Reaching Out

Walking beside me was our 15-year-old son, David, and Odess Monsanje, from Zambia, who is living with us for a year. When I got tired on Friday night, I issued a call for arms, and there was always someone beside me to put their arms up to carry our sign.

I would hope that this march and vigil was the beginning of a "New Call to Arms." Maybe our church can connect with military families in our community who have lost a loved one and are missing the hands and arms to get things done like small carpentry or plumbing jobs. Maybe we can be the "arms" and "hands" of sisters and brothers walking alongside of children who have lost a father or mother.

Jim King is a member of Plains Mennonite Church in Hatfield, Pa.