Catch the radiance

"Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people." - Psalm 119:130

Imagine not being able to read.

This is the dilemma facing probably 90% of women across South West Asia: discrimination, not being able to stand up to men, not being able to stand on their own two feet, not being able to read or write. All of this puts them at a severe disadvantage. This is where ALIVE (Adult Literacy, Information and Vocational Empowerment) makes such a difference. It provides a unique opportunity for people to get out of the poverty cycle, to give them self-esteem, to enable them to read the Word of God for themselves.

Imagine yourself entering one of these literacy centres.

This one has been open for less than eight weeks. Groups of women, ranging from 16-60, are sitting cross-legged on the floor, just like at primary school, eagerly instructed by a young teacher and copying letters from the board. Some of them are struggling - well, it's not easy when you are 60 years old and trying to learn something for the first time! But it will only take eight months to complete the first course, which will be rewarded with a certificate.

To understand what it really means to these women you need to hear their stories, watch their faces, see the colours, catch the radiance. How they want to read the Word of God for themselves. How they want to treasure it in their hearts. Even the simplest scriptures become a light to them. And not just to them, but to their families, too, as they pass it on.

Imagine it is late at night.

You are approaching another centre - just being opened for the first time. By the time you get there, through pot holes and incredible traffic, dusk has set in and the lights are on. You can hear singing and, as you turn the corner, there, extended across the entrance is a ribbon which you are asked to cut in honour of the occasion. The crowd in the background are families, children, grandparents, aunties and uncles all sitting in on the celebrations. In the school itself you find a crowd eagerly awaiting: all women again, because they are the ones who are discriminated against and can't afford to go to school. You give out three books to each woman - a writing book and two reading books - and they are so grateful. They don't want to rely on other people, they say. They want to be able to read God's Word for themselves. They want to be a part of their church community, to take responsibility as part of the body of Christ. They say they would like to bring their friends because it has made such an enormous difference to their own lives. They thank you again. Before you leave, one of the women prays for you passionately in her own tongue, finishing with the Lord's Prayer.

Imagine. Your kingdom come, Lord...