Why I Ride

The fourth annual Ride for Refugees is in full swing, and yesterday (Sept 29) was the first ‘pre-ride’. For me, it was 50km of pure pleasure! I love to ride, and when I get the opportunity to ride for a cause I love and with people who share that love … well the kilometres just seem to fly by.

You have to understand that cycling has been my hobby for many years. But let me say again, I count it a real opportunity to ride with friends (old and new) who join International Teams in our annual Refugee Ride. But there is a lot more to this event that just riding.

When I was younger, and doing a lot of riding, I went to a London cycling shop, looking for gearing for my bike that would make things just a little bit easier on the hills. The storeowner and friend Derek listened to my request and then said through his thick Eastern European accent, “In cycling, you have to suffer”. I walked out of the store that day, having spent no money and with no new gear for my bike. From that day forward, I have been learning how to suffer on the bike … and then recover. Some days you take it easy and just have fun, but other times you ‘pound the pedals’ and press your body to its limits.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to meet a lot of refugees, people who have been forcefully uprooted and literally displaced. I’ve spent time with them, listened to stories filled with despair, taken meals together watched smiles appear when someone cares enough to learn their name. Let me make a disclaimer here. While I have interacted with those on the refugee highway, there are others who work with people caught in this emotional and physical turmoil everyday. These ones who walk alongside the uprooted daily are the real heroes!

But whether it’s been my personal interaction or hearing reports through colleagues, I know that refugees suffer, and all of them suffer greatly. But unlike me on my bike, they have no choice … they don’t get to manage their schedules so they can have hard days and easy days, or even rest days.

However, everyday, loving people from International Teams, motivated by their faith and God’s love for all people who meet refugees and former refugees and care for their needs. These and countless others from churches and organizations are present with those in suffering. This is what it means to be a follower Jesus.

So why do I ride in the Ride for Refugees? I choose to suffer a little on the bike. I choose to identify with those I know who suffer greatly. I choose to call others to join me in small and big ways. I choose to follow Jesus in his mission to bring good news to the poor … to care for the widow, orphan and refugee.

I choose to ride for the cause. Join me! Check out http://www.RideForRefugees.com

Stilling praying the prayer ...

I continue to pray the 'prayer of Jesus', each day, and many times. If I wake up in the night, the first thing I do is inhale ... 'Lord Jesus Christ, son of man, son of David' then exhale ... 'have mercy on me a sinner.' I find it an excellent discipline and a great opening to any kind of spontaneous prayer.

Also, as I have been praying for mercy I have become more aware of my own sin and shortcomings. But the great news is, I have become more aware of the depth of mercy and grace that Jesus brings and gives.

Breathe

Eugene Petersen, teaches that the simplest and most primitive form of prayer is 'breathing'.
" . . . the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
As an avid aerobic guy, you know, cycling and running, concentration on good, rhythmic breathing is important. For the past two weeks, while running or cycling, I have concentrated on breathing in deeply while saying the first part of the Jesus prayer. That is, "Lord, Jesus, Christ, Son of God", then exhaled, "have mercy on me a sinner".
The practice helps me keep my concentration, keep my heart beat down a few beats and remember who God is and who I am.

Praying the "Prayer of Jesus"

I've been away from my blog for a while, but now I have something to write about. Yes, there are lots of things that could be written, but for me, I needed this inspiration to pull me back.
My friend Dan, challenged us to pray the prayer of Jesus for one month, keep a journal and get back to him. Hmmm ... sounds simple, but in fact, like trying to acquire any new habit, it is in fact quite difficult.
Here I go, day three of praying this simple prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Profound •Deep • Healing •Transforming • Reconciling

The following is a beautiful article written by friend and co-worker Anthony Jones, Managing Director of International Teams UK (ITUK).

The evening was unique and deeply moving. A group of 13 people from 7 nations wept together.
It began with a debate exploring the tensions that have or could arise in multi-cultural teams. We listed specific issues that could cause conflict within teams that have people from different cultures. The debate was robust and people were encouraged to be transparent and speak freely about past hurts and misunderstandings.

We selected the top four issues and discussed the top two. The first related to the tensions that arise when cultures collide when team members place high value on task completion whilst others highly value relationship building. The second explored the sometimes ‘know it all’ attitude of westerners and, conversely, the potential for the elevation of westerners beyond their true status. During our time, we recognised that many wounds are inflicted and received as a result of skin colour and our colonial history.

The question as then asked … "Are there any lingering hurts and resentments arising from our colonial past, that still effect relationships today?"

The floodgates opened. People felt able to express innermost damages that had been caused by attitudes of people from former colonial or western countries.

We stood. Spontaneously, we drew together to form a tight circle. Arms were wrapped around each other as we stood in silence.

The silence broken only with the sound of weeping. We prayed. Each prayer was heartfelt, asking for forgiveness for the sins of colonial forefathers and present attitudes. Each prayed for healing from those hurts. We looked into each others eyes … we broke apart and went around the room hugging one another and blessing each other.

It was now 11pm after a long day… and yet we again sat in a warm, comfortable silence. The comment was made that a healing had come and now everything else on our list suddenly seemed less important. None wanted to leave that overwhelming sense of unity and love.

A foretaste of heaven.

Anthony Jones, Kenya 2006

Quote of the Day

He may be mad, but there's method in his madness. There nearly always is method in madness. It's what drives men mad, being methodical.

