HE IS MY HERO

From the first time I met him I knew there was something special about him. Since then Christopher Basterfield has never ceased to amaze me. His depth of insight and breadth of knowledge is amazing. But Chris was born with congenital disability that has confined him to a wheelchair, being diagnosed early on with cerebral palsy. However he says he has never thought
himself as being unable to do anything he sets his mind to do. He was one of the first group of local children who went to the Peto Institute in Hungary in the process of setting up what has now become the National Institute of Conductive Education. This charity works ‘to improve the lives of children and adults with neurological motor disorders through the system and practice of Conductive Education’.

Chris’ tells you that he has always been part of the Church as far as he could remember. He was baptised just before he turned two and has grown through the ranks of the Church, from Crèche till now in his late twenties. He was active in the Fellowship of the United Reformed Youth (FURY), and was at one time the West Midland’s FURY representative at the General Assembly in 2004. Apart from all these activities and other involvements Chris sees his Christian faith as a way of life, not just a set of beliefs. After the General Assembly he remarked that the experience has helped him ‘grow spiritually’.

Much of what Mr Basterfield is today, he says, is attributed to the untiring efforts and love of his parents. His Mum Mrs Margaret Basterfield, especially, has single-handedly supported him since the death of her husband (Chris’ dad) fifteen years ago. Last Mothering Sunday I made the point that our mothers go a great length to ensure that we are alright. One of such duties is being our ‘taxi’, literally during pregnancy and after birth. Margaret remains Chris’s pillar of strength.

Politically Chris is very aware. He has been a campaigner towards the change of the public’s attitude towards disabled people. His mother tells me he has met more notable persons already than others will meet in a life time and has been on several radio, television and print media. Seven years ago he got a reassuring letter of support from the local labour MP Gisela Stuart who he had lobbied to have the government do more for Conductive Education.

I have personally been challenged by the life of this young man. Christopher Basterfield is my hero. I admire people with the drive for success despite the odds stacked against them. Indeed, as much as he is happy for people to support him, he does not want people to feel sorry for him. Chris believes in equal opportunities and he tells me he has more able bodied friends than physically challenged people like himself. It does not surprise me then that Chris has just completed a Master of Arts degree in Contemporary History. However, despite his self-confidence Chris will prefer not to be taken unawares because he can get flustered.

But at Easter, I want to introduce you to another hero of mine, who incidentally is also Chris’ hero. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is not just our hero, but more especially our Lord and Saviour. He came and gave his life to deliver us all from sin and every bondage. Do you know Him? I think you should. Ask Him into your life today.

Happy Easter!

George
April 2012

Lent Course 2012

For churches around Selly Oak Birmingham coming together at Lent/Easter is becoming a strong ecumenical pull. This year we adopted a new format, to begin and end the season with a formal joint service at the Selly Oak Methodist Church and the Weoley Hill United Reformed Church respectively. Professor John Hull of the University of Birmingham, an erudite and eloquent speaker has been our guest speaker. Of course he did not disappoint at the first meeting which was well attended.

We chose for our use this time the lent study course of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). The theme is The way to Freedom, inspired by the courageous life of late German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was executed by the Nazis for joining the resistance movement that sought to topple Hitler in order to bring his reign of terror to quick end. It is debatable whether Christians should take active, or any, part at all in such plots. What should be our response to social and personal evil?

In the first two studies we were challenged to re-examine the question of Freedom and then Discipline. Can these work together or are they opposed to each other? What do you think? By the way what is freedom? Are we really free? What kinds of freedom are there? Of course, these questions can be endless. But let us take a look at a classic definition of freedom which is 'the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint'. Going by this definition it is obvious that people in prison or those who live under a dictatorship are not free. But what about people in so called 'free societies' whose every movement is tracked by overhead cameras, can they be said to be free?

What about discipline, does it curtail or enhance people's freedom? Think about these and let's talk again soon. God bless you. Shalom.

