{"id":2964,"date":"2019-07-02T12:56:21","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T17:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=2964"},"modified":"2019-07-02T13:00:11","modified_gmt":"2019-07-02T18:00:11","slug":"justice-collective-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/justice-collective-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"Justice: Collective Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"

Left for Dead: The Makeshift Family Helping a Homeless Perth Man Heal<\/h3>\n
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Below is an article about Collective Hope, an IPHC ministry, located in Australia. This ministry seeks to ensure that godly justice prevails among those with disabilities in their community. This content was provided by WAtoday<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stuart Riddell is one of many who live on the streets of Perth\u2019s eastern foothills.<\/em><\/p>\n

He has a long and complicated history with drugs, homelessness, rehab and personal relationships, and his intellectual disability makes an already difficult situation much harder.<\/em><\/p>\n

But when Stuart was hit by a car early last month, it seemed his long struggle was only about to worsen.<\/em><\/p>\n

He was driven over, with his head and bones in his neck, spine, scapula, ribs, pelvis and leg all left broken.<\/em><\/p>\n

Stuart was rushed to Fiona Stanley Hospital for emergency treatment but the outlook was bleak; it was likely he would never walk again.<\/em><\/p>\n

He was left in the sterile hospital room with not even a spare change of clothes when he reached out to the people who considered him family.<\/em><\/p>\n

Finding God in Kings Cross<\/em><\/h2>\n

Collective Hope is a not-for-profit organisation for people with disabilities set up in Perth\u2019s east, and was the first port of call for Stuart when he was given the news about his new reality.<\/em><\/p>\n

Collective Hope provides a roof, security and comfort from a group of dedicated volunteers who work around the clock to support its group of residents, and Stuart has been in and out of its doors more than Dale Ross can count.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dale is one of the stalwart presences in Collective Hope\u2019s hallways. He\u2019s kind-looking, and the residents stop to hug him as they come through the front doors \u2013 which are always locked.<\/em><\/p>\n

He has been involved with people with disabilities for most of his life, he says. Both of his parents were carers and they often took in children who were struggling into their South Australian home.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dale said initially he had no desire to follow in their footsteps.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI was a film producer \u2013 I made training videos and what have you,\u201d he said. \u201cI thought I would never go that way again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

But things changed for Dale about four years ago, when he said he \u201cmet God in Kings Cross\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of those things you could write off as a coincidence I guess, but it was deep for me. I was alone in a hotel room, and I was thinking there was no hope for my life, there was no purpose for me to go on living and I was contemplating life in a very negative way with all the knowledge I thought I had. It didn\u2019t really make much sense. It felt like it was going down the gurgler.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThen early in the morning, I met a guy in Pyrmont who came up to me in the dark and he gave me a cup of coffee.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time I wasn\u2019t very nice to him. He spoke to me and said \u2018is your name Dale?\u2019 and I said yes.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe said \u2018God spoke to me last night about you.\u2019 I said \u2018well that\u2019s nice that God speaks to you. He doesn\u2019t speak to me.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he said \u2018he told me to come and tell you that you do have hope and because you\u2019re alive, there\u2019s a purpose for your life.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat just flipped everything. I\u2019d said that out loud privately in my hotel room, it wasn\u2019t something anybody knew. He knew my name. He knew my situation and I hadn\u2019t met him before.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Dale eventually began working in Perth\u2019s eastern suburbs and has lived and worked in the area since.<\/em><\/p>\n

During his time as a carer, he has worked with men and women who have escaped domestic violence, abuse, drug addiction and those who have recently left prison.<\/em><\/p>\n

Stuart in particular left quite an impression on him when they first met a few years ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

After discovering the man in a dangerous situation where substance abuse was apparently rife, Dale worked hard to set Stuart up in one of Collective Hope\u2019s first residential spaces.<\/em><\/p>\n

He ensured Stuart had 'round-the-clock volunteer carers, and was free to come and go. He had lived on and off with Collective Hope for just over three years when they got a phone call about his whereabouts in early May.<\/em><\/p>\n

Stuart's Road to Recovery<\/em><\/h2>\n

Dale was by Stuart\u2019s bedside shortly after the accident and was already arranging care and donations that were coming through to the hospital room days after his accident.<\/em><\/p>\n

