Start of the holidays

Love these moments 

St. John's school Christmas fair photos

Dover ferry port

En route to Brussels for an exhibition for Aid organisations and Aid suppliers. 

The next three days shall be an adventure. 

All the more poignant as the world responds to the Typhon disaster in the Philippines. Already the figures have been placed around 10,000 feared dead.

The subject matter for the conference is resilience. 

Some of Reuben's craft work

He started full time school this week.

All three have now transitioned fully to school.

One of his last moments of craft at home.

Here's some Reuben Craft.

Cat Empire

I don't often get to go out without some kind of purpose.

Tonight I managed to indulge. Around 10 years ago a friend said you have to see this band live. They're unbelievable.

10 years on after not seeing them he's taking me to one of their concerts.

Agreed. They rock!

With a little help

Reuben is recovering from his operation. The surgeon suggested that this is at least a 10 day process. It's vital to help his body heal. 

He has been glued to Angie all these days and every four hours has a dose of medication.

As a result I have been blessed to take Joshie and Caleb to and from school. I have loved it. We've done quizzes and chatted. It's been marvellous.

Yesterday whilst walking back Caleb decided to run ahead and go to the small park. I looked in and he was wrestling his friend. I shouted the ever so common phrase "come on Caleb" and continued walking expecting him to catch up. 

After his brief wrestle he picked himself up and managed to run down the hill. He tripped and fell. His knee, hand and head were scraped, bleeding and was in pain.

I immediately picked him up and having all their bags walked down the hill. Joshie helped and carried his rucksack and stroked his wounded brother.

My mind was concentrating on getting home so I could clean and patch him up. Also I was thinking will I be able to carry him all the way up the hill.

We walked and I whispered words to help his battered morale. A car pulled up and girl ran over and offered us two plasters. Then when I went to put them on it was very bloody and another woman came and said would you like some wipes. Then the plaster girl's mum came over and said why don't we give you a lift and her daughter (the one who gave us the plaster said I'd be happy to walk home to free up the space for all of us). In the space of seconds we were home.

What seemed a massive hill and journey to get home were made easy with a little help from strangers. 

Don't know your names or whether I'd even recognise you again... But ever so grateful for your helping hand today. Thank you.

Playing in the park with Joshie and Caleb

Flowers picked by his girl

Saw Joshie play football today and loved it. He loved it and Freya came down to watch her friend play. She picked a bunch of flowers for him too. 

He was so happy.

Reuben started school this week

AN OLDER POST WHICH I NEVER PUBLISHED!

A sad realisation of the journey of time.

A sad farewell to a wonderful chapter of our lives having the children raised to this day.

A sad farewell from home to school Reuben walked in to a new journey in his life.

What a handsome fella he is!

Reuben: 5 days after the operation

Reuben had his tonsils and adenoids out and grommets in.

He woke up with a nightmare and full of nerves ahead of the operation.

The consultant spoke with us and said the major aspect to this operation is the aftercare and to keep him loved and dosed up. Others who also had their children go through this and said they were told two weeks and it's at least that possibly more like three.

Five days on. I have been sleeping in a combination of Caleb and Joshie's beds and Reuben continues to heal. It's been pretty tough for the little guy. He's generally sad with a few moments of being back to the old Reuben. Those moments are increasing.

Revisiting Hope

I wrote about a family who I met late last year whilst on the streets of Bucharest here.

This week my colleague released a video of our time with the group:

Dada's in hospital

Dada was admitted to hospital this weekend. 

Sad to see such frailty more and more over these days. But in my heart thankful for being blessed with a Father who models love for others. 

So glad we were able to make him smile.

In hospital and we'll be back here in a few days for Reuben's op on Monday. 

With his papa

Sunset

An amazing sunset view from the boys room.

Star of the Week

Struggle for Survival timelapse

We ran a Struggle for Survival simulation at SAid Business School last week and I thought I'd have a crack at a time lapse from an older iphone.

Joshie and Freya 2

Friends from birth and still going strong.

Joshie and Freya are enjoying a holiday cuddle.

Camping

We had our first family camping experience.

Great fun but also some huge adjusting. Mainly us rather than the camping. Didn't help a trip to a&e plus an angry wasp getting a few stings on Caleb. 

