Tikhtak

Blog Switch

2005-05-09T13:41:00.000Z

I have decided to switch my blog to Type pad. This means that I will no longer publish on this blog but at http://tikhtak.blogs.com . I have managed to switch most things over so make a note of the URL, click on the link and take a look. Feel free to leave a comment with any stylistic advice you can offer.

Last day in Canada

2005-05-02T05:21:00.000Z

Today was our last full day here in Canada. We started the morning in the church where I preached from Luke 4 on Setting the captives free - namely young people in the church. I was impressed after the service to meet a lady who had visited Shropshire and pronounced Shrewsbury as a local. This afternoon we had an informal chat over coffee with bloggers with an emerging church flavour. Mark Humphries, an artist/writer originally from Warrington was kind enough to present me with a signed copy of his book "A bridge between two worlds" as a gift for my wife..... I finished off my trip at Azhar and Janet's house playing with Michael and Anna and going for my last Tim Horton's for a while. Check out the updated pictures and a fuller account of what we've been up too on Jonny's blog.

Friday in Winnipeg

2005-04-29T21:56:00.000Z

Tonight Jonny and I will be leading the evening session and worship. I have also been asked to preach in the church on Sunday. Check out the updated photos and Jonny's blog for more on the conference

Snow in Winnipeg

2005-04-27T22:25:00.000Z

We have finally arrived in Winnipeg and are resting in the Holiday inn. Things are looking up with internet connection in the room so Jonny is completely at home! I will be seeing Azhar (Bro in law) & family this evening who live in Winnipeg. Here are some pictures of our time so far. I will update pictures as we go along.

Off to Canada

2005-04-26T12:55:00.000Z

Tomorrow I am off to Winnipeg in Canada with my colleague Jonny Baker, who will be teaching at a emerging church conference held by the United Church of Canada called The Morph Project . For myself it will not just be an interesting trip to see what "Emerging Church" means in North America, but I am also looking forward to Visiting Azhar, Janet, Michael and Anna my brother in law and his family. I'll post some pictures when I'm back.

Encounter a global God

2005-04-26T12:50:00.000Z

Irfana and myself in conversation Just got back from an orientation weekend for all the CMS teams going on a short term mission experience. It was a weekend of sampling different food, simulation activities and a great session on Indian culture led by a good friend Laekha from Bangalore. Irfana (my wife) and Jonny baker (CMS Youth Coordinator) will be leading my team to Bangalore 4th - 20th June, where we will attend a shouth Asian youth conference and then see some Christian youth projects in Kerala. To get a taste of our weekend click on "Encounter weekend"

At Your Service

2005-04-21T07:58:00.000Z

The times newspaper sent a roving reporter to our church, Holy Trinity Clapham Common. Maria Cleminson gave us 3 stars for architecture, 4 stars for after- service care and 5 stars for history. Not bad I thought! I think with the up and coming commemorations of the abolition of slavery in 2007 our church is going to be more in the spot light. My favourite part is where she observes that " At times the style of the service may have seemed at odds with itself. The hymns were traditional, the sermon was fair and sedate. In contrast the children presented the discovery of Christ's empty tomb........all very different I suspect from the preaching of John Venn." Check out the article At Your Service

30 years of hurt

2005-04-18T19:46:00.000Z

Images of Seagull theatre Spent the weekend sorting through, clearing out and even cutting up 40 odd sets of scenery as we moved my Mum and her colleagues Theatre from a workshop floor to a shed 15 feet squared. Whether I liked it or not all these plays have become a part of me as I have watched them being created, written and performed over nearly a 30 year cycle. Well here is the end...... or is it a new beginning? Above is a selection of scenery all painted by Louise Bagley from Coventry for plays such as Petrushka, Burglar Baggins, Peer Gynt, and Strife between brothers to name a few. Seagull Theatre of the Gorge has now become Seagull New Horizon's as they look to offer their plays out and perhaps do a bit of co work with Big Intent?

Birmingham balti

2005-04-12T14:08:00.000Z

balti group On Saturday 9th April as many people were paying their yearly visit to the bookies for a flutter on the Grand National or watching the preamble to the royal wedding. (Kind of felt like the FA Cup final road to Wembley) Debbie James, Chuli Scarfe and myself travelled to Birmingham for a balti with ex MAD and Encounter partcicpants. In all there were 11 of us, joined also by our Colleague from the Northern team Colin Darling and for some time by David Fletcher from Crowther. We shared our experiences of life at home having had our world view stretched by our mission experiences. The world map was at the centre of our day and we used it for a couple of activities to see that we are all joined by a shared experience of being "Global people". We finished the day by looking at ways to encourage one another and fuel each others mission. We looked at blahonline as a way to do this but also floated the idea of creating a group Balti blog which we could all contribute to and share our experiences with one another on. I am working on this at present and it is an up and running work in progress. Check out a few pictures in the blah gallery called Birmingham balti, which i have just put on. I will be updating them with with more aswell.

