Never Too Old to Make a Difference
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who have compassion for you. ”
Senior residents of a living center in Virginia appreciate and love those who care for them daily. Many of the staff are immigrants from places like Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Haiti, and Jamaica. The residents were so grateful for the loving care they received, they asked each other, “Is there something more we can do to give back to those who care for us?”
The residents began talking with the workers and found the immigrants’ lives were often a struggle but could be improved by becoming American citizens. So the residents got to work studying how they might help the immigrant workers. The residents found, “One of every four workers in long-term care facilities are immigrants. They are about 17 percent of the nation’s entire medical workforce. Thanks to the forces of economics and geopolitics, most of the folks taking care of us, our parents and our grandparents are immigrants.” The residents also found that “The cost of filing the primary citizenship form – the N-400 – went from $95 in 1994 to $640 in 2016. Then the Trump administration proposed to nearly double that – to $1,170. A federal judge blocked that increase, but at $725, it’s still a big number for folks struggling to get a foothold in a new life.”
The residents talked about their family histories when their ancestors were immigrants. Then, they decided they could raise money to help pay for the citizenship filing charge for each of the workers and their families. So these Seniors, in one living facility, reached out to their friends and family and within two weeks raised $40,000. Then, recognizing their wealth of experience, they began tutoring the workers and their families so that the citizenship test wouldn’t feel daunting.
When open hearts and loving care bring divine motivation, mountains move. We are never too young and never too old for God to use us to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. What it takes is a feeling of compassion and the courage to try. So today, look with prayerful eyes at the needs around you. Rather than let life’s challenges overwhelm your hope, seek small ways to reach out, and God might just open a massive door to lasting transformation!
