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Editorial: Never Mind, Go On!

by Kevin Sims

Every Silver Lining

IT seemed like a good idea – a life-size (or bigger) Nativity scene made of coloured perspex to remind everyone passing International Headquarters about the Christmas message in a way that, stylistically, would catch people’s attention and fit the sleek, modern styling of the building.

Berni Georges, who also designs this magazine, drew the figures on the perspex and the incredible IHQ handyman, Graham Newman, cut them out using a jigsaw. I gave what help I could, from offering advice and encouragement to Berni to being first on the scene whenever anything needed shifting.

It turns out that – OK, no surprise really – cutting and moving a sheet of perspex that’s five millimetres thick, two metres high and three metres long is actually not so simple. The first pieces to be cut and then hauled up two flights of stairs were a huge backdrop of a hillside and the massive stable. All was going well until, as we laid the stable down to have feet attached so it could stand, a huge ‘crack’ was heard and the top fell off. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement.

As the days went on, the problems mounted. Another backdrop was knocked down and broken by visitors, the donkey lost its ear, the lighting wouldn’t work. We began to wonder if we’d bitten off more perspex than we could chew. ‘What were we thinking?’ became a catchphrase as the days passed and we began to wonder if we’d finish before Christmas!

But then, on the morning of the IHQ carol service, everything suddenly came together and the Nativity stood in place where thousands of people every day could see it. The relief was amazing – coupled with a real sense of achievement, especially when we saw how tourists and schoolchildren were clamouring to take photos of this unique display.

In the end, the journey was just about worth it and the fact that we had to struggle to achieve our goal made it that bit sweeter.

The same hallmarks of joy when success needs to be worked at are shown throughout this issue of All the World.

Writer Rhidian Brook put himself and his family through trying times to get a true glimpse of the Aids pandemic, but through going ‘the extra mile’ they were able to understand far more than most reporters and, ultimately, they feel privileged to have done so.

The children in Kenya who now have running water at their schools appreciate it all the more because they have experienced the horror of drought. I could go on.

When I think of all the people who were reminded of the meaning of Christmas through our Nativity, I feel that all the hassle was worth it. There’s an old Salvation Army song that speaks about being disheartened but encourages: ‘Never mind, go on!’

Its chorus explains why: ‘When the road we tread is rough let us bear in mind, in our Saviour strength enough we may always find.’

From my experience, I’d say that was certainly true, whether we try to achieve our God-given goals on paper, with perspiration or even using perspex!

Kevin Sims is the editor of All the World

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