Reconciliation with this land

Kia ora whānau,

This week we watched a presentation from Tearfund’s Justice Conference. Matt Renata spoke of his experience of participating in the peaceful protests on Ihumātao after it’s occupants were given eviction notices. Matt shared how he reluctantly joined the hundreds gathered there to protest across from police lines. He and activist Pania Newton asked churches to join them in holding services in occupation of the land.

Renata’s reflection on his experience is an example of our focus during ordinary time. We seek to be reconnected to God, with others, and with the land. Renata described how after Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, was prophesied over the group, the protestors peacefully broke through police lines to walk the land. As they walked, they spontaneously offered karanga (ceremonial welcome call), karakia (prayer), waiata (song), grief and lament. They sensed the presence of Atua (God), and felt something almost electric coming from the ground. At the leading of the Holy Spirit, the group did a haka to welcome heaven to earth. It was their justice-cry to reconnect to the land and to each other. The moment the haka ended, rain poured down, a sign from heaven that their prayers were heard.

The story of what has happened at Ihumātao is a challenge for us to seek God in how to be a part of reconciliation in Aotearoa. We long to live into the story of reconnection to the land and how that connects to the need for unity in a bi-cultural story. It’s a story that does not deny history and also works for a future of justice for all people, for all of God’s sons and daughters. Just as God opened a way for protestors to break through police lines, we can trust God to help us walk the land in peaceful defiance to spirits of darkness, disunity, isolation, and injustice. We can take steps of purpose into an unknown reality knowing that God’s kingdom is both already and not-yet. God will hear our cry for justice and respond.

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5:24

In Christ,

Wendy