Secrets of the Heart (Ros' Blog)

Secrets of the Heart (Ros' Blog)

Have you ever had one of those moments when you feel there is no one who really understands all you are going through? Even people who’ve been through similar experiences don’t always understand one another.
I remember when my daughter was born, thirteen weeks prematurely and fighting for her life. Many people sent us notes, messages of sympathy, letters or cards to let us know they were thinking of us. But not one single person sent us a card that said “congratulations”. I was deeply hurt. Yes our baby had problems, and no, we didn’t know how long she would be with us. But for now we had a beautiful new baby girl in our family. Didn’t anyone want to congratulate us?

So some years later, when a friend had a baby with distressing disabilities, I sent a new baby card. I was careful to choose one with sensitive wording, but I made sure it included the word congratulations. I later learned from a mutual friend that the baby’s parents had been very offended by cards that said congratulations, because they didn’t think it was appropriate to congratulate them on such a devastating event. Two people facing a very similar circumstance, but with very different reactions to it.

Similarly, I remember the first time a stranger passed comment on my daughter’s disabilities. She had only just been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and at fifteen months old she weighed only about thirteen pounds so she looked like a much younger baby. I took her to the park one day, sat her in the baby swing, and because she couldn’t sit unsupported, I used the reins to secure her tightly in the swing with a small cushion tucked behind her, to ensure that she wouldn’t flop around as she swung. I began pushing her, and her three year old sister in the swing next to her, alternating between pushing first one then the other. Safely fastened into the swing, Ellen threw back her head and chuckled with sheer delight as she swung back and forth, the air ruffling her hair while she waved her less paralysed arm in glee. Her sister chuckled back at her from the neighbouring swing. It was one of those precious moments of which family memories are made. And at that moment, a total stranger marched up to me and demanded, “What’s wrong with your little girl?” Strapped securely into the swing in a sitting position, I was unaware that it was so obvious she had a disability, and the question was like a punch to the stomach. To my eyes, though she had problems, there was nothing “wrong” with her.

Some time after, when I shared this story with another parent of a disabled child, she was bemused by my reaction. “I like it when people ask me what’s the matter with him,” she responded. “That way I get to explain it myself, and I’d much rather they hear my version.” I could see her point, but it didn’t take away the deep feeling of hurt and shock from hearing that question for the first time – the first of very, very many times over the coming years.

So no matter how much we may have in common, we can’t see into one another’s hearts, and we can’t necessarily understand how or why someone else is feeling. As the Bible tells us, “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.” (Proverbs 14.10)

At such times it’s a real comfort to know that God understands us through and through. He feels all that we feel in our hearts: “In all their distresses He too was distressed.” (Isaiah 63.9) Jesus experienced all that we experience: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do.” (Hebrews 4.19) He also knows what it is to look for comforters and sympathy yet draw a complete blank (Psalm 69.20).

It once struck me, when Ellen was going through a traumatic operation which saved her life but left a lifelong scar on her psyche, that no parent would volunteer to watch their child go through something so dreadful. And yet God loved us so much that He was prepared to endure even the sight of His Son tortured to death in order to restore us to His family and secure our eternal safety and joy. As a result He has a unique insight into our sufferings and joys, into the things that our heart knows which nobody else sees. There is nothing about which we can’t turn to Him for comfort because He knows exactly what we are going through. I may have quoted them in this blog before, I can’t remember, but I love these words from the 17th century pastor Samuel Rutherford:
“I shall believe for my part that He mindeth to distil heaven out of this loss, and all others the like; for wisdom devised it, and love laid it on, and Christ owneth it as His own, and putteth your shoulder beneath only a piece of it.”

Wheelsblog: Uganda (25.10.16)

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Day 3 started a bit later than anticipated as one of the team had to embrace the African experience of trying to “quickly” purchase a sim card to make contact with his family in Uganda. The rest of us enjoyed seeing the hustle and bustle as the town of Mbale came alive. You wouldn’t believe how much can be fitted on a small 125 cc motorbike, including a corrugated iron roof!

