Honour Restored by Jesus (Ros' Blog)
I’ve seen quite a few posts on social media recently written by people who feel stigmatised for their disability. It sometimes goes beyond being marginalised and overlooked in society, which in itself is bad enough. People feel targeted for disapproval, or seen as worthless if they are not able to make a net financial contribution to the country.
It reminded me of George Osborne’s disparaging remarks about people whose curtains are still drawn when the rest of us go to work – thereby stigmatising people with conditions like ME or cancer or recurrent migraine, and people who rely on the visits of carers to get them up in the morning. It also reminded me of a woman in the Bible who knew what it was to live with stigma.
She wasn’t allowed in the presence of her husband any longer. She wasn’t allowed to sit on the family’s furniture – anyone who sat on a seat she had used made their clothes ceremonially unclean and would have to burn them. It was twelve long years since she’d felt a human touch.
The loneliness, the hunger for human contact hadn’t abated over the years since her nightmare began, but she had become accustomed to living with its bite. Gradually her family’s affection had crumbled away into a sort of tolerance edged with contempt. Her daughter-in-law tossed some food into her corner of the room twice a day when she fed the family and they had grudgingly spared her a grubby mattress to lie down on at night.
Her son, the bright-eyed boy who used to run so eagerly into her arms when he was small, had grown into a masterful husband and father who gave his elderly father a place of honour in the family and his elderly mother a home of sorts. Yet even he avoided her eye contact with an embarrassment that was palpable.
When the day grew so hot that everyone with any sense was indoors in the shade, she would creep to the river bank to wash her clothes and bedding in the running water. She dared not go to the same spot used by the other women, but walked a long way downstream to avoid giving offence.
The ostracism and stigma were like prison walls around her. So it was very daring of her to creep into the crowd of people that day, pulling her clothes tightly around her in an instinctive attempt to avoid touching anyone. Nothing but a desperate hope, the resurrection within her of a dream she had believed was dead, could have impelled her to take this course of action.
She squeezed through the crowd surrounding Jesus, ashamed at touching people who she knew would recoil if they heard the truth about her. But there was no other way to get near Him, so she pressed on through. As soon as she was within arm’s length, she reached out and touched his tunic’s hem. She was instantly healed from the haemorrhage that had rendered her ceremonially unclean, but old habits die hard, and she tried to creep back unnoticed the way she’d come.
Jesus was having none of it. He knew her spirit was as much in need of healing as her body. So he called her forward and, when she hesitated to respond, insisted that she make herself known. Trembling with fear she came and fell at his feet, the words of apology forming on her lips. To her astonishment, far from reprimanding her, He publicly honoured her for her faith.
Jesus knew that it was more than just her body which had suffered during those twelve years, but that the stigma of other people’s revulsion towards her had inflicted deep wounds on her spirit. And to Him it was essential that she was restored to wholeness, the wholeness that came from knowing that she was loved, valued and honoured by God. Indeed, the honour that Jesus bestowed on her swept away all the shame and humiliation and she left Him with her head held high; whole, secure and loved.
If anyone reading this feels stigmatised by attitudes in society, the words of politicians, the tone of newspaper articles, the looks of passing strangers, here is good news indeed. There is healing for your spirit, there is honour instead of stigma and an assurance of being treasured instead of shame. And for us today, as for that woman two thousand years ago, it’s found in one place: in an encounter with Jesus.
So I encourage you to reach out to Him. No matter how wounded your spirit or how damaged your self-esteem; reach out to Jesus. He will welcome you, honour you and restore you to the sense of the full value and worth that you have in God’s eyes. See yourself as He sees you, and find joy in His love for you.
Wheels in Nigeria 2018: Day 7 & 8
A Wheels team of ten people are hard at work in Nigeria this week - they'll be there from the 14th to the 24th November, and we'll bring you stories from their trip as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for them as they work!
