As the body without the spirit is dead, faith without works is also dead. James 2:26
I believe that faith should be put into action. As Christians, we cannot just raise our hands in praise and profess our love for Jesus Christ during worship without also listening and responding to those who are exploited.
In our weekly home group Bible study, we deeply studied the life of Jesus Christ, particularly how he showed compassion and empathy for the weak and marginalized. We explored various aspects of his teachings and discussed how we could apply them in our daily lives to support and uplift others.
During our meetings, we also dedicated a significant portion of our time to discussing the present working conditions of our fellow migrant workers. We listened intently to their firsthand experiences working in dairy farms, factories, and offices.
Through these discussions, we gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by migrant workers and the ways in which we could support them. In our Bible studies, we went even deeper, listening to the personal testimonies of our fellow workers as they shared their struggles and triumphs in the face of adversity.
On the one hand, we heard about their experiences of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse, but on the other hand, we talked about their resilience, strength, and determination to overcome these challenges.
Through these discussions and Bible studies, we came to appreciate the dignity and worth of all people, regardless of their background or status. We were inspired to take action to support our fellow workers and to advocate for their rights and well-being in the wider community.
In November 2015, after going through government agencies for possible resolution and failing to get a response, I had the opportunity to share with Jack Montgomery (The Timaru Herald) a particular case of abuse and how we tried to seek justice.
Please click on the photo below to read the details and watch the video interview.
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