But certainly not defeated... We'll be back!

White Hart Lane, The Godfather and an awesome afternoon out...

Some pics from Hong Kong

The challenge of water

It is life giving.

It makes up 80% of our body.

It's heaps of fun to play in.

Learning afresh the joy and challenge of water in our world today as we did a simulation on water.

Thankful that water is so accessible for me.

HK Bus tales

Sitting on a bus in HK. The whole bus seemed absorbed into their phones, tablets and worlds of their own.

My mind wrestles with the rules that prohibit us to drink our ever cooling coffee that sits in the brown pacific coffee bag, the 45 minute journey to Central and the absence of eye contact.

My friend David from northern Uganda would tell me tales of epic bus journeys in Africa where by everyone is passing around food, drink, sharing stories and tales. He remarked these trips are greatly enjoyable.

I turned to my friend and start a conversation to keep our minds off the coffee.

Caleb's operation photos

India: communal toilets

Her 'tubes' aren't working properly. There are tins and other things all over their small house to help her body to function. She's was hospitalised for a month.

All this from using a communal toilet. This five year old girl was raped by a sixteen year old as she went to the loo.

Our host goes on to say how rape is on the rise in slums. The girl was from one of the families he wanted us to sit with later tonight and be with those who live the reality of the things we simulate in the life x-perience work.

Caleb's Operation

It's the morning of Caleb's operation on his thumb.

It's just past 6 and having a quiet moment before dropping children around town and then to the hospital.

Good morning

The morning is usually enhanced significantly when your son cagily comes in hiding an envelope behind his back. Then jumps into your bed. Hiding his treasure. Then shouts "surprise!" Handing m a lovely blue envelope full of kisses and pink writing.

It was a special note to his papa. Reminding him of how much he loves him.

It is a good morning indeed.

Broken hearts

One of my best friend's parents split up after they all left university.

One of Angie's best friends husband decided he no longer loved her and walked away.

A friend and former colleague said to me she realised together with her husband that they are not impervious to such breaking. They realised they are at their strongest when working together on a project. They moved houses and now settling in.

Tonight a friend came for supper who is going through a divorce. 

And there's much much more. 

All this brokenness around me and one question resonates: how do you, or whoever, pick up the pieces and start to build up again.

Casual racial condemnation

I've grown up in a land that my passport says I'm part of but my skin colour tells of a different heritage.

My parents too grew up in a place which was not their land of heritage but it was their home.

There is much hatred around due to the land we originate from and the values we adhere to.
Never ceases to shock me when it rears itself. Often in casual comments.

This was what one of my old school mates said on Facebook after the recent British winning Andy Murray won at Wimbledon.

"Hate to say it but us English we are so desperate for winners it won't be long till we cheering on some dirty British born Muslim at some sport out of desperation"

In a time of triumph and unity... The seeds of disunity and bitterness come out. Racism and casual hatred.
After being challenged many times to un-friend such a person I decided not to. I don't share their opinions in the least and realise that the righteousness and justice he seeks is not in politics. Rather the righteousness and justice I believe in are found in the acts of those who seek to model higher values.

I find myself remembering Madiba (Nelson Mandela) in the face of counter racism activity of black south Africa after gaining political power and the continual challenge he gave to those around him not to rise to the tit-for-tat or wounded and hurt person retaliation through moral superiority but rather through meek and humble service to demonstrate a higher value of justice.

I believe in that.

In the words of Gandhi "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind".

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Cambrian Rd,Tunbridge Wells,United Kingdom

7-7-13

8 years ago the bombs in London went off. 

Today is the day after 77years when a Brit reclaimed The Wimbledon tennis championship. Well done to Andy Murray for beating Djokavic on this scorching summer day. 

It's been a great year for British Sport and today was no exception. I can't confess to being and tennis aficionado but I have been loving this tournament. 

Even more amazing to win on my dad's birthday. 

A great day indeed.

3-D

The Solankys and Tranters watching The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl... In 3D!

My favourite comic book page

I was at a friends describing one of my favourite comic book stories and one of the characters involved has this dialogue that is comic book writing at its finest.