Day 7
Today the team were transported 1 and a half hours through Lagos to our other partner, Graces’ distribution after a long delay for a puncture. Our drives through Lagos have been eye opening - today several of the team noticed a disabled lady literally rolling through the muddy road at the market - we could not safely stop to help her and had no equipment with us as the wheelchairs had been sent ahead - it was a profound moment that broke our hearts - how could this be happening in 2018? So many broken lives, so much suffering ....... come Lord Jesus. The distribution was v busy with lots of people being assessed for wheelchairs today. We were all particularly touched by the story of Demilade aged 12 who was abandoned by her parents at an orphanage 5 years ago. She is blind and has complex needs. Today we were able to fit her with a wheelchair which will enable her to be pushed around the home and cared for more easily - praise God!
Day 8
Today we returned to the Government Compound in Festac, Lagos. We were able to fit many children and adults with wheelchairs, buggies and crutches. In the afternoon many young athletes turned up who are training hard and would like to be in the Paralympics - weight lifting, basketball, volleyball too. They were all in need of new wheelchairs and were very grateful. This is Aberi- she had a stroke 10 years ago but also fell five years ago and hurt her back. Her sons were with her and clearly love her very much but were concerned about her being left alone in the house. She uses a stick but was very wobbly - we were able to give her a wheelchair for which she was very grateful- although she was most grateful of all for her Bible.
Wheels in Nigeria 2018: Day 5
A Wheels team of ten people are hard at work in Nigeria this week - they'll be there from the 14th to the 24th November, and we'll bring you stories from their trip as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for them as they work!
Today was our second day in Festac, Lagos. The team had a very busy, chaotic (at times) but amazing day. Two particular recipients stick in my mind. Fawasi is 18 years old and is cared for by his elderly grandmother. He is unable to speak or walk due to cerebral palsy. Due to her frail health his grandmother is no longer able to lift him. They travelled a long distance to the distribution today. Lynne fitted Fawasi with a wheelchair so Granny can take him out and about and care for him more easily. She also educated Granny as to how to position Fawasi in bed with the mattress and pillows they would take home with them. It was wonderful to see Fawasi so very relaxed and almost asleep with his new sleep system. His Granny was completely overwhelmed with gratitude to God for His blessings.
Big Mamma has been walking with extraordinary difficulty for the last 50 years, following an accident as a child. She cannot feel her legs at all, so it is amazing that she can 'walk' like this at all. She was so excited to receive this wheelchair, saying it would be life changing for her - she would be able to go to the shops, sing at Church, and nobody would stare at her any more. Helping this dear lady was a profound experience for Beth and Sally.
Wheels in Nigeria 2018: Day 4
A Wheels team of ten people are hard at work in Nigeria this week - they'll be there from the 14th to the 24th November, and we'll bring you stories from their trip as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for them as they work!
Today the team went to our local host church for a very lively service praising God. We were given a very warm welcome by the people there. Today was a special day in the church with a dedication of a new baby being celebrated with lots of dancing and praise. The service was also a thanksgiving service with offering of yam, potatoes and a live chicken. It was great to see everyone in their Sunday best, the woman of the church dressed beautifully in their glamorous dresses. Dave, one of our team members, was invited to talk to the church. He delivered a sermon on Acts 2:42-47 highlighting unity and love between churches and people across nations and between our neighbours. He also talked about when churches united their numbers grow, as they gain unity and strength from each other. At the end of the service all the people off the church were offered a meal in unity together.
Wheels in Nigeria 2018: Day 3
A Wheels team of ten people are hard at work in Nigeria this week - they'll be there from the 14th to the 24th November, and we'll bring you stories from their trip as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for them as they work! Today, the team divided into two, with one group taking a rest day, while the others visited the annual national conference of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone) Foundation of Nigeria. You can read each group's blog reports below...
Day 3 blog from Martin
Rest day. After some confusion with breakfast we managed toast eggs coffee and tea cereal without bowls then bowls then milk all back to front order. Juice arrived when we had finished everything else. However all were well fed and satisfied. Sally and Beth got away first to join Tarela at her conference while the rest of us took the minibus to downtown Lagos Island for an orientation experience!
