Hidden gems

Blessings often exist right under our noses, don't they? Actually, having been gifted with a rather large nose (courtesy of the Hills family gene pool) my opening comment might be interpreted as an understatement!
This morning we headed out of Portsmouth to a little village called Wickham. It wasn't far - about 10 miles - but a place we'd never visited before. As we witnessed the lines of vehicles streaming into the city today we were pleased to be heading out in the opposite direction.
After parking up in the village square we took a brief walk around before settling into 'Lilly's Coffee shop' for that most charming of British customs - 'elevenses'. It was a real gem of a place - old fashioned building, comfy decor and a real fire burning in the corner. The drinks, toasted tea-cakes and cakes were wonderful, too. I'd recommend it. Just around the corner but we'd never been there before.
It's often the case that we look for blessings miles away but so often fail to see those that we have right at hand. Tomorrow I return to work (well, briefly, anyway) and I write this blog reflecting on the lovely days I've enjoyed over the Christmas break. It's been great to see Mum, my daughters and their boyfriends. During the next couple of days we'll catch up with more family and I know we'll have a great time. It's easy to take for granted those closest to us.
I've just watched this evening's news on BBC and seen the footage of the carnage in Gaza and the results of air strikes today. I see families mourning for lost loved ones and others living in fear. When I see the suffering it reminds me in bleak tones that I really shouldn't take my peaceful and blessed life for granted.
At a time of year when thoughts all around the world have turned to the Middle East and particularly the town of Bethlehem, the contrast between the evolved folklore of which we have been singing and the reality of life there now seems stark.
With the people of Irael and Gaza in mind, I leave with a prayer for peace composed by a Jewish Rabbi:
This we know:
Fear can yield to faith, hope can reignite
Rage can cease, hatred can be melted. . . .
Merciful One, illumine the sight of your children
To see You in each other's eyes.
Merciful One, spread the canopy of your peace over us,
Over Israel, over Ishmael, over all who dwell on earth. Amen
Rabbi Sheila Weinberg

The sun on your back

Boxing Days are great, aren't they? In my 'former life' as a retail manager Boxing Day was the first day of the sales - so Christmas holidays were pretty short affairs. In recent years Boxing Days carried some pretty special memories. It was on Boxing Day 2001 that the city of Bam, Iran, was hit by a terrible earthquake. This prompted some chaotic days over Christmas as we planned a trip out there and tried (unsuccessfully as it turned out) to get a visa to enter the country. I was actually heading out to the airport that year when I received a phone call from the British Embassy in Tehran informing m that the waiving of visas for humanitarian relief personnel had been withdrawn and that I wouldn't get in without one. I turned round, went home, and never did travel to Iran.
Then in 2002 the south Asian tsunami hit - throwing humanitarian agencies all around the world into a mad panic. I don't suppose I'll ever forget those feelings of helplessness as our office found ourselves trying to tie The Salvation Army's international support together and the horrendous days that followed. Ironically, today's newspaper (6 years on) carried a report that the people of Aceh in Indonesia are begging aid agencies to stop building new houses there as there aren't enough people to fill them! This mirrors what we (TSA) discovered - I learned just this year that there were not enough impacted families to take up the new homes and that they were being given to anyone who had been a family connection with a tsunami impacted family! Despite that, it's still reckoned that only half of the money donated to the tsunami appeals has even been spent.
Today life is rather more mundane. I haven't watched the news with bated breath wondering whether my bag should be packed and readied. However, it's not without new adventures. This morning I did something I've been meaning to do ever since arriving here in Portsmouth in the summer. I parked up near the Anglican cathedral and then jogged along the seafront as far as the Royal Marines museum in Eastney and back again. It was a lovely run - about 50 minutes in total. The place was inundated with families enjoying a walk along the sea wall - and dozens of fellow joggers jostling for space between and around the walkers. Jogging etiquette is interesting - there are those who nod and greet as you pass, others who ignore you (their loss, eh?). The run out of town was nice, but running into the sun and with a head wind I found my eyes and nose streaming and walkers just a dark shadow as I tried to jog around them.

Reaching the statue of the marine which marks the entrance to the museum I turned round and headed back again. What a difference - no longer squinting into the sun and with a gentle breeze blowing me along the homeward run was so much more enjoyable. I looked out over the sea and noticed the boats and ferries making their way around the harbour. I could make out the faces of the people walking and enjoying each other's company. It's such a shame when we are so busy sceewing our eyes up to see and with our head down into the breeze that we miss the good things around us.

