was happening to rough dudes leaving with fresh cuts from the art of shaving. The moment more refugees asked him for a haircut he picked up his shaver and straight-edge razor. Klaus the cut man said, “let’s go.”

Mission and vision are vividly seen through the mirror hanging in front of the barber booth because grace and truth were prepared a long time ago to handle the world’s greatest needs.  Shape up, or ship out. What’s the price of the service and is there a possibility of a tip? The reason it’s done during this crisis is to love your enemies who now live next door.

It’s all recorded just over the horizon. A child of the Father does not fear. Klaus wears a slick shirt wrapped with the Jump Man in living color. Michael Jordan being one of the best athletes in the National Basketball Association expanded the imagination by flying across highly polished hardwood maple basketball courts.

Klaus’ training to read and write the Arabic language mimics the dedication of a professional athlete. Hip-Hop artists from Drake to Sevin entertain his eardrums while he studies squiggly lines. He is equipping himself for the kingdom of heaven in Germany. Like the Astra straight-edge blade, Klaus’ keen determination on his goals to serve the refugees in love will reap a divine harvest. Each time he cuts their beards a slam-dunk is made. If people groomed were points statistically he’s over 50 points. Glory light shines like gold around his wrist. It’s true workmanship according the to the scriptures. Instead of negative backlash against the migrants in desperate need of refuge, Klaus has purposed his life as a full-fledged father to the needy and abused aliens living someplace else. The Lord Almighty is holy. He is the one we are to fear.