Categories
Observations

Who You Gonna Call?

Derby’s new super-hospital is making a chaplain available following reports of a ghostly figure in the building. Staff at Derby City General hospital, where a £334m building project is ongoing, have reportedly seen a mysterious apparition in the building. Managers said they took information from staff seriously and were working with the chaplaincy to ease […]

Categories
Politics

Of Madagascar and Mayors

Madagascar’s opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has proclaimed himself in charge of the country’s affairs, following days of violent protests. “Since the president and the government have not taken their responsibilities… I will run all national affairs as of today,” he said. The mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, is locked in a power struggle with President […]

Categories
Do Not Use

Minority Language Work is About More Than Translating

This excellent video about minority language work in Bangladesh (featuring my good friends Paul and Catherine) gives an excellent overview of the health and development benefits of minority language work. Biblical mission is not just about proclaiming the Gospel, it also involves bringing health and wholeness to communities through our actions.

Categories
Church: UK Politics

Labour Does Do God After All

A few years ago, Alistair Cambell famously stated of the labour government “we don’t do God”. Well, apparently they do now! Stephen Timms a government minister said the following in a recent speech: ‘What I want to argue today is that the faith communities offer a rich resource of hopefulness which, in progressive politics, we […]

Categories
Africa Bible Translation

Mother Tongue Scripture Use.

This terrific video gives an insight into the impact of mother tongue Scriptures around the world.

Categories
Africa

Africa Still Needs Missionaries

A while ago I mentioned an article by the atheist Matthew Parris which said that Africa needs God. A little later, I reflected a bit more on that article, this time not seeing it in quite such a positive light.  With these thoughts in mind, it was good to see an article on Ben’s blog […]

Categories
Africa

The Future of African Villages

As you probably know, Sue and I (with Dave and Sam) lived in the Ivorian village of Gouabafla for a number of years while we were working on the translation of the New Testament into Kouya. There is an interesting piece on the BBC website at the moment with various people giving their view on […]

Categories
Do Not Use

Unrest in Madagascar

I was disturbed to hear news a couple of days ago of political unrest in Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo. It seems like the mayor of the city, Andry Rajoelina, and President Marc Ravalomanana are at loggerheads following the closure of the mayor’s TV network Viva after it broadcast an interview with former President Didier Ratsiraka. […]

Categories
Mission

Spiritual but not Religious

The BBC Website has a very interesting interview with Mark Berry in the magazine section. Mark isn’t all that pleased with it as you can read here. On balance, I think it is a positive article, though the last paragraph doesn’t really fit with what the writer is saying, which is a bit odd. While […]

Categories
Observations

Disasters Emergency Committee: Gaza Appeal

As far as I am concerned, this is a humanitarian appeal for aid. No more, no less. I’m closing comments on this post because I don’t a political discussion on the rights and wrongs of the war to overshadow the aid issue.