WMR 3 - be an activist

2005-04-07T16:58:00.000Z

be an activist Youth Resource I have just uploaded the new World Map Resource 3 on blahonline. It contains activities to go with the CMS world mat as with WMR 1 and 2. I have focused on the issue of asylum in the UK and a Christian response to it.

TESOL is over.

2005-04-04T21:51:00.000Z

TESOL After 3 months of Unknown language journaling, Student profiles, One to one lessons, aswell as nerves , sweat and tears, the course for Teaching English to Speakers of Other languages (TESOL) is over.... Here are a few pictures of Irfana's course. The course Tutor "Will" is in the middle and Irfana is looking very pleased at the top. I am at the bottom with a big smile.

Youth group's biscuit identities

2005-04-03T15:42:00.000Z

Just wanted to introduce the young people of our youth group The Mix at Holy Trinity, Clapham. Child protection stops me from taking photos, but there is no law to stop me from displaying their image through "Biscuit icing art"........Yet!

Big Intent at Greenbelt 2004

2005-03-29T19:01:00.000Z

Images from Big Intent Fashion show I have just discovered some tricks you can do with Picaso 2, which I have just downloaded for free.

Seagull Theatre New Horizons

2005-03-29T11:35:00.000Z

Seagull Theatre New Horizons After nearly 30 years of casting, rehearsing, touring my Mum's theatre company, "Seagull Theatre of the Gorge" has closed as it was and reopened as "Seagull New Horizons" with a whole new emphasis. Rather than writing new plays and delivering performances with a team of actors, she will now focus more on giving workshops with her co Director Sian Murray to share their own expertise and encourage young people to perform in the many plays they have done over the years. This of course may lend itself to some partnership projects between Seagull Theatre and Big Intent.....

He is risen!

2005-03-27T13:26:00.000Z

Easter in Clapham
While much of Clapham slept through the hour they lost last night we were at Holy Trinity celebrating an Easter Sunday. Here Irfana poses next to our "Risen Cross", a symbol for all of Clapham. An interesting concept! The real challenge will be showing that Jesus is risen.

CMS visit to Peshawar

2005-03-26T22:03:00.000Z

The group going to Peshawar for the Pakistani youth conference, from left Sam Leach, Kirsty Thorner and Lucy Stuart Lee flanked by Chuli Scarfe of CMS
Amazingly only after a few weeks we managed to find 3 young people to represent CMS at a Pakistani youth conference in Peshawar organised by the diocese of Peshawar. Today Chuli and myself sacrificed watching Englands glories on the football field to run an orientation. We were also glad for the assistance of Irfana my wife to give a Pakistani perspective. The group will also be joining CMS partners Nadeem Sadiq in his prison work and Yvonne Sired who works for an NGO working with refuggees and orphans.

Hull Youth For Christ on the TV

2005-03-24T16:03:00.000Z

There will be a Breakfast programme at 10 am on BBC1 on Friday, 25 March 2005 featuring the work in Hull and the work of CMS Mission Partners Anna and Chris Hembury for 5/10 mins. It is called "Nailing the Cross".

Comic strip of Christ in the wilderness

2005-03-23T10:45:00.000Z

Si Smith's comic strip meditation on Christ "40" is worth having a look at. It was also a worship trick on Jonny's blog. As you go through it you find your brain telling you the story even though there are no words, strange! but very good.

CMS United FC

2005-03-21T20:51:00.000Z

Tonight we had our regular Monday night footie game for staff and who ever else at CMS. I have been unable to upload a picture on to the blog but try this link to see some of the action as we warmed up.

Dancing Paul

2005-03-19T15:06:00.000Z

Came across this link via the Youth work magazine. It's a laugh where you can make a photo of a bloke dance and add effects. Check out dancing Paul

On the Radio

2005-03-17T11:29:00.000Z

I am going to be giving the morning thoughts on Premier Christian Radio over Easter week, starting on Monday 28th March. I will use the theme walking with God to New Malden. (The Emmaus of the south)

New workers in Czech

2005-03-16T18:14:00.000Z

New workers for the Czech Republic There are two new staff workers joining the Czech student Christian movement to bring the total number to 3. This is great news for me as I spent a decade during the 90's in that part of the world working for then Vbh (now UKH) and IFES without seeing any real commitment to leadership from Czechs. Before Christmas we had a reunion in Prague to celebrate the work over the last 14 years or so. I hope to finally get all the photos from that weekend developed soon which I will link to. I'll finish with this:
"Kdo neskaka neni spartan hop hop hop" - Who ever doesn't jump up and down isn't "Sparta" hop, hop, hop. This is the war cry at Sparta Prague FC to cheer on the team.