Reminded me of the words of an old Irish prayer, which I leave for you to ponder and of which I ask for my family and friends today:

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

New beginnings

Well, today is Christmas Day - which means it's 7 months since my last posting. Hardly keeping things very regular and up to date here, eh?
Life has taken a few turns in that time (what with moving home and changing roles) and I've got out of the habit of posting. That's kind of a shame as the habit of trying to see what each day is showing you is a pretty good one to have.
Today's been a good day - a good Christmas Day. Rachel, Rebecca, her fiance - Chris, and my Mum have been with us and the joy of giving and receiving presents has been experienced again. Once again, I've been reminded how much thought and care Lyn puts into making this time of year special for us all. So much hard work has been invested into the dinner and the presents. Nothing happens on its' own, does it?
I suppose that is today's thought - you only get out of something what you invest into it. As I've spent time with my family I'm grateful for the love they have invested into making the family work - not just today, of course, but for years.
We are now in a new era. The girls are making their own lives (since we left them behind and moved south) and today has been a demonstration that they are growing up and becoming independent of us. That's a good thing - it's how families are supposed to evolve. Even just a couple of years ago I couldn't have predicted where we would all be and what we would be doing today. But God has been watching over us and has His hand upon us and I'm very proud of what the kids have become.
In posting today's blog it's a prompter for a new blogging start for a new blogging year! I'll try to get back into blogging mode and put down onto cyber notepaper some of the things I see around me and record (for my own sake more than anyone else's) what's going on in my world.
Happy Christmas!

We've been back home and at work for a whole week now since returning from our holidays. Amazing how quickly the effects of the break wear off and even memories of a 'holiday of a lifetime' start to dim. We saw some wonderful sights as we toured the Rockies in Canada. Huge contrasts and extremes.

Despite the fact that my job gives me more opportunity to travel than I have any right to, I saw sights in Canada which were unique and amazing.

As we travelled the Icefield Parkway between lake Louise and Jasper, we passed through The Columbia Icefields and stopped off to take the official 'tour'. We were taken by bus up into the Icefield where we boarded a specially designed Ice Bus. each vehicle is hand-made and costs US$500,000. These vehicles cope with the incredibly steep slopes that take you up to the glaciers. As we journeyed, our guide filled us in with interesting facts about the glaciers. At the end of the trail we were allowed to have about 20 minutes walking on the glacier. We were told that the ice here was 400 metres thick.

It's hard to imagine that depth of ice. It feels rock solid - but it isn't. We learned that the weight of the glacier creates pressure on the ice layers beneath. I'm not a scientist, but I think I heard the guide say that this causes the lower ice layers to turn into something like gel, and the glacier actually moves slowly down the mountain, taking sludge and shale with it. You can't see the movement with the human eye, but special cameras record it as it moves.

The other interesting thought is that this icefield is essential for agriculture, economy and ecosystems not only across the whole of Canada but across that continent. Thawing ice feeds the rivers, the rivers irrigate the vast grain fields and stimulate life itself. The sad news is that the ice fields are shrinking/ Gradually, of course, but measurably. One day - not in my generation, I suppose - our world will be irrevocably changed and damaged by this shrinkage.

Science isn't my forte. I don't understand how all these things work. But as I look at such scenes I can't help but believe in a creator-God.

For centuries, believers have looked to nature and tried to capture their wonder and shape their thoughts into words of praise. Enjoy the pic and be encouraged by these verses:

Psalm 90: 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 104: 13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

Mountain high

Today's been a good day. This morning we took the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. It's about 8,000 feet high, and the cable car ride was pretty scary as I'm not over keen on heights. At points, the cable seemed a long way from the ground! I confess, I didn't think too much of the ride, but when we got to the top it was really worth it. I'll probably blog a few thoughts about the trip over the next couple of days, so will just share one thought today.When you get out of the cable car and into the visitor centre there's another fairly lengthy walk along a boardwalk to the very summit. The walk is not that long, but it's cold and very tiring. There are many steps and the air seems really thin. A number of others were giving up without getting to the top - Lyn and I persisted.Although we are now into spring and the official winter season is over, there was still a lot of snow on the ground. As we journeyed the board way we were joined by a number of goats; fairly large and obviously very hardy. Some were just sitting in the snow, others were foraging for food (and appearing quite successful). A couple decided to go for a walk right along the edge of the mountain - we were sure they were going to fall over the edge! We wondered how on earth they got up there and why on earth they stayed there? It was freezing, icy, damp (from the low clouds) and yet strangely airless.

To us it might seem an odd place to live, but it's what these animals were made for. Their natural habitat. Take them down to sea level and the heat of the desert and they wouldn't last 5 minutes.

It was a visual reminder that we aren't all the same. We feel comfortable in different surroundings and doing different things - because God made us that way. In 1 Corinthians 12: 27-28, Paul writes about the way God has gifted and made us as individuals: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

I'm grateful we are not all the same and that we are able to respond differently to the situations we find ourselves in. And, by the way, we had a great time on the 'mountain top'!

Cats! This made me laugh

Unexpected kindness

Today marks the first day of our 'holiday' in Canada. I say that rather tongue in cheek. Not because we are not thrilled to be on holiday now, but because we have had so much fun during the last few days it would be hard to describe the last week as 'work'. The Emergency Disaster Services conference was asolutely fantastic. About 200 delegates gathered from across Canada (largely from the Prairies and British Columbia). Th conference organisors managed to pull in some excellent presenters and teachers (and I'm not referring to myself there, of course), so we really learned a lot from the classes we took. We met up again with some old friends, which came as a real reminder that the 'Army' is very much a small world with a great circle of friends.
Anyway, that's not really the subject for this post. This morning Lyn and I decided to head into downtown Calgary. Rather than take the car and struggle with strange roads and potentially high parking charges, we left the car at a Park and Ride and caught the train. The fun started when we tried to buy a ticket. It was a brand new train station but the automated ticket machines only accepted coins. No notes or debit cards. We rummaged through our wallets but we hadn't any change. We neede $5 and had less than 50 cents! The station was in the middle of nowhere, so no place to get some change. We stopped a few other travellers but no one had change of a $10 note. Just then, an elderly woman, who didn't appear to be the richest woman in town, came back and emptied her purse into our hands. She had exactly $5 in small coins, just the right amount we needed. She would hear nothing of our offers to find a way to reimburse her. A simple and unexpected kindness for two strangers who appeared in a bit of a tight spot. Started our day off in a really nice way. Wonder when the last time was that I showed such thoughtfulness?

