Wealth

Like many, I learned in Econ 101 that scarcity of goods is the driver of the economy. Of course that's true, but I'm convinced it's not at all the whole story. If one dares to look more deeply at the human exchange, a thinly veiled, radically opposed reality emerges - ABUNDANCE.

Out of the literally hundreds of possible examples I could share, here's one case in point: Berhane (Desmet - 1996, SLU - 2001), our riveting keynote speaker at the Evening of Hope. Our productive, responsible, young man who now has a wife and daughter. Berhane shared with everyone present the two life moments that convince him he's a lucky man: 1. Surviving being smuggled through war-torn Eritrea to live in a Sudanese refugee camp during his childhood and pre-adolescence and 2. Discovering BHGH after a devastating family tragedly left his five younger siblings and him motherless with a father in prison for life and facing inevitable sibling dispersal to foster care. Together, we kept the brothers together. We allowed Berhane to focus on his Biomedical Engineering degree at SLU by bringing his 9 year old brother into our home. That way, he only had to co-raise his 5 year old sister on top of work and school. We had the alternatingly heart-wrenching and heart heartwarming honor of supporting his brothers' growth and development, with much success. Berhane has been an untiring partner in this parenting.

And so, with tears in his eyes, Berhane asserts that he is a lucky man. We kept his family together. He wants to give back. Berhane has been given much, he wants to give much in return.

Well, in that case, how lucky are we? How abundantly blessed are we? Wealth indeed is a relative term. Perhaps one the level that most matters, scarcity is an illusion. I am convinced that we break the spell of that illusion when we each step out and offer what we can, even when it is painful.

You have done so. As we prepare to celebrate thanksgiving, I speak for all our scholars and staff in expressing heartfelt gratitude for being a part of life-transforming hope by befriending our youth, getting involved with our program, giving of your time, talent and treasure.

May you receive in the measure you have given from your heart, and then some. May all of us and our families, who are surrounded by abundance, enjoy the greatest blessing of all: opening our eyes to see it.

Brian Hipp

Executive Director