Whale Rider Resource

2005-03-14T10:55:00.000Z

Check out Jonny Bakers blog for questions relating to the film the Whale Rider looking at issues of maintaining tradition while moving forward.

CMS Day Away

2005-03-09T18:33:00.000Z

Jonny Baker, CMS National Youth Coordinator colouring in.
Just got back from a day away with CMS Mission Movement, where we aimed to get vision for equipping and resourcing the church in the UK. One of the discussions we had was over the new strapline for CMS - Loving God's world, Living God's way (LGW)2. We all agreed that the strap line had to be punchy and do exactly what it says on the tin. Here is an attempt at a few more straplines I dreamt up as I travelled back on the tube.
CMS - God's Love is meant to be shared. (Used at CMS festivals)
CMS - Life after Life
CMS - Living Just, not just living

Back from the Isle

2005-03-08T14:54:00.000Z

The Isle of Wight
Finished my week in the Isle of Wight by attending a Ghana evening on Thursday night at St Boniface school which was very well organised with parents getting fed first with Ghanean food and then the children running an evening programme. They also performed the African fable we had worked on earlier in the week. The next day Gill Poole my colleague and I took an assembly to summarise all we had done and it was amazing how the children could remember every single detail. Gill did a good job in reminding the children of their links to the Hadfield family and therefore their links across the globe to New Zealand and the Maori people. The school was genuinely touched by this relationship they had previously been unaware of and to make a connection with a school in the area in New Zealand where Hadfield had lived and died. It was encouraging to see how once the children had started to make these connections with their own history and geography to the story we came to tell, that they became full of enthusiasm and excitement. I am sure lessons from this could be learnt by CMS as we seek to engage with both old and new networks in the UK.
Finally I dug out a clip of the Haka from the film "Whale Rider" which was a real highlight of the week. Check out Wild Wight to see some of the countryside we had to endure.

A New Space

2005-03-08T14:06:00.000Z

Here I am happy as larry sitting in my new space at CMS. Check out the new look

Haka

2005-03-03T00:25:00.000Z

Ka mate, Ka mate
It is death, It is death
Ka ora huh
It is life
Ka Mate, Ka Mate
It is death, It is death
Ka ora Huh
It is life
Tene Te Tangata Puhuruhuru
This is the hairy man
Nana i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra
Who caused the sun to shine again for me
Ha Upane Ha Upane
Up the ladder Up the ladder
Ka Upane Upane
Up to the top
Whiti te ra
The sun shines

We danced the Haka in school today with the children, who all appeared for their performance with painted faces. Unfortunately due to child protection laws I can't show a picture but it was a good time.

All Wight - Part 1

2005-03-01T21:24:00.001Z

So far we have had a good week on the isle working in St Boniface school in Ventnor helping on a multi cultural week. Monday was a busy day and I managed to teach 15 or so children a drama about a Gabeta board (African board game). In the afternoon we presented it and all went well. It will make a re-appearance on Thursday night at the school Ghana evening.
On Monday evening Gill Poole and myself met with about 25 people in Brighstone church ( Samuel Wilberforce's church, William's son) and looked at how we can fuel each other in local mission. We shared some inspiring stories and challenging clips from adverts ( PS2 Fleas and Levi's breaking walls). The conversations were good and people gave their own insights of Christain mission and the struggles they have. In addition the megabyte youth group put on a drama ( which we had created a few weeks ago) about being inspired to witness. We were inspired and all went well.
Today we have returned to the school and put on a multi-cultural fashion show with the children, which they performed to their parents.
I am now preparing to teach the Hakka tomorrow as a New Zealand contribution. Gill will be giving a multi media presentation on Octavius Hadfield, her Great x4 Grandfather from Ventnor whose 3 sisters established the St Boniface school where we are working. Hadfield himself went on to work among the Maoris in New Zealand and eventually become the Primate of all New Zealand. Incidently the man ( Chief Tei Rauparaha) who the New Zealand's Hakka is about was a good friend of Hadfield and helped him in his Christian Mission and setting up the first church in the area.

Isle of Wight

2005-02-25T16:35:00.000Z

Am off to the Isle of Wight on Sunday for a week of schools work, linking up to a multi cultural programme and exploring a New Zealand link, which includes me teaching the children the Hakka. I of course will have to learn it first. My Colleagues Gill Poole and Chris Neal will be joining me to lead some evening programmes in Churhes on Fuelling mission locally and globally.

Overcoming

2005-02-24T18:26:00.000Z

A new single is about to hit the charts from a singer who comes from a deaf family. Her name is Karen Danzig and even though her Mum and Sister had a hand in writing the lyrics they will never hear them. I myself am attracted to these kind of stories as my Grandparents were profoundly deaf and much of my extended family too.
For another story of overcoming the odds you can also catch Black at the cinema, a Bollywood version of Helen Kellers story, where a deaf blind girl who acts more like an animal is helped out of her isolated dark world by an unorthodox and eccentric teacher to eventually attain a degree from university.

