That’s right. Join a cause. And maybe even join in on a protest march. With drums and banners and chants. And if you are lucky, TV cameras. Let me explain more.
One of the biggest challenges in my experience of living abroad is meeting and making new friends. Slowly, intentionally, and sometimes randomly God has been faithful to bring people into my life and friendships have formed. This past week served as a wonderful example.
The community nursery school that our young son, age 4, attends is a most fabulous place and has been one of the finest examples of something done well in this country. Unfortunately, for random reasons probably involving politics & saving a few pounds, the government council has proposed to close it down in the coming years as it is with the current headteacher (principal) and join it to a low performing primary (elementary) school. Whereas this would not affect our family as our son will be “graduating” from there in July, my heart broke for the wonderful influence and effect the school has had on the families and community as a whole. So, when I got wind of this, I could not sit still.
It started with a couple of parents, myself included, wanting to do anything we could to stop the proposal. Someone got my e-mail and I was invited to a small planning meeting with 7 other mums. Some of us, strangers to most, sat in a room sharing what the nursery meant to us, and brainstormed ways to “fight the power.” As I looked around the room I noticed the neatest thing. Out of the seven of us, 6 different continents were represented.
From that meeting we formed an action plan, made countless letters to go out to the wider group of parents at the school, hosted a parent meeting for others to get involved, signed petitions, wrote letters to council members, talked to reporters (part of my letter to a reporter made the city paper), made banners, planned our protest, and marched through a main part of the city to county hall. Needless to say we spent a lot of time together.
From that initial planning meeting, I sat there with a little dialogue in my head, the kind that if you were watching a movie, the other people’s voices in the picture would fade out, while you hear the main character, though silent looking, narrating what he/she is thinking at the moment. “This is part of what it is all about. Being a part of a cause greater than yourself for something other than yourself. And doing it alongside those from every corner of the world. This is living!”
This past week God has given me the privilege of coming alongside virtual strangers and getting into their world and letting them get into mine. I have been encouraged to hear stories of how one person’s parents came to a radical, life changing faith in Jesus years ago while we rummaged IKEA for free banner making materials, been able to empathize with another as she described the seasonal depression she encountered upon moving here while while we sawed and cut cardboard, been able to answer many “American” questions from a Muslim lady and watch as her eyes widen and melt when I shared with her my disappointment of how my country has treated her country in the past as we painted slogans on our placards (banners), and I have been able to give wise council to another who was distressed as she sought me out because she thought I had a good level head. I have been able to plan & march alongside Muslims, a Christian, those in poverty, and many single mums. And I am able now to call them my friends. No longer will I pass them with just a smile. I will be able to stop & visit. They know my name & I know theirs. And who knows where God will take some of these relationships.
And all of this from joining a cause. Sign me up for the next one!
Julie
