Be careful what you buy!

The recent collapse of a building in Bangladesh that killed more than 700 people has provoked reaction from across the globe. 

Firstly, because so many people lost their lives. Secondly, because labour conditions had clearly been so terrible for so long. And thirdly, because some of the people in charge – on the ground and overseas – have tried to shirk their responsibilities and pass the buck.

The collapse of this illegally built structure was the third deadly factory-based incident in Bangladesh in just the last six months. While the factory owners and managers are clearly guilty of negligence, so, to some degree, are the firms they were supplying in Europe and beyond.

Now it would be easy at this point to point the finger at companies like Primark, especially as this particular firm has found itself in hot water in the past in relation to child labour infringements. However, it’s not just the low-end fashion firms that are to blame – some at the very top of the chain have also been embroiled in worker-related scandals. I would go as far as to say that the problem is pretty much industry-wide.

It’s encouraging to hear that Primark and Loblaw have agreed to compensate the families of garment workers that were killed while making their clothes. And it’s also a good sign that representatives from 45 companies, including Gap, H&M, Nike, Wal-Mart, Primark, Marks & Spencer and Tesco have met with officials from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association in Dhaka to discuss factory and worker safety going forward.

But what’s all this got to do with us? Well, according to Reuters, around 3.6 million people work within Bangladesh's garment industry, making it the world's second-largest apparel exporter. Around 60% of these exports are shipped to Europe. So although we may be reluctant to accept it, we too are partly to blame for the maltreatment and even the death of workers in the developing world because of the choices we make as consumers.

Most of us work in environments where we are safe and comfortable; where health and safety measures are legislated and enforced. We are paid a fair wage and given holidays and other perks as standard. We expect to be treated well by our employees and protected from abuse and discrimination. We know our rights and we are determined to stand up for them.

On the other hand, these factory workers – the majority of whom are women, by the way – do not have such an easy ride. Many work long hours for next to nothing because they have no other prospects and need to feed their families. There is no job protection for workers and if injury occurs and the employee can no longer work, there is rarely any compensation.

As you try to do your bit for the environment by buying organic cotton or feel a bit smug about keeping those in developing countries in employment by stacking your wardrobe to overflowing, think about what your buying habits actually mean to the people making those clothes: those in Bangladesh and beyond.

Now many of us have tight budgets, and that’s fine: buying ethically doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the bank. But it might mean buying one item from a ‘safe’ source rather than three from a company that outsources its work to unknown entities.

One great way to monitor what you’re buying – whether it be clothing, food, banking services or other goods – is to download the Good Shopping Guide app, which is available from iTunes and the Apple store. It costs just £2.99 and provides a list of the good, the bad and the ugly in terms of the environment, human rights and animal welfare.

Read more from Joy in the upcoming issue of Liberti.

(Also, click here to get a Christian take on this situation. This blog from Rhythms looks at the biblical command to clothe and feed the poor, and how this has been turned on its head so that the poor are not only clothing us, but are dying the process.)

(S)he that cannot obey cannot command!

I like this Benjamin Franklin saying, but I must admit that obedience and submission don’t come naturally to me… I like getting my own way far too much. Now I'm studying these concepts at Bible College and it’s challenging stuff.

When I was young and my mum told me not to do things, I often did them anyway and learnt the hard way that she was right all along. I now know that she told me not to do them because she wanted the best for me, not (as I thought then) because she wanted my life to be boring. I'm discovering the same thing about God’s commands.

Growing up in a Christian home, I also knew I should obey those in authority: parents, teachers, church leaders and bosses. I publicly did and said the right things (obedience) a lot of the time as a child/adolescent. 

Submission has been harder for me to learn. Often I outwardly did as I was told, but my heart wasn't in it. I complained about things (sometimes to myself, sometimes to others); I obeyed, but I wasn't fully submitted. This is something I'm still working on.

I am discovering, though, that God’s grace (ability) is what makes us able to obey – we don’t have to do it in our own strength (although we do still have to choose to obey). Jesus laid down His will entirely to do the Father’s will, and this is how we should live. I am also starting to realise that we should be obedient because we love God (John 14:15), and that this obedience should be instant and joyful. 

One area I am particularly challenged in is my driving. When I'm behind the wheel I take on my (earthly) father’s personality. I drive too fast, I get angry; I have even been known to swear. I disregard parking notices and speed limits. In short, I disobey the law and by doing so, I put myself and others at risk.

Initially, I laughed this behaviour off, but I soon came to realise that I wasn't just disobeying the law; I was disobeying God. If we disobey the laws of those in authority – who are in fact ordained by God Himself (Romans 13:1) – we disobey the One who is over all. And until we learn to yield to authority, we will never be good leaders ourselves.

