Daylight 2011 Appeal

Heading out to Kenya today to visit Daylight Center and School. Read our 2011 appeal:

Dear friend,

Of all of the places and times God could have come to earth in human form, it is striking that Jesus was born to small landless nation, in a stable outside of an inn, whose family fled to Egypt
as refugees. Jesus understood what it meant to be without a home.

Like Jesus, children of nomadic tribes in rural Kenya understand life without a home. Their families move throughout the country searching for water and grazing land for their cattle. They may erect shelters as they move from place to place, but home – with all of its security, sense of rootedness, and sufficient provision from the land – is not a part of their experience.

In the past year, thanks to your help, Daylight has been able to bring more stability and
permanence to these kids’ lives by purchasing 7 acres of beautiful land. We could not have
done this without you. Thank you!

Jesus’ birth as a homeless child points us to children around the world in need of a home. As
we celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas, consider ways to take another step in partnership with Daylight to provide a home and education for children in rural Kenya:

1) One-time Gift – toward the $5,000 for temporary classrooms and dormitories – Materials from these temporary buildings will be re-used to construct permanent buildings later this year.
2) Monthly commitment – Help us meet the $3,000 monthly costs of food, water, school
supplies, and Kenyan staff salaries by committing to support Daylight with monthly gifts.

Check: Make checks payable to: House of Mercy and write Daylight Center in the memo line.
Mail checks to Daylight Center, 3528 16th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407.
Credit Card: Donate Online through our website at www.daylightcenterpokot.org

Peace, joy, hope and love to you this Christmas.

Daylight Center and School

The Story of the Black Rings

Last week I met a woman in Colombia who was wearing a black ring that matched my own. This woman is a Catholic nun, dedicated to serving the marginalized and left behind in Colombia. When realizing she was wearing a black ring, I knew I had met someone who shared my belief in solidarity with the oppressed. She told me, “We are connected,” when I showed her the ring I was wearing. Here is the story of the black rings:

There is a story of bishop, who in a meeting with the leaders of the Tapirapé people, an indigenous Brazilian tribe, was awed by their faith and resilience. He asked for their forgiveness for the treatment of their people by his, and more importantly, for forgiveness for the church’s complicity in the oppression of their people over the centuries.

The bishop took off his gold ring, the symbol of his office, and presented it to the chief, saying “We cannot return all the gold we took, or restore all the lives we destroyed. But we long to try and make things right. Take this ring as a symbol of my desire for what the church will be – no longer taking, but giving.” The Tapirapé chief accepted the ring, and reciprocated by removing his black tucum ring and giving it to the bishop as a symbol of their forgiveness and solidarity.

The ring, made from the fruit of the tucum palm tree is a difficult plant to cultivate due to its long, thin, sharp thorns. The rings, made from the fruit’s hard shell that surrounds the seed, are made by hand – typically taking over an hour per ring. The sawing, cleaning, and polishing are done by family members, creating opportunities for work for those who would not normally have it.

The symbolism of the black ring has changed over the years – in the 1800s the ring was a symbol of marriage for the slaves and natives, who could not afford to buy gold. The ring was also a symbol of friendship, and of resistance to the established order – the freedom fighters.

It is a sign of alliance, of solidarity with the indigenous peoples and with the lives of the people (the least of these). Anyone who wears this ring, normally, is saying they will accept the weight of this struggle, and also its consequences. Will you accept the challenge of the ring? Many, because of this commitment, were faithful until death…

Today, the black ring of tucum has come to symbolize solidarity with the poor – a pledge to defend the Gospel on the path with the poverty-stricken – engagement with the poor and excluded of society – defending the poorest – aligning oneself against the rich and powerful and with the poor, marginalized, and forgotten – those who cast their lot with the poor of the earth – those who long for the freedom of Christ to reach into the lowest depths and most broken places, and are willing to sacrifice their lives for Him and the least of these.

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100 People – 100 Dollars for Children of Daylight

Picture a place where families roam the land searching for food. Their utter lack of resources brings them to hunger and their bodies deteriorate with malnourishment. A place where wealth is not gold or silver or cash, but cows and goats. These animals are the people’s survival. Some fight to steal them. Some die protecting them. The Pokot region of Kenya is one such place. It is a place riddled with strife, where tribes war to protect their resources and provide for their own. Children lead their flocks out at day, each night thankful to return home, having survived another day.

Now imagine a place where children from warring tribes come together and are provided food, shelter, education and love. Where they are taught to live in peace with their neighbor and those from other tribes. Where they are given hope. Such a place also exists. It’s called Daylight. Today Daylight has committed teachers providing education for 150 kids. What we need now (this is where you come in) is a place for these children of nomads to go to school; a place to call home. We’ve purchased 3 acres of land. But what we need to run a successful school and provide these children with great opportunities is 8 acres of land. $10,000 will get us what we need. Imagine 100 people giving 100 dollars.  It’s a steep goal for a ragtag band of idealists in Minneapolis. But YOU can help us make that goal a reality.

Our Challenge: Give a gift today with two zeros in front of it (_00.00 you fill in the blank).

The Prize: Besides the huge prize of helping kids in need, we’re providing another one. For every $100 you give in the next two weeks, your name will be entered into a raffle to win a week’s stay at the Roberts’ Cabin in Brainerd, MN (Usually rented for $2500/week).

To help us continue to provide peace, education, and hope, in the name of Jesus, read below or go here. (Surprisingly, checks are preferred this time.)
For more info about Daylight, go here.

DONATE BY MAIL
Donate by check through regular mail to the address below.
Checks should be made payable to “The House of Mercy.” Please write “Daylight Center” in the memo line.

Daylight Center
3528 16th Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55407

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