Hands That Flung Phones Into Space… (Ros' Blog)
A colleague once told me a story which had quite an impact on me, and I have never forgotten it. While he was a student, one of his fellow students was “dumped” by his girlfriend by text message. The young man was devastated both by the ending of the relationship, and by her method of informing him. So he went into a nearby church and sat down in the front pew. He took out his phone, re-read the text message, and then, mustering all his force, flung his phone against the wall of the church behind the altar.
At that precise moment, the priest entered the church. He went and sat down in the pew beside the young man, took out his own phone and looked at it for a moment. Then he flung it with force against the wall behind the altar and asked, “Want to talk about it?”
I can imagine the impact that gesture would have had on the young man. This was not merely a symbol of empathy, but one that involved some sacrifice. The priest was attempting, in this powerful way, to enter into the young man’s suffering, even though he didn’t yet know the nature or cause of the suffering.
This beautiful gesture on the part of the priest reminds me of two things. Firstly, it reminds me of the poignant words written by Isaiah as he tried to convey to God’s people the depth of God’s empathy with them. It’s rendered in various ways by the different translations, each of which adds another layer to our understanding:
“In all their distress He too was distressed, and the Angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63. 9, NIV)
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” (ESV)
“In all their suffering He also suffered, and He personally rescued them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.” (NLT)
How wonderful to know, when we are experiencing difficulty or suffering, if we are feeling the limitations of a physical or mental condition, the disabling effects of societal barriers, or the rejection of a world that really doesn’t try very hard to include disabled people, that God feels all that we are feeling, comes to be present Himself with us and carries us through everything we are experiencing.
And secondly, it reminds me of the way in which Jesus expressed His empathy with us. He not only laid aside all He was entitled to and came to share our plight, but He accepted weakness, pain, mental distress and permanent scarring to show how much He loves us, wants to be with us and identifies with our human experience.
The gesture of the priest identifying so wholly with the young man’s distress is a wonderful incarnation of the heart of God, reflecting what the Bible shows us about Him. How can we go and be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus to someone today?
Tanzania 2019: Friday 25th October
From the 20th to the 29th October, two teams -- one from Churches Inc, and one from Wheels for the World -- will be hard at work in Tanzania. We'll be bringing you all the stories and details of what they're up, the people they're meeting, and the lives they're changing just as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for the team and for all the local people they're meeting, who often travel long distances with the hope of receiving a wheelchair.
Wheels for the World
Feis is a delightful little girl. She is 4 years old. Her name means Faith. Fais has deformities of both hands and her left leg. She was crawling and the wheelchair will help her go to school and church. You can see her colouring, looking at a board book of Bible stories and singing.
Techies and therapists work together to create cushions and padding to keep children secure and in a good position.
Sometimes a chair fits a child perfectly. It was a carved foam seating system. When we first saw the chair we did not expect to find a child to fit it. This little girl was called Happy, she was born without a cry and is 5 years 4 months old. She mainly sleeps.
Last night it had got to late and dark to assess this man.
We were so pleased to see him return this morning and provide him with a wheelchair. Last night a man had scooped him up in his arms and carried him across the dark, wet, busy road.
How can we sum up an amazing week? Thank you for your prayers, for sponsoring wheelchairs, collecting wheelchairs and frames for sending out, making sanitary products, sending money for Bibles, books, crayons, reading and sunglasses.
It has been a great privilege to be part of the Through the Roof partnership. The blessing of smiles and laughter, the anguish of seeing tears, poverty and pain but these are so often turned to gratefulness as lives and families are transformed.
"Wheelchair means I can get to the toilet myself. This gives dignity." Thank you from Tanzania!
The WFTW team’s have seen 257 people, including 100 children, and given our 140 wheelchairs and buggies, 76 walking aids, 179 Bibles (including 58 audio bibles). We saw them on a military area. This meant people didn’t have to go up into the hills where there was a large venue but it would be difficult for disabled people to reach. The roof was in 2 sections and rain could enter from above and from the sides. The rain was a challenge but the venue was well known and easy to access. Thank you to everyone involved, and to all of you at home for your prayers and support!
Churches Inc.
Today the Churches Inc team had the privilege of visiting some of the people who have received wheelchairs.
It was great to see Helena using her new light-weight wheelchair and to hear that it will mean she will now be able to go to school.
We then visited a man called Maghembe who works as a teacher. With his new wheelchair he is now able to write on the blackboard and move around his classroom. It was very moving to be thanked by his pupils for giving their teacher a wheelchair to help him to teach them well.
Altogether the Churches Inc team have had 740 people attending sessions during this week. This is an amazing number. We have seen people giving their lives to Christ and seen disabled people responding to the great commission - going back to their communities to share the good news of Jesus.