I know that with the Holy Spirit’s help I can put off the old (wo)man with her anger, foul language and so on, and allow Him to renew my mind (Colossians 3:8-10). And the more I meditate on the Word and listen to the Spirit, the easier it becomes to obey and to emulate the personality of my Heavenly Father.

Eventually this should become a natural reaction rather than an adopted or forced behaviour. And Bristol’s roads will be all the safer for it!

Read more from Joy in the next issue of Liberti magazine.

What’s so special about Justin Bieber’s mum?

Courtesy of Pattie Mallette

A couple of weeks ago I was offered an interview with Justin Bieber's mum. This had two immediate effects on me – the first was that I found myself singing that delightful “Baby” song in my head and have been trying to shift it ever since.

And I’ll be honest about my second reaction, too. Rather than jumping to a conclusion about her, I positively leapt to one: I mean, what on the earth could the mother of this teenage singing sensation have to say that could be of any real interest to me or the magazine?

I did what we all do in situations like this and googled her, expecting to find a couple of pictures of her and Justin prancing down a red carpet or too, but nothing of any real substance. I soon discovered I was wrong.

It turns out Pattie Mallette has penned a bestseller and that she is using her first-hand experience of child abuse, drug addiction and teenage pregnancy to help others. She even has her own Wikipedia page. My views on this rather beautiful young woman were starting to change.

We decided that her story would in fact be of great interest to Liberti readers and her agent swiftly shipped me a copy of her book, Nowhere but Up, which I had about two hours to read before the interview kicked off. I got started right away and was instantly moved by Pattie's story and by the frank, honest way she told it.

This is a woman who has been through a lot. I won’t spoil it for you, but I can pretty much guarantee it will move you; not only because of the subject matter, but because writing it down took guts and must have been painful to do. And because instead of sitting around feeling sorry for herself she is determined to use her terrible experiences to give hope to those who have been through similar things.

Now a committed Christian, Pattie shares how her relationship with God has helped her to come through some extremely tough times and how, rather than pretending they didn't happen, she has confronted them and sought God’s healing and deliverance.

I’ll never just think of her as “Justin Bieber’s mum” again, although having a famous son has given her a good platform to share her story (and the foreword he wrote in the book is lovely). I now feel ashamed that I more or less wrote her off before I even knew anything about her.

She is brave, engaging and inspiring in equal measure and, if you’ll excuse the pun, I will endeavour never to judge a book by its cover again. I really enjoyed speaking to her and I hope you’ll enjoy reading what she had to say in the next issue of Liberti magazine (our January to March edition).

If you can’t wait that long, a whole host of other inspiring women have appeared in and written for the current issue (October to December), which focuses on ‘50 shades of freedom’.  It’s a good ’un if I do say so myself!

What does Jesus have to do with Shelly-Ann’s Olympic win?

Jamaican athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce clinched an extremely close victory in the women’s 100 metre final on August 4. Her eyes were glued to the board after the race to see whether she or USA’s Carmelita Jeter would take the coveted gold.

Then, when her name appeared in the top spot, she fell to the ground and shouted, "Thank you, Jesus!"

As a Christian, I thought this was a remarkable reaction. I’ve seen athletes (and their trainers/parents/partners) happily taking credit for their success, but it’s rare to see such an open reference to faith on the world stage.

But wasn’t her success down to the early morning starts, the gruelling training sessions, the sacrifice of all things tasty and the mental determination to cross that finish line?

What could Jesus possibly have to do with it?

Well the apostle Paul famously talks about running “with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Now I think he was seeing the Christian life as a race, rather than entering the Grecian Games back in the day, but the basic principles are the same.

It might seem obvious, but Paul points out that if we’re not in it, we can’t win it: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 

“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 

“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

So what are we ‘running for’?

To win the ultimate prize: fellowship with God on earth, and eternity with Him in heaven when this life comes to an end. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” Paul says in Philippians 3:14.

But what if I’m not very ‘athletic’?

That’s ok, because Paul says: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13); moreover, we are at our best when we admit our weaknesses and allow God to come through for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Ok, so if God’s going to do all the work for us, can’t we just sit back and let it all happen?

Well, it’s important that we understand the rules and avoid being wrongfooted by technicalities. 

Is there anything worse than seeing an athlete booted out of a final because they haven’t followed the letter of the law? A life’s hope thrown away because of a moment of bad judgment?

Paul makes it clear that “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5).

This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect; God’s grace is incredible and the price has been paid for all our sins – past, present and future. But following God’s rules (laid out in the Bible) is key to living a fulfilling Christian life.

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Whether we are athletes or not, we are expected to show endurance, perseverance and determination. We are called to keep our eyes on the prize (Jesus) wherever our ‘race’ take us. And we also need to give glory to God while we run, acknowledging that without Jesus, we could never finish our race or enjoy our everlasting reward.

