Heading for the Slums
Published October 18th, 2006 in Hearing the WordChris and Jodie MacCartney joined us on Sunday to share a little bit about what is instore for them on the next part of their journey.
Chris grew up in our church and Jodie came here after they got married. They were sent from here to do pastral work at Knox and during that time felt the call to identify more with the poor of the world. They moved to Springvale where they joined Urban Neighbours of Hope and now are about to embark on a journey which will see them living in the slums of Klong Toey in Bangkok.
On face value, this seems stupid. Chris and Jodie have two young children and moving to an area crawling with filth, disease and death seems like lunacy. But there are 80 000 people that live on this two square kilometre site. 80 000 people who God loves and who need to know that love. Chris and Jodie recognise this and have offered themselves in obedience to God.
Already this is an amazing story and I look forward to hearing more updates as they move over there and begin to minister amongst the poorest people of our planet. It also sounds a warning to anybody that comes to our church - you have no idea where you’re going to end up!!
Anyway, Chris shared some thoughts as part of our time together. Here’s just a few snippets that I wrote down:
- The world we live in is not as God intended it to be. Poverty, war, pollution, discrimination and exploitation makes this painfully obvious.
- UNOH’s motto is, “Doing whatever it takes to see the Kingdom of God come”. As followers of Jesus we are called to engage with the broken people in the world we live in and do our part to reverse the pain and suffering.
- If we are in relationship with God, we must be in relationship with the poor - Tony Campolo
- To identify with the crucified Christ means identifying with the suffering and misery of the poor and oppressed - Jurgen Moltmann
- The work of God is about transformation.
Thanks to the MacCartneys for sharing with us. May God keep you all strong and healthy and shining brightly in the dark places.
Wow, that is so impressive. It always amazes me to see people that let God lead them though the narrow paths. Something so scary and dangerours to most, but these people have a calmness and surety that is a great witness to their faith and trust. God Bless em.