Rising above the challenge

This week Lyn and I are in Calgary, Canada, attending an Emergency Disaster services conference. There are about 200 delegates - which is a fantastic crowd to draw for the first ever emergency conference in this territory.
On the way over we flew via Chicago, where we had a long layover while waiting for our connecting flight. We found ourselves a comfy spot in the departures lounge and enjoyed a read. While we were waiting, a guy came up with 2 x big, heavy computer bags hung over his shoulders. When he chose his seat, just across the way from us, he bent down and swung the bag straps over his head. It was then I noticed that the sleeves of his jacket were just that - sleeves. He was no arms. He took off his jacket, then proceeded to make some phone calls using his feet to activate his phone and speaking into the bluetooth earpiece he was wearing. (the thought did cross my mind - how would he have coped without a bluetooth headset?). I couldn't help overhear his conversation - and judging by the things he was saying he obviously held down a very responsible job. At one point I noticed he was putting on a watch, using his feet to deftly fasten the leather strap. I don't know about you, but I find it hard enough to do up a watch strap using my fingers!
He boarded the same flight as us. After we landed and headed towards the immigration desk he came past us, heavy bags around his shoulders but walking purposefully towards the counter. When he got there he went to an automated booth; put the bag down, got his passport out using his feet, activated the machine in the same way and was through and away while we were still waiting in the line!
I mentioned to Lyn that I had been impressed by the deft way he had put his watch 'on his wrist'. Don't you mean 'on his ankle' - Lyn replied. Thinking about it, of course it was on his ankle - he hadn't any arms! It was then I realised that whilst his disability had initially drawn his attention to me, the way he himself had found ways to rise above that physical limitation and beat the challenge meant that I was no longer seeing it either.
We all face challenges in our lives - perhaps they are physical, maybe they are emotional or practical. But they don't have to prevent us getting on with life and making the most of what God has given us. If we don't make them an issue, chances are others won't either.
I thank God for the example that young man was to me at the airport and the inspiration he provided to get on with life and rise above the challenge.

Salvation Army video on You Tube

I realise that I'm a bit behind the times, but I have just discovered a special section on You Tube called 'SalvationArmyvideo'. I found it when viewing a video of a special event that happened recently in Leicester Square, London. For some time FedEx have been good supporters of The Salvation Army's emergency response. This year they have donated 5 brand new canteens to be used in emergency ministry around the world. One canteen has been given to the UK territory. The vehicle was handed over at a special ceremony in the West End, and the film is available.
I've added a 'video bar' to this blog site (see over to the right of the page), where you should be able to click on and view the film. Check it out - it's worth a look (just allow a bit of time for it to be loaded as it's a high quality film - so a large file size)

Facing the future

It seems a long time since I last 'blogged'. It's been a good few weeks. The last 10 days have been spent in southern India. Along with about 50 others from The Salvation Army we gathered in Kovalam to review how our tsunami response programmes have gone. (check out the photo slideshow on the right of this page)

Amazingly, over 3 years have passed since the Boxing Day tragedy of 2004. The public outpouring of generosity which swept like a wave over us in those early days have seen over US$60 million donated to The Salvation Army. That's fantastic - but also creates a huge level of responsibility to use the funds wisely and well. The conference took an honest look at our programmes; identifying strengths and weaknesses and trying to reach recommendations which will enable us to respond even better should something so terrible ever happen again.

As we spent the week reviewing the last 3 years I was reminded of a journey I made 11 years ago. I was heading to Bosnia to work in a welfare centre in Sarajevo, providing support to NATO troops deployed there. The RAF offered me a seat on a military troop carrier and I remember boarding the plane with soldiers heading for their posting as part of the peace keeping operation.

We were flying in a DC10 plane. The strange thing about these military planes is that the seats face backwards. It's an odd feeling when you thunder down the runway for takeoff straining against the seat belts as you try and stay in your seat. I'm told the seats are arranged this way because it is supposed to be safer. If the plane were to crash there are likely to be more survivors. It might feel strange, but looking back is safer than looking ahead.

Looking back is easy. Highlighting mistakes or picking holes in the way others have worked is no challenge. But having the courage to face the future and make changes based on lessons learned is much harder.

The future is unknown - and that can be scary. But the 'blank page' gives us a fresh opportunity to make wise decisions. May God give us the courage to face the future with determination and anticipation.

After you, please

It used to be said that one unique quality of the British was our willingness to queue and to do so politely and patiently. I don't know whether this was testament to good manners, humility or respect. Whatever it was, it seems to be diminishing these days.