African Snow

2005-02-24T09:23:00.000Z

Last night saw Riding Lights theatre company performing at Portcullis House in Parliament some readings from a proposed theatre project with CMS about the story of Olaudah Equiano (African anti-slavery abolitionist). The idea is to take on a 16 theatre tour around the country with follow up work in schools and churches. About 160 dignitaries attended the preview and saw a solid performance especailly from the lead Actor playing Olaudah. The show climaxed in the reunion of Olaudah and John Newton (Ex slave ship captain and writer of Amazing Grace), who had reformed largely due to Olaudahs influence and example. To catch a glimpse of what went click on African Snow

Wembley pairs

2005-02-21T20:25:00.000Z

Tonight at our Monday night football numbers were down so we played a good old fashion game of Wembley pairs. It meant 2 v 2 with one in goal. I had forgotten how tiring it was! Well done to Brecks, Pat, Pixie and Jonny Gill.

He

2005-02-18T15:13:00.000Z

He had no money,
He wrote no books,
He commanded no army,
He wielded no political power
He never travelled more that 200 miles in any direction,
He was executed at the age of 33
An extract from today's lent blog entryon the Grace community lent blog

7 deadly sins

2005-02-16T19:43:00.000Z

Today I was chatting to a friend about doing some street theatre on the 7 deadly sins. I then came across this website for a bit of inspiration. Basically there are self check tests for each sin.

Lahore Fort

2005-02-16T19:20:00.000Z

A view of Lahore fort in Pakistan where I managed to visit in the weeks following my wedding in Lahore at Christmas 2003. I found this picture on a website showing cities around the world quite topical as the olympic committee debate the next city to host the Olympics 2012. Check out these pictures too from above the earth

2005-02-14T19:43:00.000Z

Had avery wet day on the Isle of Wight. I met with St Boniface school and we prepared a programme for the week on multi culturalism. I also had an evening with the youth group "Megabyte from Brightstone church. It all went very well and we devised a drama together to present at an evening on fuelling mission on Monday 28th February.

Isle of Wight return

2005-02-10T18:45:00.000Z

Tomorrow (Friday) I am off to the Isle of Wight for a day of meetings and preparation. CMS will be running a weeks programme from 27th Feb to communicate it's new vision. I will be working with a youth group to prepare a drama roughly on the theme of mission.

Lent thoughts

2005-02-10T18:42:00.000Z

As we enter the lent period I will link to the Grace community for a regular Grace blog for 2005

Back to Besom

2005-02-06T19:43:00.000Z

Pete, Naomi and Dom in the background, all from Holy Trinity Clapham putting the finishing touches to our Besom project in Brixton. Yes we went back to complete the painting of a hallway. Besom seeks to put peoples time and resources together to help those who don't have. We also found ourselves in the middle of a very delicate situation too and without going into detail we were able to offer a listening ear and prayer. We may yet go back to do the kitchen. Check out the before and after pics

A Ringer

2005-02-03T16:13:00.000Z

Our youth group "The Mix" was invited to do a bit of bell ringing in the very tower where we have now started a teenage Sunday group at Holy Trinity, Clapham Common. I warned them not to let Irfana get her hands on the rope.....

Kitgum Cross of St Albans

2005-01-31T20:24:00.000Z

Kitgum Cross made by pupils from Townsend School, St Albans
I spent a late Friday evening at Townsend school teaching a drama workshop to highlight the plight of the child soldiers in northern Uganda. Many other workshops were running at the same time and I have posted a picture of a cross made from clay showing the pain of children in this conflict. At the end of the evening my group performed and did a great job. Thankfully I could then leave for a nice warm bed while some 70 or so pupils and teachers stayed to sleep the night to raise money for displaced children in Kitgum and Gulu and to connect with the many thousands of children who are forced to sleep out rough in bus stops and hospital grounds for safety from the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army).

Free running

2005-01-26T16:14:00.000Z

A game inspired by a recent TV programme called jump London, a Parisian export where street gangs engage with their urban environemt in an acrobatic way. For more on that check out Le Parkour

Banksy on Bliar

2005-01-24T20:29:00.000Z

Banksy on display at the anti war in Iraq demo in Parliament square
I went for a walk into London during my lunch break and saw this in the street. Banksy is a very accomplished stencil graffiti artist who uses the urban landscape as his canvas. He is a modern day political cave painter. I think this may have been taken from his South Bank Exhibition. For more of his work check out Banksy

What would you ask God

2005-01-24T20:20:00.000Z

We asked the young people in our youth group at Holy Trinity Church Clapham last week, if God were in the room with us now what would you ask him? Here are some of the responses.
Who are you?
Why doesn't everybody have faith?
Why did you make the food chain?
What if you were a girl?
Why must we pray for you to hear us?
Why did you choose to create us and not some other alien form?

