“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”1 Thessalonians 5:11

Encouragement is the act of giving someone support, confidence, or hope and every one of us will have had a need for another’s advice at some stage of our lives. As a child to be encouraged to persevere, as a teenager to negotiate societal rules, as a young mum who is bewildered at what is best for her newborn, and for the elderly, help with the fast-paced change of technology as postal and bank services move to only online and a smart-phone is required.

What happens when that encouragement is missing? “What we have found is that walking alongside the rangatahi instead of directing them to do what we think is right is more effective long term and attainable. We have seen time and again that they need to be the ones who make the decisions that affect their lives and success tends to be higher when they make those decisions rather than being told what to do. Even when things don’t work out as well as they would hope the emotional distress seems less severe and the rangatahi see it more as a learning experience rather than a failure.” Phill Hemopo Kairuruku Whare - Kaupapa Rakatahi

With encouragement and guidance, the rangatahi supported in our Youth Transition House can focus on their future without the persistent struggle to find food and shelter. They are given encouragement to make their own decisions, based on a foundation of knowledge and support from those around them.

The Mission provides advocacy with our Taituāra a Hāpori (Specialist Support) who assist the development of new skills, knowledge, and accessing resources and our Sustaining Tenancies provide support to individuals and whānau who need advocacy and encouragement. We walk beside those in need so that iron sharpening iron is an opportunity to fulfil the Law of Christ. The apostle Paul says that we are to carry and share the issues and burdens that we face daily.

The Bible has many passages for the encouragement of others. We are called to be Christ-like in inspiring others to be uplifted and guided. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Jesus is the ultimate encourager, “Take Courage” he says more than once. Jesus told His followers, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).

Like the Kuaka/Bar-tailed Godwits, who are returning to Aotearoa’s shores this month, individually they fly the 12,000km between here and Alaska but are surely encouraged to go this great distance together. Andrew Crossland explains in the New Zealand Geographic “It makes sense from an energy point of view that they fly in a flock because the lead bird takes the pressure and the other birds are able to go in the slipstream.”

Let us encourage and build one another, walking (or flying!) beside each other, like Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement “(Acts 4:36), and be a blessing to those around us, by encouraging victory over affliction and adversity.

The Māori proverb encapsulates Proverbs 27:17 Kāhore taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini – We cannot succeed without the support of those around us.

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Contact Julie julier@mmsouth.org.nz