Waking to the early morning news broadcasts over the last few weeks, one could hardly fail to be aware of what is regularly referred to as the current “global credit crunch”. Interest rates, mortgage availability and falling house prices seem to dominate our thoughts.
What a far cry from the concerns of the vast majority of our world!
And I am not just referring to those living in Zimbabwe with its 100,000 per cent inflation rate as our magazine goes to press. What about those in other places, who still have to walk miles each day for water, who do not know whether they will eat today, whose nearest health centre is hundreds of miles away and whose children are unlikely to get even a basic education?
Are you aware that £9.8 billion is spent each year on cosmetics in the U.S.A? .... more than double the £4.43 billion it would take to provide clean water and basic sanitation for everyone in our world?
Having worked in a developing country myself, I cannot speak highly enough of Christian Aid as an organization which helps some of the poorest people in our world. It does not just give aid. Their fieldworkers find really worthwhile local organizations helping people and then go into partnership with them, helping with the funding needed to keep them going. They range from helping women to set up their own market garden plots, to building wells, or funding relief programmes for refugees.
This year the first Sunday of Christian Aid Week falls at Pentecost. Christians across the globe will be celebrating the Holy Spirit's transforming of lives and empowering of communities by bringing them into the new life and liberty of the Risen Christ. What better time to remember those who are so disadvantaged.
Christian Aid's slogan has long been “Let's live more simply that others can simply live” So how about doing a couple of things this month.
Firstly set aside the amount now, which you could spare this month, to help those who are fighting for survival while we have so much. Have it ready to go into that envelope which will drop through your door, rather than just putting a bit of loose change in the envelope (and don't forget to “gift aid” it, by writing your name and address on the envelope).
And secondly, if you can spare just an hour or so somewhere in the week, pick up a packet of envelopes from the back of your church (all three churches in the village are involved) and get delivering.
Let's see if we, who live in this beautiful comfortable Kentish Wealden village with so much on offer, can show our gratitude and generosity this month by a bumper Christian Aid collection.
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