God Values Everyone
Dear Friends,
'I was just sixteen, and you know what I mean!´. England was in pursuit of the
World Cup. I was on a mail ship off the east coast of Africa. In those days
missionaries travelled that way and whilst our parents indulged in inter-faith
fraternals, sons and daughters were free to practice other forms of relationships.
The girl that caught my attention was 15, Swiss and drop dead gorgeous. I had intent and the Fancy Dress Ball would be my opportunity in a borrowed sailors outfit because every girl loves a sailor. But when the time arrived I discovered that I had two left feet and the object of my ardour was swept up by an adept 18 year old. Sadly my confidence never recovered. The Lord must have known that I couldn't cope with such temptation.
During the last week it has been my lot to accept the gratitude of a series of
`'Community Defenders' in Peru on behalf of the disaster relief agency, ADRA, our church members and the EU. Defenders are people elected by their community trained to deal with family conflict and violence against Women and Children in particular. The Ayacucha district was the centre of a Maoist revolution in which almost every family lost a loved one. Many of the survivors are brutalised in spirit, with family violence being considered normal. Indeed, legislation enshrining the rights of Women and Children has only been enacted in the last two years unbeknown to most public officers, and women in outlying districts. Making these rights meaningful has been our task.
Little wonder then, that the Matriarchs turned out in numbers to celebrate the assertion of their humanity. Just how would they express this deep emotion to a linguistically challenged Gringo? It turns out that dancing is their way and they were not about to take 'no' for an answer. Youthful inhibitions, puritanical upbringing, lack of rhythm and the breathlessness of an obese traveller at 10,000 feet were no excuse. They were happy, grateful and liberated. They were going to share that joy with a visitor on their dusty arena through primitive movement and touch no matter what. Just in case you misread the
situation one of the early invites came from a 3 foot dwarf lady in traditional dress. She was not going to pass up this opportunity after a life time of marginalisation. If the experience affirmed her humanity and symbolised acceptance of the most vulnerable then the exercise will have been wholesome.
No doubt this is what the wise man had in mind when he declared that there is a time to dance and to embrace.
No doubt Christ had some of this in mind when he declared that he came to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives, to heal the broken hearted and to declare the acceptable year of the Lord.
Restoring the image of God in men and women is part of the Christian life. Why not seek opportunities in your community, at work or among family and friends. Inhibitions can be overcome given the opportunity. May God continue to bless you as you seek to demonstrate God’s love to others.
Yours sincerely
Victor