Deerfield Youth Learn to Spot Injustice

Ten members of the of Deerfield Youth Group joined 35,000 young people from around the world last week at the triennial Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Youth Gathering to learn how to spot injustice and do something about it. 

Not only did the young people hear motivational speakers including Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee, but they had the opportunity to put the words into action by helping people in New Orleans still struggling to overcome the effects of Hurricane Katrina. 

“They learn how to make change in the world,” Zion Youth Leader Julia Arbaugh said. “If they see injustice in the world like the way women are treated in Africa they learn what they can do about it.”

The group of Elaine Arbaugh, Jonathon Arbaugh, Jack Dessent, Pat Dessent, Chiara Del Prete, Alessandro Del Prete, Joan Fletcher, Pastor Dave Kyllo, Kaya Monsen, Lyndsay Monsen, Sue Monsen, Claire Repsholdt, Vicki Repsholdt, Danny Rosborough, Dave Zilligen and Devin Zilligen learned fast.

The Youth Group members rolled up their sleeves and worked, according to Arbaugh. They used tools to remove material from buildings being deconstructed in New Orleans so the parts could be reused.

Working by day, the 35,000 people gathered each night in the New Orleans Superdome to hear motivational speakers including Gbowee give a message to spot injustice and persevere through tough situations to make a difference, according to Arbaugh.

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