As we drive past the fields on the way to the distribution site we have a fleeting insight into the lifestyle of the locals as we see the ladies working hard in the fields with their children not far from sight, the young ones taking care of the babies. It’s hard to believe that many of the disabled ladies we have met, too, work in the fields despite not being able to stand or walk, purely getting around on their hands and knees.

With a day’s experience behind us we set up quickly and started to see those that had already arrived. It was building up to be a particularly hot day as we scrambled for shade. The techies had also moved to join us on the veranda where they set up their new “workshop” for the day. Their skills were pushed far and wide as they created and adapted without electricity. There was a notable moment where the heat of the sun had been directly falling on, and heating up, a piece of plastic that could then be re-shaped without the use of the heat gun!

Today saw many highs and lows. We saw a total of 53 people of whom 26 were children. Some of the children presented with disabilities that meant they had never had the opportunity to sit up and engage with the world around them. They were either carried or left to lie on the floor. For the majority of the children we were able to modify chairs and buggies to support them in a good sitting position. A set of wheels not only provided them with mobility, the opportunity for independent sitting and the chance to see the world around them but also respite and relief for the mothers who have had to carry them around for the last 6,7,8,9,10+ years many of whom also had younger children/babies they also needed to care for and carry. The smile of one little boy, who had a bilateral amputation, captured the hearts of many!

We were thrilled to be able to provide some of the children with Piedro boots (supportive footwear) to help them as they learn to walk. What a joy to watch one little boy race off with his new shoes and walking frame, leaving his mum behind!

It never ceases to amaze us when ‘just the right’ chair, strap or gadget is available for someone as if God placed their name on it. We had an adult sized buggy with a chest harness that perfectly suited a tall young man with uncontrolled movements. What a transformation from lying on the floor looking up at everyone to looking ahead at the world around him.

Unfortunately, as the day drew to a close we were unable to provide a set of wheels for a very small, severely disabled child as we had nothing even vaguely suitable left. Sune did a fabulous job of teaching mum some exercise and offering advice, but there was an over-riding sense of dissatisfaction as mum left. With 3 days of distribution still ahead of us we are aware that we may have many disappointed families and heart-breaking moments for us.

We are continually so very grateful for the amazing support, knowledge and skills of the RILD team as they not only translate for us but also give us an insight into the culture and lifestyles of those we encounter.

Wheelsblog: Uganda (24.10.16)

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The first day of our distribution started very early, leaving at 8am. After a detour to avoid a stranded lorry (these things happen in Africa) we arrived on site to be greeted by our first clients who were already waiting. However, we still had a little work to do – sorting all the wheelchairs and checking our equipment. Kathy organised everyone who had been registered, the therapists set up their stations, the techies picked up their tools and we were off.

There were several highlights in the day, including a lady who walked off on crutches while carrying a zimmer frame on her head! Also a girl of nine who shouted ‘I shall have a bicycle like my friends!’ when she saw her wheelchair and was completely delighted with it.

The pastors were kept busy praying and giving out bibles. They talked about the love of God and many responded. Of particular note was a Muslim man who was initially not keen to speak to the pastor but wanted a bible. After talking with the pastor, he said he had been a Christian but his father had insisted he was a Muslim, and he then reconnected with Jesus with great rejoicing. We were very moved.

In total we saw 53 clients today, but as the light was fading fast at 6pm we had to turn four people away. Please pray that the demand and availability of care matches, and that we find loving ways to prioritise people as so many seem to be in real need and some have travelled up to 35km to get to us. Please also pray about the pressure this puts on the team, particularly Hannah the leader. We are also praising God that so many people have heard the good news today and that the local pastors are doing a great job of explaining how God’s love has motivated us to come and bless people with chairs.

Wheels in Uganda (Sunday 23.10.16)

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Wheels for the World are hard at work in Uganda from the 21st October to the 2nd November, and they'll be reporting back with blog posts and updates whenever time and internet connections allow. Please follow along with all the stories here, and do pray for the team and everyone they're meeting and serving.

Hello from Uganda! After a long and sleepless flight, we arrived safely in Uganda and enjoyed a pleasant rest in the aptly named Rest Gardens, an Anglican run hotel. The RILD team (Response Initiative to Learning Disability) welcomed us with a meal. Evah, Daniel, Titus and Leonard met Hannah, our much cherished leader (who is currently being dictated to!), Kathy, Ang, Suné, Helen, Martin and Philip, and we feel a warm and productive working relationship will be the order of the day.

