Make Poverty History

We had a good time yesterday at Holy Space our congregation that meets in a local bar fortnightly. We were discussing the Tsunami, the questions it had raised and the response we should make. One interesting thought was how much is our response dictated by the media. A few years ago 200, 000 people were killed in Gujarrat, yet it wasn't an area where tourists hung out or pictures of big waves happened so while it was reported, the response was nothing like as big as it has been this time. How can we insure that our response to disaster and poverty are consistent and not sensational. Getting involved with the Make Poverty History campaign might be one way.

Blogger Benefits

Good to see Matt in town yesterday, after he'd been to worship at the apple temple...look at the photos if you don't believe me. It was good to see him after reading his blog in the morning and realising he was going to be in town...a blogger benefit.

I'm sure you're following the stories, pictures and blogs of people caught up in the Tsunami. Our friend Emma is doing well in Phuket, helping with the relief effort here is an extract from a recent email:-

We now know that re-building a primary school will be the main focus of our efforts here. Please pray that God brings the right people here over the next few weeks to get construction under way. There is a large Thai labour force, but we will need skilled builders, joiners, electricians, plumbers, etc to direct operations.

We are planning a party for about 1000 school children at the site of the school on Friday morning. We are trying to get t-shirts for the children printed with the church logo. The press will no doubt cover the event and if lots of children wearing the logo are seen on UK TV, people may be encouraged to donate directly to the church disaster fund. Please pray that the kids have a great time and are blessed by us being there, and that the money comes pouring in!

Check out Emma's website for photos and message board, and ways of contacting the church if you want to give directly.

I think some of the best comments I've read about the faith response to the Tsunami so far were from Jonathan Sacks, the chief Rabbi he wrote in the Times on Saturday:-

The religious question is, therefore, not: “Why did this happen?” But “What then shall we do?” That is why, in synagogues, churches, mosques and temples throughout the world this weekend, along with our prayers for the injured and the bereaved, we will be asking people to donate money to assist the work of relief. The religious response is not to seek to understand, thereby to accept. We are not God. Instead we are the people He has called on us to be his “ partners in the work of creation”. The only adequate religious response is to say: “God, I do not know why this terrifying disaster has happened, but I do know what You want of us: to help the afflicted, comfort the bereaved, send healing to the injured, and aid those who have lost their livelihoods and homes.” We cannot understand God, but we can strive to imitate His love and care.

Let's keep striving...

Happy New Year

I hope 2005 is a good year for you. It feels a strange start to the New Year, we had a great time as a family down in Dorset (some pictures may appear at the side), reflecting on what has been a very good year. At the same time I'm feeling overwhelmed by the pictures and reports from South East Asia. They're made personal by the fact that a member of our small group was on a world trip and staying on the coast in Thailand over Christmas. Her hotel was destroyed by the Tsunami, fortunately she was heading inland to the Phuket Christian Centre for a morning service. Emma and her friend Claire have since abandoned their holiday and got involved in helping with relief work. They were featured on the ITN news special last night and are intending to stay out and help with the redevelopment of the area. For all of our questions about where is God in all of this, it's good to know his people (as well as many others) are getting involved in making a real difference.

A Happy New Year to you, ours started down in Dorset where we enjoyed walking on the beach, fishing and good food. Hope 2005 is good for you and yours.