"Let us shift diminishment language to the language of evolution, so that we focus on our renewal as a prophetic life form, to our growth and development. Life and death are cyclic. One organism dies, another is reborn."

GSR Today - It may be hard to believe, but the crisis caused by Boko Haram in Africa is getting worse. The Islamic extremists' terrorism and the fighting have destroyed livestock and food stores, brought the economy to a halt and forced millions to flee.

Overcoming their own fears, 86 Nigerian sisters did what they have not done before: express their dissatisfaction in public. At the gates of the National Assembly and to Police Headquarters, they found support for their message of solidarity with suffering Nigerians.

Simple moments of connection and the support of life in a strong Catholic community during the volunteer experience have proven influential for former volunteers who moved on to pursuing a vocation with a religious order.

"Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world."

During this National Migration Week, I've been reflecting on these opportunities I've had to "migrate" out of my comfort zone and to be welcomed as "stranger" in other lands. I reverence those crucial parts of my life. They have made me a better Christian.

See for Yourself - I was beginning to wonder if anyone purchased replacement watch batteries anymore. It took me stopping at three stores and patrolling around the jewelry cases to find what I was looking for.

"Every child, every story, every face, are part of me now. I walk with them and through them, because they have become part of my own history of salvation and the story of the salvation of immigrant people."

Travelers have the chance to help rescue sex-trafficking victims via the TraffickCam app, which is creating a database of hotel room photos. It's a project of Exchange Initiative, which came into being after meeting planner Kimberly Ritter crossed paths with the Sisters of St. Joseph.

GSR Today - From Syria to Central America to the Pacific Islands, the forces of war, economics and nature carry the global refugee crisis into 2017 as relief workers, the United Nations and religious deal with this "new normal."