Thanks to Shelly-Ann for reminding me that Jesus has everything to do with her (and my) victory. 

On a separate note, Shelly-Ann’s victory marked the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence from Great Britain. On August 5, 1962, the Union Jack was lowered for the final time at National Stadium in Kingston. In a twist of fate, the Jamaican flag was raised in the UK on August 5, 2012 to commemorate her excellent achievement. It was also the day some guy called Usain Bolt clinched the men’s 100 metre gold. 

Fifty Shades of Grey: what’s all the fuss about?

Guest blog from Sophia Grace

With global sales running into tens of millions, Fifty Shades of Grey and its two sequels by EL James are not so much books as a publishing phenomenon. 

Why have these books been so successful?

For a start, they follow a tried and tested formula straight out of Mills & Boon: take one slightly clumsy, socially inept, plain and virginal girl and one cool, handsome, incredibly rich and powerful young man – put them together and eventually, despite trials and tribulations (you guessed it), it all works out.

The novelty in EL James’ books is a fairly explicit eroticism. This is of a very feminine kind: despite ‘gentle’ sadism and bondage being major themes there is little sense of genuine threat and the encounters are (rather tiresomely) always orgasmic. 

It is interesting that there are also limits to the sexual practices: the author is clearly aware of not just what turns women on but also what turns them off. The fact that these books were simultaneously published in digital format and can be bought and read in secret also helped to drive sales.  

The sexual nature of these books has aroused a storm of criticism in Christian circles and the eroticism is certainly problematic. Yet deciding where acceptable boundaries lie in this area is very difficult; after all, throughout history the Church has frequently found Song of Songs to be too hot to handle. Yet at the risk of sounding puritanical and even legalistic, I don’t think these are books for singles.

However, the issues of sex disguise deeper, more subtle and possibly more dangerous problems and they also present a challenge to women. These books are sheer fantasy; indeed there are Pixar cartoons that offer a greater sense of realism. The real world, dear readers, is not like this. 

If you are waiting for a similar Mr Right (did I mention his helicopter?) you may be waiting a very long time. Once more we get the myth that all you really need in a good relationship is lots and lots of sex. 

Another desperately dangerous idea is that sadism is pleasurable. Frankly, if any man starts to suggest that he’d like to tie you up and beat you, get out very quickly; possibly passing the local police station on the way home. There is also a disheartening materialism present throughout the books: a ‘possessions-pornography’ of things and brands that repeats another lie: that wealth and power are ultimately significant.

My biggest complaint, though, is simply that I find the theme of a woman’s submission to a dominant man  extraordinarily depressing. Is this where women’s rights have brought us? There is a tragic irony here that although some feminists have labelled Christianity as male-dominated and oppressive to women, what our post-Christian society is producing looks infinitely worse. These books fly in the face of everything that this magazine stands for: give me Liberti not bondage.

Have you read it? Tell us what you think. You can read more about this 'literary' phenomenon in the upcoming issue of Liberti magazine. 

Body Image - through the eyes of a child...

I’ve just come back from delivering a workshop on body image at a local secondary school. I’m reminded again of how important it is that kids are given this information – in schools, at home and through the media. I'm delighted that Media Smart have developed an information pack for parents on the whole issue - it's a great resource and you can download it here.

The information kids are given – at school through their peers, at home through the things they hear their parents saying, often inadvertently about themselves, through the media both online, onscreen and in print – sets them an unattainable target for beauty. Adverts, TV programmes and even social media portray men and women in airbrushed, digitally enhanced perfection to the extent that young people no longer know what is real, but are left with the ‘knowledge’ that they don’t match up.

The result is a generation, probably now a second generation, of young people whose self-esteem is riding at an all-time low, and who are increasingly struggling with a range of eating disorders as a follow on to body dysmorphia. They have been taught that their value lies in their appearance, that achievement is about weight loss and that perfect hair is a thing to strive for.

I still find it astonishing to go into a classroom and realise how few children are aware that the images that they are bombarded with are not real – that so many are quite literally an artist’s creation – founded on reality but now the figment of someone’s imagination; a work of art, certainly, but not real.

I get great satisfaction from watching the students I work with develop an awareness; to see them begin to critically analyse the adverts I place before them, to hear them discuss and discover the messages in the advertisement, to dissect those messages and then reject them. I pray that they continue to develop these skills as they learn to filter the images that enter their psyche.

And I pray that mine will not be the last voice that encourages them to know that they are more than their body. I pray that as they return home, they find parents who can chat this through with them. Parents who will value their kindness, their intellect, their thoughtfulness, their skills, their humour, their patience, their tenacity, their stamina, their strength and their loyalty above their looks.

I’m a mum, I think my girls are gorgeous – there are days when I think they are so cute I could actually eat them. But this must never be the only praise I give them. I do tell them their hair is beautiful and that they look lovely in that outfit – but I also tell them how proud I am of their achievements.

