Love Broke Down the Barriers from Dr. Mike Townsend( Chair of Trustees)
Mike in Kathmandu
As I choked in the smog, fumbling for my mask to shield me from the dust, and stumbled across another hole filled with rubbish, mud and sewage, I wondered how disabled people manage. What disabled people? This was the main street in Kathmandu and we saw absolutely no other disabled people.
One of our group had mobility issues. She had to give up. A wheelchair was no use on these city streets. There were lifts in the western style hotels. So if you got through their doors, you could eat and sleep.
This situation reminded me of the supposedly impregnable city of Jerusalem, described in the Bible in 2Samuel 5:6 " The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, " You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, `David cannot get in here "’. But David’ s ingenuity overcame all their barriers and he entered
through a watercourse!
2Samuel 5:8‘ On that day, David said,“ Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those lame and blind who are David ' s enemies.” That is why they say,“ The blind and lame will not enter the palace.”’
David ' s taunt excluded disabled people from Jerusalem. However, later David did welcome a disabled person into his palace. It was Mephibosheth! What caused this change of heart? David wanted to demonstrate his love for his dead friend Jonathan.
2Samuel 9:3‘ The king asked,“ Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God ' s kindness?” Ziba answered the king,“ There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.”’ Love broke down the barriers of hatred and discrimination.
2Samuel 9:13‘ Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, moved to Jerusalem to live at the palace.’
Other parts of Nepal are more accessible. We supported work projects where disabled people created beautiful crafts. We bought fabulous pashmina cashmere shawls woven by blind people. Another NGO showed Jesus ' love by bringing disabled children down from the high Himalayan villages to access education.
At Through the Roof‘ We empower and equip people to enable disabled people to reach their full potential.’ This is one of our five values.
Love can change attitudes. In our 20th year, let us celebrate the empowering love of Jesus which brings us to‘ full potential’.
Bristol Beginnings
Supporting and encouraging each other in Bristol. If you’ d like to start a group, get in touch.
There was a sense of excitement as nine people sat together in Horfield Methodist church in Bristol to pray and listen to God‘ s plans for the area.
Colston Grady, a regular volunteer on DCF holidays, had a vision to start a new group and tempted us all along with tea and upmarket biscuits. We made friends, talked about ourselves and took inspiration from 2 Corinthians 12:9 –‘ But he said to me,“ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’ s power may rest on me.’
Encouraged by our time together, we decided to launch TTR Bristol with a Through the Roof 20th Anniversary Party on Wednesday September 13th at 2.15pm, Horfield Methodist Church BS7 8SN. All are welcome, and we look forward to making new friends and serving people around the area. www. throughtheroof. org