It has been a particular blessing to be part of an international team with representatives from the UK as well as pastors from Tanzania and Kenya, bringing a variety of experience and expertise. It has also been wonderful to see the different aspects of Through the Roof working together - with Churches Inc and Wheels teams in the same venue - blessing people both practically and spiritually. We pray that the momentum that has grown during this week will continue long after we have left and that the trip will have made a real and long-lasting difference to the lives of disabled people in the Mwanza area of Tanzania.
Tanzania 2019: Thursday 24th October
From the 20th to the 29th October, two teams -- one from Churches Inc, and one from Wheels for the World -- will be hard at work in Tanzania. We'll be bringing you all the stories and details of what they're up, the people they're meeting, and the lives they're changing just as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for the team and for all the local people they're meeting, who often travel long distances with the hope of receiving a wheelchair.
Churches Inc
We had our final Churches Inc workshop today and were especially thrilled to have participants leading our worship. After a talk about the great commission, many raised their hands to respond that they would go back to their communities to share God’s love with others. It was good to meet again some of the individuals from last year's trip, including 14 year old Helena who received a wheelchair today and enjoyed the bubbles too.
Wheels for the World
Rejoicing at the joy of seeing Omari listen to an audio Bible.
Moira got the correct height walking stick and Philip made it white using a white plastic bag.
John accompanied by his son also got a white stick and audio Bible. So much to thank God for.
Transforming a life
Bringing dignity, respect and hope
No longer needing to crawl about all day. Juma had got polio at age 4. He was also pleased to get an audio Bible.
"You may be heavy, but you are my family"
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Tanzania 2019: Wednesday 23rd October
From the 20th to the 29th October, two teams -- one from Churches Inc, and one from Wheels for the World -- will be hard at work in Tanzania. We'll be bringing you all the stories and details of what they're up, the people they're meeting, and the lives they're changing just as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for the team and for all the local people they're meeting, who often travel long distances with the hope of receiving a wheelchair.
Wheels for the World
Helen is teaching mum leg exercises and then demonstrated how to develop head control using a hand puppet. We also want to say thank you to those that knitted puppets and blankets and donated toys.
On Wednesday after lunch 6 children; Jeremia, Lita, Ashley, Sita, Nuru and Hamisa were brought to the distribution centre from the Village of Hope. This organisation provides care and guardianship for children and young people who are abandoned due to their disabilities including one little boy with Albinism who attended the Churches Inc workshop. These children were aged between 8 & 23. All of the carers are were from local churches and were gentle with the children.
"Thank you for helping protect my eyes with a sunhat and sun glasses. Thank you for my reading glasses and magnifying glass to help me read. I love my audio Bible, it’s brill."
"Strong boots help me stand and my wheelchair is awesome. I love my Bible. Thank you."
Churches Inc.
We had a really encouraging Churches Inc day today with many people sharing their experiences and beginning to build relationships with each other. A government social worker joined us and was able to provide practical support and guidance to parents of disabled children.
Kathy, a physio from the Wheels team, joined us and ran a fantastic session with practical physio advice.
Charles from Kenya also shared from his own experience and gave an insight into how self help groups can work in practice. A really positive day!
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Thank you Flowstore!
Tim Wood, Wheels For The World CEO, visited our supporters at Flowstore to speak to the Charity Committee and pass on his thanks for their corporate donation last year and their continued partnership in our work.
Each year Flowstore set aside some money to give to their nominated charities. This past year they have managed to give a fantastic £25k to Wheels For The World! In the past they have also partnered with the work by building storage racks, site visits, and with two team members even giving up time to support the work on the ground in Africa. This amazing gift will help us to continue bringing life-changing wheelchairs, physiotherapy, and other vital mobility aids to people who would otherwise have very little chance of getting one.
Byron at Flowstore built us a fantastic set of storage racks for our Aldershot wheelchair warehouse. "The crutch storage racks designed by Flowstore have proved very helpful. They enable our volunteers to instantly see which sizes we have and helps to utilise our limited space" said Shaun, International Missions Manager
As a sign of our gratitude we've presented Flowstore with two plaques to celebrate their ongoing support--thank you to everyone there who's given so generously of their time, funds and skills.
Tanzania 2019: Tuesday 22nd October
From the 20th to the 29th October, two teams -- one from Churches Inc, and one from Wheels for the World -- will be hard at work in Tanzania. We'll be bringing you all the stories and details of what they're up, the people they're meeting, and the lives they're changing just as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for the team and for all the local people they're meeting, who often travel long distances with the hope of receiving a wheelchair.
Churches Inc.
At the Churches Inc Leaders' Event today, God seemed to be bringing the message that any one of us can be a leader for God, from the youngest to the oldest regardless of ability or perceived disability.
