We started our ministry on Monday working with the YMCA and a Holiday program called Breaking Away. We’ve learned quick that the children are slow to warm up to us and really don’t trust us. It’s hard to motivate them, but once they join in an activity they have a blast. We learned a lot today about the social issues in Gisborne by an awesome local.
Gisborne is about 60% Maori, which is the highest in all of New Zealand. Domestic violence is huge among these people, and he was shocked when he moved here at how normal it is. It’s not uncommon for children to watch their mom get beat repeatedly. It’s also a common thing for children to have black eyes and other bruises when they show up to school. The schools have to have a policy that children will not be released to parents who are drunk.
He said many kids come to school without having breakfast and then don’t have lunch either. Alcohol and Marijuana abuse are high in this community; which contributes to these issues. Many girls will have kids at 16 and their moms will end up raising the child.
Another sad thing is that child pornography is common here too. The locals say that graphic pictures of children as young as 6 months are passed around. That breaks my heart especially since we know that it is a universal problem. I can understand now why the children have a trust issue. One of the boys at the camp acts in very strange ways and when we found out his experience, it was no wonder. His father recently committed suicide and he was the one who found him. So, these kids need a lot of prayer and a lot of hope.
Gisborne is about 60% Maori, which is the highest in all of New Zealand. Domestic violence is huge among these people, and he was shocked when he moved here at how normal it is. It’s not uncommon for children to watch their mom get beat repeatedly. It’s also a common thing for children to have black eyes and other bruises when they show up to school. The schools have to have a policy that children will not be released to parents who are drunk.
He said many kids come to school without having breakfast and then don’t have lunch either. Alcohol and Marijuana abuse are high in this community; which contributes to these issues. Many girls will have kids at 16 and their moms will end up raising the child.
Another sad thing is that child pornography is common here too. The locals say that graphic pictures of children as young as 6 months are passed around. That breaks my heart especially since we know that it is a universal problem. I can understand now why the children have a trust issue. One of the boys at the camp acts in very strange ways and when we found out his experience, it was no wonder. His father recently committed suicide and he was the one who found him. So, these kids need a lot of prayer and a lot of hope.
The YMCA has done a good job helping to get kids off the streets and to be active in things. There are two main gangs here and they suck the kids in making it hard to get out. Many will have done jail time by the age of 20. The police can be corrupt as well and they may have planned beatings. If they want to get back at someone they will track them down and beat them up.
So, it is so hard to believe that a town surrounded by some amazing beaches in one of the most beautiful countries has some destitution. Issue that mimic problems in all parts of the world. A lot of it goes back to when the Maori’s land was taken over by foreigners and racism became huge. It kind of mimics some of America’s problems and proves that racism is universal. It’s also destructive and wicked to a society.
Where does God fit into this issue? Isn’t it true that many churches and other institutions will still keep certain people out and favor others? Is that really how He wants it? Did Jesus worship in a fancy church, dressed to the nines, and making an impression. Did he only go to the best of the best places?
No way, he was with the lost, broken, judged, ridiculed, criminals, and harlots. So now we have to bring his grace to places like this, places where people are stuck in such a deep, dark hole.
No way, he was with the lost, broken, judged, ridiculed, criminals, and harlots. So now we have to bring his grace to places like this, places where people are stuck in such a deep, dark hole.
Below is a video project that each team was asked to do…..the theme was pretty much What is the Kingdom of Heaven? Ours turned out amazing and we all contributed our skills and Ashley used her amazing editing abilities to complete it. Enjoy it!