After a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast, we hit the road and travelled the five hours through the beautiful and fascinating Ugandan towns and countryside. We stopped at a secondary school for a brief loo stop. Unfortunately, Hannah was bitten three times on her hands and since we were using traditional latrines, it was fortunate that it wasn’t worse!

The hotel we arrived at had the wow factor, it was the only one with space available, but it is very swish and a lovely answer to prayer! After a quick freshen up and unpacking, we headed out to inspect the distribution facility. This exceeded all our expectations and will be ideal (it may even have sit-on loos!). Almost as important, there is a lovely veranda where the therapists can have their work stations in some shade.

The RILD team unloaded the wheelchairs when the container arrived yesterday (another answer to prayer) and had formed some very impressive ranks of chairs. 130 chairs take up some space! We have walkers, crutches, buggies and a good range of accessories as well. We started sorting the wheelchairs into sizes until poor light stopped play and we returned to our wonderful big bus for the journey back through fire-lit villages back to the hotel.
Before our dinner arrived, we had an esteemed guest, the local MP, the honourable Nagwomu Moses Musamba, had travelled from Kampala today to welcome us and plans to visit us on site tomorrow. As a man of God, he has a vision for the future of this region and was very welcoming to whole team.

Permission to Fail (Ros' Blog)

I was talking to a friend recently about the difficulty she has in finding people willing to get involved and take leadership roles in groups and church activities. “People don’t want to do it,” she told me, “because they’re afraid to fail. I wish I could get them to see that it’s better to have a go, even at the risk of failing, because they will grow through the experience and others will step up to help them.”

That started me thinking. Is failure really the worst thing that could happen? Sure, it can be embarrassing and dent one’s pride, but is that such a bad thing? I remember when I started a community service from our church, giving practical and emotional support to families with seriously ill and disabled newborn babies in our local hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit. I woke up in a cold sweat one Sunday morning as the realisation hit me that if I messed up on this it wouldn’t just be personally embarrassing, it would tarnish the church’s reputation in the whole community. Self-doubt crept in: could I really do this? And then I went to church and that morning someone got up to share a quote he had just read: “Attempt something so big that it’s bound to fail unless God intervenes.” It was God’s answer to my self-doubt. I set up the project, and God did intervene. Over the next seventeen years until it closed it became a lifeline to almost 100 families in our community.

When you look at the stories of the great people of God in the Bible, many of them arrived at their greatness via the route of failure. Moses allowed his fear of public speaking to cause him to refuse God’s assignment for his life, to the point where he really tried God’s patience: “Then the Lord became angry with Moses. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.’” (Exodus 4. 14-16).

And what about Elijah? Even after his defeat of the prophets of Baal he allowed himself to be overcome by fear and fell into a deep depression (1 Kings 19). When Mordecai asked Esther to plead with the king for her people, she at first refused, fearing that she might be killed. It was only when Mordecai pointed out that unless she persuaded the king to change his mind she would be killed along with all her people anyway, that she submitted to Mordecai’s words and God’s plan for her life (Esther 4. 7-13).

Joseph confidently followed God’s will; once in Egypt, he didn’t put a foot wrong. And yet he had to go through unjust accusations, a long imprisonment and being forgotten by those he had helped until he saw the fulfilment of God’s promises for his life (Genesis 40). Hot-headed David would have wiped out all of Nabal’s family and incurred bloodguilt, if it hadn’t been for the pleading of a wise lady who dared to challenge him and cause him to turn back from the course he had set out on (1 Samuel 25).

