Tents of Hope Draws Attention to Darfur

Multicolored hearts and other images of peace have been hand-painted on the exterior of the canvas “Tent of Hope” that currently sits in the atrium of the Christian Reformed Church offices in Grand Rapids.

Set up by the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) in conjunction with the Office of Social Justice (OSJ), the tent is on display as part of a larger effort to draw attention to the ongoing conflict in Darfur, Sudan. Through its various programs, CRWRC workers have been providing aid to hungry, sick, and traumatized people in the area since 2004.

“[Darfur] is the epicenter of one of the most horrific human rights crises in the world,” says Meghan Kraley, communications coordinator for the OSJ. “The conflict literally affects millions of people . . . As many as 400,000 have died because of the conflict.”

“Tents of Hope” is the formal name of the effort launched in June 2007. Besides the CRC, supporters include Church World Services and Lutheran World Relief. The project was begun by “Dear Sudan,” a California-based group whose mission is to build a national and international response to the situation in Darfur.

CRWRC and OSJ recently decided to become part of the tent project. The first appearance of the tent occurred during the International Faith and Development Conference that took place at Calvin College in early February. College students painted some of the first images on the small canvas tent. CRC employees in the Grand Rapids office will add signs and symbols to the tent this week.

“I am excited about the whole creative aspect of this,” says Tracy Young, a communications consultant for OSJ. “This is an interesting method for people to get involved in an advocacy issue.”

After the painted tent leaves the CRC office, it will be used in other settings. The CRC’s current tent – or another like it if the initial one fills with art -- will also be used in celebrations across the U.S. during the denomination’s Sea to Sea 2008 Bike Tour. The cross-continental tour is a fundraiser to help various organizations within and outside the CRC fight world poverty.

“Tents of Hope is just one way that Christians can respond to the crisis in Darfur,” says Kraley.  “While for our families it's fun to go camping for a weekend in a tent like this, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children would be relieved to call a tent like this ‘home.’ For the refugees of Darfur, Sudan, a tent like this is a symbol of loss.”

CRC congregations are encouraged to become part of the Darfur peace project by purchasing and painting their own tents. The hope is that CRC congregations will hold their own Tents of Hope events this spring. “By coming together with the common goal of showing compassion for those who are suffering, the tents will raise awareness, funds, and advocacy to address the crisis in Darfur,” says Young.

Tent events could include speakers, music, informational materials, times set aside for people to sit and pray in the tent, and time for children and adults to paint messages and symbols on the tent. Any organization that joins the project (including churches, schools, businesses, retirement homes, or arts or civic groups) will have the chance to bring their tent to Washington, D.C., in October and put it up on the National Mall.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the effort can contact [email protected].