Teenagers are great at those what and why questions.....

The most multi cultural city ever.......

2005-01-24T20:17:00.000Z

Big Ben
My colleague Jonny has shown me a great article from his Guardian today about Multi Cultural London. It lays claim to London being the most multi cultural city ever...... Check out Jonny's blog for more and take a look at this map and key of multi cultural London.

Beyond the fire

2005-01-20T09:39:00.000Z

I came across this very interesting website beyond the fire . Fifteen teenagers from different continents tell their stories of war and it's devastation.

2005-01-17T20:29:00.000Z

Big Intent Theatre co

Youth Drama Church Project

2005-01-14T13:17:00.000Z

Big Intent commitment
Big Intent will come to your church and work with between 10 and 30 of your young people for a day to present a one-hour performance in the evening to parents, friends and your local community.
Church commitment
Simply to recruit young people from your church to take part in the day workshop and performance, and to host the event. (Your church is free to charge an entrance fee to help towards your costs.)
The story
We follow the life of a slave girl and her journey to the West Indies. Everything changes when she meets the sea captain John Newton who rescues her and sends her to England. She is thrown into English society as a maid and embarks on an adventure to fight not only for her own freedom but also for freedom itself. She gets involved with a group of abolitionists from Clapham and is part of the setting up of Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she longs to return.
The cost
500 pounds for a one-day workshop and evening performance with up to 30 young people
Check out Tea town to Free town for booking details

CMS response to Tsunami

2005-01-10T16:56:00.000Z

Being back at CMS after the Christmas break has been dominated by the events of the Tsunami. To view how CMS are responding to help check out Tsunami appeal . CMS is connected to many of the areas affected and stories are filtering out. Read this is a Sri Lankans view of the Tsunami

Tsunami emergancy relief no - 08706060900

2004-12-28T23:35:00.000Z

With great relief we got a letter from friends Olly and Sonia Home, who were holidaying in Thailand. Sonia works for Sat 7, who CMS support and will feature in the next edition of "Christians in contact". Olly works at Holy Trinity Clapham. Here is the letter

Dear all,
I just wanted to send a quick email as I know you know we are over in Thailand, just to say we are ok. The Tsunami did hit the Island we are on, in fact we were down on the beach when it did! but the lady who owned the place started shouting pretty quickly so we were able to get up into the hills with plenty of time. The bungalows we are staying in are pretty high off the ground, and we were not in the dirext path of the wave so they are still ok. we stayed on a guys floor last night but I think will go back today - people are very worried about another wave - but we are keeping an eye on the news and it seems unfounded fear.
lots of love,
Sonia and Olly

Many more were not so lucky so I have included a number set up by the major charities, where we can give to help this desperarte situation. For the latest news check out bbc website

2004-12-23T08:50:00.000Z

Never mind "Mission Britain" this was "Little Britain" fresh from their victory last night at the British comedy awards the "two Ladies" made a special appearance at CMS to say farewell to Jenny Taylor (Head of Media). Check out more pics

Advent calender for Christmas

2004-12-21T13:53:00.000Z

Here is a great link to an advent calender to check out that was sent to me for the Christmas season. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Christmas farewell

2004-12-15T15:50:00.000Z

On Monday we put our money together for a drink and nibbles at the stage door in Waterloo after our weekly football session. It was a double wammy with a stag do for Tristan Heath and a farewell to Ben McKay Smith from CMS. It was a real Christmas setting with lights all around and "Last Christmas" playing on the juke box. Here are some pictures of the event

Jesus is for life not just Christmas

2004-12-10T10:10:00.000Z

Have just put up the Christmas display at our church..... We have gone for a subtle glitzey theme with Santa backed with silver, Gold, presents and trees all around ..... while on the other side a purple throne with a nativity scene and a collapsing "Mas" on Christ. I hope our message is clear. Check out some more angles on the display

The Sparrow school in Clapham

2004-12-08T14:52:00.000Z

Had a visit from the Sparrow school all the way from south Africa. They sang and danced effortlessly. The school was founded to provide education for deprived children from the townships and the more they performed the more I felt like the deprived one. To find out more check out their website. You can also click on and see a few pictures I took.

