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".

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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!