“The economic crisis presents us with an enormous opportunity: to rediscover our values – as people, families, as communities of faith, and as a nation.”  So begins Jim Wallis’ newest book, which issues a rally cry to embrace a “transformational moment” in the history of America.  Wallis does this by identifying how we got here, what we got ourselves into, and the way out. 

Although I don’t agree with every point Wallis makes, he has challenged me to rediscover the core values of my faith and respond.  For example, as I try to live as a Good Samaritan, I was challenged to remember that “The gospel story of the Good Samaritan teaches an age old lesson that we must reach out to other human beings in order to be human ourselves and that we will likely have to cross some traditional social boundaries to do that.” 

Readers of the book will see how they can use this transformational moment to regain balance by remembering that enough is enough, that we’re in it together, and that our aim must be to “develop an ethic of a sustainable economy and sustainable communities and to teach that ethic to our children.” JY

Originally Posted on 3-18-09

As mentioned in a previous post, we filmed our interviewee, Mike Yankoski, here in Grand Rapids, MI. During our time with him he asked me this question: What’s been your favorite part of working on the start> Becoming a Good Samaritan project?

Here’s what I told him -

My absolute favorite part of working on the start> Becoming a Good Samaritan project has been watching God work!

We initially had hoped that perhaps 20 individuals would step forward to be a voice on the five global issues addressed on the curriculum – and today we sit with over 70 participants on the project.

People questioned if we’d be able to schedule all of the interviews as most of our interviewees have incredibly busy calendars to schedule around; yet, we have had people bend over backwards to accommodate our schedules. We’ve had interviewees host us at their offices, their churches and their homes - sharing with us their stories and encouraging us along the way!

The number of itineraries we’ve had to piece together has been substantial and the details, at times, are overwhelming! But everything has progressed with minimal glitches along the way. It just goes to show that all things are possible with God and I cannot begin to explain how He has brought this all together.

I live for the moments when I take a step back and realize all that God has done! The past few months have been exactly that – moment after moment where all I can do is share with you that God is at work, we are not alone, and that this world will be reconciled to Him.

Kaylee, Project Manager