But it was visitors Stuart wanted. With every vertebrae broken in his back, Dale said the only thing he really wanted was for friends to come and visit.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the thing ... I think the general public, as well as churches, do not get the value of people with disability,\u201d Dale said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf they understood the disability, they would all want people with disability in their church, in their homes, in their workplaces.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of disablement that people with disability experience, they have a capacity to love and accept other people more than anybody else.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Dale said while Stuart was coming along in leaps and bounds considering the originally serious diagnosis, it was knowledge that he had a safe space to return to after his ordeal that gave his makeshift family the most comfort.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c[Rehab services] have not helped him, because the issue is that even the best rehabs ... they\u2019re aimed at people who don\u2019t have intellectual disability,\u201d Dale said. \u201cSo that\u2019s where we come in. We\u2019re good at that.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c[Stuart] is actually standing and taking a few steps. I\u2019m not sure he should. He\u2019s so determined if anyone\u2019s going to do it, it\u2019s going to be Stuart.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Pastor Chris Friend \u2013 the leader of the church that helps support Collective Hope \u2013 said after Stuart's hospitalisation, the role the service played in one of Perth's more challenging areas was obvious.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe need is more apparent and I think social media will show that, we\u2019re more aware of things than we ever were before,\u201d he said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSimultaneously there\u2019s a whole bunch of people doing great things, [rehab centre] Shalom [House] being one example, it\u2019s not just us, who are really stepping into that space and doing all that they can to help.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s more and more a collaboration across Christian and secular services which I really do think do good work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

But for all of the work Collective Hope do, they are reliant on church funding and donations from the community.<\/em><\/p>\n

Its management currently has a grant request sitting with a government authority, but Pastor Chris said it is more important than ever for state services to get behind local community groups trying their best to plug the hole that is affordable housing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re fairly plugged into the Midland scene, and I think the charity sector in Midland is really working hard and punching above its weight ... to fix some things,\u201d he said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s some net gains there to be acknowledged, but the need is apparent. The need is great.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

And as the story of Stuart\u2019s slow road to recovery becomes apparent, it\u2019s clear these spaces are some of the only friendly, supportive and secure places for Perth\u2019s disabled displaced population to go.<\/em><\/p>\n

An Abandoned Maternity Hospital<\/em><\/h2>\n

The community Dale speaks about has developed over time.<\/em><\/p>\n

Collective Hope saw first-hand the impact Perth\u2019s housing crisis had on affordable housing, and the squeeze that saw people left behind by the mining boom shunted out onto the streets.<\/em><\/p>\n

They had a stroke of luck when they were able to take up the lease at an old maternity hospital in Gosnells in July last year, and now the property has a distinct feeling of home as the volunteers walk their residents through it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nearly everything used at the facility was donated or bought by the church, and the residents often get together to cook food for the homeless around the Gosnells and Midland area.<\/em><\/p>\n

Residents have their own rooms, which they are allowed to lock from both the inside and the outside, and decorate how they please.<\/em><\/p>\n

The centre of the hospital is a makeshift chapel.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dale is contemplative when he's asked about people who might be cynical about religion's role in the recovery and support of Perth\u2019s disabled homeless population.<\/em><\/p>\n

But he said when he was approached with a cup of coffee in Pyrmont, the reason his world had been rocked was because someone had been gentle with him. He hadn\u2019t preached, he had just given him a brief word of hope.<\/em><\/p>\n

It's a lesson Dale uses every day as he works with the other volunteers in creating a safe space.<\/em><\/p>\n

He said it\u2019s important to let residents know someone is there for them. Being on the streets often means self-worth is not intrinsic, and the self-preservation mentality many develop while homeless can be hard to break.<\/em><\/p>\n

But if residents feel like they have someone to turn to \u2013 if it\u2019s through God or if it\u2019s through the volunteers who give up their time to spend time with, talk and offer a helping hand \u2013 it\u2019s enough for Dale and his team.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sometimes it\u2019s as simple as telling someone they\u2019re awesome, allowing them to lock their things away during the day, cook for themselves and go for walks by themselves.<\/em><\/p>\n

And while solidarity and independence is important, Collective Hope still try to maintain that feeling of community and support.<\/em><\/p>\n

For example, Pastor Chris said it was often cramped when all the residents insisted on eating together in their dining room.<\/em><\/p>\n

The room caters for about 10 people comfortably, and while two separate dining times would make more sense, the residents hate to be separated.<\/em><\/p>\n

