Prospects at Stormont
On the same night as Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Irish taoiseach, Brian Cowen, met with political leaders in Belfast, people with learning disabilities were speaking up about their lives in the heart of democracy in Northern Ireland, the Stormont Parliament.
130 guests at a Prospects reception hosted my MP and MLA Jeffrey Donaldson (pictured, right) heard four people that Prospects supports talk about the importance of having a voice, being enabled to live as independently as possible and, very importantly, be allowed to develop their relationship with Jesus and grow as Christians. Arlene from Newry shared how being part of the Newry Citizenship Group run by Prospects Day Opportunities Service had given her a chance to grow and he heard. She regularly goes into schools to have discussions on learning disability with the children, which has helped her grow in confidence and experience the fulfilment of being a contributing part of her local community.
Gordon and Florence were married almost six years ago and told the guests, who included four Stormont MLAs who had taken the time to be present in spite of the political crisis talks, about how they were enabled to live more
independently together thanks to Prospects support. Gordon also spoke very strongly on the importance of his Christian faith and the crucial role Prospects staff had played in helping his Christian journey.
Martin, who is a member of the Prospects Regional Committee in Northern Ireland, shared his experience of Causeway and his own faith. He offered the guests a thought from Ephesians. Martin gave the encouragement that means so much to him; “‘Do not be afraid for I am with you’ says the Lord.”
All who came were moved and challenged by the eloquent evidence of how God can transform lives that Arlene, Gordon, Florence and Martin offered. For Prospects the prayer is that this event will build awareness and partnership in Northern Ireland so that the ministry can grow.
Read more in the upcoming Better Prospects, out March 1st!
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