Friday 3 April
Rev Kathy Galloway
Rev Kathy Galloway - Head of Christian Aid Scotland
A few years ago, I read a newspaper story of a Kenyan child, estimated to be about 12 years old, who stowed away on a flight to London by climbing high up under a jet plane and into the tiny space behind the wheel carriage. But when the wheels retracted, they retracted back into his body, and he was crushed to death, suffering terrible injuries. He had no identification, but it is thought that he was probably one of 40,000 street children who live in Nairobi. As I read the story, I found myself weeping uncontrollably.
Since working for Christian Aid, I have learned that Kenya, like much of sub-Saharan Africa, has been significantly and negatively affected by unpredictable climate change. This is one of the main reasons why so many rural people have moved to Nairobi, millions of them, unable any longer to make a living and putting enormous pressure on the city's infrastructure, living in vast informal settlements. It's one of the reasons there are so many street children in Nairobi.
But now, every time I hear the words, 'this is my body', I remember the total identification of Jesus with all flesh, and I see his body broken in a small boy dying beneath the wings of a plane. So I am grateful for the ways in which Christian Aid partners are assisting communities to adapt to the long Good Friday of climate change, and to see gleams of hope amid the bleakness. God give us grace to stand beside the cross in solidarity and prayer.
Christian Aid
Daily Reflection
Good Friday
Our partners are teaching alternative farming techniques to help farmers cope with changing climate conditions.
Praise God for innovative techniques that allow people to adapt to changing weather patterns.