Yesterday started with a call from a Ugandan friend in Kampala, phoning to check if all was ok because they've been getting news and pictures of the UK's serious floods, including places in Oxfordshire that are cut off. It seems surreal to be able to assure Sam that I'm ok, while at the same time knowing many thousands of people are far from ok, and some won't be ok for a long time; and knowing that the secondary school along the road has been made refuge for hundreds of travellers 'detrained' at Oxford Friday night; and that train lines north of Oxford are closed and buses are unpredictable, so though I have a lift there with friends, I won't be able to make my way back from the 60th wedding anniversary celebration I'm heading for in Coventry.
Next a call from my brother who, it turns out, is also going to the celebration and continues to Radley in the evening for the National Youth Orchestra summer school (including preparing for the BBC Proms) so can drop me back home on his way past.
On the way to Coventry in my friend's car we stop by the home of other friends - a West Papuan family - to drop off a token gift because dad Suriel and I share the same birthday. Two West Papuan families live locally and worship with our church and while the friendship is a joy, the West Papuan plight is painful.
Allen and Mary Edwards' Diamond Wedding Anniversary was a happy occasion of many reunions and gathering of at least 4 generations; thanks to their family.
My sister and brother had also plotted together and surprised me with a detour from the Edwards' party to my sister's house where her two adult children had also gathered, and we shared some bubbly to celebrate my birthday. Cheers all!
A happy day with some bittersweet dimensions and, thankfully, safe travelling.
Monday, 23 July 2007
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
how are you feeling?
Want to know how people are feeling where you live? (or anywhere else?)
Internet research website wefeelfine lets you select country, town, weather conditions and several other criteria, and find out how folk are feeling.
(I'm a bit slow and it took me a while to realise that you click on a floating blob to reveal the whole feeling.)
Internet research website wefeelfine lets you select country, town, weather conditions and several other criteria, and find out how folk are feeling.
(I'm a bit slow and it took me a while to realise that you click on a floating blob to reveal the whole feeling.)
happy spirituality
It's not surprising people get tired of religious expression when it becomes too worthy.
Refreshing, fun stuff here and reflective stuff plus a wii thought-provoker here.
all from Bruce Stanley of
Refreshing, fun stuff here and reflective stuff plus a wii thought-provoker here.
all from Bruce Stanley of
friends
Vietnamese friend Hai made a visit at the weekend. She works with the British Red Cross in Sri Lanka, on continuing tsunami relief, and had to come through London for a couple of days. Coincidentally the work has involved the Maldives too (see previous post).
I was delighted she made the extra hop to Oxford while she was in the UK. We had a celebration lunch on the lawn with neighbours.
(Slightly grumpy looks in this shot, but we were happy - honest!)
I was delighted she made the extra hop to Oxford while she was in the UK. We had a celebration lunch on the lawn with neighbours.
(Slightly grumpy looks in this shot, but we were happy - honest!)
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Jamming for the Islands
I've been watching a little bit of Live Earth at Wembley and New York - classy artists in not-quite-full venues - and then I saw Mohammed's superb pic from the Maldives (where they got a taste of THAT tsunami)
Friday, 15 June 2007
around the world
How delightful to have this wonderful possibility of sharing thoughts around the world. Two people in Pakistan - unknown to each other as far as I know - have contributed to this process in the last few days.
Last week I mentioned the moths that captivated me and I'd already put some of the pictures on Flickr.
Pakistani photographer from Lahore, Waheed Khalid, (look at some of his portraits) responded with a poem:
Last week I mentioned the moths that captivated me and I'd already put some of the pictures on Flickr.
Pakistani photographer from Lahore, Waheed Khalid, (look at some of his portraits) responded with a poem:
shama kehay perwanay seI asked my friend and former colleague Paul Thaxter who'd worked in Pakistan if he could translate. (Though afterwards I thought it might be Hindi, not Urdu). It seems it's high Urdu and Paul in turn asked Pakistani friend Anila, who replied with this translation:
peray chalaa ajaaaaaaaa
meri terha jal jaey ga
yahan nahi aaa
woh nahi sunta usko jal jana hota haiiiii
pyar dewana hota hai
mastana ho ta hai
A flame asks the flying insectOxford, Lahore, London, Karachi, Flickr, Moths - thanks all!
(these flying insects appear after rain and
continuously fly around the lamp and at last it burns)
go away
you might be burned like me
don't come here.
But he doesn't listen, and burns
Love is crazy
Love is mad.
This is a film song named Kati - Patang
Music:- R D Burman
Lyrics:- Anand Bakshi
Singer:- Kishor Kumar
Sunday, 10 June 2007
wave goodbye to Waterloo
Jonny's posted a fun farewell photo of CMS folk here and a lovely tribute on his blog to friends leaving . Thanks for the grace prayer Jonny.
and then there's my silent movie - slide show really - of our last Waterloo drinks the following day in the Camel and Artichoke, Lower Marsh ...
It's a strange time, as a long and enriching phase of my life draws to a close. As CMS moves and restructures, and wonderful people leave, it feels disturbing. But at the same time as I'm leaving, valued friends are staying, new delightful people are joining - and the vitality of the community with its collective gifts, aspirations and anticipation encourages me too. My thanks to the people I've travelled with.
It's been a dream-like experience to be 'carried' on the love and prayer of faithful friends while the future remains unknown - and that includes old friends and colleagues who've phoned out of the blue to say "I've heard ..." and to ask how things are going.
Back in November as I began to realise what was coming, I felt moved to make the welcome message on my mobile a reminder to myself "the jar won't run out" (1 Kings 17.14). This promise was also in the bible readings in the Anglican church today, just two days before my CMS employment actually finishes.
and then there's my silent movie - slide show really - of our last Waterloo drinks the following day in the Camel and Artichoke, Lower Marsh ...
It's a strange time, as a long and enriching phase of my life draws to a close. As CMS moves and restructures, and wonderful people leave, it feels disturbing. But at the same time as I'm leaving, valued friends are staying, new delightful people are joining - and the vitality of the community with its collective gifts, aspirations and anticipation encourages me too. My thanks to the people I've travelled with.
It's been a dream-like experience to be 'carried' on the love and prayer of faithful friends while the future remains unknown - and that includes old friends and colleagues who've phoned out of the blue to say "I've heard ..." and to ask how things are going.
Back in November as I began to realise what was coming, I felt moved to make the welcome message on my mobile a reminder to myself "the jar won't run out" (1 Kings 17.14). This promise was also in the bible readings in the Anglican church today, just two days before my CMS employment actually finishes.
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