SOCIAL JUSTICE =FOREVER FAMILY=VOICE

Today, I have asked Anyra Cano, Adoption Case Manager for Dillon International in Dallas to write on the subject of social justice. Please feel free to post a comment or ask a question.

When I think of Social Justice, immediately my heart begins to beat faster and my blood begins to boil, as it is such an important focus of who I am and what I do.  Growing up a as a Hispanic female in this country, from a low-income home and immigrant family, I have experienced and seen social injustice in many facets.  It is because of what God has allowed me to survive that I believe He has called me to minister to the least of these.  Today, as an advocate of orphans and at-risk children I will speak to the Social Justice as it relates to these children.

Social Justice can be categorized in so many aspects, such as domestic violence, poverty, human trafficking, exploitation, marginalization, abandonment, women’s rights, etc.  As we see each of these categories and think of those who have suffered these injustices we see that all of the mentioned and not mentioned have one thing in common, they do not have a VOICE.  Social Justice for me is having a VOICE.  When one does not have a VOICE one becomes VULNERABLE, WORTHLESS, HOPELESS and INVISIBLE. 

At Buckner I have had the opportunity to bring hope to orphans and at-risk children.  I have lead mission groups down to orphanages where children have lost HOPE, they have become INVISIBLE to society. These have become VULNERABLE to society’s corruption, leading them to live only on survival, survival is their only VOICE. When survival becomes the VOICE of children, they turn into those who have taken their VOICE.  Those who give, travel or pray for these children are bringing HOPE to them, they are taught that they are WORTHY and not INVISIBLE to our God. 

Now, I have the joy and challenge to advocate for and seek VOICES for children-a Forever Family.  A parent’s responsibility is to enable their children to live God’s purpose for their lives.  Parents do this by being their child’s VOICE. Currently there are 143 million orphans who feel WORTHLESS, are INVISIBLE, HOPELESS AND VULNERABLE because they are with out a VOICE-FAMILY. I have had the privilege to work with some of the most amazing families, who are taking on the call to bring in a child into their family and becoming their VOICE. When I see these children come home to their forever families, where they are no longer VULNERABLE, WORTHLESS, HOPELESS nor INVISIBLE, I see Social Justice.  Now they have a VOICE.

As the Church we need more advocacy for VOICES-Families.  We need your help.

God has brought us into His family; we are no longer WORTHLESS HOPELESS, VULNERABLE, INVISIBLE. As children of God we now have a VOICE. 

Becoming a Voice to a child is Social Justice. 

Comments

[Deniese Dillon]

Anrya,

I rejoice that you are voice for children and others who feel invisible and left out in all circumstances of their lives.

Deniese Dillon

[Albert Reyes]

Anyra, thanks for your voice for children. Great word.

[Chad Patterson]

Thanks Anyra for sharing your heart. I totally agree about the HOPE we have, through Christ, to offer people!!

[Mark grace]

Estoy muy de acuerdo con la opinion expresada por Denise, Anyra. Y tengo mucha gratitud por tu liderazgo-- sirves como inspiracion tan como maestra a nosotros. Que Dios sigue bendiciendo tu ministerio. Thanks so much for your leadership and your example that so challenge us to match your passion for "religion pure and undefiled."
Mark

[Enrique Ramirez]

Excelente comentario sobre el tema, que Dios multiplique tu ministerio y liderazgo
Bendiciones
Enrique Ramirez

[Debbie Wynne]

Anyra, You are a LIGHT, a VOICE and you provide HOPE to all the children and families you serve! The Lord is clearly working through you as you advocate for the least of these. Without your passion and commitment to help be the VOICE for these children, they would be forgotten. Thank you for your leadership, passion and commitment to help change the lives of children! You are a blessing to the children and our adoption ministry.

[Claudia Cano]

Anyra has never been shy to share her thoughts and opinions. I am not surprised to read how passionate my sister is about making a difference in people’s lives. As teens, we gave up our summer vacation to share God’s word to children through summer backyard clubs throughout El Paso, TX. I remember her in high school sharing God’s word with their debate teacher.
As little girls growing up in the church we were involved in a program called GA’s (Girls in Action). We would hear about great women doing God’s work around the world. I’m proud to see Anyra has become a woman of action. You ignite passion for God’s work and I know God has greater things for Anyra to do…
Love Yaya (Claudia)

[TL Grover]

In the 2008 "rockumentary" film "Call and Response" about the issues children face including Human Trafficking, child soldiers and many others - Dr. Cornell West said "JUSTICE is what LOVE looks like in public." When our theology becomes practically applied we will begin to see justice and God's Shalom lived out in our world. What good is the best theology if it is not also practically applied? We are practically, no good! It starts with us as individuals being willing to live selflessly and to model that to others. That is the most difficult audience - the one in the mirror.