Creative Spirit: The Methodist Art Collection

One of the Highlights of last year's Greenbelt 2011 was the Exhibition of some of the Methodist Art Collection. I wrote about it in a previous blog: Dreams of Home. The Collection had some stunning images under the theme 'Jesus in the everyday' and I spent a couple of happy hours staring at them. I also bought the CD Rom Collection and Study Notes 'Creative Spirit".   

There was a lot to inspire, but my favourite image was Dalit Madonna by Jyoti Sahi

Dalit Madonna  Oil on canvas 148cm x 119 cm  (c.2002) Jyoti Sahi,  b. India 1944 

Unlike in Europe , where midwinter is a time of darkness and cold, lifeless earth, in Asia the winter season is a time for rejoicing, and bringing into the home, the fruits of the earth.
That is why in this image of the Mother and Child, the relation of Mary to Jesus is symbolic of the transformed earth, which becomes like a full vessel of life. The Birth of our Lord is in this way celebrated every time we come together for the Eucharist.

 From the Creative Spirit notes on the Methodist WebSite

Jyoti Sahi

There are links to the images on the Methodist Website and the CD Rom is worth getting.

You can also watch a brief YouTube video on the Methodist Art Collection which gives you an idea of the variety of images available.



If you want to find out where they are being displayed next have a look at the calendar 

ARADHNA -Mukhteshwar 'Blessed are the Merciful'

I love the hautingly beautiful music of ARADHNA, having seen them at Greenbelt a few years ago (in the CMS Tent). They were TCKs from Woodstock and have learnt classical Indian Music, which they serve up as a belnded fusion of East & West, proving Rudyard Kipling wrong yet again. ....  Here the two SHALL meet.....
This Music Video is from their new DVD 'Sau Guna'

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercyThose who are poor in this worldBlessed are they, blessed are theyFor the kingdom of heaven is theirsBlessed are they, blessed are theyThey who mourn in this world, will have peaceThe meek in this world, will ruleBlessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercyThose whose hearts are pure in this world will see GodThose who make peace will be called the children of God - Sri Yeshu Ji

Mukteshwar is the first of six short films from Aradhna's DVD Sau Guna.

Buy Sau Guna here:
aradhnamusic.storenvy.com

For full lyric translations go tohttp://aradhnamusic.com/discography/namaste-sate/lyrics-namaste-sate/

India is ........ Global Video Challenge

My son, Jonny has produced a video of his trip last year to Kashmir where he was involved in helping teach 90 India school kids to ski on a golf course!   They were all from CMS-founded Tyndale-Biscoe School in Srinagar (which celebrates its centenary this year). The invitation to help came when they visited the school, as part of a visit to the Diocese of Amritsar, following on from the SACYN conference in Nepal and the Asia CMS CoMP conference in Amritsar in 2010. Jonny came along as photographer and took pictures of all the CoMPs.

We also went with Bishop Samantaroy up to a Youth conference in Gulmarg run by the Diocese of Amritsar and visited the T-B school in Srinagar, near the famous Dal Lake.  A conversation with the principal’s son over a cup of tea, lead to Jonny being invited to return and help teach skiing to kids at the school.

You may also remember that the beautiful (wooden, Chalet style) daughter school in Tanmarg was also burnt to the ground by a mob in reaction to an alleged Koran burning by a pastor in the US. Ironically the only Korans burnt were those in the school library burnt as a result of the arson attack!   Kashmir remains a fragile, conflict torn region and peaceful encounters, like the ski school, are all the more necessary.

Jonny and Stefan had both served with Skiers for Christ (SfC)   - a specialized ministry to skiers and snowboarders. They desire to share their faith, in practical ways, by serving the skiing and snowboarding community.  So they undertook the trip as a joint AsiaCMS & SfC enterprise in Feb 2011.   

