The celebration was exactly what it said on the tin.
It was such a privilege to be back in Macassar, even if it was for just one morning.
Dean and Paula in Blighty, autumn 2025
Dean and Paula pastor The Gathering
Our beloved Palace - FA Cup winners 2025
The Gathering
Leaders preparing to serve at The Gathering's Soup Kitchen
Thankful Thursdays
The Helderberg - The prettiest of the mountains we face
It seems unbelievable (to me at least) that we've been married for 20 years today. I think Paula deserves a medal for this!
I've been giving a lot of thought to the recent riots and disorder that occurred in Blighty whilst I was there. The two events were unconnected by the way! I've read many theories about them, watched many news items about them and still am left dazed and confused. There really was no rhyme or reason for what transpired. The initial riot in Tottenham after the fatal shooting of the man in the taxi was kind of understandable and in itself was nothing particularly exceptional. What was unprecedented, at least in my life time, was the way so many 'riots' then randomly sprang up right across the country. None of them were related to the shooting incident but rather appeared to random acts of looting and vandalism in a copy-cat style. Whatever they were and whatever the cause, I was left feeling like a foreigner in my own land.
Having been in Blighty for almost a week now I'm feeling like a true foreigner far from home. This land that I once loved so deeply seems hellbent on ripping itself to shreds. I'm not just referring to the senseless looting and violence but how society here has become so deeply divided between the haves and the have nots. The looting and violence is totally senseless but questions must be asked as to how and why it happened. What allows young people to ignore any sense of inhibition, leading them to commit acts of violence and theft and to then boast about it? As a parent I'm also horrified that there are families whose 9 & 10 year olds are participating in all of this.
Tired of looking at blogs in the same old perspective?We love this sort of thing... you only have to flick through the local rag and see your amazing Chris Nissen women doing yet more good work!