Last week I was heading out to Reading. The journey around the M25 was a real drag; hold-ups and delays meant I was running late for my appointment. At the junction onto the M4 the slip way is a 2-lane road which narrows to one lane as it joins the new motorway. The build up of traffic meant there was a tail back on the slip road. A guy just in front of me in his Toyota sports, in the outside lane, decided he would drive level with the car to his left, holding the cars up behind him even though his lane was moving faster. This created a gap in front of him. The cares behind grew increasingly impatient. The young woman immediately behind started shouting, swearing and engaging in a bout of 'middle finger saluting' (if you get my meaning!). Eventually, frustrated and annoyed, she pulled over into the other lane. The Merc who took her place was less patient and tried to force the driver off the road. A drag race ensued and the Merc won, edging the Toyota guy out of the way. As I watched the show it left me wondering what was this all about? No one actually got there any sooner - the traffic was solid, for heaven's sake!

The following morning I sat in prayers at IHQ, taking up my usual seat next to the window so I could look out of the window and watch the world in Queen Victoria Street. After a few minutes a couple of police motorbikes appeared and stopped the traffic. Drivers hurrying to get to work were brought to a halt. A few minutes later a limo carrying someone 'important' sailed around the queue and past the lesser mortals trying to get to work and earn a crust. They didn't look very happy about it!

We don't find it easy to give way to others, yet the Bible (Romans 12:10) talks about 'in honour preferring one another'. That might be easy when we genuinely have respect for someone else, but what about those who we maybe don't actually look up to? I leave you with a couple of translations of that verse. I wonder what this says to you, today?

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. (the Message)

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (New Living Translation)

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. (NIV)

Glowing!

Exodus 34: 29 says, ‘When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD’.
This week I had the privilege of seeing a modern day version of that story. I’m currently in Peru with Mike Caffull visiting areas impacted by last August’s earthquake and checking out The Salvation Army’s humanitarian response.
On Wednesday Mike and I headed south east out of Pisco to the smaller town of Ica. In a small suburb just outside of town live about 700 families whose rural homes suffered. Most of the houses suffered some damage, many were completely destroyed. SA relief teams were there very quickly and set up community feeding kitchens. Here we are 6 months later. The kitchens have all but shut but, far from being the end of the story, it seems things are just starting. People in this village didn’t know The Salvation Army before the disaster; there are no corps in this area. So officers and soldiers came in from outside. A team even came for a couple of weeks from southern USA. They used meshing and poles to construct a temporary shelter for the kitchens. It also became a base for starting worship services. Amazingly, people were drawn to the meetings because they saw in the lives of the relief workers something special.
A soldier couple have agreed to stay here for a year. They have a full SA programme going. How about this for statistics:

Adult attendance at Sunday worship – 45
Children and youth at Sunday worship – 30
Soldiers sworn in – 20
Junior soldiers enrolled – 11
Recruits for soldiership – 11

Other weekly activities:
Home League
Junior Soldiers class
Sunday school
Discipleship meeting
Prayer meeting

I quote the numbers because they quantify things, but numbers don’t tell the story. I met with Mari Lou who is the community leader. She and her grown up daughter have become soldiers. As she told me her story, her face positively glowed with a radiant smile. She's in the photo behind Major Alex Nesterenko (seated). Coming to the services has introduced her to Jesus and given her hope for the future. She’s desperate for the Army to stay – no longer giving freebie food parcels but lifting people’s spirits, introducing them to a real and living faith and giving them hope.
I wish I could bring you all to see this group – it would so inspire you. It’s Salvation Army mission at its best and I’m so proud to play a small part in it.

Within these walls

This morning I got up at 6am, showered, dressed and by 6.30am was sitting by the pool, drinking hot coffee and catching up on some overdue work in peace and quiet. What a wonderful way to start a morning, eh?
After a while my colleague Mike came and joined me (check out Mike's smiling face in the pic). We joked that we don’t often check our mail by the pool - a lovely change from normal office routine. What was most ironic was that this gloriously peaceful scene took place in the Peruvian town of Pisco, in the middle of a community not long ago devastated by an earthquake.
The hotel was pretty good, the shower had been hot and the bed comfortable. We sat protected by a high wall, completely cosseted from the destruction just a few feet away on the other side. It could have been another world. Not long after (having enjoyed a delicious ‘American Breakfast’ of fresh rolls and jam, more coffee, scrambled eggs and ham) we checked out and headed back into the chaos, dodging piles of rubble as we drove to our next port of call.
Some might say the opportunity to withdraw from reality was a welcome break. And believe me; I don’t for one moment underestimate the blessing of being able to stay somewhere comfortable when most of the population of Pisco are still living in tents, wooden huts or derelict buildings and tarpaulins.

Others might describe it as escapism, of course, and those walls got me thinking. What other walls exist in my world? Am I truly honest about the things of my life? Do people know the ‘real’ me, or do I hide the truth behind a wall of deceit? Do I put up barriers around me to shut out things I ought to face up to and deal with?
It’s nice to shut out unpleasant truth, but unless we confront reality we can’t deal with issues. What do I mean by that? Well, here are just a few of the questions that I need to confront honestly:

• How deep and genuine are my relationships?
• What do I really contribute to the church in which I worship?
• Why is it my personal devotional time gets so easily squeezed out by other things?
• Does the public image seen by others truly mirror the ‘real’ me?
• Do I actually believe in the power of prayer – if so, why don’t I spend more time praying?
• Why can’t I remember what vegetables my daughters like?

