There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun” (Thomas Merton).
My friend Bobby called me last Saturday morning. He told me that he was having a good day, that he had received last week’s church newsletter in the mail and that he was drinking a cappuccino at a coffee shop. “It’s really good coffee,” he emphasized several times.
Bobby plays the harmonica on Sunday mornings at our church, adding a joyful lilt to the hymns we collectively sing. His prayers are simple, yet thoughtful, always asking that his roommates, a different parishioner each week and, yes, even Jesus would be blessed.
Bobby is an adult living with a disability, and he has been one of my greatest teachers since moving back to Columbus over a year ago. He reminds me to delight in the simple joys life offers, shows me what love is like each time he calls and helps me to know that God is present with us.
During my years with Word Made Flesh in Romania and Moldova, the children who came to our after-school programs became not only my dear friends but also my teachers and mentors. In leaving these friends, I admit that there was a part of me that feared that my learning would end upon my return to the States. Maybe I will get caught up in the unrelenting pace of life or in the pursuit of wealth, and any openness to transformation will be choked out like a tender plant among thorns.
But the presence of friends such as Bobby reminds me that God is present even here and that I can choose to continue on the path of transformation. Likewise, my aunt D.D., another one of my great teachers living with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, teaches me to be still, to pay attention and to love deeply.
Why Word Made Flesh?
It is because of friends like Bobby and Aunt D.D. that I have chosen to return to the community of Word Made Flesh, and I want to share my journey with you.
WMF’s commitment is to affirm the inherent dignity of every single human being as well as to bring attention to the constant presence of the divine among and in people living on the margins of society. These are the people who from their wealth have taught me and who will continue to teach me.
My New Role
On September 1 of this year, I was hired as the Coordinator of Finance and Stewardship, meaning I am doing bookkeeping, payroll, taxes and all things money-related for Word Made Flesh. I am working roughly 30 hours a week remotely from my home in Columbus and am currently being trained by Jeff Swart who is leaving WMF after five years of serving as Director of Finance. I have very big shoes to fill.
Please say a prayer for me as I adjust to this new role and learn all that it entails. There are days in which it feels very overwhelming as my learning curve is quite large.
Financial Support
As part of my new role in the U.S., I am no longer responsible for raising my own individual support to cover my salary. I have, however, made a commitment to be actively involved in raising money for Word Made Flesh as an organization. Please consider making a one-time or recurring donation by visiting Pure Charity, our new online giving platform. Your donations go to support the work of Word Made Flesh in the U.S. as well as around the world.
The dignity of all people is being affirmed, the voices of those who are ignored are being amplified, jobs are being created, enslaved people are being set free and communities are present around the world on the margins of society in solidarity with the most vulnerable of the poor. Please consider joining us in this work.
I look forward to sharing more stories from all of our communities around the world over the coming months and years.
With love and gratitude,
John
