Bite back at hunger 12 – 18 May 2013
Details coming out of Syria paint a bleak and desperate picture of need for which Christian Aid launched an appeal in Lent and to which you responded generously so that we were able, as a parish, to send nearly £2,000. The need continues to grow.
But Christian Aid has so many other commitments around the world which can’t be neglected in favour of this newer crisis. It must be hard, juggling the books, deciding how to share out limited resources and the workers could be forgiven for despairing in the face of so much suffering.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. As part of Christian Aid Week 2013, the organisers asked staff, including interns, to share their inspirational reflections and personal experiences. This reflection was written by intern Syntiche Dedji
Faith in action
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (James 2:17 NRSV)
Prayer is a powerful tool. However, prayer without action can sometimes be like eating a sandwich without the bread – it leaves you feeling dissatisfied.
In the book of James we are asked: If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? (James 2:15-16)
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Practical help
Christian Aid helps in practical ways, to root poverty out from the world. With other Christian Aid interns, I visited Zimbabwe to meet the communities that Christian Aid’s partners are working with.
One of these partners, Dabane Trust, has helped local people start up nutrition gardens. These gardens are a bit like an allotment. Each member has a specific number of beds on which they can grow vegetables. This method, although a simple one, has proved successful. We spoke to members of the gardens who told us that when they were separately tending their own gardens, they had no crop, and things were very hard for them.
Quality of life
Since coming together as a community, they are able to manage the gardens and it has greatly improved their quality of life. They are now able to feed themselves and their families. It can be easy to pray for those in poverty, and then leave it to someone else to help them out of it. Faith should be tangible, active.
To pray
Lord God, help me to >pray as if everything depended on God; but work as if everything depended on me.’ Amen (from the words of St Augustine).
To act
Today, why not give a donation, help fundraise or change your consumer habits to help improve the lives of others?
Even doing something as simple as telling others about the plight of those living in poverty around the world can make a big difference.
You can read what others had to say at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/christianaidweek/reflections/