Terry, my sister, is a recruiter for the Ft. Worth Independent School District. Saturday she took on an additional role as a registrar. She volunteered to help refugee students from Louisiana enroll. She heard many heartbreaking stories of devastation, separation, and loss. Terry and her colleagues were not only there to enroll children, but to offer hope.
One such story was from a young man who was a high school football player in Louisiana. Comparatively speaking, losing a football season to a hurricane may not rank as high as many of the losses, unless you are a high school football player.
Terry assured the young man that he would be able to play football. She could sense his insecurity about the situation, then she put in a call for the coach of the school he was going to attend. She left a message for the coach to call her back on her cell phone.
The call finally came. They found the young man and told him the coach was on the phone. The coach began talking to and encouraging this young man, and Terry heard him respond back to the coach who now became HIS COACH. "Yes Coach, Coach what about.... Thank you, Coach." Terry's eyes filled with tears as she heard a young man who had lost so much, talk to COACH. This young man tapped into the universal language of sport that transcends borders and hurricanes and he once again had a COACH and something that filled him with hope.
Today the stories of hope are beginning to hit the media outlets. There are over 220,000 refugees in Texas now. The people of Texas are doing what they can to provide hope. For many of these folks, Texas may become their home. WELCOME TO THE LAND OF HOPE!
About Me
- David Michael
- Katy, Texas, United States
- Being a husband and a father is the greatest blessing in my life. I am also a Special Educator to students with an autism spectrum disorder.
3 comments:
Davie,
Our church here in Midland is the official FEMA and Red Cross station to find housing for the people arriving from Louisiana.
The local Hilton Hotel here has an entire floor for them, and a kind soul here in town paid for 180 days of free hotel for over 40 people. More are arriving, and we are ready to love them and love on them and show them we care.
Thank you for the story you shared.
I hope this young man does exceptionally well this year!
David, that was so sweet, I almost couldn't read it to my husband.
Seriously, that was awesome to share.
David,
I am writing this through my tears. Thanks for sharing the story of hope and rebuilding. People have lost so much. It's good to hear how people are offering hope and healing.
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