The Besom Project

2004-12-04T20:20:00.000Z

On Saturday I joined a suspect bunch on a "Besom project" to transform the hall of someones house. To see more pics click on Besom in Clapham. The idea is to match up those who want to give in time, money or resources with those who are in need. For more details check out the Besom project

2004-12-02T15:57:00.000Z

Children from a school in Hull with Big Intent performing the finale song Freetown for more pictures check out Big Intent in Hull

Hull 4 London 0

2004-11-29T16:34:00.000Z

The title of the Housemartins debut single sums up my feelings for the week I have just spent in Hull. We have just come back from an inspiring week , where Big Intent theatre co joined the bicentenary celebrations to remember the landing of the first two CMS missionaries to the new colony then of Sierra Leone. Why Hull you may ask? Well because William Wilberforce started his life there and was later to become MP for Hull. Each day we ran workshops in schools taken from our current production of Tea town to Free town. The schools were in the main located in deprived areas but were a delight to work in and we have recieved very encouraging feedback from them as well. At 2 30pm each day we put on a performance, where children who might never have performed before sang, danced and acted in front of the whole school. On Wednesday night we performed in the Guildhall in front of about 150 CMS members and invited guests. Two schools joined us in the afternoon to rehearse their parts in the play. It was recieved very well, which was especially encouraging in front of such an educated crowd in the history and affairs of both CMS and Sierra Leone. The week was maticulously and skillfully organised by Reverand Alan Bagshaw, CMS chair person for Yorkshire and he even became part of our back stage crew at times. I was very impressed by the links that have been set up with Sierra Leone from Hull and the dedication of CMS Hull and local schools to keep these links going. What next? Well maybe the celebrations in 2007 could see Big Intent return but this time to a fixed venue. Whether we return or not you can be sure of one thing. That Hull will still be flying the Wilberforce flag and holding on to his dream for Sierra leone .

Big Intent in Hull

2004-11-20T23:38:00.000Z

This week I am off to Hull to put on Big intents current performance of "Tea town to Freetown" to celebrate the bicentenery of Sierra Leone. During the week we will be going into schools to do workshops and on Wednesday evening will perform in the Guildhall at a special evening celebration. I will post some pictures when back...

In rhythm with God

2004-11-14T13:14:00.000Z

I have just returned from the second Motiv8 mission fair for teenagers. CMS were among a number of other mission agencies exhibiting to challenge teenagers to think about global/local mission. Check out photos. At both fairs there were a number of bands on offer playing throughout the day and seminars to go to. CMS led a seminar on dance and mission, which looked at how God moves in step to the rhythm of every culture. This means our challenge when living or serving in other cultures as Christians is to be able to observe the way God is moving in that country and get in step with him. Check out Hircsh and Frost's article on "conextualising mission" to be challenged further on this topic.
In Manchester Rachel Halsall shared her experience on a MAD pragramme to Georgia for CMS and at Moorlands college Chelser Clarke was expertly interviewed by my colleague Tristan Heath on her Encounter trip to the Ukraine. It was great to have both Rachel and Chelser in the team and I look forward to linking up with them both and more volunteers in the future.
I am adding a column on the Blahonline website to the "Getting involved" page to show the areas where help is needed so if anyone is interested in joining the CMS team to work at an event they can take a look at what's going on and get in touch. Take a look by clicking on Getting involved.
In January the Motiv8 mission community will meet again for a steering meeting to plan the next mission fair and explore ways to encourage teenagers to be locally and globally active in mission.

2004-11-10T19:47:00.000Z

Here is a firework from Bonfire night celebrations on Clapham Common captured by my new CMS mobile.

New world map resource

2004-11-10T13:50:00.000Z

Having spent 18 days in canada and then a reunion weekend with my IFES friends in Prague (I will be uploading the photos for this) I am feeling back in my stride and have managed to produce this resource for CMS. Take a look by clicking on Blahonline. You will need to register as a member, then go to the resource section and click on youth resources.

In the middle of Canada

2004-10-09T18:58:00.000Z

Here is a flavour of our time so far, Anna's dedication, Tim Horton's coffee, Lake Winnipeg, Walmart, Winnie the Pooh, Michael's birthday. Below are a few photos to add to these thoughts and I hope to add more next week when we get back from Thunder bay

2004-10-09T18:24:00.000Z

Here we are at an Indian restaurant in Winnipeg having just celebrated Ann's dedication. Janet is holding Anna with Irfana, Azhar and Michael in between and the big Guy on the end

2004-10-09T18:21:00.000Z

a picture by lake Winnipeg on a sandy beach!!!

2004-10-09T18:04:00.000Z

We finally made it not just to Canada but to the very centre........

2004-09-02T20:48:00.000Z

Irfana starring on the Catwalk at Greenbelt 2004 flanked by Ruth Hassel and Ruth Radley from CMS.

