Living in Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Christ came to set us free – to give us freedom from the captivity of sin. 

Often, we find ourselves living in a prison that we created. This prison is created when we allow our sinful thoughts, words, and behavior to distance us from God. We allow the lies of the enemy to distort who God is and the grace, love, and forgiveness he desires to give us. Believing that we are beyond hope, beyond rescue, and beyond healing, we settle to live as prisoners.

However, our prison has a key. Our captivity is just steps away from freedom. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins so we could live in freedom. But, what does freedom in Christ truly mean? 

It means that God stands by us until we are free. He knows that freedom is a journey, and He chooses to take that journey with us. He often uses challenges to woo us to Himself, but He never forsakes us. God is not scared or turned off or intimidated by the depth or length of our need. Although He never excuses our sin and rebellion, He patiently walks us towards the freedom He has planned for us. Best of all, He knows our hearts and what motivates our actions, and is therefore the only one who can bring us healing and freedom. Yes, healing. God doesn’t “fix” us; He heals us. God’s heart is overflowing with compassion for us in our time of need, but will ultimately wait for us to want to leave the prison we have created for ourselves. 

Our freedom can be found in Christ alone. We can know that “in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God’s purpose is motivated by an unconditional, unfailing, selfless love. Christ offers us freedom so that we might have life abundantly. Living with a purpose, a plan, and a hope for each day. Living not simply for this world, but for an eternity with him.

Christ came so that you would be set free. Are you living free today?

People Are So Giving Here

Andrei was just 12 years old when the Soviet Union fell and his beloved country of Moldova gained independence and a fresh start. In the midst of initial excitement, Moldovans experienced the collective confusion of how to rebuild and start anew. Many regained possession of family-owned land that had been taken by the Soviets, only to find acre upon acre overgrown and weed-infested, with no resources to make it usable or profitable. With a lack of infrastructure, jobs were scarce and available jobs paid such low wages that most families lived below the poverty line. Andrei recalls how he watched many adults, devoid of purpose, literally drink their lives away.

Surrounded by this depression, Andrei found himself vulnerable to this same pattern as he grew into adulthood. He regrets that he fell victim to this lifestyle for a period of time, but his life changed when he had a spiritual experience that redirected the course of his life. As a result of this experience, he found new purpose in church involvement and actively caring for the disadvantaged around him. He found that some were receptive to these acts of care, while others were quite hostile. Andrei was not a member of the Orthodox Church, and was therefore considered a heretic by many who adhered to national traditions. He calmly relates that he was even beaten and stoned for his beliefs - a horror that he later found was to positively change the fate of his entire family.

Andrei, his wife, and his three children lived their lives as best they could in this environment. However, Andrei's heart was breaking as he envisioned his children's future. In particular, he was concerned for his firstborn son, who suffers from mental retardation and epilepsy. In Moldova, such children were denied education and often abandoned by parents who could neither tolerate nor afford them. He heard that there were special programs available for such children in the United States and dreamed that one day he might be able to provide special care for his son. As fate would have it, he found that his entire family was approved to resettle in the United States due to the targeted oppression Andrei had suffered.

Andrei's case was processed with the help of Catholic Charities in Indianapolis. His sister, who had married a man from America and moved to Indianapolis, filed a family petition with the assistance of resettlement staff. When Andrei and his family arrived in Indianapolis, they brought with them only a few suitcases and the hope for a new life.

Services provided by Catholic Charities resettlement staff began by greeting them at the airport upon arrival and taking them to their new apartment. Over the next few months, Andrei and his family were connected to all necessary resources to start their lives again, including assistance with food, financial support, medical appointments, welfare, English classes, disability resources, employment training and even finding jobs. Additionally, all of Andrei's children were enrolled in school, including his son who had previously been unable to attend. Andrei became teary-eyed while recounting it all - he said, "People are so giving here."

Andrei is currently working as an administrative specialist for a local company, and is delighted to provide for his family. He expressed his deep gratitude for the services provided by Catholic Charities, and when asked how he feels about his new life here, he paused for a moment, smiled, and simply offered, "It's great."

The Land of the Free And the Home of the Brave…

We wish you could meet Jack.

Jack enlisted in the military after high school and was sent overseas to serve in the Middle East. Upon his return, Jack settled in Terre Haute to complete his nursing degree. He initially came to Ryves Youth Center (a program center for Catholic Charities in Terre Haute) as a volunteer through the Indiana State University’s Martin Luther King Day, and that one day of service soon turned into an on-going relationship. It was clear that Jack had spent time in the military – he was quiet but seemed to enjoy our young preschoolers, and they him. Jack came to see the preschool kids several times each week and even interned at Ryves during his senior year.

Not long after his graduation, Jack returned to active duty and was stationed at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas. But, the children at Ryves remain firmly planted in Jack’s heart. We have been blessed to receive letters from Jack, and we’d like to share a brief excerpt from one of those letters:

“Since I don’t have any children of my own, I guess I ended up sort of adopting the children [at Ryves] into my own heart…Often, even though I was trying to help them and teach them something, I felt as if it was they who were teaching me.”

Today, we celebrate not only our nation’s birth and freedom, but men like Jack. Jack is an excellent role model for the children at Ryves – living by his Christian values and displaying the character that our children need to grow up into a positive adult.

Men like Jack are the reason we celebrate this county as the land of the free and the home of the brave. We thank you, Jack, for not only your service to our country but also for living a life that truly displays love for others in a meaningful way.

May you have a Happy 4^th of July!