I have the greatest admiration for those who get creative about bringing others to Jesus. Even more, for those who do it by removing the obstacles that might stand in the way of such an encounter—especially when such obstacles are the prejudices and uninformed discomfort of other Christians. The people who do such mission work are heroic figures in my book.
Di Willis (QSM) is one such person. Recognising the obstacles disabled people can encounter in achieving access and an easy, relaxed inclusion in the church, Di has made it her mission in life to change this. In this, she shows us what it means to live out one of The Salvation Army’s values in the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory: ‘to offer a place to belong’.
Di reminds me of the group of individuals in Mark chapter two who desperately wanted their paralysed friend to meet Jesus. Since Jesus was speaking in a crowded house, the group dismantled the roof so they could lower their friend down. This encounter resulted in Jesus forgiving and healing their friend.
Of course, none of us can say we are not ‘disabled’ in some way. We all have something that hampers our easy movement through life—including hardhearted attitudes, hurts of the past and unhelpful habits. And so in our encounter with those who have physical or intellectual disabilities, we must never adopt an attitude of superiority. We are not the ‘well’ people with gifts to give. Instead, we are just as likely to be the ‘sick’ who benefi t as we receive from those we may previously have labelled ‘weak’.
Christina Tyson
Editor
Philippians 1:27 Contemporary English Version
Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honour to the good news about Christ.
Piripai 1:27
Engari kia tika tā koutou whakahaere, kia rite ki ta te rongopai o te Karaiti.