NICK WRIGHT
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Heartbreak and hope

3/7/2022

46 Comments

 
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​I spent last week in Ethiopia, facilitating a vision-casting, relationship-building and insights-sharing event for an inspiring group of committed human rights activists from countries and contexts as diverse as: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.

Listening to their accounts of lived experience, alongside the oft-harrowing accounts of other people and communities too, was a deeply-sobering and yet, at times, life-giving experience. These activists are followers of Jesus from diverse backgrounds who commit their lives and expertise to help ensure, where possible, protection and support for people and groups facing unspeakable persecution. They often take considerable personal risks in the course of their own work too.

One day, I went into a local town for a short break. A very poor, elderly man walked up and called out from behind me, a stranger. He grasped my hand, looked earnestly into my eyes and said, emphatically, “Whatever you need, reach out to God. He has the power to heal you.” Then, pointing upwards, as if to God, “He will give you whatever you need.” I felt completely entranced by this man’s presence. I asked his name. “ጥላሁን (Tilahun)”, he replied. I learned later it means: ‘shadow, guide, protector...’

This felt far more profound and spiritually-significant than a chance encounter. I returned to the work in a reflective mood, reminded of the mental and emotional burnout I had faced as a young human rights activist during the brutal civil war in El Salvador. At that time, my efforts had felt painfully impotent in the face of such overwhelming suffering. This mysterious figure reminded me to look upward as well as outward, and there beyond the heartbreak to discover transcendent hope.
46 Comments
Alex
3/7/2022 10:39:50 pm

Wow! What a profound encounter, Nick. Humbling and energising at the same time I imagine

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 11:23:52 am

Thank you, Alex. Yes, I was left reeling for some time afterwards..!

Reply
Bridget Woodall
4/7/2022 11:25:15 am

Hi Nick. Loving the blog but want to hear more. :)

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 11:27:19 am

Thanks Bridget. I'm still processing the experience for myself too..! I'm trying to do this prayerfully so that I don't miss anything that God may be wanting to reveal to me through it.

Reply
Vernon Fortune
4/7/2022 11:28:04 am

You put me to shame, Nick. Well done for all you do.

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 11:29:20 am

Hi Vernon. It was my privilege to be there. 🙏

Reply
Janet Lucas
4/7/2022 11:30:09 am

Peter Cotterell would have loved that story!

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 11:31:23 am

Hi Janet. Yes, I kept thinking about him while I was there. I still remember so vividly the accounts he shared of his profound experiences throughout 20 years in Ethiopia. What an amazing land and people.

Reply
Allan
4/7/2022 11:33:03 am

The world certainly needs more people like yourself. Keep up the great work. 👍

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 11:37:00 am

Thank you for your encouragement, Allan. I certainly feel privileged to have opportunities to encounter and work with such amazing people in such amazing places.

Reply
Lilin Lim
4/7/2022 11:38:05 am

Good blog. Good way of seeing there's hope in what seems like a hopeless situation.

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 11:40:41 am

Thank you, Lilin. Yes, hope is absolutely critical to this type of work, including to sustain wellbeing and resilience. I'm reminded of Jürgen Moltmann's words: 'Hell is hopelessness.'

Reply
Tim Montgomery
4/7/2022 12:09:39 pm

Really good reflection. Thanks Nick.

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 12:10:05 pm

Hi Tim. Thank you for your kind feedback.

Reply
Rick James
4/7/2022 04:57:53 pm

Hi Nick. I really like this. Who were you in Ethiopia with? It sounds a fascinating assignment.

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 04:59:13 pm

Thanks Rick. I'm not able to disclose the organisation's name owing to security risks. However, yes - it was fascinating!

Reply
Ruth Cook link
4/7/2022 05:36:10 pm

Thankyou Nick. An enormous privilege to facilitate such a group and a wonderful country to work in - even for such a short visit.

I remember that it takes me quite a while to feel back here and that sense of seeing our world differently stays with me for quite some time

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 06:31:58 pm

Thanks Ruth. Yes, indeed. The group was amazing, as were the Ethiopian people I encountered there. I'd love to go back sometime.

Reply
June Webb
4/7/2022 05:59:44 pm

Thank you for posting Nick. This is not a chance encounter.

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 06:35:04 pm

You’re welcome, June - and I agree. 🙏

Reply
Anja
4/7/2022 06:01:53 pm

Hi Nick. Wow, Ethiopia. Seems it was a great and emotional experience!

Reply
Nick Wright
4/7/2022 06:33:19 pm

Hi Anja. Yes, it was a fairly intense experience at so many different levels!

Reply
Ti Ne
5/7/2022 09:21:59 am

Nick, your posts are always such an inspiration. Grassroots Christianity not found anymore these days.

Reply
Nick Wright
5/7/2022 09:24:12 am

Thank you for such affirming feedback, Ti Ne. 🙏

Reply
Tricia
5/7/2022 10:44:46 am

Hi Nick. Thank you for this blog, uplifting and encouraging and what an encounter – God is good. You constantly amaze me Nick – you step out and take risks.