I tell Meggie that I am blown away by her swimming, I spend hours chatting with Gem about the books she's reading. I tell Maddie that her creativity is a gift that she must cherish and Emmie knows how impressed we are that she is up at the stable in all weathers, mucking out and helping so that she can earn some time to actually ride. Amber could singlehandedly replace the entire Olympic Committee and still find time for fun, such is her skill for organisation. These are the things that make my kids unique; these are the things that I love about them; these are the things that I never want them to forget are important.

We influence the people in our lives by the things we say about them and about ourselves. When I talk about wanting to lose weight or complain that I feel fat I’m teaching my kids to look at themselves and wonder if they’re overweight too, like mummy. The thing is, my kids look at me and just see me. They don’t see the love handles or the cellulite or the sags – they just see mummy. They don’t see the ‘flaws’. When I disillusion them by pointing these things out I’m teaching them that they matter. I’m putting the thought into their minds that maybe there is something about them that’s not how it should.

Quite frankly I should keep quiet and allow myself a place where I am like Mary Poppins - practically perfect in every way! There aren't many people who think that about me, so while my children accept me just the way I am, I should enjoy it. Then, just maybe, it will enable them to grow up accepting themselves in the same way. 

The girl that hugged the queen

You may have read about the Ugandan war orphan who hugged the queen during the Jubilee celebrations. Well I had the privilege of meeting Lydia Amito face-to-face at the Cherish conference in Bradford this week (and getting some hugs of my own).

I first saw this little girl on the main stage during one of the conference’s celebration meetings. She walked on stage with the Watoto Children’s Choir and stepped forward, confidently introducing herself and explaining the difference the Watoto charity – and her newfound Christian faith – has made in her life.

But while seeing her beautiful smile and listening to the choir’s incredibly moving performance, I was still unprepared for her tragic story. It turns out that Lydia’s father and uncles were butchered Lord’s Resistance Army, who also slaughtered her mother in front of her older sister.

Lydia and her six siblings managed to escape and were rescued by the Watoto Church; a Pentecostal church that now cares for 2,500 children. The church places orphans like Lydia in families of eight, housing them in simple homes that are built around a communal garden. Each home is presided over by a ‘house mother’, usually a widow who has lost her husband and/or children to war, AIDS or malnutrition.

Sitting down with Lydia was a humbling experience. On one hand she was just a shy, giggly little girl, but on the other she had been through intense trauma, seen horrors I am unlikely to ever see, and managed to start a new life. She confides that when she grows up she wants to be a nurse. “I want to treat people so they can get better,” she says.

This little girl, who could have been sex-trafficked, abused and even killed, is now in a safe home with people who love her. When she’s not at school she loves practising for the choir and helping out her house mother, Mamma Santa, by cleaning the house and cooking. She has also formed close bonds with her brothers and sisters, as well as experiencing the love of Jesus Christ, which she prizes above all else.

Being away from home for five months of the year must be strange for the choir members, some of whom are as young as ten. But Lydia says she enjoys seeing new places and loves singing and dancing on stage.

She and two of the guys caring for her – Mark and Stephen – totally stole my heart as I sat listening to her story, and to the boys’ explanations of the Watoto Charity’s aims, which can be summed up by the following passage:

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:26-7).  

If you had asked Lydia a few years back what her future held, I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have been too convinced she would even have a future. I want to see more children like Lydia with magical smiles and beautiful spirits who are capable of impacting our nation from the top down.

As well as breaking protocol by hugging Her Majesty, I’m pretty sure she broke the queen’s hearts for the orphans’ plight. I hope this precious little girl and the other children – all of whom have had similarly traumatic experiences – continue to touch the hearts of people around the world.

You can support the children of Watoto in lots of different ways. Visit to the Watoto website to find out more.

Read more from Joy in the next issue of Liberti magazine.

How to be an employee and a Christian at the same time

There has been endless debate about the separation of church and state, and it seems the dispute is spilling over into the workplace with increasing velocity.

Recent news reports have highlighted the general view that work is work, and faith is faith; that the two things must be mutually exclusive.

Whether that means not wearing a cross to work, or cutting out prayer before council meetings, it seems the workplace is gradually being deChristianised. (If that’s not a word it soon will be!)

The question that arises then is, should I carry on working as a closet Christian or give up my faith and just get on with my job? Well neither, obviously. But I do think it’s important that we live out what we believe carefully and without compromising who we are in Christ.

It’s hard to strike a balance between fitting in, getting the job done and being a super Christian. If you’ve managed it, please let me know the secret! But I personally believe it’s impossible (and undesirable) to leave our faith at home when we head into work. Faith isn't like a hat that you can choose to put on if there's a storm brewing (literal or metaphorical); it's on the inside of you... whether you like it or not!