Martha misunderstood the heart of following Jesus, and blamed her sister when she should have been following her example. Jesus had to correct her publicly, in front of her sister and the disciples (Luke 10. 38-42). Peter denied Jesus out of fear for his own life, and came to bitterly regret it (Matthew 26. 69 – 75). Paul made a mistake about the character of Mark, assuming that if he had blown it once, he could not be trusted. But Barnabas, whose name means son of encouragement, gently showed him that God had a better way. (Acts 15. 36-39)
Even Jesus had his own experience of failure, both in private and in public. He reached out in love to the rich young ruler, only to see him turn his back and walk away (Mark 10. 17-22). He preached in his home town and far from receiving a standing ovation, the crowd tried to kill him. (Luke 4. 16-30)

So if you have ever thought about becoming a Roofbreaker, going on a Wheels for the World trip, running a Disabled Christians Fellowship group or volunteering to come as a helper on a Through the Roof holiday, but you’ve stepped back because you’ve thought, “I’m not good enough” or “What if I mess up and look a fool?” I would encourage you to think again. Many of the people we now honour as having served a vital role in God’s purposes arrived there via the route of failure. In some cases, God used them in spite of their failures; in other cases, the journey through failure was an essential part of their spiritual growth and character development.

What if God is challenging you to trust Him in spite of your self-doubt? What if He plans to intervene in your venture so it doesn’t fail? What if failure is one of the ways He intends to grow your character? Would you turn down the chance of being schooled by Him into someone who can make a difference and bring about change in the world? So I would encourage you to think again, dare to step out and see what God will do with you and through you.

Planned International Trips

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Every year we run several Through the Roof international mission trips. There are two main types of trip to developing countries:

  • Wheels for the World trips to distribute wheelchairs and Bibles
  • International Roofbreaker trips to increase disability awareness in churches and communities.

 

Here is a list of the latest Through the Roof international mission trips planned.

Upcoming Wheels for the World trips

  • Dates: 21st–31st January 2026, Destination: Kenya (Elburgon), Partner: Abundant Hope of Glory Church (Ps Davis)
  • Dates: 3rd–16th May 2026, Destination: Ghana (Accra), Partner: Royal House Chapel International (Accra)
  • Dates: 27th August–7th September 2026, Destination: Rwanda (Kayonza), Partner: FoH Rwanda (Rev Dominique).

Please email Kathy Birch Kathy@throughtheroof.org to apply or get more information.

 

Upcoming International Roofbreaker events

We welcome prayers and celebration of Roofbreaker events in Kenya and Mozambique, to be led by in-country teams with support from the East Africa network:

  • Dates: 18th–28th February 2026, Location: India (Kolkata), Partner: Sathyam Ministries (Dr CV).
  • Dates: October 2026 (TBC), Location: Mozambique (area TBC), Partner: Somos Nós (Melvin Kelly with Ps Davis). No UK team.

Note: Some events will go ahead without a UK team, following the successful model of other locally-led events.

More events will be announced when proposed dates are confirmed.

 

If you're interested in volunteering, or supporting these life-changing trips, please contact our International Missions Manager on email by following this link, or get started on your application by following this link.

We'll bring you more details of future plans as soon as we can.

Each trip changes hundreds of lives, but costs thousands of pounds to run. Could you help, by fundraising or making a donation?.

The Five Essentials (Ros' Blog)

When I was younger, sailing was my passion. My father and some of his friends used to charter a couple of yachts from Maldon in Essex for a fortnight every summer and run two one-week sailing holidays for young people. The first was for beginner sailors, with evangelistic Bible studies, and the second was for more advanced sailors, with discipleship Bible studies. I went on both weeks every summer except one from the age of thirteen until I was eighteen, and my school friends were bored of hearing me talk about it non-stop!

My children have decided that I should be reliving my youth. So for my birthday this year they enrolled me on a Royal Yachting Association level 2 dinghy sailing course. It’s not quite as exhilarating as yacht sailing on the North Sea, but it’s definitely the next best thing. And I’m pleased to say I passed, and have a certificate to prove it!

In sailing a dinghy, there are five essentials that have to be borne in mind, and it struck me that they make a good analogy for our Christian life, especially when we may find ourselves grappling with the storms of disability, financial worries or the general vicissitudes of life.

The first essential is sail trim. Sail too close to the wind with the sails too tight, and the power that buffets your sails could tip you right over. But let out too much sail or turn to the wrong angle into the wind, and the sails flap uselessly, with no forward motion. To make steady progress as fast as possible without capsizing, the person at the helm has to keep an eye on both the direction and the state of the sails.

