Monthly Update - November 2024
She leapt out of the minibus and confided “This is the only space I feel safe in”, adding that her mum had agreed to “buy me a chicken if she won the lottery”. She was one of six arriving from a school for excluded primary school children. She comes every week for a couple of hours and revels in “HER SAFE SPACE”.
In the age-old Christmas story, I wonder how safe the girl Mary, a little older than this, but just as vulnerable, felt when an angel appeared to her? Yes, she was pledged to be married to Joseph. Yes, she was assured that she was highly favoured and the Lord God was with her. But all the same the news that she would conceive and give birth to a son was pretty terrifying. She was told he would be great and called the son of the most high God. He would be like King David of the Old Testament but he would reign for ever and his kingdom would never end. She rightly questioned the words the angel said by protesting that she was a virgin; then said these famous words “I am your Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled”. From her acceptance came the birth of Jesus, the most influential man who has ever lived and whose death and resurrection released his presence and power in the lives of believers.
I know at Rushall Farm my heart breaks for some of the children who come here. That same day we took a group of 10 children down to the river. Most put waders on and grabbed nets, bowls and ranging poles and the sun shone. Three were not so sure so we carried waders for them. Slowly our bowls got more and more shrimps, caddis flies, baby trout and minnows, water boatman, two big bullheads and of course crayfish. And so two more children were drawn into the river to join in the fun. Smiles replaced anxious faces and laughter and delight filled the air. One boy remained unmoved on the bank. He does not communicate, but we had to count the fish. Then an ancient cow’s horn appeared, followed by a very old wet cricket ball. We pretended to play. I hit a six, he caught me out. We parted shaking hands with a photo of his trophy. His mother collected him half an hour later, a whole morning this time, and no falling out.
Young lives all three. We know that Mary’s safe space became a life “where sorrow like an arrow would pierce her heart”. What of our two? Will finding a safe space at Rushall Farm help them to better navigate through life? I really hope so, and pray that will be the case.
John Bishop