Telling someone to stop being a Christian at work is like asking someone to separate themselves from their nationality/political beliefs/deep love of cheese. Being a Christian isn’t what we do on Sundays, it is who we are, and it informs (or at least it should inform) everything we do. I’m a Christian when I go to watch Liverpool play, when I’m having lunch with a friend or when I’m up to my neck in proofreading.

So should we be quoting the Bible every time a colleague asks us a question, or offering to lay hands on our colleagues at their first sniffle? I wouldn’t recommend it. 

I personally think it’s usually the small things that set us apart, like:
  

•  Being absolutely honest, even if it means we get into trouble or lose money as a result
• Taking a genuine interest in our workmates and praying for them – especially the difficult ones (you know who I’m talking about)
• Showing respect for the boss even if he or she is wrong/being unreasonable
• Refusing to engage in gossip (even if you really want to know what Delia said to Chelsea at the staff do)
• Inviting our colleagues to social events and building lasting relationships with them
• Forgiving people rather than bearing grudges
• Standing up for the things that are really important
• Respecting people of other faiths or no faith and welcoming open discussion about what you believe and why
• Maintaining a positive attitude. No one likes a grump!
• Having cake/chocolate/cookies on hand at all times

None of this is groundbreaking stuff, and you probably do these things without even thinking about it. But while wearing a cross might suggest you are a Christian (although to be fair every self-respecting gangsta rapper does this), living an upright, gracious life every day will prove that you are.

The best piece of advice I’ve been given when it comes to living out my faith at work is to start the morning with prayer and continue in this attitude throughout the day. It’s hard to get offended/offend others if we approach work with the same heart of humility and thankfulness with which we approach God.

Read more from Joy in the next issue of Liberti magazine.

The best of the summer fests

If you’re a festival fanatic, you’ll be most disappointed to hear there’s no Glasto this year. But never fear, there are plenty of other live music events to liven up your summer.

Whether you prefer rock, indie, jazz, dance, pop or a good old mix, you’ll be sure to find something to keep you swaying in the sun.


Here are a few of Liberti's favourite Christian and secular fests:

Christian events

Greenbelt

Greenbelt has attracted some pretty big names from the music industry over the years including: U2, Moby, Goldie, Jamelia, The Proclaimers, Daniel Bedingfield, Amy Grant, Athlete, Sixpence None the Richer and Delirious?. Although it started out as a purely Christian music festival, Greenbelt is now attended by believers and non-believers alike – 21,000 of them in fact.

Geeky festival fact

Greenbelt was one of the main catalysts for the Jubilee 2000 movement, which called for the cancellation of third-world debt.

Date and venue

August 24-27 at Cheltenham Racecourse.

New Wine

Participants at this year’s New Wine event will include: J John, Danielle Strickland, Francis Chan, Rosie and Tim Bunn, Carl Beech and Maggie Ellis. Fantastic entertainment has been planned for Gems (0-2s), Pebbles (3-4s), Groundbreakers (5-7s), Rock Solid (8-9s) and Boulder Gangers (10-11s) and this year will see the launch of a new evening celebration venue for young adults.

Geeky festival fact

Among its other great resources, New Wine has its own on-site radio station to keep visitors up-to-date at all times.

Dates and venues

July 21 to July 27 at Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet; July 28 to August 4 at Newark & Nottinghamshire County Showground, Newark; July 29 to August 4 at Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet.

Soul Survivor

Soul Survivor is a five-day event that attracts around 28,000 visitors each year. It primarily targets teenagers and young adults, but it’s fun for grownups too. This year’s speakers will include: Suzie Brock, Gavin Calver, Jeannie Morgan and Patrick Regan.

Geeky festival fact

There is also a Midlands-based soul band called The Soul Survivors so make sure you don’t get them mixed up.

Dates and venues

July 27-31 at Stafford Showground; August 7-11 at Bath & West Showground; August 12-16 at Bath & West Showground.

Secular events

Bestival

Describing itself as a “boutique music festival”, this three-day event is a by-product of Rob da Bank's Sunday Best legacy. It’s more eclectic than some of its predecessors and is well known for its fancy dress themes, Bollywood Cocktail Bar and Hidden Disco.

Those who don’t fancy camping might prefer Bestival’s Tipi, Yurt or PodPad accommodation options.

Geeky festival fact

Organisers recently introduced a Breastival baby area for new mothers.

Date and venue

September 6-9 (ok, so it’s not strictly summer!) at Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight.

Latitude

First held in 2006, Latitude is a relative newcomer in the festival arena. But what it lacks in history, it makes up for in fantastic music, theatre, art, comedy, cabaret, poetry, politics, dance and literature. Last year’s acts included Florence and the Machine, Ardal O'Hanlon, Simon Armitage, Vivienne Westwood, Pet Shop Boys, Kate Nash, Sigur Rós and Andrew Motion.