It was a response to his question do you know what page you would like as a poster. Whilst there are many immediately this one was on top of my thoughts.

The boys

Today is World Refugee Day

The question before me is "What would you take?"

Here is the picture:

My parents were asked to leave a country.

They were only allowed one suitcase. They passed 17 check points.

They were locked in massive areas with a sea of other people for long periods without access to facilities.

They boarded the refugee plane. They pleaded with stewardess for water for their parched baby.

We were saved through others coming to get us.

We were saved through others coming to help us.

We are grateful and remember those who are "asked" to leave their countries.

Today is world refugee day.

Thanksgiving

Today I was at a thanksgiving service for someone I did not know yet I felt I knew him. I work with his son. I know little of the father yet here I was amongst family, friends and other giving thanks for a father, husband, brother and friend to the people here.

I found myself welling up with the lovely testimonials and stories of him. All the qualities described were ones that this family had exhibited to me. As a patriarch I felt his character come through.

It was extraordinary how much he came through his children and wife. 

We ended singing a great hymn of "it is well with my soul". Even now I'm humming and hearing the deep voices of the people next to me. It is indeed well with my soul that I have known of "Robbie Gurney". 

More from Syria and a Father's Day Poem

Forwards, posting, hashtagging. All means to share information. Sometimes welcome, sometimes an intrusion.

Sharing can be a wonderful thing. I heard from two people something that touched me. Without being something impersonal to pass on. These were thoughts that were personal and something that captured a moment for them.

So I too will share these moments of some of my friends.

The first is from my friend currently in Beirut, I have shared from her in the past, who had a brief moment which she captured beautifully here:

Allie Chen

Yesterday

Beyrouth, Beirut. just when the heart feels heavy, I am reminded that we humans are and were never meant to walk this journey alone. found myself laughing the other night as I walked along the Corniche in Beirut, arm and arm with two kindred spirits whose souls mine feels as if it has known since another lifetime. there, the sea breeze gave me cause to breathe freely, as the sound of crashing waves in the dark humbled me to remember that the world's capacity for grief is so much bigger than ours, or mine. I find comfort in being so small.

And there we were, the strangest trio strolling by the sea - a beautiful Lebanese man, a blind Palestinian and a Chinese girl smiling at the children running around her as we walked as one... strolling past the families having a midnight picnic on the stone benches, the toddlers throwing glowsticks into the night sky, the young teenagers rollerblading fast by us, the old men fishing in the sea....

We met a coffee peddler with an unexpectedly American accent and an ancient face who said he'd taken the Star Ferry back and forth in Hong Kong years before I'd even been born. as if to remind us we were indeed in Beirut, the most pimped out BMW with a top of the line, blinged-out subwoofer built into the boot blasted Arabic pop music for all to hear. all the while, we searched for the blind Syrian beggar Abu Abed, who had told her about those who take advantage of the vulnerable. I worried that he disappeared back across the border in search of his house that had been destroyed. she said, "habibte inti - do not worry. that burden is not yours to bear". Her wisdom gave me pause. Her faith gave me peace.

Looking out at the neon lights of the city that sparkled and beckoned to us in the distance, for a moment I felt as if we were by Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. not so much because I was homesick - but because in that moment, I felt at home with those twin souls. "the sea is my weakness", she had said. "and you two are mine", said I. Their love softened a fortnight of feeling suffocated like a caged bird, not least because the Bekaa, one of the places I work in the field was hit by 7 missiles in one day and I had been ordered by security to stay put, admittedly because I have a tendency to disobey such orders. But their peace demanded more of my faith in the promise that God provides, even in the week that the UN estimated 100,000 Syrians killed in this ongoing inhumane carnage.

As my week starts anew, I meditate on my twin soul's faith that His Will will not lead me where His Grace cannot keep me. and pray that I may always be joyful to walk with others, just as two angels have walked with me. — with Christie Pang and 2 others.

The second is a poem on Father's Day from a friend about caring for his Father in his last days:

Giles Abbott

Yesterday near London, England

Strange to watch you Dad, become a stone.
In childhood, you were our rock;
we climbed you, we clambered over you,
we built our home
on you.