I could go on and on. Walls - worth a thought, eh?

Looking back at His leading

There’s a saying – what came first? The chicken or the egg?
A thought – does God prepare you for future service by leading you into particular areas or does He take the paths and choices you have made and use the skills you’ve developed for the outworking of His will in your life? Without getting too bogged down in a theological debate that I’ll never be able to answer, during the last weekend I found myself marvelling a the way God seems to have led us in the recent years and how the present is miraculously building upon the foundation of the past.

Last week (Valentines Day) Lyn and I went to see ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’. It was a great night out. The day marked the 12th anniversary of my very first international deployment. It was Valentines Day 1996 when I drove off in a small Red Shield mobile canteen from Gutersloh heading for Bosnia. In so many ways I drove off into the unknown. I knew nothing of Bosnia, I knew nothing about international military procedures and I had no knowledge about the way IHQ worked and the ministry of the International Emergency Services section. Three months later I returned home having had an experience which changed my life and one which was to impact upon my whole family in a way I could never have imagined. It led to my involvement with the Emergency Services section and subsequent appointment as Coordinator of The Salvation Army’s international emergency ministry. It opened doors to places I would never have dreamed of visiting and situations I had only previously witnessed through TV news reports. It brought me to places around the world I would never have visited otherwise. In fact, I’m writing this whilst sitting in a small hotel in Lima, Peru, en route to visiting the area of Pisco which was impacted by an earthquake 6 months ago.

Last weekend we drove to Portsmouth. We recently learned that Lyn and I are to become the Commanding Officers of the Portsmouth Citadel corps. It means a move of home and a fairly drastic change of work (for me, at least). Desperate to see something of our new home we made a quick visit to suss out the lay of the land. We found the street and then the house that is to be our new home. We felt like spies as we pulled up just far enough down the road to take a peek without alerting the suspicions of the current occupants who might be inside. The girls were in the back seat with heads ducked down so as not to appear that we were looking! We then drove down to the town centre and parked up behind the Salvation Army church building. As we walked around it and took a few pictures we were conscious of trying not to appear too obvious in case someone saw us (isn’t life stupid?)

Having spied out the new land we drove to the Gunwharf Quay outlet mall, wandered around the shops and sat overlooking the bay whilst we drank coffee in the Spinaker Tower café. The winter sun warm bright and warm, taking the chill out of the air. Crowds milled around enjoying the start of the half term holidays and we had a wonderful afternoon. I confess it was idyllic. My mind wandered back just 3 years to the university open days that Lyn and I attended with Rebecca. She was looking for the best Uni at which to study. We went to a number of places and I was the proud parent who went with her to investigate Chichester Uni. This was the place she chose and during the last 3 years we have had some wonderful visits to the area. We found a lovely B&B close to the sea at Felpham and have made it ‘our place’ for weekend visits. As we’ve explored the area we have grown to love it and have often said how great it would be to live in the region. Lo and behold, farewell orders have us moving to Portsmouth. We didn’t apply for that position, we didn’t try and influence the choice, but we now find ourselves preparing to move to a place we have already fallen in love with. Did God know that when he opened the door to Chichester Uni for Rebecca? It seems too much of a coincidence otherwise.

I confess that I’ve rarely been aware of God’s leading at the time – it’s only when I have looked back and seen that a series of apparently random choices have laid foundations for future steps that I could never have anticipated. God has been good and I’m convinced He will continue to lead and guide. I look forward to discovering how this will manifest itself!

Well, I never knew that!

Often when I give presentations about the Army's humanitarian work around the world, people often say, 'I never knew we did all that'. This is particualry true about the emergency work we did in Iraq after the conflict. The security situation prevented us publicising things too widely.

Last year we produced a documentary edition of 'All the World' entirely devoted to telling the Iraq story.

If you didn't see it, the good news is that it's available to read online. Click on the link below, check it out - you might find it interesting.

www.salvationarmy.org/iraqspecial

Treading in His footsteps (in the snow???)

This morning I arrived home following a whistle-stop visit to Amman, Jordan. I've been away for 3 nights but have only slept one night in a bed. I've had enough of trying to get comfy on overnight flights - it will be nice to sleep in my own bed again in just a couple of hours.

It's easy to become a little blase about the blessings of travel when it's something done so often. Many hotels look the same and it's hard to separate one airport departure hall from another. Yet every journey has it's own special memories.

This week's journey included a few 'reality check' moments. As I headed into Amman on Monday afternoon I looked out of the taxi window to the sandstone coloured, square, flat roofed homes - typical of the Middle Eastern countries I have visited in the last few years. I imagine the rural dwellings being little changed over the centuries. Then we passed a road sign you don't see every day - 'The Dead Sea' (turn right). It made me ponder the significne of this country and it's special place in the history of the Christian church. Not only the Dead Sea, but the river Jordan where crowds winesed the baptism of Jesus and God's sealing of his earthly ministry.