Geeky festival fact

Latitude is run by Festival Republic, which runs the Reading and Leeds festivals and is also contracted to run Glastonbury.

Date and venue

July 12-15 at Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk.

Benicàssim

Our favourite overseas secular event takes place on Spain’s east coast between Valencia and Alicante. The weather is likely to be a bit more reliable than at UK festivals and if (in the unlikely event) you fancy a break from the music, you can head to the beach. Among the acts at last year’s fest were: Paolo Nutini, The Strokes, LeFreak, Bombay Bicycle Club, Mumford & Sons, Arctic Monkeys, Tinie Tempah  and a load of European acts I’ve never heard of but I’m sure are awesome. 

Geeky festival fact

The name “Benicàssim” comes from the Arabic for “sons of Qasim” (whoever the heck Qasim is).

Date and venue

July 12-15 in Benicàssim, Costa Azahar, Spain. 

Read more from Joy in the next issue of Liberti magazine.

My guilty secret

I have a slight obsession with anything crime-related. Cop shows, crime novels, documentaries about serial killers… I even like those terrible American police chase programmes.

There’s something about good triumphing over evil and the exposure of the criminal mind that fascinates me.

So when I stumbled across a free iPhone app called ‘Crime City’ (a real steal!), my fingers started twitching with anticipation. Unfortunately, this strategy game takes the exact opposite approach: it’s all about building up your own Mafia empire through extortion, theft and even assassination. The aim is to collect as much money as you can in order to acquire more weapons, build up your ‘hood’ and attack rival Mafiosi.

You may question how I can play this game as a Christian. But first of all, it is just that: a game. I’m not about to put out a hit on someone for robbing my launderette. Furthermore, there are some hidden biblical principles to pick out (if you look closely enough!).

Firstly, it’s teaching me the gift of patience; something I’m not known for. Each task requires a certain ‘cost’: either to energy levels, stamina or your stash. If you don’t have the necessary items, you simply can’t move onto the next task. Sometimes it can take days and even weeks to get the job done. We often have to wait for things in real life, and practising patience shows that we trust God’s timing, omnipotence and love (2 Corinthians 6:6).

Secondly, it proves that you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7-8). Building defensive buildings and upgrading cash-generating establishments can seem fruitless, but this type of investment often proves crucial further down the line. This is often the case in life – we think a job/degree/relationship has been a complete waste of time, only to find it has laid the groundwork for something wonderful a few years later.

Thirdly, it has shown me the importance of equipping myself for battle. Okay, so I’m not sure we need to be carrying assault rifles or riot shields around with us, but the Bible tells us to “put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). This includes: the belt of truth; the breastplate of righteousness; the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation; and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). These ‘weapons’ strengthen us and protect us from adversity.

Fourthly, it demonstrates that certain tasks/challenges need to be completed before we can move onto the next. In the game this might mean robbing a bank or planting a tracking device, but in our lives it could mean forgiving someone who has offended us; learning from a mistake we keep making; disciplining ourselves to read the Bible when we don’t feel like it; or sharing our faith with someone. There are things in each of our lives that hold us back and prevent us from reaching the next level.

Finally, it reminds us to take what is rightfully ours. In the game you periodically collect money from the businesses you’ve set up – if you don’t, the cash stops building up and rivals can steal it. The Bible says God has given us “everything we need to live a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3), so if there’s something missing, it’s probably because we haven’t tapped into it yet. If you don’t use it, you may lose it!

OK, so I’m going to stop flogging this dead horse now (that’s not part of the game!) as it would be just as easy to turn the analogy round to show how Crime City promotes greed, violence and many other Mafia malignancies. Just remember, this kind of game can be a fun way to spend an hour or two but crime really doesn’t pay!

Read more from Joy in the upcoming issue of Liberti.

The Christian camps that are “brainwashing” our kids

Soul Survivor 2011 courtesy of River Methodist Church

As a regular Guardian reader, I was surprised to see an article called “Christian teen camps are wicked, innit” (August 2011) on the paper’s website.

Although cleverly written, this piece reveals Thomas Prosser’s ignorance and prejudice, and is typical of our generation’s tolerance for anything apart from Christian values.

The general gist of the article is that Christian camp organisers are using teen lingo and exploitative techniques to brainwash kids into believing the (clearly nonsensical) views that millions of people around the world hold.

I went to Christian camps every summer as a teenager and they were the highlight of my year. I made a lifelong friend the very first year and we met up at camp each year after that for about six years. We’re still in touch now.

There were no secret agendas about these camps: they were advertised as Christian camps and I wasn’t surprised to find there was some mention of Christianity when I got there. If you went to a pop concert and ended up watching a strip show, you’d be a little surprised to say the least (or perhaps not so much these days).

