Countries in South-East Asia are seen as colourful tourist destinations, but beneath the postcard image lies a grim reality for many. The PingPongathon is an event dedicated to raising awareness and funds toward alleviating human trafficking and exploitation in South-East Asia. In multiple venues across Australia, including churches, sporting clubs, community spaces, universities and local pubs, groups of people play table tennis for 24 hours straight.
Adrian Rowse preached at Kew Baptist night church about the Pingpongathon in September. He spoke about his experience in South-East Asia and how confronted he was coming from a Western background seeing the problem of child trafficking. His experiences inspired him to create the Pong to make a difference and to engage with Australians about the issue. By combining a fun experience with a serious issue, it “helps us feel we can make a difference with the simple way of playing table tennis.”
It began in 2011, with fifteen guys playing table tennis for 24 hours. The event has increased exponentially since then with 60 participants and $25,000 raised in 2012, $56,000 raised by 260 participants in 2013, 800 people raising $110,000 in 2014 and $203,000 raised by 1500 participants in 2015. The event was originally designed for men only, men being the main perpetrators of the demand, but opened up to women as well in 2015. While the Pong is open to everyone regardless of table tennis skill, some people have managed to record some great achievements. Two participants beat the singles rally record this year with an impressive 10,571 hits in Loxton, South Australia.
I went along to Kew Baptist in the early evening on the 14th October. There was a really good atmosphere with some people playing singles or doubles matches, and others watching or relaxing on the couches. There was plenty of watermelon, pizza, cookies and cordial to keep our energy up! Some people on the overnight shift ended fatigued and exhausted, but for them it is worth being part of the community aiming for justice and positive change. Aaron said, “I haven't slept in 35 hours” but “it made me proud that I could be part of the solution.” Stu said it was “good fun” and a “really good way to get people involved in such a valuable movement.” The team at Kew Baptist managed to raise some $6,500 while the Pingpongathon has so far raised $236,000 in total. The grand finale events will be held on the 4th/5th of November.
Slavery is not a new phenomenon and the issue arises multiple times across the Biblical narrative. The Israelites were allowed to have slaves, but were reminded continually that they were once slaves in Egypt themselves (Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:6). Likewise, some of the converts in the early Church were slaveowners, such as Philemon, but the barriers between slave and free were broken down in favour of an inclusive and equal community (Colossians 3:11). At the heart of the Biblical story is a God’s heart for the creation of a just society. Everyone is equal and is afforded the same dignity from being made in the image of God. Sexual exploitation and slavery is a harrowing example of how this ideal can be breached. As Stefan says, sexual exploitation is “so degrading” and it makes "people a thing to be used and disposed of, with no regard for their future or wellbeing.” We have a calling to “serve up some justice” as the Pong motto says, and the Pingpongathon is a great example of how this is being done.
For more information see: http://pingpongathon.com
To see Pingpongathon records see: http://pingpongathon.com/pong-hall-of-fame-records/
Source: BUV News