This was one of 3 AsiaCMS interchange projects in 2011, including Chuli teaching cricket to Nepali Girls and Frederica facilitating Community Art in Pakistan. All three trips found their origin as a by-product of the SACYN conference meeting in Nepal

Stephen, the CMS Coordinator for India helped to set it all up and to orientate them on their exchange trip.  They also visited Dr Lalita in Pune and made a video of her work   called Positive + Children

The video Jonny made of Kashmir is stunningly beautiful......    

He also entered a briefer version of the video into the India Is Global video challenge and got through to the final round - one of 30 finalists - the outcome all depends on social network voting.

His video can be found on the India Is website.  (or You can cut and paste in the following link...http://indiais.org/rateit_eachvideos.php?userid1=372&videoid=3   and then you have 5 votes ..... so make them count…  that's the Challenge...

 

Global Video Challenge: 'India is ........ for Skiers'

My son Jonny has produced a video of his trip last year to Kashmir where he was involved in helping teach 90 India school kids to ski on a golf course!   They were all from Tindale Biscoe School in Srinagar. The invitation to help came when we both visited the school, as part of a visit to the Diocese of Amritsar. We also went up to Gulmarg where the video was shot.......  all I can say is that is was stunningly beautiful......     The original video is on vimeo and was part of the Serious Fun Vol 2    video magazine put out by sfc
He also entered a briefer version of the video into the India Is  Global video challenge and got through to the final round - one of 30 finalists -  the outcome all depends on social network voting.

So my request is for you to vote for his video, (it does not however work on the internet explorer you would have to use Firefox, Safari, or google chrome.) You can vote through Facebook or by signing on with an email account.  When you vote for it please let me know so I know who has already done so.  At this point of time Jonny is in 7th place and needs a BIG BOOST - YOUR VOTE can make all the difference   Please pass this on to your friends .... that's how viral campaigns start. We have until 14 March ...

His video can be found on the India Is website  You can cut and paste in the following link...
http://indiais.org/rateit_eachvideos.php?userid1=372&videoid=3   and then you have 5 votes ..... You only need to vote for Jonny's video !!

I'll keep you posted on the results..... Let's go viral

Yeshu Satsang Toronto

an excellent example of multi-cultural worship from Yeshu Satsung Toronto, recommended by one of the participants at the recent Fresh Expressions and Pioneering conference.   Similar to Pal Singh's Sanctuary in Birmingham. It also reminds me of the music of Aradhna  

Something beautiful for God

I first discovered Mother Theresa through Malcolm Muggeridge's book: Something Beautiful for God (1972). Since then she has been an inspiration to an ideal of selfless engagement with people on the margins of society. Practical demonstration of love, up to her death shortly after Princess Di, and beyond...... The Time magazine article Mother Theresa's crisis of faith demythologised the spirituality of Mother Theresa and was particularly helpful in that it made her far more human and accessible.

I have been to Calcutta (Kolkotta) on at least 3 occasions, but too late to meet her. But I have met others inspired by her. Her spirit and her legacy live on...

This poem prayer 'do it anyway' has been attributed to Mother Theresa.It has also been printed on many inspirational posters. (There is also another verion called The 10 Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith)

The quotation sort of makes you want to get on with it and 'do stuff' that matters. To make a difference like Mother Theresa - to 'do something beautiful for God'

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

'Two States of Marriage'

'Indian Bride' is a sketch I did on my last trip to India, trying to capture something of Indian culture and custom.

An Indian Wedding as a celebration is the mainstay of the Indian social calendar for the whole community. Hospitality in abundance. They are colourful, lavish affairs.

And so often, it all comes together at the last minute, just like the Delhi Commonwealth Games
(I came across this poem along the same lines and some great pictures.)