Prosser describes Soul Survivor sermons as “wild orations that aim to wear down the resistance of the audience to the message”. He claims: “Videos designed to whip up the emotional temperature of the audience are shown, and fervid calls for youngsters to accept Christ are made.” He adds that “hypnotic music typically sounds out in subdued lighting as youngsters are urged to come to the front and give their lives to Christ”.

I’m pretty sure Prosser’s never actually been to the camp. What makes the music “hypnotic”? Is there anything inherently evil about rooms with dimmed lighting? Should we stop our kids from watching videos that have an emotional impact on them and force them to watch reality TV drivel instead?

I found it deeply ironic that the article – deriding the underlying “manipulation” of Christian “yoof lingo” – used such overtly anti-Christian language. Was this Prosser’s ploy to “brainwash” Guardian readers into rejecting Bible teachings? Let’s just hope his audience is more discerning than he thinks our youngsters are.

Prosser continues by saying: “None of any of this is fair to teens: young people have a right to choose their religious beliefs without being subjected to strategies that emotionally exploit them.”

Do you know many teens who agree to do things they don’t want to do? Isn’t he patronising and undermining the intelligence of our youngsters, who have probably given the issues considerable thought before making a decision one way or the other. That was certainly my experience.

I fundamentally disagree with Prosser’s assertion that “giving one's heart to Christ can alas be done in a fit of absence of mind”. How could he possibly know that? I agree that it can be a spontaneous decision, but becoming a Christian isn’t just about saying “pledging allegiance to Christ” at a specific moment; it’s about deciding whether to follow Him for the rest of your life. This choice is theirs long after the camp ends.

The article stipulates that “Christianity's most controversial doctrines are given a full airing at the camps”. This is probably true. We discussed a huge range of topics including human suffering, racism, evolution, who Jesus was, sex before marriage, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, physical healing… You name it, we talked about it.

But these discussions were open, interactive debates and questions/challenges to doctrine were actively encouraged. It gave us the opportunity to talk about things we might have been afraid to talk about with our parents or friends. And backed up with Bible teachings, the “wickedness” of these principles should probably be taken up with God himself.

Finally, while a lot of my friends were trying out drugs, sleeping around and messing about with Ouija boards, I was learning to jet ski, having a go at archery and horseriding, playing outdoor games, having gala dinners, taking part in music, craft and drama workshops, and most of all, having a LOT of fun.

I scrolled down to read the comments below the article, and sadly, the majority of respondents agreed with Prosser’s bigoted generalisations. “Most sensible people realise that religion is a crock of shit when they hit puberty,” says one. “Anyone uncool enough to sign up for such an embarrassing dickwit fest deserves all they get,” says another.

It’s a shame Christianity is seen by many as something that only the gullible, educationally subnormal and under-10s could possibly take seriously. Would these people have the guts to say the same about Islam or Judaism?

One that made me laugh, though, said: “The thuggery of those Christians over the past few days as they've been rioting, torching buildings, looting and mugging has been beyond contempt. My comment is of course not serious, Thomas Prosser, because I guess your article is not serious.”

I’ll leave Liberti editor Bekah Legg to have the last word on this as she has actually been to the festival and has therefore earned the right to comment.

“I went quite cautious, if I'm honest, but have been thoroughly impressed by all they do,” she says. “I take a group of about 60 kids and watch them grow before my eyes.

“It's an opportunity for them to hear great teaching, participate in great worship, encounter the Holy Spirit in a safe environment where there is no pressure or manipulation and above all I think it is just amazing to be part of a group of 10,000 people and realise that there are a lot more Christians out there.

“I've seen a lot of kids’ lives turned around.”

I don’t have children (yet) but when I do, I think I’ll run the risk of them encountering darkened rooms and "hypnotic" music than allowing them to do the things most teenagers are doing these days. Ok, rant over!

Chris Page has some pretty good cards up his sleeve

I recently interviewed a guy whose vision has become a thriving and inspirational company. In 2004, Chris Page set up Cards fromAfrica (CfA), which provides employment to people in Rwanda and makes beautiful handmade, Fairtrade cards. Chris tells Liberti how he set up the business and about the exciting road ahead.

Liberti: What drew you specifically to Rwanda?

Chris Page: I visited Rwanda for three days in 2001 during a ‘scouting the land’ trip.  I knew God was calling me to work overseas and sensed the time was right to start looking in 2000, so I started researching about countries and visiting a few in my holiday leave. Whilst I was in Rwanda I heard the word ‘dignity’ from the Lord and I strongly felt He was saying He wanted to restore dignity to vulnerable youth.

Liberti: Why did you think the card business was a good way to support orphans there?

