I want to post this tribute from Linda Tripp to Jennifer Harold who recently passed away Tribute to Jennifer Harold By Linda Tripp, retired vice president of Public Affairs - WV Canada Jennifer Harold, former national director of WV Sierra Leone and senior staff member of WV Canada, recently passed away. The following is a tribute to her life and contributions to World Vision’s ministry. For those of us in World Vision who knew Jennifer Harold, we will remember her passion, her perseverance and her laughter. Ms Harold was more than a colleague to many of us – she was a friend. She died at age 54, too young in our minds. But Ms Harold was a faithful servant of Christ and her life and work were dedicated to serving him. In her personal life, Ms Harold was an avid outdoorswoman who organised and led friends on countless canoe trips on the lakes and rivers of Northern Ontario. Professionally, Ms Harold brought years of experience to World Vision, but her commitment to gender issues stands out. While serving overseas in Africa, she invited Elaine Poutney, who had developed a gender relations programme, to work with pastors on addressing the misinterpretation of Scripture that led to women being perceived as inferior and in subjugation to men. Pastors wept as they realised for the first time that Adam was present when the serpent tempted Eve, and God punished them both. But God did not curse Eve, or women. He cursed the serpent and he cursed the land – but not Adam or Eve. Also, Adam and Eve stood together before God when He gave the mandate to care for creation. The charge was to both of them – not just to the man. These truths had a profound effect on the pastors and then their wives, families and ministries. Her work has now born much fruit through the expansion of Channels of Hope for Gender to other regions. With deep hope and confidence in people to overcome hardship, Ms Harold had a way of seeing beyond the pain and suffering. She once shared a story about a group of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo who had been brutally raped and lost their families and homes. Instead of giving up, they formed a group to help each other and determined that they would not be defined as victims but as followers of Jesus. Ms Harold was also instrumental in establishing the International Development Programme at Wycliffe College, the evangelical seminary of the Anglican (Episcopalian) Church in Canada. It has been a hugely popular programme as people look to combine theological training with practical ways to overcome global poverty and injustice. The enthusiasm and faith of Ms Harold was infectious. She would not back down when it came to defending the rights of women – both in the field and in the office. She was respected as a professional and loved as a colleague and friend. Ms Harold talked openly about her impending death. She was not afraid. She was certain of where she was going and did not want others to fear death. Ms Harold lived well – and she died well. She will be missed. But she leaves a legacy of a heart for the poor, especially women. We will never know how many women’s lives she touched and impacted. But they know. And together all of us give thanks for the gift of her faith, her friendship and her work.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 01:31:41 +0000
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