Greenbelt 2004

2004-09-02T14:02:00.000Z

Just got back from a great weekend at Greenbelt Christian arts festival. We put on 3 fashion plays for Big Intent each day. One from Uganda on child soldiers, one from the UK looking at Asylum and one from India looking at Aids. Up too 60 young people took part and more than double that came to watch. Check out Fashion plays to get a flavour of it. Aside from Big Intent we were able to see lots of good caberet, comedy and music. We went to see a comic magician , John Archer who was brilliant, but unfortunately (for me), used me as the but of all his jokes. I've learnt now never to sit too near to the front. Still it was good fun. We finished off the weekend by seeing Jamelia on the main stage. A great act with plenty of soul. Click on Greenbelt Highlights to get a flavour for that.

Bonny Scotland

2004-08-23T13:27:00.000Z

Just got back from a very enjoyable week in Scotland, where we managed to spend time in Glasgow and Loch Lomond with my film maker friend Andrew Bonner and then in Edinburgh with Solomon and Angela Daniel. We took in the sites and sounds of the festival with the best value being on the walk up the royal mile, namely the Slaughterhouse comedy group and we shared our wedding experiences with Solomon and Angela. It was a privilage to spend time with them and hear about how they share their Christian faith with the asian community around them, inspiring stuff! I hope to post some pictures in the next few days.

Beyond the horizon

2004-08-08T13:16:00.001Z

To see pictures from the recent soul in the city "Beyond the horizon event click on horizon. We were treated to rock and soul from Phil Campbell and Ayozie Pollendine who were magnificent. Becky a curate from Oxford helped everyone to look beyond their horizon with Ben a CMS mission partner from Nigeria adding his own testimony. A follow up may be in the offing!

2004-08-08T13:16:00.000Z

Dan and myself lead some african dance at the soul in the city "Beyond the horizon" event on Friday evening 6th August.

Ugandan roadshow roles on

2004-08-06T12:27:00.000Z

Check out last night's soul in the city event at Gilwell park by clicking on Ugandan roadshow

Big Intent breaking the silence at soul in the city

2004-08-03T11:30:00.000Z

Tonight Big Intent theatre company will perform in the tented camp at Uxbridge. We have put together a 10 minute physical theatre presentation on the conflict in Northern Uganda and are privilaged to have touring with us two delegates from Kitgum who have both been caught up in the conflict, Harriet and Patrick. One story they share is about Metric and his family. His Mum was taken captive by the rebel army as a child and has recently escaped many years on with 5 children. She herself is only 18 years old. Check out CMS photo link to see them and find out more about this conflict. I will post some pictures of our performance in the next few days

Easter in Israel and Egypt 2003

2004-07-28T14:34:00.000Z

Check out my trip to Israel with eshorts winner Claire Middlehurst in Easter 2003, before going on to Egypt and into Sinai for the Musalaha desert encounter by clicking on Israel pics , Sinai 1 and Sinai 2 This programme is run to present a Christian witness bringing Christians from Israel and Palestinian Christians into fellowship and is supported by CMS.

V Jeho Ochich - Through His Eyes

2004-07-27T10:54:00.000Z

Last week I spent in Silesia, the Czech Republic, for the yearly Lutheran Youth conference. Around 250 young people signed up, although up to a thousand attended the main meetings. It was a happening week in the very sleepy village of "Smilovice". During the mornings we met in small groups to discuss themes and pray together, then the young people could sign up to various seminars and workshops. I ran two seminars on CMS and Mission. I tried to challenge everyone (including me) to see Mission as not just going over-seas, but crossing cultures in our own back yard. "Mission starts at home" I declared..... I felt a bit like telling my Grandmother how to suck eggs in a region which took the Gospel out to the whole world through the Moravian Brethren some 300 years ago, inspired by the Lutheran Pastor Zinzindorf. One youth leader, who came to my seminar, highlighted the very "Czech problem" of reaching out to the Romany population and declared "This would be Mission on the Margins, but the problem" she went on "is that they just don't want to help themselves". Another Pastor added " What would you suggest David we do?" Now nobody wants to get drawn into local politics, especially when you are a visitor, a foreigner and a Seminar speaker. But thanks to CMS's 200 years of wisdom, the local/global model kicked in. "I don't have the answer" I said "but this can't just be a Czech problem surely?" and pulling out of my bag some CMS material we discovered the story of Bishop Malkhaz from Georgia. A Christian man who in the face of hatred and fear reaches out to his Muslim neighbours in Chechnya. Suddenly the Romany problem didn't seem so great and the point of being globally connected made real sense to us all.
I enjoyed very much meeting a lot of old friends I knew as students when I worked for Vbh, the Czech Christian student movement during the nineties. Throughout the week we were treated to some real talent in the big top. A great Christian band from Poland on Wednesday night and on Thursday a local drama group "Fridensti dramatici" who acted out sketches on relavant issues- East Enders like on stage , compelling stuff!
As I said my goodbyes on Saturday I took with me a real excitement and passion for God from the young people of Silesia and a hope that CMS can forge a link that will encourage these young people to grow and experience the world as the confernence suggested: "through his eyes"
Check out the photos on Blah on line

Our House

2004-07-19T15:01:00.000Z

here is a whirlwind tour around our little ground floor flat and garden.

