New Opportunities

The majority of the young men in Uganda have inherited cultural practices that have affected household harmony and mutual respect for spouses as equal partners at household level. This is further aggravated by the current social and economic stressors. These include high levels of immorality, alcoholism, substance usage and drug abuse. 

This is the second of a 3 part blog series on the experiences of Cuban immigrants in the Christian Reformed Church. And stay tuned for the 3rd and final installment coming up! 

In Jeremiah 32, we read that Jerusalem is being attacked by the Chaldeans and Jeremiah is imprisoned by King Zedekiah of Judah. Jeremiah’s cousin comes to him to ask him to buy a piece of land. Jeremiah agrees, even though purchasing property during wartime when you are in prison can be an unwise venture. As the Bible tells it, Jeremiah declared it was God who told him to buy the land, explaining that buying the land protects it for future generations. “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be brought to the land” says verse 15.

February 22 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada. (In the United States, January 11 is dedicated to addressing human trafficking.)

After much advocacy for its existence, members of Parliament unanimously agreed on the motion to adopt the day just last year, making this year the second annual awareness day. Awareness days provide an amplified platform and opportunity to highlight issues of great importance and concern. 

All human beings, made in God’s image?  All of them?  Yes, all of them.  

Recent media coverage about abortion laws has prompted questions from our community about how the Office of Social Justice (OSJ) can support churches and individuals on the issue of the sanctity of human life. Our regular engagement in this area and our denomination’s position statements about abortion all show deep care for unborn children. As we we seek justice for them, this conversation is made more complicated by the research that shows that women don’t have abortions simply because they are legal. 

When did I know I was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fans? My father, John Smith, worked in the steel mill measuring and making the rings for sinks as a master welder. I saw him leaving for work around 6 am and returned around 3:30 pm or 4 pm depending on traffic. His way of relaxing was a six pack of Schlitz beer, puffing a Salem cigarette and watching a team that hadn’t been to the World Series since 1945 and hadn’t won a championship since 1908. Yet, my father watched them despite his heart being broken over and over again.

People are often surprised when I say that I’ve been blessed by refugees my entire life, but it’s true. 

Sometimes it’s because I grew up in small-town Iowa, and they assume that Iowa is as white and unicultural as a state could be. 

Sometimes it’s because they, too, grew up in small-town Iowa and didn’t have a similar experience. 

Sometimes it’s because they grew up in other states or countries and can’t recall any personal experiences with refugees that they see as blessings in their own lives. 

A driver was going 5 mph over the limit due to not seeing a damaged speed limit sign. After a police officer issued the driver a traffic infraction the driver immediately scheduled a time to argue it. However, even before the driver could talk, the judge simply threw out the infraction. Even though the driver didn’t have to pay the fine, they left feeling dissatisfied because they did not have the opportunity to speak.