My theme is forgiveness. I have chosen this theme because I believe forgiveness is the most necessary factor for healing and hope in people who have been wounded by conflict and war. My rationale for this theme was born out of the pain that is at the core of my ministry. This pain is acted out by most of our people over 90% of them are refugees who have fled the violence in their homelands. These people have come with all of their baggage their burdened and battered souls desperate for healing and hope. My experience has taught me that the most necessary factor for them to find this is through forgiveness. But the sad reality is most are reluctant to forgive their "enemy." And so these burdens actually keep the victims hostage to anger and hatred. Hence, it is within this context of my people's self imprisonment that I have found something seriously lacking: a clearly defined theological understanding of forgiveness. My proposal is to take a sabbatical for 12 weeks to read, research, reflect, and write on this theme. By doing so I hope to return to my community revitalized and better equipped to deal with the ministry which God has given me.