I took this photo of Min* and her baby on a visit to the India-Myanmar border. I will never forget the day I met Min and a group of other courageous, inspiring, resilient people who had fled from Myanmar to Mizoram. About 5 million people are now displaced in Myanmar and in neighbouring countries. There … Continue reading Standing with Min
Resilience
The gift of perspective
MRI results this week showed further deterioration in my spine beyond the areas where I had surgery a few years ago. This explains the increasing and extended pain I’ve been experiencing in my neck, back and head. While certainly not the news I wanted, I’m deeply appreciative of the ongoing support of my wife Megan, … Continue reading The gift of perspective
Refusing to be silent!
Robert Reich highlights that in a world of chaos, conflict, fear and injustice it’s understandable, that in our humanness, we may choose denial, despair or silence. Reich writes: “When most of us believe that nothing can be done, or assume nothing will be done, or think that silence is the only practical choice, we fuel … Continue reading Refusing to be silent!
In between day
SaturdayThe in-between day.They were shattered, broken.They were uncertain, fearful.They were cynical, questioning.They were grieving, numb.They were longing, yearning.They didn’t know what was next.It was the in-between day! And here I am,So far removed from that Saturday,and yet with so many in-between days in my life.Days of uncertainty, days of fear.Days of questioning, days of waiting.Days … Continue reading In between day
It always does this!
Africa - this continent of paradox. It always does this. It gets in my head and heart. So much brokenness yet so much beauty. The intersection of hopelessness and hope. People weeping yet people dancing and singing. The scandal of wealth exploitation and poverty. Climate crisis and yet abounding natural beauty. Bureaucracy yet innovation. Colonial … Continue reading It always does this!
Let’s continue to do good!
I – like many of you - have found it hard to fathom this week’s US election result, while seeking to respect that most Americans have now got what they voted for. I have tried to remain silent as many Trump followers on my feed have gloated, misused Scripture, fostered dangerous Christian nationalism, deepened divide … Continue reading Let’s continue to do good!
In my corner
A man of simple pleasures. A creature of habit. Stubborn, resilient, loyal, giving, fair. Comfortable in one’s own skin. A man who deeply loved his wife for almost six decades and was never the same after her passing. A man who loved his family. A good father. My dear dad. Kenny. It was hard to … Continue reading In my corner
Lighty … lightly!
Today Megan and I mark our 16th wedding anniversary. A special weekend in the city was on the agenda. But this celebration will need to be delayed as I’m at the airport, soon to fly to Newcastle. My dad’s health has deteriorated quickly, and he’s entered into palliative care. I sit with many different emotions … Continue reading Lighty … lightly!
A brokenness invitation
My physical pain levels have been high over the past few weeks. I’ve found myself - in a childlike manner - uttering: “pain, pain, go away”! Then I think of others, like a friend I had coffee with this week, dealing with a much bigger health mountain than mine. Or today. a colleague grieving the … Continue reading A brokenness invitation
Thankful in the silence!
I’m sitting in my parents’ home tonight and it’s so quiet. That’s very strange for this house. You see, my dad has stubbornly refused to wear hearing aids for a long time and he’s renowned for his television being set at a volume that allows people in the next suburb to listen in to the … Continue reading Thankful in the silence!
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