|
CAN WE REALLY HELP AFRICA
It is easy to become depressed at situations over which we seemingly have no control. I listened intently to Kevin’s plea about the plight of millions within the African Continent and was fascinated by the media coverage of the Live 8 concerts. I am deeply wanting to reach out and help those two brave ladies who visited our Church from Zambia and who struggle with great faith to bring the Gospel message of the love and forgiveness of Jesus to friends and neighbours as they succumb to Aid and poverty. These thoughts crossed my mind as I bade a cheerful greeting to a friend from Zimbabwe now working at Grange Lea and a student at Northumbria University. One day she will go home to Zimbabwe. There are times when my prayers seem so futile, but I will never give them up.
Amazingly I read a headline which seemed so sensible “Invest in Africa and help cut poverty”. Is this the way forward? Let Church leaders of all denominations encourage this formidable approach. Let those who lead and govern be positive, forward thinking and in the real world. Persuade them to give up a pessimistic approach with its Ring fences, Embargoes and Trade Protection etc. Encourage Governments and Financiers to appreciate a changed approach. I am no economist but I know that negative actions rarely help any one.
Have we a recent example? Yes. India, when facing the same problem in 1977 with 55% of the population living in poverty opened up its economy. Within twenty two years in 1999 that dreadful figure had fallen to 26%. Worth thinking about. It would be a risky and mammoth undertaking in a vast continent with so many individual countries and cultures. Nevertheless, it is the result that matters.
God moves in mysterious ways. We should be prepared to listen for His voice.
Ray Tipping.
|
