Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7

The Methodist Mission Southern website states: Doing what is right. Not what is easy.

The stories that we gather monthly from each of MMS services tell of how things are not easy, however, problems are overcome, solutions are found and our clients can move forward. Whilst we embody our vision of a safe, caring, and sustainable society where every citizen is valued and respected, and enjoys an equal opportunity to lead a fulfilled life, we are required to be problem solvers in our fast-paced society and one that is getting faster.

How does this work when the social and economic backbone is unstable and constantly changing?

The government is currently restructuring the health sector due to stress and inequities (hello HealthNZ), and the $500m a year Oranga Tamariki spends on support agencies, and the basis for social sector commissioning (all $6bn a year), and soon, Local Government which is a major social housing provider will also be restructured (following 3 waters), bringing major changes to organisations such as ours and many others in 2023.

To keep our young mums in education will add exponentially to their earning potential and quality of life for them and their whānau. To encourage our Youth Transition House residents to gain a skill or return to education places them not only on the path of independence but also to be part of a society that they nearly/did drop out of, and one that perhaps did not support them as it should have.

MMS actively brings the changes that work, not easy when the social and economic structure feels like it is in free fall! Today’s buzz words of equitable, accessible, cohesive, and people-centered, sound fabulous but should we be feeling nervous that these words will disintegrate into the opposite, a shift of awareness is required and so getting worse before we achieve this? What happens when we place more stress and inequity on those who are in need?

Our stories are integral to who we are, let us not be deceived and diverted by being in a season of need or a season of plenty. We embrace our humanity and recognise that we need a respectful community where we are all equal, whether a homeless rakatahi who has fallen out with his parents, a young teen mum who needs guidance and support, or loving parents who are struggling with divorce.

Let us all try taking the conscience stand of doing what is right, not what is easy, pray into these governmental changes that they will support the work that all of our organizations do, and let us not grow weary of doing good.

Read about our stories in MMSouthern’s e-news – contact Julie if you wish to receive these/sign up on our website /or through our Facebook page.

Be part of our story, our work, our community.

Julie Roberts | Kaiārahii Whakapā me Pūtea
julier@mmsouth.org.nz
P O Box 2391, South Dunedin, 9044
www.mmsouth.org.nz