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William Wilberforce

Tearfund Stand

Our team had a new and exciting challenge, in that Tearfund would not be exhibiting Fairtrade or Tradecraft this year, but had been invited to design and host exhibitions at both sites of Spring Harvest, (Minehead and Skegness)

The theme was "Be-a-Wilber-Force for Change", recapping the work of William Wilberforce 200 years ago, whilst encouraging people to take a personal involvement in tackling today’s injustices.

Mounted within the confines of interconnected Mongolian style tents (Yurts), the exhibition featured a variety of interactive displays as well as hosting guest speakers, at pre-arranged seminars.

I sincerely hope visitors left the exhibition equipped to be a force for change, not only tackling modern day human trafficking but, the most pressing issue for the worlds poor "Climate Change".

The exhibition explained to visitors how all of this will lead to conflicts over food and water, and a rising number of environmental, refugees and global economic losses.

Climate Change is believed to be a development issue and could increase poverty in the future.

The exhibition suggested that we must take every step we can to avoid climate change increasing poverty further in the future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists tell us that in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change, the global average temperature must remain as far below 20c as possible which is calculated by many prominent scientists as requiring industrialized countries to produce an 80% cut in emissions by 2050.

Tearfund believes that it is crucial that we act now if we are to protect the millions of poor communities that are hit hardest by climate change. As a Christian organization upholding biblical values, Tearfund also maintains that Christians should love God by honoring him in his creation and through our love for our neighbours globally, now and in the future.

Myself and the other volunteers who came to join us at intervals did have free time to join the other 17 thousand people, in worship. It is always very special to me, to be in the "Big Top" with three thousand other people at morning worship, and to see three thousand young people between the ages of 10 and 20 in prayer together. There are no words to explain the feeling of being there for three weeks in this beautiful Christian environment and never hearing one swearword, and to know there is always a hug round the next corner.

The most special time for me was the last Sunday, when with my family and 6 thousand other Christians we received Holy Communion. A round of bread is passed down each row, and you break bread together, then the Chalice is passed down and we drink wine together, including the singing of "Amazing Grace".

Spring Harvest is over for another year, we all try to make an excuse to stay a little longer, knowing we must join the world outside and travel to different parts of the country, but all waiting for next year’s Spring Harvest.