We were blessed by the testimony of Michael who has albinism. He shared that even in dark times we can find light and hope in Jesus. Michael received an audio Bible during last year's Churches Inc trip, and shared how it has helped him to encourage others in his community.
Wheels for the World
Jacobo is 23. He arrived crawling. His knees were very bent with a lot of muscle wastage. Receiving a wheelchair will mean he can get water and use public transport. He lives with his mother and hopes he will be able to get a job making shoes. I told him about Pastor Shadrack‘s vision for a training workshop. Pastor heard me say his name, he came over and said he knows Jacobo and he will be involved in making shoes in the future.
Mkama asked Jesus into his life today at the Churches Ink meeting.He said, ‘I want a Bible, I don’t want money, I want a Bible.
Pastor said, ‘You will get a Bible’.
Mkama added, ‘You talk so much you may forget’.
Mkama has a stroke 13 years ago, today he received a wheelchair and a Bible in Swahili. He gratefully received a pair of reading glasses. As we went through scriptures to encourage him, he asked to read proverbs 3 v 5-6. It was a blessing to see his grandson who cares for him.
A family was registered to receive mobility equipment. Their children were aged 14, 9, 6, 5 and 9 months old. The oldest 4 are all disabled, so 2 adult wheelchairs were adapted to seat 2 children each with baby on mummy, the parents could transport their family. The Dad received a Bible and was encouraged to read 2 verses a day at mealtime to the family. The mum is illiterate and the couple who got them to the centre requested she also have an audio Bible in case her husband could get work and would not be around to read to them all. We gave them oat bars, coloured ribbon streamer, sanitary towels and knickers for the mum and an information sheet about stretching the legs of the 5 year and reducing the tension in the muscles.
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Tanzania 2019: Monday 21st October
From the 20th to the 29th October, two teams -- one from Churches Inc, and one from Wheels for the World -- will be hard at work in Tanzania. We'll be bringing you all the stories and details of what they're up, the people they're meeting, and the lives they're changing just as often as the internet connection allows. Please keep praying for the team and for all the local people they're meeting, who often travel long distances with the hope of receiving a wheelchair.
Wheels Team
Here are some pictures and stories from the first day of distribution.
Crutches and walking aids ready for our first day's distribution
Assessing William's mobility
Mum is also disabled and was able to use the buggy as a walking aid
Magdalena has muscle wastage and is very weak. She was delighted to receive a wheelchair and an audio Bible.
Provision of food during a long wait
Churches Inc
Churches Inc had their first workshop today. About 300 people heard the message that they are loved by God. They encouraged one another with truths from the Bible about how God sees them and how that affects how they see themselves. We later had a separate workshop group for people with albinism and they told us about the difficulties they face. It was encouraging to see how members of the group supported each other and it was good to be able to bless them with the donated gifts of audio Bibles, sunglasses and sun hats. We had a government official present who was responsive to issues raised. We hope this will make a difference for people with albinism in the future.
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Tanzania 2019 Preparations-- Churches Inc and Wheels for the World
From the 20th to the 29th October, two teams -- one from Churches Inc, and one from Wheels for the World -- will be hard at work in Tanzania. We'll be bringing you all the stories and details of what they're up, the people they're meeting, and the lives they're changing just as often as the internet connection allows. Two members of the Wheels team, Susan and Philip, are already on site, making preparations and meeting up with contacts. Here's Susan's update on day 2 and 3 of their work ...
Day 2: We saw the original rooms that were to be for training disabled people in work skills like sewing and making shoes. The government have reclaimed this land and have provided new land but it will cost about £8,000 to complete 2 rooms. One for training the disabled people. The second room will be for them to work in and earn a living and to provide. Income togrow the project supporting growth of the programme. The old site has buildings, tables, and several areas with foundations laid. Broken rocks and new bricks can be used on the new site when funds allow.
We met a minister, Alex, and later attended church with him. Pastor Shadrack is seeking to work with many Pastors and Imam to promote care of and inclusion of disabled people.
Day 3: Home visits. We met Esther, who has Albinism. She will receive protected transport, get sunglasses and advice for her mum. We also met Magdalene, paralysed for 10 years waist down. Trying to assess how practically a wheelchair can be used with surrounding rocks on pathways and steps. One of her daughters has given up study to care for her, she was busy washing when we arrived.
One Mum shared how her 9th child was born healthy. At age 2 she had contracted polio, and now cannot use her right hand easily, not her legs. Whilst missing primary school she studied and became a tailor/seamstress. She remains in a cross-legged position. She hopes she can have a wheelchair and when the project training disabled people begins, she will be able to be a teacher.
