Stories from the web October 08

  I was a female expatriate worker in Afghanistan

Sian spent six years in Afghanistan. She reveals what it was like to be a female expatriate worker there while the Taliban were in control.    22nd October 08    Read More 

  Speaking of Orissa

Persecution of Christians in Orissa is making national and international news. A CMS mission partner in India gives her personal perspective on it.    17th October 08  Read More 

  Orissa update: “Life has changed forever”

Persecuted Christians start burying the dead but wonder if life will ever be the same

10th October 08   Read More 

  How the Church in China stepped up
Five months ago on Sunday, Sichuan province in China was hit by an earthquake that killed 70,000 people. CMS partners Asian Outreach acted immediately through their social action arm in China and despite persisting aftershocks have achieved some remarkable things. Asian Outreach director Francis Tsui reports,      10th October 08  Read More 

  The gift of immigration

Societies often scapegoat immigrants for their own failings. Felipe and Sarah, who work with immigrants in Malaga, provide a useful corrective.     2nd Octber 08  Read More 

wherethehellismatt Oct 2008

I have been inspired by a YouTube posting of an American, Matt Harding dancing around the world, doing his silly dance.  Originally he danced on his own in some pretty amazing places. 

His videos can be viewed on You Tube: 

Dancing 2005

Dancing 2006

But in 2008 with the support of Stride Bubble Gum,  others joined in the dance.  And cultural diversity is introduced - dancing Bollywood style and also  Dancing with the Huli Wigmen of Papua New Guinea

This has become a picture for me of mission, of faith sharing, of connecting people around the world with the 'Lord of the Dance'.   Whenever I have shown the video I've always seen people smile - it somehow has that feel good factor, registering joy   

His videos can be viewed on YouTube or on his website Wherethellismatt or in higher quality downloads they can be downloaded for free from the Stride Bubblegum's mattsplace

The one that really inspired me is Dancing2008

So why not watch it and see.  

What were your reactions as you saw the clips ? Post a comment ........

Stories from the web September 08

  A selfish world
The tragic Marriott Hotel bombing in Islamabad revealed much about the prevailing culture in Pakistan, says Aamir.    25th September 2008  Read More 

  Orissa: mass protests, suicide threats
In Delhi a mass fast, in Orissa some Christians turn violent while others threaten suicide in climate of fear.   26th Septemeber 08 Read More 

  Preparing for climate change in Bangladesh
The impact of future climate change threatens Bangladesh with widespread social suffering. James outlines what is being done.   19th Septemeber 08  Read More 

  Faiths join protest in Orissa
Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs joined a solidarity rally in support of Orissa’s persecuted Christians this week,  18th September  Read More 

  Orissa: church leaders plan action

As attacks on Christians in Orissa spread to new states, Indian church leaders are meeting to plan joint response.   18th September 08   Read More 

  Live as a Hindu, die as a Christian

After weeks of violent persecution, Orissa’s Christians now face forced conversion as they come out of hiding.     12th September 08   Read More

  Relating to Muslim neighbours
Transformation in an Islamic context — a family living and working in North Africa relate their experience of how such change has developed quite naturally.  5th September Read More

Stories from the web August 08

  Gruesome violence hits Orissa again
Deadly attacks on Indian Christians follow the murder of a right wing Hindu leader though police say Maoists to blame

29th August 08   Read More

  Eyewitness: Georgia
Just three days after Russian tanks rolled into Georgia, one CMS partner was heading into the conflict zone: Merab of Zarebi, an Orthodox humanitarian charity. He reports here in his own words the frustration and fear of the Georgian people and his own personal view of the situation       29th August 08   Read More 

   The human face of Jigsaw

Mind-numbing statistics about children living and working in the Philippines are a powerful catalyst for Kate and Tim's caring work there.

5th August 08  Read More

   “You build hearts and souls”

The Chinese government’s top earthquake relief official is thrilled with the response of CMS partners Asian Outreach and their social arm ActionLove. David Wang, former president of Asian Outreach, visited him at his Beijing HQ.     1st August 08  Read More 

Asia Stories July 2008

  Burmese bishops visit CMS

Anglican bishops from Burma, in Britain for the Lambeth Conference, made a brief morning visit to CMS in Oxford  23 July 08 Read More 

  Plumbing for living water

Coping in a Middle Eastern country without enough access to mains or 'living' water — just two challenges facing these friends of CMS who must remain anonymous.

17 July 08 Read More

  The certainty trap
The upsurge in fundamentalism has its roots in a crisis of confidence in two world faiths, argues Bill Musk.

15th July 08 Read More 

  Tales of ordinary madness
Every culture throws up its own anomalies, psychoses and asocial behaviour. University chaplain Pam highlights a few recent Japanese newspaper items that have stopped her in her tracks     11th July 08  Read More 

  The walking wounded
Courage is far more common than is usually supposed. A CMS contact in Pakistan, who needs to remain anonymous, pays tribute to Christians enduring harassment but showing grace under fire.   3rd July 08  Read More 

This Grace Gerard Kelly

This Grace

This grace we have been given is enough.

When the mountains set before us

Won't move by faith

Until by faith we start to climb.

It is enough.

When our cry for Heaven's miracles

Rings  hollow, like a doorbell Howling through an empty house.

It is enough.

When from the wheelchairs of our weakness

We say yes

To pressing on,

It is enough.

When we have reached the end of our energies,

And face the end of ourselves,

But can't yet see the end of our task,

It is enough

Enough

To know that you have loved us.

Enough.

That we are called before all time.

Enough.

That every fingerprint is valued.

Enough.

That you remember every name.

So we will embrace this grace.

And turn our hearts to face grace.

Loosening the locks

On our personal space,

We'll make each home a place of grace.

We'll drink from your wells

'til we're wasted on grace;

We'll speak out your words

'til our tongues taste of grace.

And we'll live to love your laws

Until our lives are laced with grace.

Down dark and dingy alleys

We will chase grace.

We will hold as something precious every trace of grace.

We will celebrate and consecrate this grace, because this grace we have been given, is enough.

Posted by Bless on December 05, 2005 |

Asia Stories from the web June 08

  Sichuan earthquake: 'Comfort my people'

One month on from the earthquake, David Wang, president emeritus of Asian Outreach, has been to the disaster zone to see for himself how Christian groups have been responding.  17th June 08 Read More

  Dreaming of a new Nepal 

In the world’s newest republic, there's both optimism and confusion in Nepal as post-election debates rage 5th June 08   Read More