“the times - they are a-changin’”
Figure 1 Fall leaves of Huntington, IN by Garrett Martin
People like to say, “the times - they are a-changin’.” They get that from Bob Dylan’s song of the same title. The lyrics of the song remind us that there are things changing all around us. Dylan concludes with a recommendation: “Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone. For the times they are a-changin’”
There is a lot of change in our lives. Just look at the trees outside: we live in a part of the country that bravely declares the changes coming! Recently, my pastor has been preaching on the changes that the resurrection brought to the disciples. They knew Jesus one way – they were not quite prepared for the Jesus AFTER the resurrection. After all, they had never SEEN a resurrected body before!
I teach many refugees who are adjusting to life in the United States. They adjust to a new language, a new currency, new foods, different modes of transportation, different communication styles, different clothing, different temperatures; almost every day a refugee in Fort Wayne must change. Recently one of my students shared a change with me: her brother is ill with cancer and she must leave Ft. Wayne to go care for him. He lives in another city. She has just barely adjusted to life in this city. She has figured out how to live and go to school here. And now another change for her…
Change is here to stay. Have you read the news lately? Just open your newspaper and read about the many changes that face us every morning.
Catherine Kasper Place closing in January creates yet another change for our refugees. I know many are wondering where they will find the services they need to continue to help them adjust to the changes all around. [The Reclamation Project is blessed with the Rialto location and there are no plans to move …]
Fort Wayne refugee resource center to close http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20111101/LOCAL/311019958
Elected Myanmar government offers taste of change http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20111108/NEWS0402/111109605
Library offers e-books http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20111108/FEAT/311089982
Myanmar’s government is changing; even the library is changing! At least we know, as we are faced with daily changes in our world, that God is consistent and unchanging in His character. God even used change to prove His existence in Exodus 7:17. Over and over in Scripture God shows us that He does not change. {Try Psalm 55:19, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17 for reassurance}. My prayer for us is that we can be consistent for our refugee friends and so reflect God’s character to them: available to help and unchanging in hope for their successful integration in Fort Wayne.
Martha Martin - TRP friend and ENL teacher
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