Chris Page: I started to think about what it was that gave me dignity in my life.  I realised that apart from my identity in Christ, it was the ability to choose what I studied, what clothes I wore, having decent healthcare, what sports to play, etc. And the thing that really enabled all these choices fundamentally seemed to be money! 

So perhaps the Lord wanted me to help people earn money… How, I thought? Through job creation? The more I thought about it, the more it sat right with me, and I was filled with excitement. He wanted me to go and help start up businesses and become a business missionary.

Cards from Africa was the first business I started. I was looking for a product that could be exported, [and was] lightweight (Rwanda is landlocked), high-value, labour-intensive, and relatively unskilled. Handmade cards seemed to tick all the boxes, so we teamed up with a Rwandan artist, made our own handmade paper, and it seemed to take off. We haven’t looked back (much) since! We’re now employing over 90 people full time to make the cards. Almost all our employees are orphaned youth responsible for their younger siblings. They are all aged 18 years+, which is one of the requirements of a Fairtrade organisation.

Liberti: Did you have previous experience in the creative/business sphere?

Chris Page: No, but I have started a few small enterprises since then, including Cards from Africa in the UK as a distribution business.

Liberti: What is your vision for the company?

Chris Page: Our initial vision is to capture 0.01% of the UK greeting card market!  That would enable us to employ around 300 orphaned youth in Rwanda, which is about the capacity of the building they currently rent in Kigali, Rwanda.

Liberti: How does your Christian faith affect the way you do business?

Chris Page: Jesus is central. He’s the best business partner you could ever have! He guides, gives reassurance, whispers words of encouragement and affirmation, and His glory is CfA’s ultimate aim. When we lose track of what CfA is all about, He gently puts us back on track. He is exceedingly patient, gracious, loving and generous, and has never, ever disappointed or failed us, and he never will (even if CfA fails).

The cards take 30 minutes to make, on average, and are exceptionally beautiful. And according to Chris, Cards from Africa now has the largest range of Fairtrade greetings cards on the planet. “We don’t kill any kittens to make our cards, we only use recycled office waste paper,” he jokes. Of course, the main point is that the money goes to those who need it rather than the big American greeting cards companies many of us buy from.

In addition to buying the cards, you can become a Cards from Africa representative, selling the cards and earning some money for yourself (or for a cause you love). You can also contact Chris (chris@cardsfromafrica.com) if you know a retailer that might want to stock CfA cards or if you have any design ideas. Find out more about the company at www.cardsfromafrica.co.uk.

Christmas on a camel

So Christmas in Egypt was a pretty strange experience.

The hotel was absolutely dripping in neon lights; it looked like we’d accidentally ended up in Vegas. Everywhere we turned there were Christmas trees or Santa in his sleigh, and banners wishing us Happy Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong, it was awesome waking up to beautiful sunshine every day and having zero washing up to do. There was even a special gala dinner held in a stunning marquee with enough food to feed an army.

But it still wasn’t Christmas – the 25^th could have been any other day of the year. I really missed going to church with my family, opening presents together, sitting down for a traditional dinner and falling asleep on the couch watching Christmas films.

But despite all this, something really great came out of my time in Egypt – I met a little boy who totally changed my life. I’m ashamed to admit this, but when I first saw the group he was with, I found them loud, brash and objectionable.

From the travelling community, I resented the way the children were left to run wild in dirty clothes while the parents got hammered. I even found myself tutting at the kids for their bad behaviour.

It wasn’t until I actually talked to this young chap that my eyes were opened. This five-year-old became my best friend in just a few days. He followed me everywhere, drew me countless pictures and, according to his mum, talked about me non-stop when I wasn’t there.

He was a clever, generous, curious little boy who simply longed for attention. We played cards, we learnt to count together and we talked for hours. I found myself looking for him wherever we went and I have missed him terribly since I got back.

But what surprised me the most was that this child’s mother turned out to be a born-again Christian. I had simply written off the whole group without noticing how different she was from the others. Rather than getting drunk with the adults, she spent most of her time sitting alone, struggling to keep an eye on her three kids.

And she was the one who brought up faith. She asked me what I was reading and if I had ever read the Bible. She then asked me some pretty challenging questions and asked me to pray with her and my new buddy by the pool.

This was a woman who has suffered years of domestic abuse. She clearly loves her children but just isn’t getting the support she needs. She seemed so grateful to have someone to talk to and to take an interest in her little boy.

She aroused in me a sense of righteous indignation: at the people in her life who were letting her down, and at myself for being such a snob. Most of all though, I felt grateful that, in the heart of a Muslim country, God had reached out to me through this woman and her son; that He had both challenged and blessed me at the same time.

I’m going to stay in touch with these two precious people and I hope that next time I’ll be slower to judge and quicker to show God’s love wherever I go and whoever I meet.

Happy New Year folks!