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| Picture Courtesy CNN |
The CNN headline
screamed out at me – Invisible in India –The story of the disabled boy tied to Mumbia bus stop. The article begged
for an actionable response.
What should
we do?
One of the sub themes, which kept boiling up at this past
SITD conference, was the importance of “being” instead of “doing.” As a ministry
“professional”, my colleagues and I often get caught up in the doing of church and ministry – Yes, there is a lot to do! Yet, the most effective disability ministries – for that matter, the most effective anything ministries—is one where relationship and “being” are paramount. Not until one becomes a friend with another, do mutual gifts and talents emerge.
“professional”, my colleagues and I often get caught up in the doing of church and ministry – Yes, there is a lot to do! Yet, the most effective disability ministries – for that matter, the most effective anything ministries—is one where relationship and “being” are paramount. Not until one becomes a friend with another, do mutual gifts and talents emerge.
One of the largest paradigm shifts most
people in disability ministry will encounter comes about when the object of the ministry becomes the initializer of ministry. Ministry moves
out of pity and into relationship.
Unfortunately, pity tends to raise money for programs. Children become objectified on posters.
Is that the Jesus way?
Americans are masterful at raising money (charity) based on
pity. Our knee jerk reaction will call for immediate reforms in India (reforms that have taken a hundred years to get into place here – and we’re not even close yet). We’ll fund source this child in India and pat ourselves on the back and
go on our way, thinking it’s over.
But is it really over? Effective compassion focuses on
relationship. We don’t do nearly as well on entering into long term friendships
with those in need in our own towns.
So if you want to help globally, than check out ProVisionAsia. Support trainer teams from Special Touch or JAF that are invited in to
develop localized ministries already in place.
And locally? If you
really want it to make a difference in your life and others, start by volunteering
in your community, churches special needs ministry, or Friendship Group. But don’t stop there – become a true friend
to someone invisible in your community.
That’s how they become visible again.
