I’ve been introducing the group to the 15th Century mystic Thomas à Kempis.

We’ve been looking at his work entitled, “The Imitation of Christ”. The idea is that I use some phrases from his meditations to focus our thoughts for the day. Thomas was always trying to encourage Christians to develop simple and less cluttered lifestyles. At the same time each day I’ve been trying to keep the reflection centred on Jesus and the places where he was to be found. It has been a remarkable study to find ourselves in the same sort of places. Jesus in the desert, Jesus out with the outcasts mixing with the wrong people.

Today the thought from à Kempis was as follows. He invites us all to weigh carefully the words of others and not to be easily persuaded to do things. He suggests that we do well if we keep focused on what we know to be personally true.

Now I know that some people will see this as a kind of shooting ourselves in the foot especially as we are trying to persuade others to become involved with supporting the work However it seems to me that we all need to do what we do because we know it to be right rather than because we are trying to please another. Anyway today as a time to relax and chill out a little. The group was able to experience a sail from the hotel Paracas, unfortunately this beautiful hotel was reduced to rubble during the earthquake. The boat sails still continue taking tourist to see the famous wild life sanctuary on the Pacific Ocean. So it was Jesus on the boat and thankfully no one tried water walking!