The trip went well - we squeezed loads into one day and it was a very worthwhile, if hurried, visit. As we headed back to the airport less than 24 hours after setting foot in the country, we decided to stop and grab something to eat.

Our good friend and companion, Muntajab, spotted an Iraqi restaurant on the main road. We parked up and followed him into the kitchen. There we found a brick built fish tank, with walls about 4 feet high, brimming with large, fat fish, struggling to find room to swim in the tank. Taking a hand net, Muntajab scooped 2 fat fish from the tank and laid them, squirming, onto the weighing scales. A price was agreed for our dinner. The fish were split head to tail, flattened out and laid into a baking basket ready for the oven.

Just a few feet away a small team of bakers were rolling bread dough into small balls and laying them out on a tray. Another took the dough a threw it against the sides of the clay oven. A traditional bread baking method used for centuries.

We made our way into the restaurant and waited for our meal. 30 minutes later it appeared, 5 steaming, freshly baked flat bread loaves and 2 piping hot, roasted fish. We bowed our heads and prayed (2 Muslims and 2 Christians together) gaving thanks to God for blessing us with this food; then ripped and bread and shared it between us, using it to feast on the succulent white fish meat. The word 'delicious' doesn't do it justice and I don't suppose I will taste a finer meal in many years.

As we got back into the taxi and continued on our way I thought about the footsteps of another who walked these same streets 2000 years ago; One who made something much more miraculous happen with his 5 loaves and 2 fishes!

And the biggest surprise - to find the desert town deep in snow. I'm told for the first time in 100 years. Climate change? Global warming? I don't know why, but I do know I'll never sing 'In the bleak mid winter' in quite the same way again!

Catching the wave

My trip to Australia is over - it's good to be home again. But the jetlag! Felt like a zombie since I got home. Still, that's a small price to pay for a wonderful experience and memories that will last a lifetime.

After the 'work' bit was over we stayed for a couple more days and did a little sight seeing. There are some great perks to this appointment, eh? As we know from 'Home and Away', Australians love the beach; actually most live on it. Take a look at the map of Australia and the thing you notice immediately is that all the population is based around the coast.

Sydney has 2 famous beaches - Bondi Beach and Manley Beach. Bondi was closer to our hotel but we decided to visit Manley as this meant taking a half hour ferry ride out of Sydney Harbour. The plus point is that this means a wonderful view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House as you leave the dock side. By the way, a one day 'travel card' in Sydney costs about £7, and includes all the trains, buses and ferry journeys.

The ferry journey was lovely, the nearest I'll get to a cruise! Arriving at Manley there's just a 5 minute walk from the docks to the beach. The main drag is a bit like Blackpool - tourist shops selling tacky souvenirs and boomerangs. The view when you reach the beach is almost breathtaking. Lovely sandy beaches and bright blue sea.

By UK standards, the sea was rough - large waves, probably 6-10 feet high. We sat for a while watching the surfers - not something you get to see too often back home. It was fascinating. The large waves were a long way from the shore. The surfers would paddle out, splashing through the smaller waves as they went. Once in the distance they would sit astride their boards waiting for the right wave to appear. The sea was strange - calm for a while, then on the distance would dawn the start of a large wave. As it drew closer it grew larger. The surfers would wait, eyeing the wave and deciding whether it was big enough to launch out upon. Some waves were allowed to pass, deemed too small to risk. Then, after a while, the right one would arrive - large enough to ride and exciting enough to surf. Paddling quickly, the surfers lined themselves up to catch the wave as it rose and broke - the lucky ones riding it in all the way to the beach.

There are plenty of writers who have drawn spiritual inspiration from such a scene. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but ponder the spiritual parallel. It's no good waiting on the safety of the beach if you want to surf. To catch the best waves you to be out there - no small feat in itself. Once you battle your way through the smaller waves you have to wait patiently for the moment, ready to catch the movement of the tide as it surges towards you.

I did a little search - looking for Scripture which might link to this thought. The only passage I could find was the story in Luke 2 about Jesus' presentation at the Temple. As his parents brought him they were confronted by Simeon, and old man. The Bible tells it like this:

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

To feel the surge of the Spirit, to sense God's blessing, you have to be in the right place - you need to be 'out there'. It's no good dithering about on the edge, God expects us to battle through the shallow water, past the lesser waves and into the deep. Put simply, I think He wants us to get stuck in.

I hope I might demonstrate the commitment and determination needed to be in the right place to know the wave of the Spirit working in my life.

Belonging - the William Booth way!

