And Social Justice for All...

So, I hesitate to write about this but I am so upset by the injustice that happens everyday to the poor of Lewiston, Maine.  White, black, immigrant, child, adult, senior, disabled....you get the idea.  This is no respecter of persons.

A week or so ago a friend of mine was trying to break up a dog fight.  Her dog was let out of her apartment by a boy who, for the sake of irony, lived in the apartment with the other dog, a pitbull.  Let's just say she suffered some pretty amazing bruising and teeth marks to her hands.  Obviously, if the pitbull wanted to cause her serious damage it would have.  This is where the "justice for all" comes in to play.  The police department was called and upon arrival at the scene starting questioning my friend.  Who is a young single mother.  I think this girl is amazing. She totally struggles with anxiety in a way that most can't even comprehend.  How do you think she reacted when the police showed up? She couldn't answer questions, she was nervous, afraid, most likely having a panic attack.  Her hand needed stitches, and not to mention she is scared of most dogs.  How do you think the police responded to her?   Well, she thought she was being accused of being on drugs.    Does the police department of Lewiston, Maine really have trouble identifying the difference between anxiety and drug use.   Please.   So the next best thing to do is send in a DHS worker without an appointment and have her look in all the rooms.  That is total justice.   I am so angry about this.  Do we lose rights because of our residence?  Do we become less human because we struggle financially? or struggle emotionally?   I can honestly say that the police would never have reacted this way on Cote St, or Strawberry Ave. 

I understand that crazy stuff happens down here all the time.   But if my friend that works in the emergency room at the hospital can look at each case and individual separate from their socio-economic status than why can't the police and DHS.   

This is not the only scenario I know of.   My husband had an issue a couple years ago and actually complained to the police chief who seemed to care.  Another instance my son was walking home from high school when a cruiser swerved close to the sidewalk hitting a mud puddle right next to him.   At the time I told him it had to be coincidence, he was trying to avoid something in the road.  Makes me wonder,  if I am ever in a bad situation will I really want the police to show up......

Moving right along onto a different but similar subject.... I'm reading Ezekiel right now so maybe some of my thoughts are coming from that place.

As Christians we are supposed to recognize injustice of all sorts.  Whether it be in Africa or outside our front window.  I think it is easier to be a part of what is going on overseas than be a part of what is happening in your backyard.   Myself included.  I send my tithe to others that are doing the work.  They need that financial support,  and it's easier for me to wipe my hands after.

We have some Muslim friends.  When someone has a need they (they, being the community) pull resources and take care of it.  There was a lady whose husband died.  The Muslim community is  financially taking care of her for the rest of her life. (not sure if it would stop if she stopped going to mosque)  Someone is hospitalized without having insurance.   Bill taken care of.   Talk about social justice.  Taking care of the sick, widows, etc..  We were talking to a fellow Christian we've known for a long time.  When he told us of a story of sick baby and the hospital bill, Curtis told him what the Muslims do.  His reaction was "huh" and changed the subject.  God has not called us to sit around on our wallets.  He has called us to give away everything.  This goes against a particular financial guys philosophy I know. 

I was thinking what if Christians were once again known by there love.  

Good-byes and Hello's

This spring and summer started with the plants we brought from our last house growing like crazy.  Blooming like they never did before,  and adding some life to a rather dreary street. The bumble bees were all over them.  Usually I am scared of the yellow and black stinging insects but not this  year.  It was a pleasant surprise to see these little endangered critters on my somewhat dark and dirty street.  I think only one flower was robbed from the front garden this year, it just happened to be the first flower of spring.

Saying good-bye to Justin in front of his dorm.  (Clark University)

college shopping

We have said a lot of good-byes this summer.  It has been difficult.  I personally, am learning to live a different way, saying good-bye to the old life in a sense.  We have experienced some figurative good-byes.  The kind you get when you know it's time to move on - wherever and whatever that means.  Each of the three older kids have said good-bye's to their schools;  Justin the high school, Renee the middle school, and Barbara the elementary school.  We have said good-by to the other Roundy family (Curtis' brother).  Curtis was able to have a visit last month with his whole family in Wisconsin as they all saw Jonathan and the gang off to Senegal.   It looks as though our elderly neighbor Fred will be leaving the building next door.  He is in his 80's.  He lives alone and last week his back hurt so bad he called the paramedics.  Evidently he fractured his spine.  I think he is looking to get into assisted living.  He is a great Christian man, it will be sad to not have him around.  The hardest and most depressing good - bye of all has been leaving Justin behind at college.  Wow, it feels like the family is broken.  I'm sure Justin doesn't feel that way, at least I hope he doesn't.

With all "good-bye's" it seems we need to ready ourselves for the "hello's".   We have spent a good amount of time getting Justin ready for college.  Preparing him physically as well as spiritually and emotionally - I hope.   A friend of ours is in charge of Intervarsity in the Northeast.  Wouldn't you know that this is the first year for Clark University.  So happy about that.   Justin will need to study hard and keep his head about him but I think he'll do fine.  He has a great dorm room, a little secluded with it's own bathroom as well as good roommates. 

My daughters must prepare for their "hello" to their new schools as well. This year will bring them lots of new experiences, frustrations, change, promise, extra curricular's, friends etc....  I'm excited for them.  I know Renee is excited to go to High School and I think Justin did a fine job paving the way for her.  His teachers loved him and always had positive comments.  Some even got in touch with him over the summer.  Although Renee is much different than Justin and interested in very different things he has given our family a name.  

As a family we are experiencing some renewed friendships from the past.  Some old friends have moved here from the coast.  As well as just hanging out with people that we haven't been around in a while.  It was one of the benefits of our homeless situation we experienced last year.  It's nice to have the familiarity of a friend who knows you and there is already a history.  The good, the bad, and the ugly!

I think it's interesting that God is always shaking things up.  We have the opportunity to sit and cry about it or move forward.  As we are saying good-bye to many things right now, (people, places, seasons), it is important to look toward the future and prepare  for what lies ahead.   I wouldn't have been a very good mom if  I had worried about getting Justin his stuff the night before he left, and tried drilling into him all the things about life and Godliness on the trip to Worcester.

As a family we are asking God what he has for us here, in this house that some say reminds them of Amity Horror.   This has been most challenging.  Should we do this or that.... just live, what are we supposed to do.   We have ideas but God directs the path.  Please join us in prayer as we navigate through this next "hello" in our lives.  Whatever it may be.

Random pictures of summer

Renee with her friends at the last dance 8th grade

Justin graduating

A day at the beach with Ang and the nephews

Renee trotting Hannah at Living Waters summer camp.  She took horsemanship

 Justin having fun one the wave board at camp, same week as Renee.

The balloon festival from our front porch.  They put them up all over the city that weekend.

Kiana deciding she had enough of Clark.

Well, the girls liked Justin's bed.

He doesn't seem nervous.  Wish he could feel my emotion for 30 seconds.

There is a park across from Clark University with these huge trees. 

I am so proud that I am raising a tree-hugger (I am serious)

veggies from garden - picked yesterday.  It was quite a heavy bag.

Barb graduating 6th grade.

Barb with all her awards.