CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT: Did faith have a role in creation of Inverness’s Haven Centre?
Journey to the Haven, a book by Elsie Normington launched on Friday at Smithton Church. It’s the story of the 10 years of campaigning and fundraising which led last August to the opening of the Haven Centre in Smithton.
This centre, built and operated by the Elsie Normington Foundation, is a facility for disabled children and young people with multiple needs and their families, and serves the Highlands. It provides dedicated, appropriately-equipped space in which to offer after-school provision, social activities and respite accommodation for young disabled people.
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As mother to grown son Andrew, who has severe learning disabilities and complex needs, Elsie is one of those who ‘have experienced the terrible sadness of watching endless seizures and their resulting effects on our loved ones’.
Elsie writes of her sense of calling to be ‘a voice for those who have no voice’. We see her determination and resolve, and the passionate advocacy which engaged the whole community; we watch her receiving the pensioner’s £5 donation with the same grace and gratitude as the Scottish Government’s pledge of £1.75 million.
Journey to the Haven is a record of the project, a celebration of a huge achievement, and a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported it.
It is also a story of profound Christian faith. ‘I am a Christian,’ Elsie writes. ‘I believe God asked me to do this job and I have sought to be faithful in seeing it through to completion.’
She describes beginning each morning in her little prayer room. She tells us about the ‘prayer apron’ she wore daily at home, a reminder to call out to God for help in all the challenges she faced both with the project and in her personal life - her husband George passed away in 2016.
She tells us about the biblical role models who inspired her, including Caleb, one of those who saw possibilities rather than the problems which discouraged others. We see her absolute trust in God. ‘I have the faith to believe that the money will come in when we need it.’
Journey to the Haven is a story of faith making a difference in the Highland community. Elsie acknowledges that not everyone believes in God. Some will argue that the project’s success is due solely to Elsie’s inspirational leadership and the generosity of individual donors and funding bodies, with no need for further explanation.
I agree that the successful completion of the centre depended on Elsie’s involvement, but from a Christian perspective, Journey to the Haven shows that this achievement was due to the involvement of Elsie’s God.
Looking back over the long journey, Elsie writes: ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart dear Father God.’
