Be Fair

A couple of months back, I was having a discussion in class about marginalised people's standards of living, when you should intervene and when to back off and the subject turned to globally. A woman sitting behind me clearly stated that she had no interest about what goes on oversees. It had nothing to do with her and she did not care what was going on. As I had previously done a presentation on human trafficking and unfair trade practices between Countries, this woman and many others were well aware of such issues oversees. As fired up as I got and as quick as I was to respond, her blunt honesty was one that spoke truth. Although many may not admit it, they simply don't care. Are we that desensitised to it all. Is it because caring means change, removing comfort and thinking about someone else first. Does it mean shopping consciously and not buying something because it's cheaper. One of the many examples of this which I've heard is "It's to expensive."

Whatever the reason is for our lack of action and change. I think that raw honesty is what's needed. The truth, being totally honest moves us to question why it is that we don't care, why aren't I making that change. What is it about me that stops me from paying a bit more so that others may live well.

It reminds me of William Booth's encounter, while he was preaching his message of total obedience. There were those in amongst the crowd who would cry "The cost is too high, the sacrifice is too great!"

This is the same issue that remains today.

P.S. The woman that made that statement in class also has a son the same age as my son, I wonder if her opinion has changed based on the terrible events last year of tainted baby formula

The right to love

Hello bloggers.

I'm new here, but am very familiar with social justice issues.
My name is Jess and I am looking forward to connecting with you all.

So I'd like to start with a question.
Do you have the right to be loved?

I hope that you all answered yes. Love is one of the basic rights that we have as a human, without it, we simply would not grow and develop into a healthy person. Each person deserves the basic necessities of life, but for many, as you all are aware of to some degree, simply isn't a reality.
It was nearly five years ago that I first remember seeing footage of a hospital in Romania where cameras had been snuck in, what lay inside totally changed my perception on human suffering. Inside this hospital were rows and rows of babies and toddlers confined to these cots with no more attention than a very brief check by the few nurses that they had to care for these babies. They were often left hours in their own faeces barely getting enough milk or food. Day after day they lay on their backs looking out from the bars of their cots, waiting for someone to come and pick them up, pay them some attention. The outcome of this is perfectly healthy born babies becoming crippled for life, their limbs twisted from spending hours without any stimulation, their minds never having developed, not knowing how to act or how to respond to another human,so they bang their heads against the wall and rock from side to side, the only thing they can do.
So I sat their and hoped that everyone watching felt the same anguish and guilt that I felt, so much so that we would be willing to give up all that we had to see this injustice brought to it's knees.
Then I discovered Orphans Aid International late last year, ordinary people working towards better outcomes for Orphans. They are examples that anyone can make a difference.

Their is hope, all that is needed is people who care enough.
Check out their website and definitely look at their trade me page.

Hope to make a difference.

The simple things in life .....

Recently I took part on a journey from the Mountains to the Sea, about 300km of hiking, biking, rafting and canoeing. As the trip progressed the comforts of home diminished. No running water, no toilet door, hmmm for a lot of the trip we didn’t even have a toilet, so had to dig a hole in the ground, food was cooked over camp stoves, cell phone coverage was minimal at best, I couldn’t even check my emails. One night I even lacked shelter as the rain come down, and my new bivy bag proved its was much better at capturing water than keeping it out!

Despite the lack of what is normal, it was a great trip. Over the days simple things became more and more like a treat. Bevan’s bag of lollies at the leaders meetings, dry toilet paper, a jam sandwich while floating down a river etc....

It got me thinking, how much of what I have do i really need? The answer is a bit scary, as I have a lot more than I need to live. I guess the long term challenge is to try to live life more simply, with less stuff. In doing so I will be able to appreciate the little things more.

Happy New year - Bring it on 2009.

We are all back at work/school/and doing life by now... I am sitting at my desk and looking at a quote by Willie Booth:

Your days at the most cannot be very long. So use them to the best of your ability for the glory of God and the benifit of your generation."

On Waitangi weekend City lights is having a 3-day gathering - worship/fellowship and serving the community- a great way kick of the year.

Please share with us on here what your up to this year- what stuff you are doing, thoughts your having, questions you ponder. We really invite you into this discussion...

Hope has Come, we are agents!

Christmas - Prison Bake!

Firstly let me take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy Christmas and an awesome new year!

Got to share a little story, inspired by the passage in Matt 25, where Jesus talked about the sheep and the goats. One of the lines is when did you feed the hungry... or visit me in jail ...

After hearing this in a recent Christmas message a lady from our church got inspired, called the local prison and asked if she could take in a pile of baking to share with the prisoners on Christmas day. Turns out you're not actually allowed to take in home backing, something about what could be baked inside it! But totally sweet if its from a shop and fully sealed! She told the Church, and a couple of days ago, 4 really large bags headed into the prison.

For me thats really what Christmas is all about, its so easy to give gifts to those we care about, and thats a good thing. I guess what made me go wow with this story is it is so inline with the way Jesus taught us to act. Was a challenge for me, what am i doing this Christmas to honour the teaching and life of Jesus?

Working flat out - the child labour behind Egyptian cotton sheets

They work 10-hour shifts in 40C heat for 20 pence a day. Their job? Picking the cotton that makes the world's finest bed linen. Dan McDougall reports on the scandal of Egypt's child labourers

Check out the full story at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jun/08/childprotection.humanrights

Another good reason to make sure you buy Fairtrade Cotton!

God is with us!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7

This promise made a long time ago came to fruition- and hence Christmas. What a radical time, that this time would mean peace, hope, justice, righteousness. And that Jesus would be called Immanuel - God with Us. God is with us this Christmas, with that same brimming hope that Isaiah had when he spoke those words- infact the brimming hope is now also brimming joy, because it is no longer just a prophecy but real.

Have a great christmas and new year- God is with us.