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Tanzania 2019 - Churches Inc and Wheels for the World
From the 20th to the 29th October, two teams -- one from Churches Inc, and one from Wheels for the World -- will be hard at work in Tanzania. We'll be bringing you all the stories and details of what they're up, the people they're meeting, and the lives they're changing just as often as the internet connection allows. Two members of the Wheels team, Susan and Philip, are already on site, buying materials and meeting up with contacts, including Pastor David and Pastor Gregory in Mwanza. Today, they bought lengths of foam to make cushions. Ali at the factory gave them 5% discount, which he said he would pay himself. It opened up a great opportunity for Philip to chat with him too about the work. They've also picked up 140 Kiswahili Goodnews Bibles to distribute to any wheelchair recipients who want one. On the front they say 'Goodnews for all'. Please continue to pray for Philip and Susan, as they get things ready for the rest of the team, and all those who are preparing to travel on Saturday. Thank you!
A Glimpse Into The Life Of A Roofbreaker (Ros' Blog)
This week we have a guest blog post from Heidi Buckell, whose story shows that churches don’t have to make huge adjustments to make a huge difference to the lives of their disabled members – all it takes is a heart of love and a determination to ensure that everyone is welcomed and enabled to play their part. Find out more about becoming a Roofbreaker by following this link.
My first involvement with Through the Roof (TTR) was back in 2007 when I signed up to become a mentor to other disabled people. Unfortunately this scheme did not really ‘take off’; nevertheless it introduced me to TTR. It was when my friend wanted to go to America for her main holiday that I really became involved with TTR. I always like a more relaxing holiday so we both knew going to America and doing all of the tourist activities was not for me - she had another friend who loved this sort of holiday so off they went! I remember sitting down and thinking well, what do I do for my holiday this year? I plucked up the courage to email TTR to see what holidays they were running.
I have always tried to ‘run away’ from my disability seeing myself as very much trying to live in an able-bodied world; therefore the thought of going away with a group of disabled people was probably as alien to me as going to the moon! I am so glad that I had plucked up the courage, as going on that holiday was one of the best things I have done. I remember meeting Becky for the first time and one of the first real conversations we had was around making a cup of tea! (We like to get our priorities right!) I explained to her that I could not carry a cup of tea without spilling it so when I wanted a cuppa, whilst sitting on the sofa, I had to bring the kettle to the coffee table and pour the water into the mug there – as opposed to what most people would do - make the cup of tea in the kitchen and carry it through. Becky just looked at me and said ‘Well, that’s exactly what I do.’ The fact that we had so much in common was amazing.
It was after that conversation I realised how the support and camaraderie I found from TTR holidays was invaluable. We always have a time of worship at the end of each day at Treloar’s, which is often led by Jenny!! Last year, Jenny was sharing about prayer partners and Becky and I turned to each other to suggest that we become prayer partners. Now, every week we message each other with an update on how we are and what our prayer requests are for the following week – a brilliant source of support. The Treloars holiday is now very much a highlight of my year and the holidays which I go with my other friend now have to fit around Treloars!
I am very fortunate to belong to a loving church fellowship; this is particularly important to me as none of my ‘earthly’ family go to church. My church is therefore very much a second family to me. I have been going to the same church now for 15 years and they are absolutely brilliant in the way they do not let my disability stop me from becoming an active member of the church. I am able to walk unaided so access is not a problem but here are some little things which they've done in order to help me – I am a firm believer in Mr Tesco’s motto – Every little thing helps!
- I was invited to do the Bible reading during the morning service. We do not normally project the scripture on to the screen but in order to make sure that my speech impediment did not interfere with the message the scripture was projected
- If I have a testimony or a prayer request which I want to share I am always encouraged to do so. If I indicate that I would rather sit down to speak, rather than speaking from the lectern then a separate microphone is set up
- For occasions when I only have something brief to share and I therefore feel I can do it from the lectern then a hand rail has been put up to help me with the three small steps
- I found that it was too difficult for me to have a drink after the service as everyone either stood up or carried their drinks to their seats. I therefore wondered whether a small table could be left at the back of the church for me to sit at. This has made a huge difference as I am no longer ‘hanging’ about waiting for a friend to take me home, while they are enjoying coffee and a chat – I am also now enjoying a coffee and a chat.
- My house group leader is also now aware that I need a table in order to enjoy a coffee.
- In June of this year, my church voted to make me, 'Disability Champion', we used this job title as this is the job title which I have at my place of work (West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust) but it's the same as being a Roofbreaker. My first idea as a Roofbreaker, which has now been adopted, is that we have 'chunky' communion glasses available for people to use. Due to my problems with my manual dexterity I have always taken an egg cup with me, for communion but now we have glasses available which are much easier to hold.
My next job as a Roofbreaker will be to arrange for an access audit to be done of the church building. Due to my disability I do get tired if I am not careful, so we are doing one thing at a time, but Disability Awareness will definitely be a future focus. I am hoping to help pilot a Roofbreaker training workshop for churches with Through the Roof in early 2020.