Allow me to paraphrase an old folktale. Thousands of starfish have washed onto a beach, where many of them will die. A young boy gently tosses one back into the water, then another and another. An onlooker asks, “Why are you bothering? You can’t save them all. You’re wasting your time. How can this make any significant difference?” The boy looks at the starfish in his hand, smiles, and says, “It makes a difference to this one.”
In Kenya, as in many parts of the world, there are countless starfish stories that are more than a folktale. The stark truth illuminates every waking day. It feels like many people have been washed onto dry land and are struggling to survive. Poverty is real and affects all areas of life. Basic needs (food, clean water, shelter) are not always easily acquired. Education resources are limited. Poor road conditions present transportation dilemmas. Cultural stigmas affect family and community life.
How do we tackle such huge problems? What difference can an ordinary person make? Here are a few snapshots of those who threw a starfish back into the ocean this year.
This month, The Salvation Army will participate in two important days of remembrance and action: the International Day of Prayer for Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) on September 22, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. In this interview with Kristin Ostensen, managing editor, Major Ray Lamont, territorial modern slavery and human trafficking response co-ordinator, and Captain Crystal Porter, territorial Indigenous ministries consultant, talk about why Indigenous people are more vulnerable to MSHT, how the Army is fighting MSHT in our territory, and how Salvationists can prioritize MSHT response work and reconciliation year round.
The 2024 Territorial Music School (TMS), held at the Guelph Bible Conference Centre, Ont., once again left young delegates with lasting lessons and lifelong memories. This year’s camp, held at the end of August, closed out the summer with a celebration of what the Lord is doing in the hearts of young people across the Canada and Bermuda
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