Micah Challenge Australia Blog

 

The Micah Challenge blog is a space for discussion and debate about the issues of global poverty, faith, advocacy and justice and the Millennium Development Goals. This blog aims to provoke thought and challenge you to learn more about the issues discussed. We welcome your comments.

Micah Challenge is a global campaign of Christians speaking out against poverty and injustice. Click here to visit the Micah Challenge website.

  • How lamentation turned me from apathy

    Posted by David

    28 February, 2012

    “God whispers to us in our pleasures... but shouts in our pain: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” - C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain. During the past week of PrayACT, we have dwelt on the importance of prayer as action. As our week of focused prayer for the MDGs comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the last prayer of Jesus as he hung on the cross:
 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). This prayer was Jesus’ lamentation – the cry that prefaced the overthrow of sin forever. It was this act of lamentation that opened the way for God’s hope for a new humanity and God’s reign of justice in our world. Generations before this moment, the prophets too, lamented the actions of the people of Israel – a cry of grief at consistent injustice. God met these cries of injustice with the sending of Jesus. Emmanuel; God with us – justice to be embodied and displayed amongst us. Allow me to share a story from my own walk... read more

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  • Finding meaning on a cruise ship

    Posted by Matt

    25 January, 2012

    My good mate Morgan has spent half of last year aboard five-star cruise ships plying the well-worn route between some of Europe and America's most glitzy and touristy coastal destinations, entertaining giddy and sun-stroked passengers with his music. Sounds tough, doesn’t it?! Morgan is quite a character and the experience has given him some fantastic material—his emails regale those of us at home with a litany of hilarious anecdotes and analysis of the situations and people he encounters. His recent update began with the usual banter but shifted tone when he began, in his words, to “go on a rant” about tourists and their never-ending travel stories. “I'll tell you what really drives me crazy: listening to every man and his dog tell you how 'ah-ma-zing' everywhere they have been is. It doesn’t matter what country they are from, they all use the word “amazing”! People say tourism is good because it brings money to the country, but it can also turn places into tacky tourist dumps. That kind of... read more

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  • Celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities

    Posted by Stevie

    2 December, 2011

    The way I see it, living with cerebral palsy has given me opportunities to rise to the challenges I face. Living in Australia, I have a walking frame, wheelchair, and an aide called a ‘keyguard’, which assists my typing. Provided with assistance, I was able to go through primary and secondary mainstream schools. Growing up I had physio, speech and occupational therapy, all of which helped me to develop my physical abilities. My immediate and extended family are extremely supportive, encouraging me to do all that I can for myself, and assisting me when needed. I have developed my writing, public speaking and pastoral skills, studied a Diploma in Counselling Studies and enjoy dear friendships – everything I need to lead a rich and fulfilling life. I have been given opportunities and empowerment to be all that I can be... All that I was born to be. But if I had been born into poverty, my life would have been very different. Without a walking frame, or wheelchair, I would crawl along the ground. As a small child, I would have been reliant on my... read more

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  • My little friend Langtham

    Posted by Stevie

    21 November, 2011

    Meeting Langtham was a very special moment in my life. He is one year old and lives in Lusaka, Zambia. Langtham has cerebral palsy ... as do I. From vastly different parts of the world, we shared a few minutes together. More than that, we share the way our bodies work. Here's a video about the day I met Langtham: After I came home to Australia, I wrote this poem, holding dear my encounter with him: Dear Langthammy little friendthe meeting of our livesthat moment in timemy heart has framedToo young to remember meyou will always be rememberedDiversityin our ethnicity, territory, opportunitiesthe world between usa commonality we share –not an unfortunate afflictionnor some spiritual retributionNo, our bodies dance to a different beatour tongues, to a different tuneYour song, is beautifulYour eyes are as richas the soil from whichlife springs and takes rootMay your life be poetryspeaking the deeper truthMay your heart be warmedby your mother’s loveas your skin is warmedby the sunMay you treasure, nurturethe space between mother and sonMay... read more

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