Contributed by Deb Boopsingh
Today most of us here in North Texas send our kids back to school. The notion of back to school conjures up a myriad of emotions in children, parents, and teachers -but there is always some element of anticipation as we approach the unknown. New schools, new teachers, new friends -now more than ever our support network of friends and relatives is so very important. Parents often ask parents of older kids advice on what to expect during the coming year. Teachers get their rooms ready, collaborate with their team, new parents, and the previous grade’s teachers as kids run around asking “who did you get?”. I feel so very fortunate, all the teachers in my kids school are dedicated, well trained and talented, the entire grade is tight-knit and friends abound in every class. And I can say with confidence to my other friends with kids now entering school “things will be fine!” because most of my friends are in similar school situations, with similar support and teachers. This, both the network and the schools, is an amazing privilege that is so easy to take for granted.
I am a frequent reader of the blog “Humans of New York” which is currently far beyond NY as photographer Brandon Stanton is on a world tour with and for the United Nations. So far on this trip he has been to Iraq, Jordan, the Republic of Congo and he is currently in Kenya. A large number of his photographs and interviews are with children and parents. One recent gut wrenching post included a picture of two young children, a young boy around the age of 6 and a toddler in a wheel chair. The caption is as follows:
“What are your hopes for them?”
“We left our hopes back in Syria.”
(Zaatari Refugee Camp, Jordan)
I cannot imagine a world where there is no hope for the next generation. Where as a parent you dreams for your children are limited to surviving the day or the week. Where there is no network and support is rare and limited. This is one story from one part of the world, but it is a coin that has many sides. Other families around the world are trying to care for their kids following terrorist attacks or after they have been stricken by Ebola. We don’t even have to leave the country to see some of these harsh realities – families are torn apart as parents send their unaccopmanied children across the border into the US, civil unrest in Missouri leaves a community that has been shattered, and right in our back yard, families in west Dallas struggle to keep their kids safe and give them a future.
What can we do?
What are we called to do?
How can we be their network? How can we lend support? Does our neighbor have to live on our street? What is the radius for “seeking and serving Christ in all persons” ?
The problems faced by so many of these families remains distant and abstract. We don’t walk out of our doors and face these brutal realities. We have the ability to turn them off and walk away and tend to our families. Last week on World Humanitarian Day episcopalrelief.org noted the feeling of despair when reading the headlines of the day and offered a note of prayer and perseverance concluding with this wonderful prayer for the human family from the Book of Common Prayer.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infects our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in the bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on the earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today as we send our kids off to school for the first time or the 500th time we can share some of the hope and anticipation of the day and be a small part of someone else’s network. Let us join together and sing to the Lord a new song:
One of Transfiguration’s allies –Voice of Hope continues to do amazing work in West Dallas.
The Diocese of West Texas working with the Border Refugee Center can be found here.
Episcopal Relief and Development is working with the diocese of Bo in Sierra Leone on Ebola relief and more information about their work can be found here.
And learn about the amazing work being done St. Stephen’s and the Vine Episcopal Church in Ferguson and support them as they will be a vital part of rebuilding the community in Ferguson.