The painting is based on a photograph used by an Indian NGO and it suggests something quintessentially 'Indian', indigenous. Maybe a little is 'lost in translation' but there is a sense that somehow this reflects the culture of organisation

Chetan Bhaghat's book '2 states: the story of my marriage' suggests that an Indian wedding is not so much about the coming together of 2 individuals, but more the coming together of 2 families, 2 cultures, 2 states..... As the book cover suggests:

Love marriages around the world are simple: Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. They get married.
In India, there are a few more steps: Boy loves Girl. Girl loves Boy. Girl's family has to love boy. Boy's family has to love girl. Girl's Family has to love Boy's Family. Boy's family has to love girl's family. Girl and Boy still love each other. They get married.
Welcome to 2 States, a story about Krish and Ananya. They are from two different states of India, deeply in love and want to get married. Of course, their parents don’t agree. To convert their love story into a love marriage, the couple have a tough battle in front of them. For it is easy to fight and rebel, but it is much harder to convince. Will they make it?

It feels a bit like that as we consider the future of CMS in Asia. The coming together of 2 different cultures. Socially as well as organisationally. East and West. The desire for AsiaCMS to be indigenous, culturally appropriate. Clearly Eastern in all its structures, governance, leadership, projects, programmes. But with people from different cultures. even just within India - North and South, East and West. So many languages and cultures.
Somehow it is about embracing the best of all worlds. A sort of fusion

In Monsoon Wedding (2001) the film culminates with a great dance sequence: young and old, male and female, all celebrating and dancing to the same colourful tune.. Maybe that's as good a picture as any.

And like an Indian Wedding, we plan and trust that it will all come good on the actual day. But there is an awful lot to do in the meantime....

It is often quoted: 'East is East and West is West and ne'er the twain shall meet' and it is left there ... that there is somehow an unspanable gulf between the two...

But Kipling's poem goes on to suggest the possibility of mature relationship, before God, standing face-to-face:

East is East and West is West
and ne'er the two shall meet
Til Earth and Sky stand presently
At God's great judgement seat
But there is neither East nor West
Border nor Breed, nor Birth
When two strong men stand face to face
Tho' they come from the ends of the earth

Chetan Bhagat: cricket, call centres and culture

I recently returned from India. At Hyderabad Airport I managed to pick up the 4 copies of Chetan Bhagat's books for 95 Rs each (just over a £5 for all). And I read them all whilst on the trip. He is India's best known and most read English writer, having written 4 books - two have already been made into movies.

five point someone - what not to do at IIT - the student days of Hari, Ryan and Alok (the film is therefor called '3 idiots') as they navigate a life at the bottom of the rung at India's prestigious IIT university they discover a little more of what life is about. The Bollywood film is called '3 idiots'.

one night @ the call center follows the lives of a group of call centre operators who get an unexpected call from God which forces them to re-evaluate the meaning of their lives and what they want to achieve. The film is simply called 'Hello'

the 3 mistakes of my life follows Govind a young entrepreneur in Ahmadabad in 2000 as he sets up a cricket shop with 2 close friends. Everything is challenged as he comes to terms with three big mistakes he makes in the face of life's unexpected twists and turns.

2 States: the story of my marriage is what happens when Punjabi boy meets South Indian girl and they discover that a love marriage involves more than just 2 people. Its about 2 extended families indeed 2 cultures coming together.

I've had a couple of reasons this week to think of the books - India winning the cricket World Cup - which reminded me of Govind in 3 mistakes and the boost to his business when India won the cricket

I also had reason to talk to a call centre in New Delhi recently over a lastminute.com airline ticket re-booking. And the staff could not have been more helpful. Mind you, having read the book I was all the more polite and sympathetic. It really does make a difference how you talk to people. And One night has made me think more positively about call centre workers and even the possibility of God intervening in their lives .... So next time you're connected to Bangalore or New Delhi, say a little prayer....

Sadhu Sundur Singh - Iconic Indian

This time a picture inspired by Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929). Except he looks a bit like Captain Haddock in Tin Tin ('Blistering Barnacles'....) I copied it from a B&W picture , Maybe I should have painted him in a Saffron robe....

