River Babies

River Babies
New Hope Blog Series
More than 12 years ago, Kris and I felt led to start New Hope, to minister to under-resourced children and their families. We began our journey with more enthusiasm than wisdom.

Early on in our ministry, a mentor shared the “River Babies” story with me. His ministry was similar to ours, providing an after-school tutoring program for under-resourced children living on the northside of our town. I thought I understood the story’s meaning straightaway. Over the years, however, my own experiences have enabled me to see multiple layers of wisdom beneath the story’s surface. Now, I share the “River Babies” parable with you.

The Path

The River Babies Journey isn’t merely about discovering the source of the river rabies. It’s also about finding our true selves. That’s because it is a journey, not a destination. This journey is nothing if it is not a spiritual one.

The Pathnewhopehosting2024-01-28T14:04:30+00:00

Heading South

The initial reason we journey upstream is to get a better understanding of our world. The main benefit, however, is that we gain a better understanding of ourselves.

Heading Southnewhopehosting2024-02-02T13:49:46+00:00

Brooklyn River Babies Cry for Help

As we journey upstream, we must remember that everyone is captive to their own experiences. We can only truly know our own world: we merely believe that we understand the experiences of others. Our experiences, in turn, influence our perspectives.

Brooklyn River Babies Cry for Helpnewhopehosting2024-01-28T14:18:58+00:00

From the Orange Groves to High Falls

Like every child, I believed that my hometown was the best city on earth. Many years later, I still believe I was fortunate to have grown up there, but I now have a more nuanced view.

From the Orange Groves to High Fallsnewhopehosting2024-01-28T14:05:09+00:00

From the Genesee River

Yes, like all American cities, Rochester had an exceptional past, but it also has some truly ugly stories that have remained carefully untold. Stories that those neighbors and my own dad had never heard. The racial conflicts which spawned “white flight” were symptoms of deeper problems.

From the Genesee Rivernewhopehosting2024-01-28T14:05:23+00:00

Parable of the River Babies

More than 12 years ago, Kris and I felt led to start New Hope, to minister to under-resourced children and their families. We began our journey with more enthusiasm than wisdom.

Parable of the River Babiesnewhopehosting2024-01-28T18:33:02+00:00