Reply
Nick Wright
5/7/2022 08:09:44 pm

Thank you, Tricia. I do like to live at the edge of faith and experience. It's where I encounter God - and he encounters me - most vividly and powerfully.

Reply
Tricia
5/7/2022 08:10:45 pm

Hi Nick. What rewarding work - the experience you have with all kinds of people is immense.

Nick Wright
5/7/2022 08:12:20 pm

Thanks Tricia. Yes, my work is my passion and my calling. I feel incredibly privileged to work with so many people from different cultural backgrounds and contexts.

Vivi
5/7/2022 03:29:28 pm

He is so rich! Thank you for sharing such a brief yet profound moment, Nick.

Reply
Nick Wright
5/7/2022 08:13:24 pm

Hi Vivi. Yes - indeed! It felt like an encounter with an angel from God.

Reply
Arman
5/7/2022 10:02:56 pm

Thank you dear Nick to share your experience in Ethiopia with us. God have plan for us and you should see this eldry man in this location and special time and this not by chance!
Sometimes God show us signs and said I am protector and guide of you. We need belive him in every seconds of our life. God bless you!

Reply
Nick Wright
5/7/2022 11:43:39 pm

Thank you, Arman. Well said - and I agree! 🙏

Reply
Ian Henderson
6/7/2022 10:56:52 am

Thank you so much for sharing Nick. It's an example to us all.

Reply
Nick Wright
6/7/2022 10:57:21 am

Thanks, Ian - and you're welcome.

Reply
Felicity O’Hanlon
6/7/2022 11:26:40 am

Thank you for sharing this Nick, it is sobering and humbling to be reminded of the conditions in which other people live, their lack of the freedoms that we take for granted, the daily threats they face which will we never experience like persecution or not having basic human rights or even enough food or shelter. And how uplifting to hear of their example in the face of it and their faith, truly convicting.

Reply
Nick Wright
6/7/2022 11:43:01 am

Thank you, Felicity. Yes, it certainly puts my own life and struggles into perspective...

Reply
Felicity O'Hanlon
6/7/2022 11:45:44 am

Nick, your writing is as impactful as ever, more so as it is in the service of awareness of others, not showy or elitist for its own sake. It has a strong reflective result. You 'get out of the way' of your message basically. Really admire that. Writers and bloggers are so often trying to push themselves forwards to get noticed and employ linguistic gymnastics or create semantic catwalks, if you know what I mean. Consciousness raising in the service of human rights is a noble cause. Keep it coming, a worthy mission.

I have a day off work so actually have a moment off the treadmill to read a little in between marking. Have just sent your article plus this link below to our PSHE and Character education team at school with the following message :

'I was so impacted by both these accounts and wondered if there is anything we can do to help our students experience the reality of other people's lives so that it can help develop their awareness of what they have and develop their character somehow.

I know it is hugely difficult to create these experiences and to change attitudes and values already acquired by socialisation but thought I would leave this with you anyway to discuss. In English it is easier to have things like plays or debating for learning about literature or language but how can we help children to experience the reality of life for others and instil some change of character and behaviour?'
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/i-would-have-been-arrested-if-i-stayed-in-turkey-so-i-fled-to-the-uk/ar-AAZdnHG?li=BBoPWjQ

Nick Wright
6/7/2022 11:53:41 am

Hi Felicity. Thank you for your encouraging comments. The wider question of the purpose and nature of education strikes me as a very important one. An education that focuses purely on academic or pragmatic achievement without a corresponding focus on ethics and character-building limits its radical transformational potential for individuals, societies and the world. At worst, people may use their achievements and the status/platforms it affords them for unethical ends. I'm very encouraged to see that you are raising these issues so explicitly at school..!

Graeme Blore
6/7/2022 09:59:43 pm

Thanks Nick. That’s profoundly moving.

Reply
Nick Wright
6/7/2022 10:00:36 pm

Hi Graeme. You’re welcome. 🙏

Reply
Vashti Wickers
7/7/2022 11:39:10 am

Hi Nick. It sounds like a truly amazing experience and so fascinating. Great job!!

Reply
Nick Wright
7/7/2022 11:40:25 am

Thank you, Vashti. Yes - it was! :)

Reply
Benjamin Downing
7/7/2022 03:56:21 pm

Thanks Nick. These short reflections are good. Well done.

Reply
Nick Wright
7/7/2022 03:56:50 pm

Thank you, Benjamin. You're welcome.

Reply
Paul
18/7/2022 08:52:32 am

Thank you for sharing this splendid article Nick!

Reply
Nick Wright
20/7/2022 12:21:48 pm

Thank you, Paul, for such affirming feedback! 🙏

Reply



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    ​Nick Wright

    ​I'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? ​Get in touch!

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