I just have one book on him: 'The Gospel of Sadu Sindar Singh" by Frederich Heiler ISPK 1989 (First published in 1924 under the title 'Sadhu Sundar Singh Ein Apostel des Ostens und Westens' abridged translation by Olive Wyon) And it only cost me 50Rs in India. It is available as a FREE googledocs download

There are some other good online resources - an introduction to his life plus of course a Wiki version and the new world encyclopedia entry and if you speak German try this. He was obviously very popular in Germany, having visited in 1920s (he also visited Britain, Australia and the States on a preaching tour)

He was converted from a Sikh background in Dec 1904. He was disillusioned and suicidal at the time. He describes his conversion in his own words:

“Suddenly — towards half-past four — a great light in his little room. He thought the house was on fire, opened the door and looked out ; there was no fire there. He closed the door and went on praying. Then there dawned upon him a wonderful vision : in the centre of a luminous cloud he saw the face of a Man, radiant with love. At first he thought it was Buddha or Krishna, or some other divinity, and he was about to prostrate himself in worship. Just then, to his great astonishment, he heard these words in Hindu- stani : Tu mujhe kyun satata hat ? Dekh main ne tere liye apui jan salib -par di (" Why do you persecute Me ? Remember that I gave My life for you upon the Cross"). Utterly at a loss, he was speechless with astonishment. Then he noticed the scars of Jesus of Nazareth, whom until that moment he had regarded merely as a great man who had lived and died long ago in Palestine, the same Jesus whom he had so passionately hated a few days before. And this Jesus showed no traces of anger in His face, although Sundar had burnt His holy Book, but He was all gentleness and love. Then the thought came to him : "Jesus Christ is not dead ; He is alive, and this is He Himself " ; and he fell at His feet and worshipped Him. In an instant he felt that his whole being was completely changed ; Christ flooded his nature with Divine life ; peace and joy filled his soul, and ** brought heaven into his heart." When Sundar Singh rose from his knees Christ had disappeared, but the wonderful peace remained from that moment, and it has never left him since. He said afterwards : " Neither in Hindustani, my mother- tongue, nor in English, can I describe the bliss of that hour."

He believed that a message that was for all mankind, and had universal significance:

If the Divine spark in the soul cannot be destroyed, then we need despair of no sinner… Since God created men to have fellowship with Himself, they cannot for ever be separated from Him… After long wandering, and by devious paths, sinful man will at last return to Him in whose Image he was created; for this is his final destiny.

He dedicated his life to a Sadhu-style mission particularly within North India, and the Himalayan region of Tibet and Nepal. He went wider afield to South India, Ceylon, Burma, Malaya, Singapore, Japan and China .

He disappeared in the Himalayas in 1929 (possibly in Tibet) and his body was never found. He remains a fine example of indigenous Christian leadership, modelling a non-Western form of mission, the Sadhu wandering the dusty footpaths, which had a far reaching impact.

He once said (on a mission trip to the West):

'We Indians do not want a doctrine, mot even a religious doctrine, we have enough and more than enough of that kind of thing; we are tired of doctrines. We need the Living Christ. India wants people who will not only preach and teach, but workers whose whole life and temper is a revelation of Jesus Christ'

Abdul Masih - Henry Martyn's convert

I decided to do a drawing of Abdul Masih, based on an Oil Painting we have in the office. It is a picture that has fascinated me for a while. I wanted to know more about him. I had found a couple of pages on a book some time ago, which I had photoed and now have typed up. But I cannot remember the title, which is most unhelpful. Still it tells something of his story. He is remembered on 4th March . . . . .

