Today was such an intense day. We had our first day of classes. It was great and hard and already things are speaking to the deepest parts of my heart. my chest feels tight and I feel rather like I've had too much coffee. It's been so good to see and hear and talk, and so hard to face my own apathy and ignorance. I find myself without excuse, but now aware and afraid I won't know what to do with my newfound knowledge.

We are beginning this workshop by first looking at the Face of God.

We went through a lot of scripture pointing to God's heart which is for the smallest, weakest, most defenseless of society. This base is heavy on the multi-media approach, which has been just awesome. It at the same time cuts right to the center of my heart. Seeing the face of a child as she speaks about what is happening to her, pleading her case, and questioning why no one is doing anything even when they know about her plight is very hard. I guess this is why this workshop is called "Justice Has a Face".

Our lecturer started off with a quote from Mother Theresa that went something like " God didn't tell you to love the world. He told you to love your neighbour."

These heavy issues, when presented, can see so vast and impossible. There can be such a sense of hopelessness. The fact remains though that each person has a case, and each individual is our responsibility.

I'm so disgusted with myself. I'm so disgusted with our country... our cheap distractions, our fancy cars, fancy dinners, fancy warm walls that disguise the harsh reality outside that says "there are 27, 000 children dying every day from PREVENTABLE causes".

We are asked "Who is responsible for these children?".

Is it the parents? Where are they? Is it the extended family? They have no obligations. The local churches need to find a quick fix because 60% of ministries for children fail in the first two years. The local villages are impersonal and are often unable to CARE for a child... and the responsiblity moves on. WHO WILL CLAIM THEM?

Who will claim the lost, the broken, the downtrodden, the outcast? Who will say "I care", "I hear your cries", "I will LOVE you".

Maybe we pass the torch to God, say "its just too heavy for me to carry". I know I have. I see the starving children and think, should I not eat my supper tonight? What good would that do them? I'll eat and then I forget their hunger as I satisfy my own.

We were reminded that the global church is ABUNDANTLY equipped, enough to completely eradicate hunger. The only thing we, as a global body, are missing is FOCUS. Can we work together?

We spend so much time in our churches, in our small groups, in our youth groups, in our quiet time looking for self-fulfillment, for something to give us "purpose" and "direction" when God's direction to us is simply to FEED, CLOTHE, VISIT, LOVE, HEAL, QUENCH, HEAR... "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matt. 25)

"You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more." (Ps. 10)

We turn a blind eye the to world. We say it's too big for us, its too much. I can't make a difference.
Do we not see the individual? Do we not see how a heart is softened by a mere touch? Will we not recognize that

And if He calls us to it, he is faithful to guide us.

"He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked." (Ps 146)

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed.' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? IN the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2)

Find out what is happening around the world. Open your eyes. Make yourself aware. We have no excuses. I'm writing this for myself as much as you all.

love. c.