Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13
There is much debate at the moment about Teddy Sheean, whether he should receive a VC or not. Yesterday, while working in the new office we are creating at home, I was listening to the local Christian Radio station and they were speaking about a nurse (May Hayman) who had been a member of St John’s Reid Canberra, who went to Papua New Guinea as a missionary and was executed by the Japanese in 1942, while attempting to reach safety.
She is remembered as a person with a vibrant spirit and a personality through which the love, joy and peace of Christ shone through her. This did not mean that she did not have enemies as the local sorcerer wanted all the Christian missionaries destroyed.
Here is a person who displayed true courage in that she was willing to as a woman of God and of peace strive to bring Christ’s light into dark place fully understanding the possible result.
In coming to work today I came across a small booklet by ABM (Anglican Board of Missions) which outlines not only the missionaries martyred during WWII in the Pacific by the Japanese but also the Melanesian Brothers murdered during the troubles of Solomon Islands.
On a finally note it is interesting that one of the first Japanese people to visit Australia after the war was a Japanese Bishop who brought a small cross which he presented to St John’s Reid as an act of repentance and reconciliation with the people of Australia.
Take a moment today to reflect on your concept of courage.
Godspeed
Steve Neuhaus
Eagles Rest