New Job

2004-07-11T22:00:00.000Z

Happy to say that I have been taken on by CMS (Church Mission Society) in a new full time role to be Mission Advisor for children and youth in the south of England. After a nerve wracking two week wait I was summoned to be told the good news. This has been a difficult time for CMS as they restructure and basically down size. I am looking forward to developing a strategy to encourage young people into local and global mission.

6 Months

2004-06-27T19:07:00.000Z

Today is a special day for Irfana and I as we are celebrating 6 months of being married. I thought that it would be good to see a letter I wrote in Jan 2004 as I tried to put into words the amazing experience of a Pakistani wedding.
"What God has brought together let no one put asunder"
Dear friends, my last 5 weeks in Pakistan now feels like a dream, but of course I don't have to pinch myself too hard to know it actually happened!
Lahore winter Smog, fog, horses, carts, motorised rickshaws, Six people on a bike, Urdu, Muslim calls to prayer, Anglicanism, Shelwar Kameeze, Chapati, Sweat tea, family gatherings and Bollywood. These were just some of things that greeted me as I skurried around the bazaars and back streets with Irfana and her family preparing for a Pakistani wedding. Family and friends arrived a few days before our big day and took part in family gatherings each night to rehearse songs and dances for the Mehndi. Both families mixed very well and Irfana's family made me feel like a long lost son. The Mehndi is a ceremony a wash with yellow marigolds, fireworks, drums(dul) and lots of dancing. The girls all have henna (Mehndi) painted in intricate patterns on their hands and sing songs teasing the groom... oh me! After a day of rest on Friday the actual wedding ceremony took place Saturday. It certainly was a day to remember. I started by riding to the church on a white horse and had to take part in numerous ceremonies throughout the day where I part with money to Irfana's female family members. Both Irfana and I were clad in traditional Pakistani dress from the Moghul days and the pictures give the whole experience a real royal flavour.
We are now back in Britain and both adapting again to life here. We are still waiting to move into our flat, which is being renovated and so still living out of our suitcases. At work Irfana is planning to start a youth group for teenagers in the church, which we hope to start next month, while I will be on a week away in early February to see how CMS will be restructurimg itself for the future.
Well we are now in our flat and enjoying having a lovely garden where flowers grow... amazing! The youth group at church is called the Mix and is going very well and I will find out next Friday 2nd July if I will continue in a new role as Mission advisor to youth and children in the new look CMS or not. For more of those wedding pictures check out Mehndi and Wedding

2004-06-25T21:29:00.000Z

Anna Rose Shaista, our new niece from Canada,
Born on June 23, 2004 at 10:26 p.m.
She weighs 8lb 9oz, and is 20.75 inches long

2004-06-25T21:19:00.000Z

Yet again England can't get knocked out quietly but have to go into extra time, have a disallowed goal in the 90th minute and lose on a penalty shoot out. I wish I didn't care.........

Bicycle Clips

2004-06-14T21:55:00.000Z

Have got together with a few Mime school friends to put on a play. Check out Bicycle clips for more information.

Isle of Wight

2004-06-09T20:16:00.001Z

Images from our recent weekend to the Isle of Wight. From a wedding present dinner with my CMS colleague and our official matchmaker Gill Poole and her friend Hi, a student from Vietnam, to sitting on a swing again, but this time high up over Alum bay, to a beautiful Sea maiden and very exotic shell on an English beach and finally our idyllic cottage in Freshwater on the West of the Island.

2004-06-02T22:19:00.000Z

And one more to prove it had the official stamp

2004-06-02T22:18:00.000Z

And another

2004-06-02T22:07:00.000Z

Here are a few images from the bank holiday weekend's Yes Youth festival at Plumpton race course in Sussex, where I was invited to give the morning talks on "Christian Mission in God's Big Top," In a week of voting in the UK it was good to see around 450 young people turning out to say YES to God.

2004-05-24T20:12:00.000Z

This bank holiday weekend I am about to kick off the festival season in Chichester as a speaker for a Big top event. Here is a picture I found of Irfana and Daniella enjoying the vibe at Greenbelt 2003

2004-05-22T11:35:00.000Z

A topical picture for Ascension week, looking at the mount of Olives and the area from where Jesus ascended, taken from Jerusalem.

2004-05-19T16:14:00.000Z

What a view from Mount Olympus

Tikhtak?

2004-05-17T21:07:00.000Z

Tikhtak is pronounced "Teeq tack" and while it looks like an American synonym for that age old British playground game Hop scotch, It actually refers to a word in Urdu meaning "I'm sound as a pound", "I'm just fine" or "That was a lovely cuppa". Hope you get the idea.