Witness to grace - an offering for all those who work to make the world better

[havocmom]

Even if it is just a small corner of the world that you can change, it is very important that you keep working for a better world. Know that is true!

I just wanted to tell you about a friend of my family's and some good news to remind us all to maintain hope in the face of terrible adversity

The friend is a young Dinka man from Southern Sudan, one of those boys who walked so far after seeing horrible things done to their people. He made it to a refugee camp, while so many of his young companions did not survive the trek.

He made it to the US and he worked very hard. He was Valedictorian of his class at a community college. He went on to the U and got a degree in Public Policy Administration. He got a Congressional Internship and helped sweet-talk several Congressmen into spending lunch hours getting arrested in front of the Sudanese Embassy to raise awareness of the genocide in that war torn nation.

He got his mom and sister out of a refugee camp and into a safe apartment in a more peaceful place. He managed a trip back to where his remaining family is. On the visit home, he fulfilled his promise to a lovely Dinka woman and they were married. He got her moved into that new safe family home.

Returning to the US to continue learning and work, he has managed to send help to his little family. His father was killed when he was young, and he is left to protect his family.

In January, this young man, at one time, possibily the last of his family, became a father. There will be another generation. Much cause for celebration! His wife and child are still in Africa but he works hard and hopes to be able to bring them to America.

Last week, he became an American Citizen. He is excited to be able to vote in the upcoming general election. He knows it will now be easier for him to travel to visit his family and eventually get them over here. He has much to offer our nation, his nation now.

He has been an inspiration to many others he has helped mentor by example and friendship. He worked for my sister while at the U and inspired many co-workers, lending a wider view of what really constitutes problems in life. My daughter once heard him ask a fretting co-worker if the problem at hand was 'as bad as seeing your best friend be eaten by a lion?' My daughter said that remark give her a much better perspective about 'problems'. His constant good nature helped many learn to better handle stress and the disappointments in life we all face.

He is a father and an American now. And he graciously gave me permission to tell you a bit about the adventure. I think he understands the human need to be motivated by the sharing of experiences. He understands, probably more than you and I ever could, that hope is what life is about.

While I do not follow traditional religious belief systems, I do recognize grace and miracles. They are all about us, but we are too often mired in the negative to catch a glimpse of them. We are poorer when we do not take time to notice the many amazing successes around us.

Join me in celebrating grace and miracles. Join me in celebrating an incredible journey, a birth that is both a child and the hope for future, and dreams that can come true.

If you feel like it, join me in congratulating a young man who knows great things ARE possible when one is willing to really work at them.

Congratulations John. Keep up the good work. You help us do the same.



Happy Valentine’s day DU! There is hope. There is always hope.

[JerseygirlCT]

1. What a terrific story of courage and integrity!

Grace indeed. Thank you.

[blondeatlast]

2. Words to live by! "There is always hope." Congratulations, John and family

and I hope we will hear of your reunification very soon.

When Mr. B was sworn in as a citizen--in the midst of GWB and and all of his corruption--I learned that there is still much to be admired about the US. It was in the tears, the hopes, and the fragile words of her newest citizens, including Mr. B's. I cried like a baby for what this country truly means that day.

Still, she represents hope; and I hold that mafnificent, fragile thing in my heart every day.

What a tremendous story. Thank you for sharing it, my friend. And welcome to John and to all of our new citizens. We will endure with hope. :patriot:

A hearty, healthy, K&R!

[havocmom]

3. I still smile when remembering how happy you were when Mr.B was sworn in.

Those of us born here can so easily take so much for granted. It is good to look at things through different eyes now and then, isn't it blondie? :hug:

I will pass along your message to the new citizen. ;) I will add an explanation about how you know what a big thing it is. It will have importance to him, I think.

[scarletwoman]

4. k&r -- what a lovely story! (nt)