A 17 Year Old Brings Joy with Senior Project

Last Saturday our son Jordan dug eight holes for flags in front of our church as part of his senior project. Now you may think there is nothing out of the ordinary about this. But that's where you are wrong. You see, Jordan was putting poles up for flags that represent the countries of the refugees that our church family serves.

I had no idea the conversation, thrill and emotion that would come from this event. Since he was working on a Saturday, a lot of folks were passing by the church. After he got the American flag up and then the flag from Nepal, folks started stopping and asking what he was doing. Jordan explained that we are neighbors to many refugees and they do not get to see the flag of their beloved home land - the place where many of them will never see again. He told them about the English classes we hold each day and the educational trips. He told how they have been forced out of their own countries. Drivers began to toot their horns and clap for him as they drove by. This was incredible and I could see a change in Jordan as he became proud of what he was doing. It was suddenly much more than a senior project - it was a testimony to the love of our neighbors.

The real miracle though came Sunday and Monday mornings. On Sunday as the Haitian congregation came to worship, one of the teenage boys ran to the flagpole that waved the Haitian flag and hugged it. My country, my country he said as he beamed. Others soon gathered round and began to clap. I cried for the joy of what one simple act could do.

Then Monday as the refugees arrived to class, they ran to their flag poles - Nepal, Bhutan, Cuba, Thailand, Burma and celebrated their country. I cried for the joy of what one simple act can do!

Jordan is not finished yet. Hopefully this week he will have all the poles in place and then he wants to have a dedication service with the refugees (not part of his senior project!). There are times when as a mother of a 17 year old, I have wondered what path he is on. But Jordan made 6 pans of ziti, held the fundraiser so he could buy the flags and the poles, dug holes two feet deep each, and all of these became a tool for joy for someone else. I'm proud of Jordan - proud that he did the hard work, but even prouder for what he said to me on Saturday as he hoisted the flags on the poles. "the refugees need to see their flag - they need to know they are in a land that welcomes them."

How right you are Jordan - and now if only all nations could hear your words! I love you son!