Guest preacher - Jacqui Ryan of CWS 

The work of Christian World Service is grounded in God’s unconditional love and generosity and in the Word which “comes down from heaven and does not return until it has watered the earth and accomplished its purpose”. At Christian World Service “our starting point is our faith in the God of life. We believe that the provision and enjoyment of the basic necessities for living a decent, just and humane life is the will of God for ALL humankind.” This is not reserved for a privileged few. The task of ensuring God’s will for all humankind is the mission of CWS in partnership with all who claim the name Christian. I invite you to travel with me as we meet three life-changing partners supported by CWS. 

* In Sudan, a landlocked country bordered by 10 states, CWS works in partnership with the New Sudan Council of Churches to bring peace amongst its people. Fighting over land, resources and intertribal issues has brought Sudan to its knees by means of civil war. Sudan is a country rich in mineral and oil resources. While the Government entices foreign petrochemical and oil companies to invest in their country, they are, at the same time, directing their military to kill their own people. The population of the Sudan is extremely poor and live mostly in the vast rural areas in very basic huts, eking out an existence from subsistence cropping. In its desire to attract foreign investment, the Government must provide investors and petrochemical companies with direct and unimpeded access to exploration zones. One way this is achieved by the Government is to dispatch troops into oil-rich rural areas, driving the villagers from their homes. The people typically flee into the long grasslands in the belief they will escape their persecutors. Once in the grasslands, however, military helicopter gunships are ordered to fly very low, flushing the people out into the open where they are shot and killed from close range. Without people present on the land, the Government can indeed claim that the lands are ‘unoccupied’ and therefore available for exploration and lease. This has resulted in 10,000s of displaced persons, many of whom seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Through the efforts of the New Sudan Council of Churches, peacemaking teams are trained in reconciliation and negotiation skills, encouraging peace in small communities. It is hoped that larger scale peace negotiations will build on these initiatives. “Come to me … all who thirst for liberation from oppression. Though you have nothing, come and receive at no cost ….” 

* Puspa is a flower vendor from the Dalit caste in Tamil-Nadu, southern India. She reminds me of the Samaritan woman it today’s Gospel: an outcaste yearning for a better, more satisfying life. Each morning when Puspa has collected water and firewood, prepared rice and made breakfast for her family, she sets off to try to earn enough money for the next day’s food. Her first stop is the money-lender. From him she borrows the equivalent of NZ$14 with which she can purchase four kilograms of flowers in the market. He will expect repayment by nightfall, otherwise she will incur daily interest of $2.80 or 20%. At the market, Puspa examines the flowers for sale, all the time eyeing the merchants as she tries to assess which appears to be the most honest. She makes her choice, but as she is illiterate she must trust the merchant to apply the weights accurately. She knows that the flowers will be routinely drenched in water, so that part of her $14 will inevitably pay for water as in the total weight. She hopes the scales will be set at the full kilogram and not at half or three quarters as often happens. She threads the flowers into garlands and sets off for the temple, hoping to sell garlands to worshippers or tourists. If the police move her on from her position at the temple entrance, she will move to the central bus depot, knowing that it will be only a matter of time before they move her on from there also. It is a good day. Puspa eventually sells all her garlands for $17. She repays the money-lender and uses most of the $3 to purchase tomorrow’s food for her family of five. Her life is precarious. Puspa’s greatest fear is that she will fail to sell her flowers and fall into debt with the money-lender. She knows that the local price of flowers is rising, pushed up by the market demand from European and North American countries. It is only a matter of time before price increases force the informal sellers out of business. Puspa’s position is repeated thousands of times for women who work in flower-selling or in other enterprises within the informal sector. CWS’ partner in the region, Women’s Development Resource Centre, has helped organize 600 flower-sellers into a Flower Sellers Association. The Association uses collective power to gain some security for its marginal workers. “Come to me … all who thirst for dignity and justice. Though you have nothing, come and receive at no cost ....” 

* Nearer to New Zealand, CWS is assisting with several projects in East Timor – or Timor Leste. Many of us have some knowledge of the conflict surrounding Timor Leste’s independence from Indonesia in 2002. As often happens following prolonged conflict many children are left orphaned. With the population being over 95% Roman Catholic, the Missionary Dominican Sisters – many of them indigenous Timorese, have undertaken several major projects to ensure the safe-keeping and long-term training of orphaned children. Nearly half the population of 850,000 is aged under 15yrs. Any wonder the Sisters see the education, health and vocational needs of children as their priority in mission. One such initiative is the Youth Fishing programme which was set up by 50 young men and women aged between 15 and 25 years, many of whom live in Dili’s poorest suburbs. The group meets for social, cultural and spiritual activities and is keen to address the problems facing their community such as unemployment, poverty and poor nutrition. They agreed that a productive income generating project would be a good venture. This would both create employment and raise funds for some of the youth group’s other activities. Among the reasons for choosing a fishing project were: many of the youth came from families with fishing backgrounds; the sea around Dili is teeming with fish; fish are an excellent source of protein and vitamins; and, if the fish cannot be sold they can be shared amongst the group. With CWS funding the group acquired a boat, outboard motor and fishing nets. Although the size of catch varies, on the best days the catch can sell for $100 in the local market. Seeing the success of the fishing project, the young women initiated another income generating project. This new weaving, sewing and dressmaking project will provide vocational training for young people as well as providing an avenue for the sale of their products. “Come to me … all who thirst for peace and prosperity. Though you have nothing, come and receive at no cost ....” 

* CWS feels honoured and privileged to be partners in the rebuilding of the nations mentioned this morning. We go about this task by financially supporting community groups working to build a just world; arranging the transfer of funds to poor communities in times of emergency; educating people about the causes of poverty and injustice; and, campaigning on behalf of the poor. These activities are funded through the proceeds of the annual CWS Christmas Appeal and emergency appeals. On behalf of CWS, thank you parishioners of Wesley Tauranga for your generous support of these appeals. Please continue to keep the work of CWS and that of our partners in your prayers. As you engage in the 2006 Christmas Appeal theme “Water – the gift of life,” may you respond to God’s invitation with the same yearning as the Samaritan woman in today’s reading: “Sir, give me the water (of eternal life) that I may never thirst again.” And once satisfied, may you be generous in your living of God’s gracious gift.