CAP - Christians Against Poverty

Of those in debt:

- 67% missed meals with 22% doing so regularly.
- 80% lived in fear.
- 6% attempted suicide with 34% considering suicide.
- 69% visited their GP as a result of debt with 41% being prescribed medication.
- 39% said debt caused arguments, with another 17% saying debt led to their relationship breakdown.

The stats above are taken from the website of an organisation that has only recently come to my attention - Christians Against Poverty.

As its name would suggest this is an organisation focussed on reducing poverty within the UK, which it hopes to achieve by offering free debt counseling to those in need. It does so through partnering with local churches, who burdened for the needy, set up "CAP centers" within the church, receive specialist training from CAP, equipping them to reach out into their local communities helping those most effected by debt. It was founded in 1996 by John Kirkby and there are now 72 centers nationwide. 

From reading their website they operate as a kind of debt consolidation firm, except they have close links with credit companies, and lenders, allowing them to negotiate new interest rates for people who are being crippled by ever increasing loans. As a result they are in the unique position to help people pay their own ways out of debt, through sensible money management and budgeting. 

Check out the website and read more about the work this organisation does and the results that they continue to achieve, and "make your mark on UK poverty".

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The Uncomfortable Commission (part 2) - Jim Fleming

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?... 

... and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday "
Isaiah 58: 6-10

The word in verse 10 is IF.
- IF you feed the hungry and do away with injustice so oppression can be lifted then the promise is that “your light will rise in the darkness.” Fantastic!!
- IF we follow and act out these instructions God will enable his light to shine through us into the darkness of the world!

What our group, “Doing it for Him”(Matt 25:40), are looking for are co-workers to partner with us in the work of bringing food aid, in the form of hampers, to the most needy in society. We have a contact in Social Services who pass on details of those who really need assistance.

If anyone feels led to become co-workers then we need much prayer and also on a more practical level donations of non-perishable food, toiletries, etc. A large black bin has been left on the wall facing the reception desk at church for all donations.

God bless you all as you “do it for Him.”

Jim

Thanks to Jim for the post and the challenge - pray for this ministry, and for Jim and his team and they try to find ways to reach out in love and meet the needs of our city. d

The Uncomfortable Commission (part 1)

The following is by Jim Fleming who's involved in setting up a new ministry in the church, introducing why they felt the call to set it up, I'll be making sure one follows on what they'll actually be doing, and how to get involved.

Who is my neighbour, where’s the love?
That speaks for those our world has lost,………Martin Smith, Delirious?

Feed the hungry, give the thirsty a drink, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, take care of the sick and visit the prisoner.

These were the last instructions that Jesus gave to his followers, his last teachings before the events that led to his death unfolded. Is there something poignant in that? (see Matthew 25-26).

God in the OT and Jesus, Paul, Peter and James in the NT have given us clear instructions on how to treat the poor, needy, widows, orphans, strangers, aliens and prisoners. There is little doubt that God has a heart for those in need.

In the Bible there are over 31000 verses and recently the Bible Society revealed that over 2000 of these refer to God’s views on poverty and justice, the highest concentration being 1 in every 7 verses in the Gospels!

So what can we do to reach this world that’s lost, who are our neighbours? Well there are many, fine Christian charities working with those in need in the developing world but what about here in Norn Iron or to be more specific in our homeland of East Belfast? 2006 statistics for the Province reveal that 1 in 5 adults and over a quarter of children live in low income conditions!

Well our group, “Doing it for Him”, feel led to bring comfort for those who really need it, the poor, the single parents, the needy pensioners. God willing by following his instructions we can reach these “neighbours” with His love.

Jim

Random Quote - Chan

"Someone asked me recently why I don't save money for emergencies, or retirement. My answer was how can I justify saving for myself "just in case" something happens to me when something IS happening to so many already. 29,000 kids will die today of preventable causes. If I'm to love my neighbor AS myself, why spend so much time worrying about me?" 

- Francis Chan, June 08

A fairly challenging way to look at things, especially when I took a job that's main attraction is the pension scheme. Hopefully its not just a phase I'm going through, but the last few weeks (after reading Crazy Love) I been really starting to think more about where my money goes, and how much I really need for myself. 

The video below is by Sarah McLachlan - who made the video on a minimum budget, and gave what it should have cost to various causes - a total of $148,270. Visit world on fire for a list of recipients.

clip length: 4min 35sec

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(RED)

Just stumbled across this site when looking for a new wallpaper for the mac. I'd seen this stuff mentioned on places before but never really paid any attention. Basically its a project thats been set up with major brands including Apple, Gap, Armani and American Express whereby when a consumer buys a designated (red) product, they will donate a percentage of the profit to (red) who will then use this to purchase AIDs medication for Africa.

Check out the video clip and website. 

After reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan recently (which is amazing by the way - highly recommended - Homelio gives it a mention) started to think a bit more about what we can do in our privileged middle class lives! Things like this don't even cost us anything!

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SONshine Club Kenya Project

I asked Brenda Stewart recently would she mind contributing to the blog by giving a bit of an introduction to the SONshine club - she kindly sent through the following...

"The SONshine Club was formed in May 2006 after a visit to Kenya delivering school stationery and clothes to many extremely poor people (85% of the population in Tharaka, Turkana & Samburu regions are unable to earn £10 per month to feed their families). We set out to find sponsors for 40 children and dig 2 wells.... 

...we now have over 120 children sponsored, have opened & run a medical clinic, set up a medical sponsorship programme, have completed the 2 wells and dug a bore hole, completed the first 3 classrooms in Gaceuni! 

To get a better picture of what we are doing and how you can help, why not visit our website - SONshine Club Kenya Project"

Cheers to Brenda for the information, check out their site and try not to be convicted!

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"Some things cost more than you realise"

Check out the below clip from Radiohead - All I Need. It follows two young boys for a day - one in a nice middle class school, the other in an oriental sweat-shop. Radiohead have produced this is partnership with MTV Exit (End Exploitation and Trafficking). 

I have to admit that child trafficking and exploitation is not something that I am particularly knowledgeable on, or even something that has been close to my heart for any length of time - I'm very much guilty of having the  "what I can't see..." attitude, and ignoring it. It is probably through the influence of Pete C that I've started thinking about this kind of thing a bit more, and considering what part we play in it. 

The LA Times have a pretty eye opening article on slavery in the 21st Century here. Maybe its about time we starting taking notice of these things and others like them that are maybe even happening a lot closer to home, but are hard to see with your head in the sand!

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Links to video and article courtesy of Eugene Cho