munich

watched this well-constructed, provocative movie last night on nigel's recommendation. the story explores terrorism and responses to it, particularly the effect on individuals involved in the responses. was struck by big themes of reaping and sowing, identity, home, nationality, love and loyalty

great times

with friends heather and andy, visiting from seattle

been reading john's gospel recently

am struck by jesus' words on reinstating peter in chapter 21 that when he's old, 'someone else will lead you where you do not want to go'
jesus paints a picture of radical maturity for his followers - letting go of the control we desire and allowing others to set the agenda
so easy to talk about in good times (so hard to do when tired or ticked off)

relaxing

in the hot springs all day - aaah

quito

walked up a steep hill today to teach 400 kids to spit
(we also gave out toothbrushes, did flouride treatments and talked about jesus)
the view back over quito was breathtaking

the kids

really make a trip like this, and they love having their pictures taken!

dental clinic

it's not fancy, but it is functional
this is one of the two dental clinics that the team operated during the week offering free cleaning, fillings and extractions to the people of quito

ramon

is a really lovely ecuadorean guy who is translating for us this week
we thank God for him (translating can be a thankless task, like toothache, you only notice when things go wrong!)

ecuador

this week phil is in ecuador with a group of dental students
it's a beautiful mountainous country, with gentle, sensitive people
here's some interesting tidbits on ecuador:
it's got more active volcanos than any other country
cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world
it has, on average, an earthquake every day
quito, the capital city, is about 27 miles (43 km) long
guayaquil, the most populous city, smells really bad
the population is about 13.5 million
around 80% of children grow up in single-parent families

road trip

freeway like a river cuts through this land
into the side of love
like a burning spear

new orleans

mags and the team spent a fun few hours exploring new orleans this afternoon

mississippi

this week mags is in mississippi (the state with the best name!)
she's part of a group from church doing rebuilding work after hurricane katrina

when mummy's away

daughter and daddy will play
(with daddy's phone!)

all this time

since the day that I was born
I’ve never known a time like this
I don’t wanna let you down
I will sing, sing for your light has come
© Delirious? ©2005 Curious? Music UK

the most amazing lunar eclipse

took place this evening
we went out to the beach, but didn't see it because of all the clouds
skye said, 'no moo, bye bye moo'
(we know it was amazing 'cos rich told us about it from sheffield)

jean and francis

came over for dinner last night
what a great evening!