Now the wind weathers you,
time, rain and hail hammer you;
you don’t flinch.

Moss grows on you, insects burrow
into the deep-lined cracks of your face.
I enter the room;
you don’t respond.

And my small mother, determined,
hauls you this way, hauls you that way,
rolls you to where the sun can warm you;
you don’t flinch.

and I leave you both,
you, unmoving, but leaving,
and my mother, a tender Sisyphus,
rolling our rock
up the hill.

Through the lens of a 7 year old

Nine shots at granpa's house. 

Taken by a seven year old.

On my way

Tickets confirmed.

1815 arrival for 1915 seating at the Odeon Leicester Square.

Man of Steel premiere here I come.

Feeling utterly blessed. :)

Premiere

Waiting and walking right now.

Walking to a meeting. Waiting for a call. 

The call could be an great light for the UK premiere screening of Man of Steel. 

Pretty excited. Even wearing my superman pants. Not on the outside. Not yet!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Reuben. No more three year olds in this house anymore!

Had a fab day!

Saturday at the local fete

A Joshie dance 

Bubbles 

Time of month

This week I was learning. 

I learnt that girls are not allowed to school because of their time of month. Specifically as they do not have the towels to keep the classrooms clean. Every month, pretty much by clockwork, girls forfeit their classrooms, their teachers, their classmates just because it's "that" time.

I was told that education is number one thing. A young 11 year old flood survivor the other week was telling me how proud he was to start school but a month ago. In a Haitian slum repeatedly a school builder said education is his number one goal.

Still learning... even now... especially now

Best friends

From birth they were friends.

Held hands within a month. Seven years on they still hold each other's hand and stick up for one another.

I love Caleb and Toby's special bond. This past week it was awesome to see them still holding hands and loving every moment of each other's company.

Quite possibly my favourite picture

I returned home the other week with Joshie giving quite possibly my favourite picture. 

It was of his papa, the rock star performing with his rock n roll band... On a nine wheel train (of course). With the family, including Joshie, watching on the right.

He was so looking forward to giving me this picture. Apparently been waiting eagerly for days.

I loved it. Quite possibly one of my fav pics ever.

Joshie and Freya

Friends from birth and completely betrothed. Joshie and Freya "Noono" dance fairy tale style.

Utterly mesmerising on a lovely bank holiday weekend.

 

In the back of the car

Swapped my front seat for a back seat and Joshie asked to take a few shots of us back seat boys.

"I knew he was scared as his arms locked up"

I am surrounded by the nations. Around 170 different nations represented at this UN conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. The theory: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

It's a privilege to be here as I have worked through many disasters, particularly in responding and reacting to them. Yet they keep coming and we keep reacting. Its a great time to be here amongst so many others (around 3500 people) to reflect, be inspired and see the call for global action on these matters.

Yesterday I was in a session where children were allowed to speak. They in fact made up the panel for the session.

The room: packed. People standing at the sides just to listen in.

Two girls talked us through the rules (including a form of what I can only describe as child like "jazz hands" to agree with the statements from the front) and introduced children from a host of countries including Lesotho, Japan. At the end an 11 year old disabled boy from Vietnam and his translator were asked to take the microphone.

The boy proudly dressed in a great grey suit with lovely bow tie spoke up and his words were hard to understand both as it was in Vietnamese but also as his disabilities limit his speech. The translator knew both him and every word and intent behind them.

He spoke out about the desire to be in school and the love for education. This is the number one thing. His idea: Protect our schools so we can go to them. Its been his dream to go and he was saved when the flood hit their area. the swept away much. He himself nearly went with the floods were it not for the loving arms of his mother who saved him. She carried him out whilst the waters raged. Amazing.

His mother cried from the crowd with tears of pride and joy, holding her camera as her son shared the call to protect what we have.

He received a standing ovation.

Later on I was able to meet him and the small delegation.

I asked the boy what it was like when the floods were there, how did you feel. He said "I was scared". The mum had grabbed him and pulled him out just carrying him. She wasn't a big lady as she squatted next to me saying and hand gesturing the lifting.

She concluded "I knew he was scared as his arms were locked up as I carried him". She carried him up to the second floor. She was still smiling with pride.