America, Remember Who You Are

At the top of my emails this past Monday was this message to Andrew Pawuk, our vice president, and me from Selam Terefe, the leader of our mission in East Africa:

I am writing this email with a heavy heart following the news of the recent shooting incident. Like many others, I watched the short video that was circulating repeatedly, and I must admit that I was left in disbelief. I don’t know the details but violence is never the answer.

As far as I know, the United States has always been a symbol of open, respectful dialogue, and freedom. It is also a nation that has proven time and time again its willingness to receive political asylum seekers and support those in need (I am a witness). Whatever happens in America is close to our hearts. I hope you are taking care of yourself during these difficult moments, and please know that the U.S. is at the top of our prayer list.

Selam’s message reminds us of who America has always been and who we should always be. But this is not the America we have been living in for some time now, and this we must change. 

The shooting last weekend felt so personal to me because it seems to be a reflection of the nation right now—one in which both sides share a determination to silence the other. That is not the America that I grew up in, and it’s not the nation we should pass on to the next generation. 

Our system of government acknowledges the obvious fact that there are two sides to every issue. Can you imagine what America would look like now if only one party had run it for the last 100 years? Why would we ever want to muzzle a person who sees more clearly the other side of whatever coin we hold so dear?

God is God of both mercy and also justice—but we as humans can’t possibly always get that balance right. Listening to and respecting the voices of others is so critical to our growth. 

Two weeks ago, our entire team sat around a table after the presidential debate and discussed our reactions to it. Each and every person expressed what a good experience it was to be able to talk freely about politics. But one of our team members said it best. He was forced to flee his country years ago to escape government persecution for the mission he was carrying out on our behalf. He looked at us in awe and said, “This is amazing. In my country, we would never talk to others like this because a spy could report you to the government.”

Selam is watching us from the other side of the globe to remind us that that is not who we are. May her message inspire each of us to enjoy the freedom we have to engage in open, respectful dialogues. And may these pictures of the relationships you made possible be a reminder of what we mean to the world.

International Samaritan is a Christ-centered organization built on Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission is to walk hand-in-hand with people who live and work in the garbage dumps of developing nations to help them break out of poverty.

We provide holistic scholarships for students from kindergarten through college, and we’re currently supporting nearly 1,000 scholars in Central America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.

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We have new merchandise available for purchase! The designs are based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. After telling the story of the compassionate Samaritan, Jesus urged his listeners to “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37) Those words inspire our service today. 

All merchandise proceeds, $5 per item, support Samaritan Scholars and their families.

Mike Tenbusch, President

Mike joined International Samaritan in 2018 after two decades of leading social change in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. He’s a University of Michigan Law grad and author of The Jonathan Effect: Helping Kids and Schools Win the Battle Against Poverty. He and his wife, Maritza, have three children who keep them young.