Bern, August 24, 2012. [CD-EUD. D. Hochstrasser] August 25 is a special day in the Adventist world, celebrating the “Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day - Enditnow 2012.” Denise Hochstrasser, Women's Ministries Director in the Euro-Africa Region, proposes a reflection inspired by the resource packet “Moved with Compassion,” written by Sharon Platt-McDonald. This material was prepared by the General Conference Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day Committee.
Heather-Dawn Small, Women's Ministries Director at SDA General Conference, writes: “I don’t think there is a day that passes by that I do not read or hear of some horrific story of a woman or girl who is abused or who has died as the result of abuse. This is the world in which we live. Sin, pain, sorrow, sickness, and tears are all parts of the life we live each day. The stories we share are either of ourselves, some dear friend or family member, or a sister across the sea. Whatever the situation the memory of these stories never goes away.
With time many people have become immune to the pain of abuse in the lives of the victim and the victim’s family. I pray that is never the case with us, daughters of God. No matter who the woman or child may be, their pain, their suffering, is my concern.
Our Abuse Prevention Emphasis (APED) packet for this year is titled Moved with Compassion. The cries of those who suffer must be heard, their stories need to be told and retold, and women of God around the globe must continue to pray for the suffering that is so evident. Never must it be said that we have become immune to pain and suffering. The one ray of hope for those who are abused is that someone, somewhere, is praying for them, is advocating for them, is speaking out for them.
Do we know each woman in pain? No. But because we are part of a global sisterhood we keep sending our petitions to our Father above.”
“How right she is!” said D. Hochstrasser. Let's not forget, let's not keep quiet, let's not close our eyes!
Let’s stand up for what we believe, let’s speak, or even shout when needed, let’s have a clear view of what we believe, and let’s stand for it, let’s move - with compassion - not tomorrow, and not the day after, but today!
See the TV spots from Romania, with a boxing world champion as presented on youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch
See also itfaces.me