George

Behold the Centenary Girl - Phyllis Townsend

One hundred hearty cheers to dear 'young' Phyllis Townsend who turned 100 on the 16th of February 2012. The entire congregation of Weoley Hill United Reformed Church celebrated with her the following Sunday the 19th, with many friends and family attending the service. It was indeed a great day as it is not a regular occurence to be privileged to have a centenarian in our midst. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a framed photo of the congregation, and she cut her special 100th birthday cake afterwards to hearty cheers.

Anyone who knows Mrs Phyllis Townsend knows that she reads and writes without glasses, she does not use any hearing aid, and she is quick to tell you that she still has most of her teeth. Of course, she has done her best to live a good life, as she neither drinks alcohol nor smokes. Phyllis engages in simple exercises to keep fit. No wonder her health has wowed countless health professionals who have been opportuned to examine her. This woman is simply amazing and really supernatural (borrowing the words of another keen admirer of hers). Of course, you do not mess around with her. Otherwise you will have yourself to blame (lol). When people half her age are struggling with memory loss, not so with Phyllis. She remembers every detail, nothing gets past her notice. Her intellect is as sharp as can be. She is a fountain of wisdom, a living history and a treasure store to be mined. I can only say she is truly a piece of God's master art.

You only need to come close to Phyllis to observe how neat she is. At her age she still prefers managing her own affairs, and has lived independently until recently when she moved with her family. She still does her own cooking, sews and knits. Spending time with Phyllis is a joy any day. You will realise how much influence her parents had on her, especially her father who she still revers even though he is long dead. He ensured that she never bought her clothes from the shops, they were all tailor-made to measure. He never wanted his daughter to wear the same dress as anyone else on the street - he wanted her to be unique all the time. No wonder she is so special even at this age. In fact, she will tell you that her father would disapprove of her eating elsewhere than the dining table.

Like many others I feel very privileged to be associated with Phyllis. She reminds me of what the bile records of Moses that at 'a hundred and twenty years old... his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone' Deuteronomy 34:7. I pray that at 100 I too will still be strong, stand firm on my feet preaching the gospel. I pray that I will be a 'living history' for later generations.

Welcome to my World

Dear Friends,

What a difference it makes to know that someone out there is interested in you. Indeed, it is well-said that we are not alone, we are truly a piece of a whole. Even when we do not recognise, or acknowledge it, the fact remains that no human being is an island. I can tell you right now with all certainty that you mean quite a lot to someone somewhere.

Years ago I was deeply moved by a film titled LEAN ON ME. It was set in a run-down inner city High School that had a bad reputation for its failure rate and other anti-social behaviours, including gangs, violence and drug culture. But one determined Head-teacher with his team turned the situation around, and before long the story of the school changed for good. But that was not without a price, as change in itself is a process that changes those involved in it in various degrees and ways.

Yet there is one factor that has remained unchanged in all circumstances - it is the God-factor. Yes, God has been there from generation to generation, as kingdoms rise and fall, as rulers come and go - He's been there and seen it all. Indeed he is the one who holds history in His hands, including yours, and directs things as He pleases. Interestingly, He knows even the end of every matter, and He uses people and circumstances to fulfill His will and accomplish His ultimate purpose. Trust Him today and experience the peace He give.

May I at this point acknowledge those who the Lord has used to be a blessing to my family and I, especially our larger family and circle of friends who have contributed in different ways to make us what we are today. You all have particularly inspired me to aspire for the utmost in life, and have truly given me your shoulders to lean on when I was weak. Of course, so many of you will be wanting to catch-up with what has been happening around me recently. Anyway, I can assure you that all is well with me, my wife and my kids.

It is therefore with great joy that I welcome everyone to my world, and wish you a happy reading of Fresh Letters online. By the way, my apologies to those who have been used to reading the paper/printed version of Freshletters. We will be doing less of that in order to help save our forests. We will only print when it is absolutely necessary.

Once again, welcome to my world!

Blessings,
George Kalu