Not
Allowed In!
By Dr. Mike Townsend, Chair of Trustees
My niece Katy was marrying a Greek Cypriot but my guide
dog, Oxford, and I were not going to be allowed into the
wedding service! As EU rules govern Cyprus, I thought
there would be no problem bringing Oxford. But checking
online aroused suspicions. There are no guide dogs or
support animals in Cyprus. Exclusion from worship is
another big problem in Cyprus. Churches are “holy
ground”, and animals appear to be “unholy”. Oxford and I
were not going to be allowed into the wedding service!
The groom’s family complained bitterly. Eventually we
were permitted to sit at a door near the front with Oxford
outside. The priests conducted the wedding without
looking at the congregation. As the photo shows, Oxford
did set all four paws on “holy ground”.
The hotel manager was friendly and wanted to do his best
to welcome us. He told me, “we have made an exception as
you have come from the UK. We don’t have guide dogs in
Cyprus. Disabled people are supported by their families
and don’t work. We look after our disabled people very
well. The best for them is to be at home with the family.”
The organisation supporting blind and partially sighted
people is virtually non-existent. There are very few
organisations relating to disabled people. Some buildings
have met EU access standards, but try wheeling in the
streets! During our travels we saw no evidently disabled
people. I suppose they were all being comfortably looked
after at home…
God has something for us each day
which is not just being looked
after
Saint Paul was fiercely independent. Talking to the
Ephesian elders in the book of Acts, he said:
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard
work we must help the weak, remembering the words the
Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to
receive.’” (Acts 21: 35.)
Many disabled people, even in the UK, slip into the
dependence the hotel manager encouraged, and out of
participating. But we lose out on the blessing of “giving”
(contributing) which Jesus tells us is better. Yesterday in
church, Jane told me she was returning to work after
surgery. “Several years ago Mike, you preached about
God’s purpose and having a reason to get out of bed. That
has been with me ever since.” It’s always good to know
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Mike and Oxford on ‘Holy Ground’
that God uses what we say. Whether we can get up or not,
God has something for us each day which is not just being
looked after.
We visited the largest monastery in Europe. Oxford and I
had a good look around before we were snared. Whilst
being removed, Oxford pointed out the many “unholy
cats” sleeping there. They were scooped up and ejected
too. But I was sure they would be back soon.
Jesus makes a point of welcoming “all”.
“Come to me, ALL you who are weary and burdened, and I
will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart.” (Matt 11: 28-29).
Jesus gives us ALL both “his rest” and the joy of “serving”
alongside him, or contributing, and of being looked after.
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