Stories of light in the darkness

Bolivia: for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these

‘If a child does not have anyone in the family who speaks about God, the child goes out onto the streets and absorbs bad things,’ says one youth pastor in Bolivia. ‘The world tells the child, “You can’t. You’re a fool” … but the church helps these children move forward in life.’

Through our local partner, Red Viva, Tearfund is supporting 40 churches in Bolivia to work jointly with communities to protect children from any type of harm. Find out more in this short film.

Pakistan: recycling for real change

Millions of people living in poverty are forced to live among huge piles of rubbish. With no other way to dispose of it, they often resort to burning it, causing respiratory problems and sickness, as well as polluting the environment and contributing to the climate crisis.

In Pakistan, Tearfund has been working with local authorities to set up recycling units to serve some of the poorest communities. Each recycling hub serves more than 6,000 households, and collects, treats and recycles solid waste. As well as improving the health of communities, these hubs are providing jobs for people and helping them to lift themselves out of poverty.

Read more about this encouraging progress.

Syria: community transformation through the church

Martin Leach, Tearfund’s Regional Director for Eurasia and North Africa, visited our team in Syria recently. He says of his visit, ‘two images stick in my mind: firstly the skeletons of scores of bombed out apartment blocks in the Eastern Ghouta area on the edge of Damascus, still standing since the fighting stopped a few years ago; and secondly the tangible sense of excitement of the leader of one of our partners, as we discussed plans for envisioning his church through Church and Community Transformation.’

Through the local church in Syria, we are working to make a difference in communities by doing things like rehabilitating a community centre in a Damascus neighbourhood where many people were displaced during the Syrian conflict.

With Tearfund’s support, the church provides educational and recreational activities for children and vocational training for women and young people. It also provides emotional support groups and individual counselling for people who have experienced trauma or who are struggling with the ongoing daily stresses of life in Syria: broken relationships, unemployment, poverty, and feelings of hopelessness.

Find out more about the difference the local church is making in Syria.

Colombia: healing and rebuilding

It is estimated that nearly 2 million Venezuelan migrants have settled in Colombia, having fled the economic crisis in their country. For many, particularly for women, their experiences are marked by physical, sexual and emotional harm.

Working across 30 churches in Colombia, Tearfund has trained 105 women to become Trauma Healing Facilitators. 30 male pastors have been trained both in the prevention of gender-based violence and in using the Bible to help change harmful attitudes in their communities.

Currently, 250 Venezuelan migrant women, like Julie, are participating in Trauma Healing Groups.

Meet Julie in this short film:

Jennifer also came to Colombia in search of a better life and found support in a Trauma Healing Group. Hear her story:

Burundi: Transforming masculinities – transforming families

For a long time, the violence and anger that Bahati directed towards his wife Noella left them both broken.

‘I was losing my mind,’ says Noella. ‘I considered committing suicide many times.’

Then, Bahati and Noella's local church launched a Transforming Masculinities project with a local Tearfund partner which offered the couple a lifeline.

Read Bahati and Noella’s restoration story.

Kenya: hope through peacebuilding

‘Hope is not lost!’ says Allan Waihumbu, a graduate of Tearfund’s Inspired Individuals programme. He’s talking about peacebuilding in the context of a drought-stricken Kenya, where violent conflict has been made worse by extreme hunger.

‘We have used the local church and the media to make a clarion call on some difficulties which need long term engagement,’ he says. ‘For example, the youth that are used in the fighting are often those who have not gone to school. So, if the long term engagement involves a plea to go to school, then a miracle can happen – we'll see a generation raised that has embraced education and embraced other sources of livelihood support.’

Read more about the work that Allan is doing and the hope that is being built through peacebuilding.

We, the church

In the midst of even the most dire situations, we, the church, wherever we may find ourselves in the world, are part of God’s plan for restoration. We, the church, can carry light into places of great darkness – because we know the God who first loved us.

And as we think on that great love he has for us, let us rejoice!

Pray with us

Lord God,

Help us to rejoice in you always. Let our gentleness be evident to all. Help us to remember that you, Lord, are always near.

Lord, let us not be anxious about anything as we lift every situation before you – giving thanks in knowing that you are a good God.

Thank you for your peace. May it guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Amen