Abdul Masih’s name was until his baptism Sheik Salih. As that implies he was a Mohmmedan, and was in fact the first member of that faith to be converted by the Anglican Church in India and ordained to the Anglican Ministry

He was born into an orthodox and respectable family in Delhi about the 1765 and was brought up with a good knowledge of Persian and Arabic. As a young man he had a somewhat varied career until the time when he was staying with his father at Kanpur and happened to hear Henry Martyn preach. He was deeply impressed. Through copying Persian manuscripts for Martyn, and when Martyn had finished his Persian translations of the N/T. it was given to him to bind. Whilst doing this he read the book carefully and became convinced of the truth of Christianity. However he did not open his heart to Martin at once, but waited till Martyn was about to leave for Calcutta in the autumn of 1810

Martyn was not fully convinced that Sheik Salih was ready for baptism, se he took him to Calcutta and, when he himself sailed out for Persia early in 1811, left him in the care of David Brown who was then in charge of the Old Mission Church. The enquirer was baptised in that church on Pentecost Sunday 1811 with the Christian name of Abdul Masih, servant of Christ. He lived for some time longer in Calcutta and at Shinsurah, working as a preacher and catechist, showing not only his considerable ability but also a wonderful humility and zeal in the face of much opposition and persecution.

When Daniel Corries was posted to Agra as Chaplain at the end of 1812, he told Abdul Masih with him as catechist in the pay of C.M.S. Their joint ministry at Agra was so greatly blessed, both among the Christians of all races and in preaching to non-Christians, that when Corrie left for England in 1814 he left him in charge of the congregation jointly with an Anglo-Indian catechist. Abdul Masih received Lutheran orders at Calcutta in 1820. Four years later Bishop Heber was so impressed by his work at Agra that he brought him to Calcutta and gave him Episcopal ordination in St John’s Church in November 30, 1825. Though he was under 60 years of age he health was already failing and he died at Lucknow on March 4, 1827

The report of the Calcutta C.M.S committee for 1827 includes a ling and laudatory notice of his work including the following words, “He had laboured in the service of the CMS for upward of 14 years, during the whole of which period he had uniformly adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour, and greatly endeared himself to Christians of all classes in society. By patience and meekness under persecution and reproaches for Christ’s sake, and by persevering endeavour to return good for evil, even his enemies had become at peace with him”

We thank God for Abdul Masih’s witness to his Master both by his work and he Christian character. Let us pray that all who bear the name of Christ in our day may follow his example.

You can read more in an article which mentions him by Eugene Stock

and a downloadable pdf by Graham Kings called Abdul Masih: Icon of Indian Indigeneity

Archbishop at Delhi Brotherhood

I was looking at the Lambeth website at pics of the Archbishop visit to India (I was meant to be there myself). He was recently visiting CMS partner organisation, 'The Delhi Brotherhood'
I enjoyed the photos of the service and the cricket.

Delhi Brotherhood: The Delhi Brotherhood Society was originally known as the Cambridge Brotherhood, where a small number of English priests set out for Delhi in 1877, with the aim of promoting higher education. This they duly did, founding St Stephen's College in 1881 which is now one India's leading universities. In more recent times the brothers have turned their energies to the plight of slum dwellers in the city, with projects currently being run addressing HIV prevention, agricultural projects, as well empowerment initiatives for women and those people with disabilities.

‘At the centre and on the margins’

Dr Laiita Edwardes stared working at Pune and befriending Hijra or Kinnar (Eunuchs), who she calls ‘God’s special people.’ I met Panna, Koelli and Stella. All three have come out of the trade. We talked, they danced and Panna sang: ‘Koi bhi chore mujhe, Yesus kebhi nehin chorega’ (even if others leave me, Jesus will never leave me) Dr Lalita has served them, demonstrating unconditional love. It was a real lesson in acceptance.

This focus on the margins is reflected in our partnerships: Anti-trafficking in Bangladesh, Islamabad Christians against Narcotics, Delhi Brotherhoods shelter for street children. Ministry to hearing impaired in Tamil Nadu, Visranti ministry to abused women in Kerala.

Work on the margins as well as at the centre has been a hallmark of CMS work

Colonial Past Heritage and legacy

In the mid 19^th century CMS began work with the ancient churches in India. They concentrated on renewing Theological Education, helping the life and liturgy of the church, so it could be a missionary force.