G. K. Chesterton, The Fad of the Fisherman (1922)
English author & mystery novelist (1874 - 1936)

No wonder I'm nearly mad some days! I seem to be looking for the perfect plan or strategy -- driving myself and those around me mad. New year's resolution: be more spontaneous, go with the flow, trust God more, listen to the wise counsel of my wife and other around me who I admire for their spontaneity.

Picture of the Day: Rwanda

From Rwanda, Afric...

International Peace Light from the Bethlehem Nativity Grotto

As I reflect on another Christmas season, a time near the end of the year when us 'task oriented' types can be run off our feet, I am warmed by this story of the Peace Light Campaign. No matter what complaints we have with the commercialization of Christmas, or the new political correctness that drops Christ out of everything, we can find some glimmer of light that reminds us that Christmas does indeed belong to Christ.

Enjoy this story and your own story of Christ's birth in your neighbourhood.

[Singing] ‘The light from Bethlehem will give the world a new hope, let us all warm in the light of peace.’

The Nativity Grotto Peace Light campaign is a two-decade-old tradition. Every year a child from Austria fetches the light from the place in Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born. Then the light travels to Austria where it is distributed to delegations from different nations at a special ceremony. Back in their home countries, messengers take the light to churches, hospitals, old people’s homes, prisons, schools and other institutions.

Polish scouts take part in the tradition for the 16^th time this year. Ewa Lachiewicz, head of the international office of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association.

‘The message of the campaign of the light of Bethlehem is to spread peace. For the scouting family peace is the most important value. We believe that this is our aim living here on Earth, that we should try to build friendship with all other people. We perceive the Peace Light of Bethlehem as something very important for scouting.’

The Nativity Grotto Peace Light campaign originated in Austria as part of a charitable mission organized for children in need. It was very quickly spread as an international peace campagin. Since its onset 20 years ago, scouts from many countries have gathered together to help the light travel throughout Europe and recently even to the United States. Polish scouts have collected the light of peace from their Slovak counterparts and will pass it on to Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania and Russia. Ewa Lachiewicz of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association again:

‘In Vienna it was distributed to national delegations. Slovak scouts received the light in Vienna and brought it to the Polish Slovakian border. Polish scouts received the light just last Sunday from our Slovak friends. Now we will bring the light to the countries to the east of Poland. This is very important to us to be part of this chain of spreading the message of peace to our neighbor countries: Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine.’

For Polish scout Adam Staroniek the light symbolizes peace, family, warmth, and the good that is in people:

‘This light comes from the Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem. Just before Christmas we take this light and give it to all the people. It symbolizes family warmth and peace. It is supposed to be an occasion for all of us to sit by this fire, because as one of our songs says, everything that’s evil seeks darkness, and what is good, comes out into the light. This is why we spread this light.’

Earlier this year it was feared that there might be problems collecting the light from Bethlehem because of the turmoil in the region. However, due to a peace agreement in August, the tradition can still be practiced.

‘This year will be the first time that the fire will arrive in Russia before December 25 in order to bring light to the believers of Catholic, Protestant and other non-Orthodox parishes for Christmas,” said Vyacheslav Chernykh, initiator of the initiative and an officer at the Russian Scout foundation, according to the press service of the Russian Conference of Catholic Bishops.’

In the past, the light of peace has been presented to Pope John II, Pope Benedict XVI, Mikhail Gorbatchow, former King Hussain of Jordan, EU President Romano Prodi, and troops in Kosovo and to Ground Zero, New York.

The International Peace Light Website

Honorary knighthood for U2's Bono

Take a closer look at this controversial Irish Christian and his dedication to bring 'good news to the poor'.

U2 frontman Bono is being awarded an honorary knighthood by the Queen, the British Embassy in Dublin has said.

The singer, whose real name is Paul Hewson, has been given the honour for "his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work", it said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair congratulated him, telling the singer in a letter: "You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa."

The 46-year-old will receive the honour in Dublin early in the new year.

British ambassador David Reddaway will conduct the ceremony.

The embassy said the agreement of the Irish government was sought and granted for the Dublin-born singer to be honoured.

I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you and how determined you are to do all you can
Tony Blair

A statement on the band's website said the singer, who has lobbied Western leaders to increase aid to developing countries and cancel Third World debt, was "very flattered" to receive the award.

It added that he hoped it opened doors for his campaigning work against extreme poverty in Africa.

Pressure on leaders

Because he is not a British national, he will not be able to use the title "Sir". The honour is the same as that conferred upon fellow Dubliner Bob Geldof in 1986.

Other recipients of honorary knighthoods include Microsoft founder Bill Gates, singer Placido Domingo and film director Steven Spielberg.

In his letter to the singer, Mr Blair thanked Bono for his work in the run up to 2005's G8 summit, which had a focus on African poverty.

Alongside Geldof, Bono organised the Live 8 concerts to coincide with the summit, and increase the pressure on Western leaders to take action.

"I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you. I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them," he said.

"I want personally to thank you for the invaluable role you played in the run-up to the Gleneagles G8 summit. Without your personal contribution, we could not have achieved the results we did.

"So thank you and I look forward to continuing to work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made."

In 2003, Bono was presented with France's Legion D'Honneur by President Jacques Chirac, while in 2005 he was voted Time magazine's person of the year for his work promoting justice and equality, along with Bill and Melinda Gates.

Last year, he admitted that at one stage, he was worried his commitment to the cause might force him to leave U2.

In 2006 he was named the most influential pop star of the past 25 years by music network MTV, and in February U2 won five Grammy Awards, including song of the year for Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, and album of the year for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

Check out Bono's involvement in DATA @ http://www.data.org/ That is, "Debt, Aids, Trade, Africa"