Walking Together in Hope

 

The reason for my visit to Cape Town was to take part in, and help facilitate, a consultation run by Micah Global. MG are an international network of organisations, from the big to the small and everything in between. All have a Christian ethos underpinning their work, and their foci range from humanitarian relief and disaster response, to development, to advocacy, to creation care.

Delegates came from over 80 countries, and numbered over 200 individuals. It’s been thought provoking, inspiring, challenging and uplifting. We started with a time of lament for the current state of the world. This included lament for the big scale issues: poverty, wars, climate change etc, but also lament for the individual and hidden issues, but those that are just as significant to the victims - children, trafficked people, victims of gender based violence, displaced people etc. Although done in a plenary session, this was very much a personal time of lament as well, with time for silent reflection on our role, and the role of our own nations in the historical context that has led to where things are at now - challenging reflections for the Brits and Americans in particular!

The theme of the consultation was ‘Walking Together in Hope’ and so having started by lamenting about, and locating ourselves in the real and broken world, the rest of the consultation included times of listening to the voices of those with lived experiences. So in my group we visited, and heard from programmes working with children at risk, people who have been trafficked, women caught up in prostitution at the harbour side, and those living with disabilities. Other groups visited other projects, including a wetlands restoration programme, disaster response programmes, and organisations that are advocating for marginalised groups here in the city anf across the country.

Listening to the voices directly is so powerful and important, and the voices informed the thinking with regard to the next steps.

The consultation ended with a time of group conversations identifying steps that can be taken to move forward. Small quick actions, as well as larger and longer term actions that need a bit more interaction with each other and the teams back home to firm up processes.

But actions all the same. It felt positive and hopeful to be leaving the consultation with thoughts on what next, connections on how to implement the what next, and, particularly for ‘sole workers’ like myself, a sense of togetherness and mutual support.

For me, the really impacting aspects were 4

1. the lament, as a Brit, as one from an over-consumptive nation - it was tough, but it was needed, and it reignited the passion to do all I can to make a positive difference.
2. The networking and getting to know others working in the same field. No longer do I feel quite so alone in what I’m doing.
3. The time of discerning the next steps - having space and conversations to be able to hear God’s nudges and glimpses of what should be my next steps with 360life in particular.
4. But most of all - a session when various women leaders shared their reflections on what it means to be a female leader in their country. The countries represented included Lebanon, Uganda, Guatemala, South Africa, Kenya, India, Philippines. And as they shared about the challenges of gender-related expectations and assumptions that they have to navigate I was reminded yet again just how fortunate I am to have the freedom that I do have, but also how far the world still has to go with regard to reducing the gender gap. It’s a huge issue, so very multifaceted, and steeped in politics, religion, and cultures, but that’s no excuse for not pursuing it step by step, wherever we can. I salute those who are so bravely and selflessly stepping up and raising their heads above the parapet to speak up for women’s rights, often in potentials dangerous situations. May I do what I can to not be found wanting.

Much to process, much to think through, but so grateful for being able to participate in this consultation.