Ahhhhhh

In the course of making some slight template changes last night, I managed to lose my customised template, all links have gone. Moral of this story never try doing anything technical while watching telly at the same time...Off to Norwich this afternoon to see some old friends and do a couple of talks at a church weekend. Need to finish those so links won't return for a couple of days....

Poker Parties Begin

We've started a Church plant small group, last night was week three, there are ten of us although some more members will be joining shortly. We eat together (very important), talk and pray and last night Eric would have been proud of me as we finished the evening with our first few hands of Poker. Fortunately we weren't playing for money - cos I'd be broke today. Dan (who has recently joined the blogging world and loves a good rant) acted as rule supremo but confessed today that he got them wrong - so we're checking out Poker Rules for next time...

Recovering the Past

I taught the trainees this morning on the Acts of the Apostles and then the Celtic Christians, couldn't really do either justice in a couple of hours but just enjoyed engaging with Saints from the past who had their idiosyncrises but loved Jesus and loved adventure. If you've not read any Celtic stuff it's well worth it, I know there's a danger of over romanticising the past, but the sense of adventure shines through. Check out Restoring the Woven Cord if you want a good introduction. After the song "I'm coming up the mountain Lord - envelop me within the clouds" took on a whole new meaning last week (see picture and post below), I'm ready for a few more faith adventures.

One occurred at lunchtime when a young guy turned up with his friend at church wanting to see a priest. Having checked that none of the other older, wiser and better qualified ones could meet with him the office sent him my way. He was someone who had a church background had been away for a number of years, had got in to some stuff he didn't like and wanted to follow Jesus again. We talked and prayed and he said he felt happier than when he arrived (which is always encouraging and never guaranteed).

I enjoyed the conversation and look forward to the next one..

Half way up Elidir Fawr

Half way up Elidir Fawr
Originally uploaded by Kirbs.

We had a great 24 hours in Snowdonia last week on another training trip. However no one told us it was going to snow and we had to abandon our hike after one mountain as the conditions worsened, visibility became very poor and we nearly got lost. I've always thought you needed to be a bit of a wally to call out mountain rescue - I'm not so sure now...

Family and shelter

Family and shelter
Originally uploaded by Kirbs.

This is the sort of temporary shelter that we'll be building when we get out to Sri Lanka.

Lots of stuff is happening

First if you haven't seen the Make Poverty History Click campaign yet check out St.Bono and crew at the website.

Second Sri Lanka's happening, I'm taking a team out at the end of May for nearly two weeks to do some Tsunami Relief work in Batticaloa on the East Coast. Lots of sorting out of tickets, insurance and immunisation sort of stuff is taking place. The team is going to be 12 strong and are all in their teens and twenties (except me who wishes I was..) It's an awesome team made up of our trainees and some younger leaders and I'm sure it's going to be an adventure as well as a serious challenge. We're going to be working with Samaritan's Purse International Relief organisation.

Third we're off to the Hills again next week for another training trip for the 15 Peaks challenge. I can't wait, the numbers have doubled and there will be 8 of us next week.

Finally if you know any must visit places or campsites around British Columbia do let me know. We've booked the flights and the minivan and are heading out to Vancouver and surrounding area for a month later in the Summer. Come on...