This week has been full of experiences. Last night I travelled with the delegates of the Emergency Services training course to have a meal and look around the Army's 'Street Level' programme here in Sydney, Australia. It was an experience I will not forget for a long time. For some years the Army has been providing accommodation in down town Sydney for street sleepers and vulnerable young adults. About 10 years ago an opportunity arose to expand the programme when a building became vacant a couple of streets away and so the 'Street Level' ministry was born.
Led by a dynamic officer couple (he runs the accommodation and she runs the drop in centre) the programme now includes a drop in centre complete with cafe, Internet room and welfare centre. In order to maximise the welfare support and give the clients dignity through choosing their own assistance, a fully stocked supermarket has been opened. Goods are exchanged at cost price and the range is augmented from stock donated through the city's Food Bank programme. A daily meal programme provides food for vulnerable people, heroin addicts, alcoholics and many others with chaotic life styles.
We were there for the highlight of the week - Friday night worship. Robyn (the Officer in charge) gave us a tour around the building. As we went, she explained in a rapid, non-stop line of patter, the dynamics of the ministry. You don't need many minutes with her to realsie that she and her husband are true visionaries. They believe in 'community', offering those who come for help a 'hand up' and not just a 'hand out'. They are passionate about the gospel's power to change, transform and recreate. During the last few years around 20 clients who have been saved have progressed through to soldiership and now proudly wear their uniform and help staff the programme.
Preparing us for what was to come during worship, Robyn warned us that the last few weeks had been a bit hairy, with a number of addicts now using the new ICE drug which is sweeping the city's drug addict community. Fights had broken out in the services. 'If a fight starts, please leave it to me to sort out - don't be tempted to try and step in - I'll get it under control', Robyn warned the 15 male officers in our group!
Robyn informed us that worship always followed the same pattern, deliberately to give the clients a sense of routine, something often lacking in their lives.
With this intro we made our way from the reception area to the upstairs hall where a meals was being served. We all took our bowl (with a menu made up of whatever is donated from the Food Bank that day) and a cup of weak orange quash. The hall began to fill. Some were drunk, others high on drugs, but every new attender was greeted by name with hugs and waves. Here was a very special family - the likes of which I hadn't seen before.
Worship, led by a small worship band, was followed by the 'Care and Share' time - or testimony period as we would call it. Around the room hands shot up in the air asking to be allowed to step forward and tell their story. One by one members of this rag tag group of worshippers were chosen and stepped up to the mic, called up by name by Robyn and greeted with a hug as they stood at the rostrum. Scripture quotes flowed (their knowledge and familiarity with the Bible astounded me) - prayers were requested. One heroin user proudly shared that he had been clean for 7 days. Others jubilantly told how they hadn't touched a cigarette for ages - each proud story greeted with cheers from the congregation and all pleading for God's help and asking their friends for their prayer support.
The preacher for the night was giving his first sermon. A drug addict, saved just a few years ago and now transformed from his habit and lifestyle, stood proudly at the rostrum in his uniform. His startling appearance with long beard and shaven head accentuated by the piercings in his nose, ears and lips. He spoke simply but powerfully about the power of the gospel. He and his wife enter training college in a few months to prepare to become SA Officers. As I looked at this new creation in the pulpit I found myself thinking just how much the Army of today needs transformed lives and powerful testimony like theirs.
I came home humbled to have seen God at work; and to witness this ministry of 'belonging' modelled through the commitment of Robyn, her team of helpers and the open arms extended to every one who passed through that centre tonight.
How William Booth would smile if he could see the fruits of his vision still being harvested in Sydney today. How Jesus must laugh with joy at the work being done in the lives of those the devil has tried his best to destroy. Some days I'm so proud to be a Salvationist!

Do you ever have those moments when you feel you should pinch yourself to check you aren't dreaming? I had one of those yesterday morning. Leaving the hotel at 6am I went out for a jog in the park. The hotel is situated on the Rushcutters Bay area of Sydney. It's summer here in Australia but the weather is changeable and it was a bright, but cool day with a gentle breeze blowing - just perfect for running. As I ran around the bay (by the way - the picture to the left is a photo of the joging route- nice, eh?) I looked over to my left and took in the view of the Sydney Harbour bridge - the iconic view of Sydney. I thought 'this is surreal - in the middle of British winter I'm jogging on the other side of the world under the shadow of one of the world's most famous sights!' Life's a sacrifice, eh?

Normally I run after work - this time of year it's dark, cold and damp. I occasionally pass another mad jogger, done up to the hilt in scarf and gloves, but the streets of Hornchurch rarely echo with the sound of groups enjoying exercise.

What a difference here yesterday! The park was full of people out enjoying early morning exercise. There were probably well over 100 other folks out there.

But what was interesting was looking around and taking in the variety of exercie choices. There were other joggers ruining alone, like me. Powerwalkers, vigorously swinging little dumbbells in each hand as they pounded the pathway. Then there were groups - people out in teams sharing exercise and encouraging each other on. One group was doing kickboxing exercises, another was being drilled by a fitness coach - doing jumps, squats and other routines. Many were walking their dogs - both enjoying a bit of early morning fresh air. Then others were playing sport (hardly surpising the Aussies beat us in test cricket when they are out practicing their bowling at 6am!).

It was a great atmosphere and having a run at 6am seemed such a natural thing to do alongside so many others all sharing the desire to get fit.

But what hit me was the fact that whilst the overall aim was the same, the way in which it was achieved was very different for each person.

I've been working my way slowly through an interesting book lent to me by our CO - it's called 'releasing your church to grow'. It's written simply and contains lots of useful and stimulating thoughts and I'm really enjoying reading it. But I confess the last chapter has been a bit of a struggle. The author has been emphasising the importance of small group Bible studies - basically arguing that house group are the bedrock of any growing church and if you can't persuade someone to jon a house group then there's obviously something wrong with their Christian experience.

