A woman who touched our hearts

Photo credit: Jess Trigg (Jess left, Claire right)

I had a load of ideas for this week’s blog, but something that happened yesterday totally threw everything else out of the window.

Because yesterday I went to the funeral of one of the most vivacious, intelligent and talented women I’ve met. Although I only met her a handful of times, her warmth and friendliness made me feel as though I’d known her far longer.

I was introduced to Claire and her then-boyfriend Simon by a mutual friend, Jess. One day Jess and her boyfriend James were in the car with Claire and Simon (who were married by this time), talking and laughing, when BANG.

A car slammed into theirs and in one short moment life changed forever. Claire, who was driving at the time, was killed more or less instantaneously. Her husband had minor injuries, while Jess and James were both badly hurt.

I believe the woman who crashed into them has since been charged with driving while under the influence (not for the first time) and for dangerous driving. Showing zero remorse, she then prolonged everyone’s suffering by asking for a post-mortem, which meant the funeral was delayed by months.

I could go on about how her disgusting behaviour, for taking a precious life from her husband of just two years, from her family, from her friends and from the marvellous future she was carving out for herself. And for leaving James on death’s door with internal bleeding and Jess with serious injuries including multiple breaks to her pelvis.

But seeing the bravery of everyone who went to the funeral and hearing the way people talked about Claire made me realise that she is the one we should be focusing on and learning from.

The 32-year-old Liverpool businesswoman played a major role in promoting the city at the World Expo in Shanghai. Her company created the 3D film about Liverpool that was one of the most popular attractions at the China Expo. Claire also founded creative industry support network Kin, which is used by hundreds of people in the design and media sectors across Merseyside.

And outside work, she also made a lasting impression. From the moment I met her I knew she was special. She had a zest for life that was truly infectious. Her smile was captivating and her witty sense of humour was as sharp as a sword. Claire had a close circle of friends that adored her, and she and Simon fitted together like hand and glove.

She would have been so proud of everyone that spoke at the funeral yesterday; it wasn’t easy for them but they captured Claire beautifully and gave her the best possible send-off. It didn’t surprise me that the crematorium was full to the brim with a lot of people standing at the back.

The last time I saw Claire a bunch of us were trying on fake moustaches and wigs. I laughed so much my stomach hurt!

Photo credit: Jess Trigg (Jess left, Joy right)

If we can learn anything from this terrible situation, it’s that we should value each and every day; that we should live life exuberantly, work conscientiously, laugh continually and love passionately. Just as Claire did.

My thoughts and prayers are with Simon, the family and the many friends she made during her short life.

Time to stop the traffik

According to the BBC, at least 400 African children have been abducted and trafficked to the UK (and subsequently rescued) by UK authorities over the last four years. However, this 400 only numbers those who have been rescued; just stop and think for a minute about what has happened to those who haven’t.

Experts claim a growing number of witchdoctors and ‘spiritual’ healers are involved in the trafficking and abuse of these children. It is believed some of these abductions are being carried out to facilitate ‘Juju’ (witchcraft-related) rituals, which often require human blood.

Victims have explained how rich clients pay witch doctors to remove hair from the child’s body and then make incisions into the arms, legs, head and genitals to obtain the much-coveted blood.

Many of these children are repeatedly told they are evil and that they are responsible for bad things that are happening around them. Some even convince themselves that they somehow deserve the abuse they are suffering.

Those who have been rescued are afraid to name their abductors in case they or their families are tracked down and harmed. And many are afraid to talk about the Juju rituals because superstition tells them something bad will happens to them if they do

The US State Department claims Uganda has become one of the main source countries for children being smuggled to the UK, with 9,000 having been reported missing over the last four years.

It’s a profitable business, with traffickers earning as much as £10,000 per child. And with Ugandan authorities unable to cope with the problem, it looks as though it will continue, and even escalate, in the future.

So what can (and must) we do about it?

First of all, we need to pray. James 5:16 says: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous [wo]man avails much." Jesus makes his opinion on children very clear in the gospels: they are extremely precious in his sight. So we should be praying for these dear children fervently and frequently.

