Jim preaching at HEAL chapel

Maybe it was because of our numerous Nigerian friends when I was a child. Maybe it was viewing exotic nations through David Attenborough’s lens; places teeming with all manner of fascinating beasts – untamed and uncaged. Maybe it was the constant stream of BBC News over the years showing people’s lives – so far from mine; so different.

Whatever it was, ever since I was a little boy, I’ve dreamt of visiting Africa.

And now – with many more years on my belt, and a few less hairs – here I am. An incredible privilege…

But today I got to fulfil another dream. I preached in an African church. It was awesome!

Here’s the gist (I’ll spare you the Swahili translation!):

“Hello, my name is Jim and I am a preacher/writer from Australia. I’m here with my friend Stu to create a book. A book that will tell the story of HEAL Africa, and the life-changing work that is happening here in Goma.

We have met many people this week – amazing men, inspiring women, and brave children. We have heard many stories – stories of hope; stories of faith; and, stories of God’s love put into action.

But there’s one thing that these stories have in common. A central theme that is woven into each person’s tale: whether life is good, bad or ugly – God is always in charge!…

Our lives may look very different. I have white skin. I can’t dance! But, essentially we are the same.

We all have hopes and dreams; fears and disappointments. We all have family problems; times of joy and times of sadness.

Life changes all the time. But God doesn’t!…

These truths of life are a key part of your story – and of mine.

Psalm 97:1 tells us: ‘The LORD reigns; let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.’

-No matter what happens… God rules.

V2: ‘Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.’

-Central to God’s character is His determination that relationships are put right: our relationship with Him, and our relationships with others. And, that those who do wrong are stopped.

V3-5: ‘Fire goes before Him, and consumes His foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth.’

-God is all-powerful; His enemies melt like wax when confronted by His holy fire.

-If we have God with us/inside us, we need not fear anything, or anybody. We may have difficulties, but God is with us.

V6: ‘The heavens proclaim His righteousness all peoples will see His glory!’

-If you know God, you know He can be trusted. He does not fail. He triumphs. He shines in victory!”

(We ended as I led the congregation ‘ululating’ – the traditional African sound of victory. An overwhelming experience!!)

…As you read this today, may YOU be blessed. May God comfort you, encourage you – and may He give you boldness to live His way.

This is just the first instalment of news about our involvement with CNEC PI. As we continue our research phase prior to travelling early next year to D.R Congo, we will be asking partners to contribute, comment and provide feedback to our questions. If you’ve had any involvement with HEAL Africa we’d love to hear from you.

Love in Action : HEAL Africa will be produced by Stu Harris Photography and will use the services of visual storyteller Stu Harris, Christian communicator Jim Collins, researcher Lynn Darwall (CNEC) and graphic designer Alix Morse.

The marketing campaigns “call to action” is to watch the confronting educational video  on their website and to consider taking action. It’s a very powerful message.

I spent much of Tuesday contemplating the video that I had seen, and the campaign. The thing that continues to strike me is just how alien these kinds of horrific ordeals feel to me, in my circumstances living in a big multi-cultural safe city. It’s almost as if it feels so unreal that it can’t be true, and therefore it’s ok to forget, or think someone else will help, or what will my $30 a month do to help.

Putting love into action means to go beyond our own worldview, to break beyond our own understanding and to imagine no matter how abstract or alien-like it may feel, what it would be like if our own children were to be forced into becoming soldiers.

For more information about The Australian Red Cross and their campaign to stop children from becoming soldiers, please follow this link.