As Christians, we have to keep a weather eye (so to speak) on the wind of the Holy Spirit. Events in our life may seem to rush us along at breakneck speed, or even threaten to overturn us. But as long as we keep in step with the Holy Spirit, sensitive to what He is doing in our lives, then whether we find ourselves sailing smoothly in a gentle breeze or tossed about in the storms of difficulty that disability can sometimes bring, we will be safe and, crucially, will end up where He wants to take us.

The second essential is balance. If you are not careful your own weight will tilt the boat in the same direction that the wind is causing it to list, and you may unwittingly capsize it yourself. The idea is to keep the boat as level as possible, even if this means leaning right out over the side to counterbalance the wind in the sails.

In being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, it’s important to be aware of where He wants us to be. As long as we remain in the place He has appointed for us for this season in our lives, we will come to no harm. It’s when we are heedless of what He is doing in our lives and we fail to respond to His movement in our lives that we risk finding ourselves out of balance and out of control. Do you seem to be being thrust into the limelight, with lots of opportunities to share your testimony? Go for it! Now is your moment to lean out of the boat and be visible! Is a season of weakness or pain keeping you indoors at the moment? Take the opportunity to rest in Him, and don’t try to lean out into areas where He isn’t asking you to go.

The third essential is boat trim. It’s not only important to balance the boat so it doesn’t capsize, it’s also important to place your weight in the right place along the length of the hull. Getting this right can prevent the boat dragging in the water, and can enhance your speed and manoeuvrability. Where you sit will depend whether you are on a run before the wind or a reach alongside it.

Which direction is God taking your life in at the moment? Position yourself to co-operate with Him and you will not be hindered in following the course He has set for you.

The fourth essential is the centreboard. Unlike the yachts I used to sail which had fixed keels, a dinghy has a centreboard which can be raised or lowered. The purpose of the centreboard is to correct sideways drift, so when the wind is from behind and there is no sideways drift, it can be raised. Depending on where the wind is coming from, the centreboard should be lowered in stages, all the way to fully down when the wind is from the side, although this can also cause some drag through the water. It’s a question of maximising both speed and stability.

There may be times when life is plain sailing, and we hardly even feel as if we need to hold onto God, because we are so conscious of His hold on us. There are other times when we feel so buffeted by our situation that we need to reach down deep into Him and hold on. We should keep our eyes fixed on Him and on where our circumstances are taking us, and be ready at any moment to reach down deep into Him so that we don’t get blown off course.

The fifth essential is known as “course made good”. This simply means that you look at where you are going, and take the most direct and efficient route to get there. You can’t sail into the wind and may need to tack across it (you may have seen this if you watched the TV coverage of the sailing at the Olympics) but you should make the fewest possible manoeuvres, and if you are running before the wind you can take a more direct route without deviation. At sea you may also need to take account of the direction of the tide so as to hold to the most direct course.

When God sets the course for our lives, we can meander around, veering away from His purposes even though vaguely heading in the right direction. Or we can do as Jesus did when He set His face like flint and determinedly headed into what God had planned for Him.

We didn’t all get it right all the time on the sailing course. Some took longer than others to get the hang of it. But everyone ended up safely moored where they were supposed to be at the end of the weekend. So don’t be harsh on yourself if you don’t always sail perfectly through your Christian life. God is gracious; co-operate with Him and He is committed to bringing you safely to the amazing destiny He has planned for you.

Day 11- Saturday (Wheels in Elburgon 2016)

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John and Gunn woke very early as they were catching a flight nearby to enjoy a short safari holiday in the Masai Mara. Thankfully Pastor Davis and his wife, Ruth, accompanied them in the taxi as the ‘airport’ was an unmanned clearing in the forest with no shelter and only a rickety bench without shade. It was unsafe for them to be left alone, as they could be attacked and robbed by locals wanting money from rich mwazungu (white man), or stampeded by zebra and impala. When the plane finally arrived it was a small 12-seater and Pastor Davis was not allowed to leave the ‘airport’ until the plane was airborne as it might not get into the sky!

Meanwhile Shaun, Roy and Jill were relaxing in the hotel grounds, which were ablaze with colour from indigenous plants. There was a large poinsettia tree which looked very different from the poor specimens you sometimes find at Christmas time, and a bottle brush tree was silhouetted against a cloudless blue sky.