Second, find out if there is a scheme in your area targeting this terrible crime. Cambridge Community Church (C3), for example, recently invited 80 churches from across the region to attend a talk given by Ben Cooley, CEO of Hope for Justice. The aim was to unite, inspire and equip local churches to take action. With anti-trafficking initiatives unrolling across the UK, it’s time for you to get involved!

Imagine if your son was abducted and mutilated for a superstitious ritual, uprooted from his home and living in constant fear and pain. Or if your daughter was stolen from you and forced into a life of drugs, violence and prostitution.

Of course, it’s not just children that are being trafficked. Many adults are also trafficked and forced to become sex workers or, basically, slaves. With statistics showing that 99% of trafficked victims are never rescued, it’s time to stand up and be counted.

“I firmly believe that if we work together we can establish the momentum to change history,” says Mr Cooley. “We can make this county a hostile environment for traffickers and see trafficking end in our lifetime.”

Don’t turn a blind eye… It’s time to stop the traffik.

Visit these sites for more info: http://hopeforjustice.org.uk; www.stophumantraffic.com; www.stopthetraffik.org/humantrafficking/background.aspx; www.notforsalecampaign.org; http://stophumantrafficking.com.

Read more from Joy in the upcoming issue of Liberti and its parent magazine, Sorted.

 

Danniella Westbrook chooses God over Gucci

Photo credit: BBC

You often hear American actresses mentioning God, but I was surprised to hear former EastEnder Danniella Westbrook talking about her new-found faith.

The actress, who is sadly better known for her nose-destroying coke habit than her acting skills, has turned her back on the drug that cost her £250,000 and almost killed her.

And, while Gucci and Prada used to be her only ‘gods’, Danniella says she is now a born-again Christian. “If you had told me two years ago that I was going to be Christian, I would have laughed. I used to tell people, ‘I’m way past saving’,” she claims.

Her mind was changed after a visit to the Sanctuary Church in California; a church pastored by former drug addict Jay Haizlip.

During her first visit two years ago, she recalls feeling “something so spiritual and amazing” that she felt like crying. “After a few visits I found myself walking up to the altar to ask the Lord for forgiveness for my sins,” she explains.

Danniella’s previous experience of church was being told 'thou shalt not do this', at which point she would start thinking about what she needed in Tesco! But she was overwhelmed by the fact people at the Sanctuary were so alive – and that they were there of their own volition. “The worship started and I thought it was amazing,” she says.

"Being English, I wanted to get up and dance but I was too embarrassed. I didn't know God; I didn't have a relationship with God. Jay started preaching and it was like he was speaking right at us.”

The former Dancing On Ice contestant has now been clean for ten years and she, Kevin and their two children regularly attend the church, where Katy Perry’s parents have been known to preach. And when they’re not at church, they often pray and read the Bible together.

“People are so cynical about religion in the UK. Before I came to the States, I had never seen a church like this. Here, people don’t just pray – they call out to God and sing and cry.

“People tell us, ‘Oh no, you’re in the God squad now.’ But they don’t get it. I have no interest in being famous any more unless it can help me to spread God’s word. I really think I have been put in this position to help people.

“God speaks to me in so many ways. I talk to him and it is definitely a two-way conversation.”

Although she hasn’t ruled out another return to EastEnders in the future, she has certainly turned her back on the shallow life she was living.

The actress is now looking to return to the UK to share her new ­beliefs in a nation that seems to have forgotten about God.

“I feel that me working on EastEnders and becoming a Christian might be God’s way of leading people to the Lord,” she reveals.

Her priorities are very different now. “Fame and celebrity are false idols, says Danniella. “Too many people today worship at the altar of celebrity but there is a spiritual vacuum inside them. That hole can only be filled by God.

“Fame and money mean nothing without a solid spiritual foundation. I know because I had everything, and it meant nothing. I realise some people will be shocked by how much my life has changed, but I've never been more serious about anything in my life. The most important thing in my life now is family and God.

“I truly believe God has saved my life and I want to bring the message back to England and open a church there. The whole point about this church is that it is fun. There is no reason why religion has to be boring. I believe there is a gap in the UK and we can fill that gap.”

Read more from Joy in the next issue of Liberti magazine or in Christian men’s mag Sorted.