On the eve of a new adventure I try and ready my heart for what is ahead.
Month: January 2020
WAR HAS A FACE. When war and suffering has looked me in the eye
I glanced down to see his mother writhing on the floor in pain. She was pregnant and in labour. I looked up and continued to ventilate Malachi’s failing malnourished body as a nurse did chest compressions. We gave antimalarials, IV fluids, antibiotics and blood. He recovered a little, but his condition was critical. Meanwhile, a…
Continue reading ➞ WAR HAS A FACE. When war and suffering has looked me in the eye
MY SON’S FIRST WORDS AND MY VIEW OF MONOTONY
One of Mr. Brave's first words in arabic was 'tani,' the word for more. Those of you with a little person learning to speak may have noticed that ‘again’ or ‘more’ are some of the first words that they learn. Whether they are wanting more pushes on the swing, read that same story or watch that same movie. Again and…
Continue reading ➞ MY SON’S FIRST WORDS AND MY VIEW OF MONOTONY
THE MUNDANE DAILY GRIND OR SOUL WORK? Ponderings from life in a refugee camp.
To be honest, a lot of my life in Africa felt more like mundane daily grind than anything else. Most things didn’t seem that noteworthy. And sometimes the monotony of mothering got to me. As Ann Voskamp puts it, ‘Monotony can weaken faith more than catastrophe’. Does this resonate with anyone other than me? As a…
Continue reading ➞ THE MUNDANE DAILY GRIND OR SOUL WORK? Ponderings from life in a refugee camp.
A GLIMPSE INTO COMMUNITY AND COFFEE WITH MY NEIGHBOURS
What if your daily coffee was more than a quick pick-me-up? There is no doubt that our Western world conveniences like electric kettles, packaged coffee, and drive-thrus make our lives easier and quicker. However is easier and quicker always better? What have we lost of community in our busy lives? Can I share a glimpse…
Continue reading ➞ A GLIMPSE INTO COMMUNITY AND COFFEE WITH MY NEIGHBOURS
WHAT IF WE WERE MOTHERS WALKING TOGETHER?
As the sun rises each day in the refugee camp, a familiar site is mothers walking together to the bore hole to get water.They are often in small groups. Plastic jerrycans in their hands. Each woman wearing colourful toob’s (long flowy pieces of printed fabric) wrapped around their bodies. They return to their homes gracefully…
Continue reading ➞ WHAT IF WE WERE MOTHERS WALKING TOGETHER?
COMMUNITY HEALTH EVANGELISM EXPLAINED. And remembering songs of joy
It was a memorable morning at the refugee camp.I heard them singing before I arrived.Training was to start at 9:30. As I rode my bike along the straw fence-line their melodies were audible. Turning through the gate I saw their colourful toobs1 dancing with hands clapping and legs moving to the rhythms. No instruments, just…
Continue reading ➞ COMMUNITY HEALTH EVANGELISM EXPLAINED. And remembering songs of joy
CAN I SEE BEYOND ANOTHER SUNRISE?
Dare I ask, what is God's attitude towards repetition? Does He view His daily work, like making the sun rise, mundane and ordinary? It was June 2018. Our family were back in Australia. We were staying at my parent’s house on the beautiful Coast. I was up early one morning, writing, trying to piece together…
JOURNEYING TOWARDS CONTENTMENT. My daily life in a refugee camp
I hate to admit it, but I struggle not to idolise time. I hate ‘wasting time.’ I grew up making to-do lists and carefully planning my days towards maximum efficiency - even in primary school! Contentment at the end of a day came to me if my to do list had been completed, if I…
Continue reading ➞ JOURNEYING TOWARDS CONTENTMENT. My daily life in a refugee camp
Hallelujah in the Mountains 