They prefer to eat as a family, because that\u2019s what they are.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Find photos and original article here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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ORACIMOSAMENTE LA JUSTICIA DE VALOR<\/h3>\r\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\nA continuaci\u00f3n, encontrar\u00e1 una historia compartida por Danny Williams que enfatiza los efectos de la justicia de Dios que cambian la vida.\r\n\r\n\u201cAlgo que viene a la mente al considerar el concepto de 'justicia'<\/strong> es una historia sobre el Dalit, conocido como 'lo intocable'<\/strong> en la India. Mahatma Gandhi los represent\u00f3 como Harjins, la \"gente de las chozas de barro\".<\/strong> En las castas hind\u00faes, estas personas han sido hist\u00f3ricamente la casta m\u00e1s baja. Estas tribus representan a millones de personas que ni siquiera son consideradas personas en absoluto por muchos en las castas superiores. Las injusticias que han sufrido incluyen trabajos de baja categor\u00eda, maltrato mental, maltrato f\u00edsico, falta de educaci\u00f3n, vivienda y alimentos inadecuados, transporte personal y vestimenta inadecuada. Carecen incluso de los requisitos fundamentales para vivir.<\/em>\r\n\r\nGracias a Dios, hay otra historia dentro de este grupo de personas maravillosas. Muchos se est\u00e1n volviendo a Cristo Jes\u00fas y convirti\u00e9ndose en personas de Dios. Judith y yo hemos presenciado personalmente la transformaci\u00f3n de Dios en sus vidas. Estos individuos, grupos y familias est\u00e1n cambiando a trav\u00e9s de la salvaci\u00f3n, la santificaci\u00f3n y el llenado del Esp\u00edritu Santo, al tiempo que experimentan el levantamiento de vidas a est\u00e1ndares m\u00e1s altos. Muchos son ahora pastores, l\u00edderes y miembros de congregaciones. Dios ha ayudado a muchos de ellos a salir de la pobreza extrema al dar mejores empleos, educaci\u00f3n, vivienda y veh\u00edculos. \u00c9l est\u00e1 convirtiendo su verg\u00fcenza y humillaci\u00f3n en respeto, distinci\u00f3n y convirtiendo cientos de a\u00f1os de injusticias en la justicia. Por esto, alabamos el nombre de Jes\u00fas!<\/em>\r\n\r\nCircunstancias devastadoras, abrumadoras y confusas est\u00e1n recibiendo el \"Gran Intercambio\" de la justicia de Dios, moviendo las dificultades a las bendiciones; juicios a testimonios; hoyos a los pin\u00e1culos; inseguridades a los valores; esclavitud a la libertad; errantes a los fines; Y derrotas a victorias.<\/em>\r\n\r\nA trav\u00e9s del car\u00e1cter de Dios, su Palabra y la gu\u00eda del Esp\u00edritu Santo, \u00a1VAMOS A SUPERARSE! Superaremos nuestras dudas, nuestros miedos, nuestras presiones, nuestros cr\u00edticos y nuestra crisis. El buen Se\u00f1or continuar\u00e1 trayendo justicia desde la injusticia (Isa\u00edas 58: 2).<\/em>\r\n\r\nEl nombre de Jesu en hebreo, Yeshua, proclama la salvaci\u00f3n y el poder de rescatar, liberar y vencer. El poder de la cruz: Su sacrificio, Su sangre, Su resurrecci\u00f3n y Su nombre triunfante proclaman la justicia.<\/em>\r\n\r\nEl es la roca Su obra es perfecta. \"Porque todos sus caminos son justicia, un Dios de verdad y sin injusticia; justo y recto es \u00c9l\" (Deuteronomio 32: 4 NAS) \".<\/em>\r\n\r\nEl Sr. Williams tambi\u00e9n proporcion\u00f3 varias otras partes de las Escrituras, que vienen a la mente al considerar el concepto de \"Justicia\",<\/em> incluyendo Proverbios 4:18, Mateo 12: 18-21, Salmo 89:14, Romanos 14:17, G\u00e9nesis 18: 19, 1 Reyes 3:11. Salmo 37:30, Salmo 89:14, Proverbios 31: 3, Proverbios 29:26, Isa\u00edas 28:17 y Mateo 23:23.\r\n\r\nContin\u00fae con la familia de WMM en oraci\u00f3n para que la justicia prevalezca cada vez m\u00e1s en todo el mundo en 2019.\r\n

<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","author_name":"Hannah Barry","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/01\/Justice-Gaphic.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-LO","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2964\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}