Confession time now- I found the chapter difficult because joining a house group has never appealed to me at all. I have no enthusiasm for joining a group and meeting every week to study the Bible. It's not that I don't want to read God's Word and learn more about Him and my relationship. And it's not that I don't like people (I think I'm not that difficulat to get on with) - but the basic idea of a House group where you meet to go through a passage and all pontificate on what you think it means (despite no one having any more clue than you!) has absolutely no attraction to me whatsoever!

Yesterday's jogging experience reminded me that God hasn't made us all the same. Made in His image, yes, but made the same, no. Even if we might have the same goals as someone else, the way we achieve them can be very different - each according to our personality or nature.

I write this at 5.45am on Tuesday morning - I can't sleep as I'm struggle to get over the jetlag from the journey. In a few minutes I'm heading out for this morning's exercise. The view will be great, I'm sure, and the park will be full. As I run I'll offer up my morning prayers and thank God that He's made me - His own creation - unique and with me own characteristics. And I'll do my best to get a little fitter, too!

Further to yesterday's posting, after what seemed like a mammoth journey, I landed at Sydney airport, Australia, tonight at about 8pm. The airport was very swish and welcoming, but I was immediately hit by the elaborate steps taken by the Australian government to protect their country and its' environment. It seems that virtually everything is banned from being allowed in! In fact, I'm amazed they let me in!
Not long before landing we had been given fruit on the plane - but it had to be disposed of in the 'quarantine' bin when we stepped off the plane. No fruit, plants or food in general allowed into Australia.
But even more strangely, there were signs everywhere saying that dirty sports shoes or golf clubs with soil on must also be quarantined. Talk about being careful, eh?
Whilst it might seem a pain (and we are still waiting to learn if our 'soup, soap and salvation' will be released to us for our training course!) it is interesting to see how carefully this country guards and protects itself from contamination. Every step is taken to ensure that nothing which might corrupt or harm is allowed in.
Wonder if there's not a lesson for us in that, too? The little habit, the relaxing of rules held dear, the unguarded action - how easily something conserded inappropirate becomes the norm and takes hold in our lives. It's easy to weaken but the Holy Spirit is surely a more effective protector than and customs or immigration section and stands ready to help us. As the SA song (Soldiers of Christ, arise)says,
Leave no unguarded place,
No weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole.
To keep your armor bright
Attend with constant care,
Still walking in your captain's sight
And watching unto prayer.

Aussies shun Booth's mission!

Tomorrow I have to sacrifice myself and head to the sunshine of Sydney, New South Wales, to help lead an emergency training course for officers of Australia and New Zealand.

As is our norm, the training materials were carefully packed up and dispatched in advance by FedEx.

This morning we had a panic call from our local organisers reporting that Australian customs had impounded our packing boxes. The message said something about food stuff.

We thought about the contents and realised we had packed some small packets of Maltesers (we give them out as prizes) and assumed these must be the problem. The FedEx agent said he would confirm the problem and call us back.

Imagine our surprise this morning when he said, 'the problem is with the soup, soap and salvation!'

I should explain, we start our training by exploring Booth's motto and what this means to us in terms of practical service and ministry. To illustrate it, we take a small packet of soup mix, a bar of soap and a small wooden cross.

It turns out that the soup beaches import regulations for food stuff, the soap might possibly contain illegal substances and taking wood into Australia is forbidden.

So our 'soup, soap and salvation' has been put into quarantine - we can collect it again on our way out!

What would William Booth say about that?

Keep in step all the time

One of the blessings of the recent holiday was an opportunity to get some extra exercise in. Guilt over all the extra food eaten during the Christmas festivities was probably as much as incentive as anything else! Still, it was really nice to jog in the light - I normally run after work so it's dark most days.

After a few longer runs during the holiday, and with the return to work looming, I decided Monday was right for a good long run so set on on a 12-miler. I set off down the A127, a bit boring and not the most scenic but with the advantage of having a target point six miles out - the Halfway House roundabout. I've done that route a few times. the only problem with it is that to get around the roundabout you have to run up the slip road, which is really steep. On the last run I really struggled up the hill and decided to take a breather and walk it. As soon as I stopped, fatigue set in and I had to walk the 6 miles home again!

So this week I gritted my teeth and kept going. I can't honestly say the homeward 6 miles was easy but there was a real sense of achievement in getting through the touch bit and knowing that the rest of the run was all in the direction of home.

As I jogged up the hill I realised there was an old Army song playing silently in my head:

Keep in step all the time,
Keep in step all the time;
Don't fall out and rest for a while,

Follow Jesus all the way, and smile

On the homeward leg I found myself thinking of some of the folks that I once worshipped with who no longer do. Most of them didn't decide to leave the church, they simply took a temporary break. They stepped out of the band or came out of uniform (just for a while, of course) - but sadly never really made it back again.

Getting safely home (without stopping) in about 1 hour 45 was a great feeling. Tired, yes, but with a real sense of achievement.

I don't know what this year ahead will hold. Joys, definitely; but challenges too, I suppose. Whatever comes, keeping going is a big part of the challenge. Getting over the obstacles might be hard work, but I'm sure the end result will be worth it.