After a relaxed lunch we loaded our luggage in the taxi and set off for Nairobi Airport. We had no idea that it would take 6 hours, as the traffic and driving conditions were poor due to many people taking risks when trying to overtake, the roads being crowded with pedestrians in towns and villages and sheep, cattle and donkeys grazing along the roadside when driving through more rural areas. It was a memorable way to finish a challenging trip.

Overall we registered 165 clients and seated 103 clients in wheelchairs or buggies, gave out over 40 pairs of crutches, 8 walking sticks and several rollators and zimmer frames. Each person received a bible and prayed with the pastor before returning home. Many lives have been changed as clients are now able to become integrated members of their communities or attend school for the first time. Let’s give God the glory!

Day 10 - Friday (Wheels in Elburgon 2016)

‘Food, glorious food’, might sum up the day, which started as usual with a walk to the Centre taking in more local sights and sounds along the way. Pastor Davis had indicated that there were to be no more clients, but when you arrive and find clients waiting, who had travelled several hours hoping to receive a mobility aid, what can you say? We therefore unexpectedly set to work again...

There were 10 wheelchairs left over from the previous day, so we were able to give out 2 more chairs. Sometimes you have to appear cruel to be kind, and one lady did not need a wheelchair as it would impede her independence. Jill gave her a rollator, complete with a seat which would enable her to stop and sit down if she needed a rest, and a pair of elbow crutches to use indoors. Initially she was disappointed but after discussing the issues she realised it was a better option for her than being reliant on someone to push her in an attendant propelled wheelchair.

Meanwhile Gunn was seeing a paraplegic lady who had spent many years confined to her house and then a young lady with polio crawled through the gate having been on her hands and knees for years. She needed a self propelling wheelchair and the one selected was almost made to measure so only needed padding on one foot rest. She left with a huge smile and grateful thanks, pushing herself along the pot-holed road. Roy, meantime was mending a young lad’s wheelchair which needed the brakes, wheels and footplates repaired. Although the boy had come hoping for a new wheelchair there were no small chairs left so the toolbox, which had been checked and packed away last night, was opened and modifications made to the rickety frame.

Pastor Davis was keen for the local hospital to receive some equipment, so 3 wheelchairs, 2 rollators and 10 pairs of elbow crutches were loaded into hospital transport and we followed in cars. The team were greeted by the Medical Director and the Heads of all the departments crammed into a small room. More tables and chairs kept coming through the door and before long it was evident that we were going to have more than a cup of coffee which Pastor Davis had requested! What do you do when you are given 2 hard boiled eggs, 2 samozas and a cold sausage on a plate in front of you when you were expecting a drink; eat it gratefully, of course, whilst listening to each member of staff introduce their department. We then handed over the equipment before touring the hospital, including the new operating theatre which they hope to open later this month. In the pharmacy we wondered if they had many pills to distribute as the shelves were so empty. Why do we complain about the NHS and the facilities we use as, compared with that hospital, it is fabulous?

We returned to the Centre to find that the ladies had prepared a delicious lunch so we filled our plates again and shared a meal together before a debrief evaluation meeting with our partners under Pastor Davis’ leadership. Everyone contributed one thing they had learnt or received from working together and the overall message was that our faith had been strengthened as God had done ‘exceedingly more than we could ask or think’ – to Him be the glory. A huge thank you to everyone who has joined us through prayer – we were very conscious that the Lord was protecting, strengthening and enabling the Team to fulfil the task. Praise the Lord!

We returned to the hotel to prepare for a Farewell Supper at Pastor Davis’ house – a magnificent spread with 6 different national dishes, fresh fruit, followed by a delicacy of spiced chicken and rounded off by a sweet biscuit. Wow – truly a gastronomic day! It was great to spend time relaxing together with his family and their hospitality was generous in the extreme.

An Introduction to Through the Roof

Find out all about Through the Roof in our new video, 'An Introduction to Through the Roof'. This video, which talks about all our different programmes and features short interviews with supporters and volunteers, has been produced through the hard work of 3 Strands Media. We hope you enjoy it - please share it around anyone you think might benefit from knowing more about TTR!