After 45 minutes and a million people we arrived downtown. Huge contrast from street markets in our area to high rise offices and banks in the city. First stop Nike Art gallery full of contemporary works, sculptures made from anything from car tyres to large colourful paintings of people and streetscapes. Good guided tour with introduction from young prolific artist whose work was being hung. Inspirational works full of optimism and hope for a better future for his country.
On then to a tropical park experience at Lekki conservation centre. Cat walk through swamp with monkeys and warnings of snakes and crocodiles. Very green and lush with a climb at the end 75 ft up to a tree house.
Lunch at a chicken parlour on the way back to central Lagos and eventually to our hotel by tea time. Tomorrow is Sunday and a special Thanksgiving Service. We have all been given Nigerian costumes so that we won’t “stand out”.
Day 3 blog from Sally and Beth.
Today was the annual national conference of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta(brittle bone) Foundation of Nigeria which was founded by Tarela Asanti who is one of our partners in Nigeria. Beth and I had the privilege of attending the conference on behalf of the UK team. The conference was very well attended by families who are affected by children with OI. Government officials and local tribal chiefs also attended. A local king sent his apologies but did send someone to represent him. We were very warmly welcomed and enjoyed the talks as well as meeting all the families. One mother had travelled for four hours by bus with her four year old son who has OI. She was struggling to cope with the condition and had come to meet other families with children who have OI.
Wheels to Nigeria 2018: Day Two
A Wheels team of ten people are hard at work in Nigeria this week - they'll be there from the 14th to the 24th November, and we'll bring you stories from their trip as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for them as they work!
At 9am today the team arrived at the Distribution site to find many people already waiting for their wheelchairs in the already blazing hot sun. We quickly organised the process and invited them into the lovely air conditioned hall. There were numerous complex cases many of whom were children. The love and compassion of Jesus was clearly visible through the team as they worked tirelessly and meticulously, and without concern for their own discomfort to see that every disabled person who came their way received a mobility device, a Bible, and an opportunity to hear the gospel. Later on in the day one of the team tearfully spoke of her realisation and heartache for the great need, the lack of resources, and the number of disabled people whose needs might never be met.
This Holiday "Has Woken a Passion in Me" - the Winter 2018 Vital Link
The Winter 2018 Vital Link Newsletter is now available for download - it's full of news about our Center Parcs holiday, a job opportunity with TTR, the Wheels for the World distribution to Elburgon, Kenya, next year's retreats and holidays, and much more. It comes bundled with a donor form - please consider supporting the work of Through the Roof, and help to change the lives of disabled people in the UK and overseas.
- Follow this link to download the Winter 2018 Vital Link (including a donor form) - right-click and select 'save' to save the file for later. It's a 7MB PDF.
Or click on the cover image below to read the Vital Link online using Joomag - you can zoom in and swap between pages much more easily that by just using a PDF reader.
Wheels in Nigeria 2018: Day One
A Wheels team of ten people are hard at work in Nigeria this week - they'll be there from the 14th to the 24th November, and we'll bring you stories from their trip as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for them as they work!
After a pleasant 6 hour flight we walked out into a muggy Lagos evening. We weaved our way, sometimes contraflow though the busy traffic to our hotel where we were served with a hot meal before retiring.
This morning was spent inspecting the Distribution site, sorting out the wheelchairs and meeting a number of local officials, all of whom were thrilled to have us here.
We are expectant of fruitful but busy week, and a week where many lives will be transformed. Sally, one of our team members has a disability and is in her own wheelchair. She has already experienced the love, concern and assistance of the people of Nigeria as well as all the team members.
Gospel goes Charity for Through the Roof
Maxine Brooks & the Birmingham Community Gospel Choir will be performing at the Birmingham Town Hall for their annual bonfire night charity gospel concert, raising funds and awareness of 3 different charities, including Through the Roof, on Monday 5th November. Tickets are still available from the link below! Our CEO, Tim Wood, will be speaking at the event.
This promises to be an unforgettable family evening, full of great gospel and inspirational music from the choir and special guests. The event will start at 6:30PM, and you can find out more and buy tickets by following this link.