CMS was opportunistic, engaging with ancient cultures, religions and other traditions, translating sacred texts and books, contributing to a revival of learning for all in the ancient civilisations of Asia.

The social work heritage, female education, health work with untouchables, has contributed to bringing dignity for all people. This is more than the traditional medical, education and church institutions which also developed from ‘starting small’. (see Venn principles – Henry Venn was an early CMS General Secretary)

I have met many in South Asia who have deeper claims to being CMS than I have, born in a ‘CMS hospital’, graduated from a ‘CMS school’ or a member of a ‘CMS church’.

The United Church Experiment

Part of working at the Centre has been to work with the established churches many of which CMS helped to found - the United Churches in South India CSI and North India (CNI) , and In Pakistan (COP) The Anglican Church of Ceylon and the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal. These remain our traditional partners.

I also visited Chennai (Madras) in search of St Thomas who brought Christianity in 52AD. What struck me was that the disciple who doubted the most went the furthest. And our most ancient partners – the Syrian Orthodox and Mar Thoma churches trace the foundation of their church to Thomas’s arrival and ministry. The Christian legacy is deeper than the British Raj.

The CHINDIA Phenomena

The Indian subcontinent is a vast geographical area and a growing economic force, part of the rising economic BRIC Nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Indeed the ‘CHINDIA” phenomena as it has been called, suggests that China and India will change the economic face of Asia and probably the spiritual face as well.

Mission Movements

New Mission movements are part of this spiritual change of face:

Indian Evangelical Mission, Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, Mission Board of Presbyterian Church of Mizoram, Anglican Inland Missionary Society of Sri Lanka, BORN Network in Bihar state, Al Bashir in N India, Isa-e-Jamat in Bangladesh, Bhutan outreach project.

CMS acts as a bridge between existing and emerging church movements. We have encouraged this growth through Leadership development, discipleship training and scholarships.

Ram Prasad from Nepal has been supported through various programmes, and now as a Co-Mission Partner, he is making a significant contribution to the growth of the Nepali mission movement through his leadership in the Mission Commission of Nepal.

Focus on Youth

South Asian Christian Youth Network brings together youth form the established and more emerging partnerships from all over the Indian Subcontinent. Over the years SACYN has been ‘Called to Peace’ in Sri Lanka and looked at ‘Gospel and Globalisation’ in Bangalore. And becoming ‘Bridge Builders’ in Pokhara Nepal in May 2010

CHALLENGES

The challenges of the subcontinent are vast. There is real need for Integral Mission, for a holistic social transformational Gospel meeting some of the challenges on the edges - Indigenous Mission reaching out to the tribal peoples of NE India. The untouchables. Himalayan Arch and the strategic place of Nepal. Myanmar, Tibet, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asian republics. How to connect up the Chinese and India movements.

The field is vast but the harvesters are already being mobilised from within the region. Our task is to work alongside them

Let Bishop Samantaroy of Amritsar Diocese, CNI have last word:

If Indian churches get together, then there is no need to look elsewhere…. Our people are encountering Missionaries from South India. We see their dedication and are challenged….CMS has adapted to the changing situation, doing mission with the locals. Now God has opened a door. It is a new Avatar (incarnation) - an Indian CMS - an Asian entity with a new face.

A Procession of Prayers for Christmas

Prayers from around the world for Saturday's International carol service. All from John Carden's Procession of Prayers

China

Bright moon, scattered stars; so solitary is creation. The universe which God has created is especially silent on this night, It waits with bated breath for the Lord of Creation to return. The universe belongs to God. It is his home

Silence reigns supreme. The flowers of the field sway gently in the moonlight. This night, the vast earth awaits the homecoming of our Creator God. The vast earth and open fields belong to God. They are his home

Bethlehem lies dreaming. In his gentle mother’s arms the babe sleeps peacefully this night, The city of David awaits the homecoming of David’s descendant. The town of Bethlehem belongs to him. It is his home.

