One of the things many people are feeling at this time of corona virus restrictions is grief and loss.
There is grief at the loss of family and friends, but also grief at the loss of a business or career in which much time and money has been invested, grief at the loss of a way of life, meaningful connection with others and dreams for the future.
For some the losses are temporary and there is hope of returning to a place of having those dreams fulfilled in the future. For others, what has been lost through this crisis can never be replaced.
As I have reflected on this, I wonder if it helps us in some small way to empathise with the grief and loss of people spending years in detention with no prospect of engaging meaningfully in the world. These are the people that some of our CultureConnect team members are seeking to serve, even now, when the only contact available to them is through a mobile phone. I am humbled by their perseverance in continuing to serve these most marginalised of people when there is currently little sign of change and it would be so easy to just forget about them.
“I wonder if it helps us in some small way to empathise with the grief and loss of people spending years in detention with no prospect of engaging meaningfully in the world.”
But God hasn’t forgotten about them. He sees their tears.
Whatever our position on asylum seekers and refugees, these are people made in the image of a God who loves and cares for them. And as the CultureConnect team extends the love of Jesus we continue to pray for change in the world and that the gift of life he offers will be received.
Lisa Bateup is the Director of CultureConnect.
CultureConnect is helping to bridge the gap between the church and ethnic minorities in Australia. We’re envisioning and equipping churches to reach out into their own neighbourhoods. Let’s work together.
