Good news to the poor

The daily grind of work that I experience is actually something I enjoy. There's a constant stream of questions and frustrations, and I feel very lucky to get to interact with these people. And even though sometimes there's nothing we can do to help their situation, I find there's always a way to interact that will leave them feeling understood and like someone can empathize. It's repetitive. It's discouraging. It's inspiring. Day to day, it's good. The problems of this world are massive. Attempting to help one individual, though just a drop in a bucket of hardship, is a good place to be.

Tuesday, after a crazy morning at the Immigrant Council, I saw another aspect of what NGOs get to do. Nusha, the Bulgarian woman I work with, and I went to this "round table discussion". About 35 heads of organizations similar to ours gathered to discuss what can be done to help minority women, and women in general, as the Irish government attempts to conduct an intercultural dialogue. (The diversity in Ireland is fairly recent, so they are just starting to make strides to help those coming in.) At the event, we were broken up into three groups and given the opportunity to just brain storm. What can be done? Who needs the most help? How can we provide that help? Where do we need to speak out?

I found myself surrounded by some very passionate, and very influential women. The woman heading up this event was small and fragile looking, yet when she spoke, it was powerful. Her heart for hurting, marginalized women reflected the aspirations of all the women in that room.

Though I am just a lowly intern, I was not treated like that. I was given this incredible chance to speak my opinion and voice some modes of action in attempts to help asylum seekers and refugees.

Through out the years, my heart beat for these kind of people has grown and grown to the point that I sometimes hear little else. I've had two trips to Africa. Seeing the state of women in that culture opened my eyes. They will never be closed. This org I'm involved with at Cedarville, Women of Vision, works to help widows and orphans in their distress. The mobalization of women who love is an incredible thing to be a part of. Once I started, I couldn't stop. At home in Fort Wayne I've been blessed to hang out with a family from Darfur. The mother, Asila, and her daughter, Wedad, and I became friends. As I heard the story of their flight from their home, my heart was once again charged to a new level of activism for the least of these. More and more I believe the women of third world countries, and their children, are the least of these. So needless to say, when they asked what I thought, I had some opinions to share.

I believe that a lot of the inaction of the Western world on behalf of these people is largely due to ignorance. Either the true state of these people is not understood, or the ways to make a difference are blurry. If people don't know, how can they care? And if there's no channel for change, what will they do? The stories of the survivors need to be told. I think so anyway. The plight of those still struggling should be heard. And not just because they're women. Or because they're having a hard time. Or even because we have more money than they do. We should listen, because we are human, and so are they. One thing I've learned while abroad is that there is common ground everywhere. No matter the growing mountain of differences, there is common ground. Starting from there, we see the hurt of this world more clearly. And just like you would come to the rescue of a friend or family, you would want to make a difference for these people. You help your brother not because your brother is weaker than you, but just because he's your brother.

Jesus was so passionate about the poor, the widows, the sojourners. He spoke of giving all you have to the poor (whether this was meant literally or figuratively is up for a weak debate). Jesus Himself reached out and touched and took in the down and out. He turned and noticed widows. He held children. I want to be like Jesus.

I got to share some of my thoughts with the group. In turn, our group mediator shared a compilation of our thoughts to that head woman who works for the governement. She took notes and was excited to initiate some change. I got to be a part of that! I'm humbled, so very humbled. I'm thankful. And oh my word, am I excited!

Throughout this time abroad, what I thought I would "do with my life" has changed a number of times. What my gifts are, I don't know. How I'll use my major, still not clear. But I do know that I want my life "to preach good news to the poor. HE has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to comfort those who mourn." (Isaiah 61:1-2)