To-day Lynn comments about a family removed in a dawn raid...
The BBC Scotland News tells of an absolutely apalling death of an asylum seeker who set himself on fire before his appeal hearing after living 6 years in Scotland, see BBC Scotland.
The story from March 14 tells of living and leaving one's own country in fear to an uncertain future (see earlier post)
Let me return to the book of Ruth. There at one point Boaz who is to become her 'kinsman redeemer', says to Ruth, Chapter 2:12 -
'May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge'.
Later when Ruth goes to Boaz and seeks marriage she says to him, Chapter 3:9
'Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer'.
Here in Ruth 3:9 the phrase used is the same as in 2:12 and can be translated as 'wing' - with Ruth saying essentially - you have spoken about a God of protection and blessing...now you be that to me, you protect me under your wing, make that blessing real in your practice!
In this story of Ruth the actions of God and the actions of people come together in one story.
I noticed a comment from Sojourners today that a number of churches in some USA cities are forming a 'Sanctuary Movement' to unite churches together to protect 'illegal aliens'.
It seems to me that here again in Scotland is an issue that churches need to find a way to unite on, both in prayer and in being the means by which those prayers are answered.
I write this to-night in memory of Uddhav Bhandaria, a man who I never met, but who died alone in a country in which he had taken refuge, my country, a wealthy country...that such should happen is not right...may God have mercy on us all.
Many of you will know that one of our international families experienced a dawn raid yesterday. The Waku's- Max and Didi and their three children Genuine (4), Grace (11) and Jay-Jay (16) are now being held at Dungavel with a view to deportation on Monday 26th March. They are in great fear of a return to the Congo as they fled their in fear of danger and arrest due to Didi's role in the national security service and Max's membership of the national oppositon party to the existing regime. For more info on the situation in the Congo the Amnesty International website has a profile of the Congo highlighting their concerns as recently published as last summer.
The story of Max and Didi and the family is featured briefly in the Herald today as part of a story in their news section on the Nepalese man who died because he set himself on fire in fear of return to his country of origin. Max and Didi have been in this country for five years and have established strong roots in our community. If you are willing it would be helpful if you could e-mail the journalist who wrote the article at- [email protected]
We are clearly keen to raise the profile with great urgency of this case and as part of the wider asylum advocacy that we want to undertake. please feel free to pass this as widely as possible, this is a great ooportunity to express our Christian fellowship with this family in need. If you need more info get in touch with me here.
Posted by: scott hamilton | March 20, 2007 at 08:39 AM
This theological reflection is incredibly moving and profoundly apt today. Thanks, Stuart.
Please do contact Scott, The Herald or your own MP asap. We need to continue to let those in authority know how we feel. We are trying to get the constituency MP to move for a judicial review. Please pray.
If you are considering writing to your MSP, they can be sympathetic but have no real power as this is a reserved matter. Though they are likely to respond to you as they are facing an Important Event on the first Thursday in May.
Posted by: lynn | March 20, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Just a quick e-mail to say that Max, Didi and the children successfully fought their removal from the UK. they will be able to progress a judicial review of their case and we hope to bail them out next week. Thank you for your prayers. Praise God.
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