Just yesterday I sent a one-sentence comment to my large batch of sisters and brothers. It was a sentimental memory of an interesting mishap that occurred once-upon-a-time along with the ‘free labor’ that we all provided in the operation of our family farm. Sixty years later it is hilarious, although some tears were shed at the time. Those were the good old days. Now that I think of it, that old story may get another rerun at an old-timers’ coffee klatch one of these days.
That farm memory erupted in my
head just a few days ago. It was also at a coffee time, but this one not with old-timers;
it was with two young guys, dear friends whom I have known for about five
years by now. Newcomers to this country, these ‘meetings’ can only be
scheduled if they do not interfere with constantly changing employment - entry
jobs like security, cleaning, safety companionship, English classes, Uber
driving, etc. By now these friendships also include church services, funerals, community gatherings, family visits. As we become ever better acquainted in this strange new country,
there are real interests and real issues that easily make up the agenda. When
these topics show up the eyes begin to sparkle, lots to talk about as
friendship grows.
In addition to this Calgary scene
there is always activity back in South Sudan, not necessarily headlines here in
Canada. It’s brothers, sisters, parents, friends and family struggling and
suffering in ongoing strife with Sudan, and sadly also tribal warfare within their
‘Christian South Sudan’. And along with that, how about the young people now
growing up here along with parents (some parents missing), making career and
entertainment and relationship choices along with many others in this our
multicultural city.
This is real stuff, and yet to
talk about it is a challenge. Sometimes I marvel at their patience with me when
after a few details get mangled in my brain, thanks to my challenged hearing
and our differing accents the ‘truth’ may have got blurred! Then we laugh and
start over again! This is real life conversation; talking about ‘back there’
and ‘here now’. Valuable time eventually becomes precious time because it
is indeed possible to focus on possibilities rather than cynicism or despair. AND
there is a bond; we also fully subscribe to a common denominator, namely our
Christian faith, For where two or three gather in my
name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).
Now it’s time for my thinker (Yes, thinker time 😏). Common interests, common questions; it seems to me whether
the lineage is Mennonites from Russia, or tribal Christians from South Sudan,
we face similar challenges. How do we raise our children, our young people? My
memories of milking cows, pitching hay and driving farm equipment is the exact
agenda being articulated by these young dads as they organize themselves
to address that very same thing. The farm work we did was essential to help our
dad make a sufficient income so that we could all be fed and clothed, and learn
how to behave ourselves, including listening to our elders and not too many
shenanigans. This old agenda is incredibly similar to a recently formed service
organization I am learning about. Sudanese-Canadian Youth Talent Association of
Alberta is becoming part of the local scene. As outlined in their Mission,
Vision, and Values, the program is carefully articulated. My parents and
neighbors did not need to ‘write up’ their plans so as to do be a registered
charity. Us kids just knew this farm work is what needed doing. Interesting, this Association’s recent application to Revenue Canada includes
a sentence with long-time values, “Our organization is committed to providing
structured educational programs that promote life skills and vocational
training, for the youth, general public and newcomers to Canada”). [i] I smile
as they spell it out carefully, life-skills will be provided by fully
organized and supervised basketball and soccer seasons. And vocational training
will include sessions on resume writing, mock interviews, and indeed workplace
communication. Well, we never took classes on communication and the de-facto sport
in my day was hockey, but I see an all-time theme which probably applies in every time and culture. It's also in the Bible, Train children in
the right way, and when old, they will not stray (Proverbs 22:6). Working on the same thing includes understanding one another! SCYTAA is
now a registered charity.
Not only for immigrants to learn, but very important for today's day. Even non-immigrant families need the very things being provided by this newly
formed talent association – and very appropriately being offered not only to
keep their African kids busy and out of trouble, but an excellent opportunity
for longtime citizens (longtime colonialist) in this country to benefit from
something being offered by clear-headed newcomers! Yes! In our communities we now
have some noble and loving ways to spend some charity dollars. 1 Corinthians
13, often referred in our Bible as the love chapter, in the old King James
Version, concludes this way, And now abideth
faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (:13).
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I conclude with reference to latest edition of Sojourners, a Christian social awareness magazine, published right there in Washington, DC, reminding us of new circumstances everywhere, “From the United States to El Salvador and beyond, we are seeing a recognizable playbook: undermine independent media, erode trust in elections, scapegoat the marginalized, …. But our faith and our experiences fighting through enslavement, segregation and removal tell a different story. The prophets remind us that justice is not the possession of the powerful… that truth does not bend to empire. At Sojourners, we aren’t just watching the rise of authoritarianism. We are building the moral infrastructure to resist it. And we need you help …” [ii] And then the request for donations. Their request is the same as the one from this Youth Talent Association. The time to build moral infrastructure, the time for clarity is now. The new place for mission charity is right here in our communities. It's better for young people to play soccer than to hang out at shopping centers. |
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