My bones, my flesh, my blood, my lungs and my heart, we are all made by his hand. This night, my heart is at peace, awaiting my Creator’s return. My heart belongs to him. It is his home

Sudan

Heavenly Father

We thank you for your love

Especially to women who work with poor people

Teaching, nursing, and helping women during their labour.

We pray you to give them wisdom;

Guide them always to fulfil their duties without difficulties.

Lord, be with those they work with and send your Holy Spirit

To give us love to help all people.

We pray you to lead us through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen

India (based on Maharati hymn)

Behold how the angels sing

Glory in the highest

Peace on earth

Love has taken a name and a form, and,

becoming meek for his helpless creatures,

has come to earth

The finger on which the sun is set as a diamond

He puts in his mouth

and plays with in a small cowshed

O Christ, give us this mind

That as the finger turns and beckons

We too may respond

United Kingdom

‘Lord God, Farther of Jesus Christ, be present, we pray at our Christmas celebrations which honour the birth of your Son, and make them fine and full; make our greetings sincere and our giving real; make our eating and drinking a delight without becoming an excess; enliven our relationship, both within our families and beyond them,with the Spirit of the Christ child’ Amen

'unveil hidden beauty... longing for redemption'

Great images in Calendar 2010 and slide show by nurandra - Lukus Augustine

"I desire to capture moments of truth that unveil hidden beauty, dreams, questions, suffering and longing for redemption"

Go Goa go

The 'Goa Team' 

We took the 'India Team' to LHR4 to fly off to Goa for a 3 week summer project.   

They are part of Graceworks and their summer misison projects.  They will be working with Martin and Beena who run Bethesda Life centre ministres. I visited earlier in the year as you may have read on a previous blog.   

My daughter Jo is part of the team, returning for a 2nd year running. She was really looking forward to working in the boys home again.  Pictures   of the kids adorn her bedroom wall. 

They seem to have spend the past I-don't-know-how-many-months fundraising and completed the task on Wednesday with a pub-quiz style event at church which raised £600. 

The connection with CMS is that all the leaders have done the orientation and training module that CMS runs for short term teams. I was also involved in the oprientation weekend running the Bafa Bafa cross cultural experience simulation game. Lots of fun. 

Go Goa go ! 

CMS website

Some of the goodies available on the CMS website with Asia links to them. No Particular order. Follow the links.  

 

SONG  We give to you

Six CMS people got together to create a new worship song - this is the result. And its to support Jigsaw in the Philippines 

 

Local heroes of Asian mission

In India, a recent gathering of remarkable people in mission showed the way forward for mission in Asia, says Helen Harwood's article on the Pune conference in India .

Issue 43 - July 2009 - South India

In this edition of Audiomission Jeremy Woodham talks to the Reverend Moses Jayakumar, the general secretary of the Church of South India and mission partners Hugh & Debbie Skeil tell us about their work at the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore,

  

There is a photostream in Flikr from CMS people  Lots of pics from Becky and Shemila in Sri Lanka  Plus the IDP crisis there and some fiundraising events   

    Bangalore Interviews

A 5min video.  Find out more about a CMS Short term team that went to Bangaloret from the Centre for Youth Ministry Students ...

 CMS - Praxis - Philippines Experience

Jigsaw Kids Ministries - The work of CMS mission partners Kate and Tim Lee (9mins)

And some Photos Stories 

ART   He Qi: art of mission 

Watch the development of renowned artist He Qi's (CMS Artist in residence in 2008)  large-scale commission for CMS: 'The Mission of God

EMERGENCY  China earthquake: love in action

Chinese Christians responding to disaster with ActionLove, the social development arm of Asian Outreach, a CMS partner

And Finally some Misison Opportunities 

Mission Service opportunities:   Teachers – various subjects

Nepal, Asia, required as soon as possible
Region: Asia, Role: Education, Time commitment: 1-2 years, Time commitment: 5 years +, Country: Nepal

MISSION TRIPS   Short term team opportunities 2009...