We have a few foxes roaming about Bo’ness. Last month I discovered a couple of the church staff out on Grahamsdyke Avenue trying to feed one of them. I just think there is something sinister about these foxes skulking around Bo’ness. I even have two or three of them checking out my garden. So you can imagine the surprise the BBs got tonight when the silver fox arrived to be part of the team.

This particular fox has been known to a few generations of St Andrew’s BBs. It looks like another generation are going to get the opportunity of getting to know this legendary figure. So tell me what is the fox grinning about? Any ideas? Some have said they’ve seen him more silvery than he is now, others say that his time in quarantine forced him to try camouflage to hide his silver streaks.

I couldn’t stay for the whole evening, I just popped in to see how things were going now that David Andrew and Marie are no longer officers. I was encouraged to see a fair number of the boys turn up and also to take note that Roy,Neil and David seemed on top of things. maybe that’s the reason why the silver fox was smiling?

So if you think you can be of service to the BB Company this session please get in touch.

Here’s something really exciting. We’ve just set up a new online store. Well worth a little browse. very shortly you’ll be able to download some of the clips that we have used in worship over the years. So what not go and have a little look at the shop. www.sanctusmedia.com/shop

We started a new Alpha Course tonight in the Inchyra Grange Hotel in Polmont. It was a good evening. Apart from the food which everyone seemed to enjoy the interaction and standard of the questions was very engaging. Alpha is a great opportunity to listen to others share their views and also to hear the questions and concerns of people as they wrestle with issues of faith. We’ve joined up again with Polmont Old Parish. I find it really rewarding and relaxing to work with Jerome the minister of Polmont Old.

Tonight we were asking the question “Who is Jesus?” We ended up having a great discussion regarding the identity of Jesus pre- resurrection and post resurrection. So here is a question. How different was the post resurrected Jesus from the pre-resurrected Jesus? We know he had a different kind of body. So what was the significance of that body for his post resurrection life on earth? what does Matthew mean or hint at when he suggests in the last chapter of his gospel that this same Jesus will return again in like manner as he has gone into the Heavens? What is the significance of the resurrection for human beings as we live out our daily lives? Is there a link between the idea of self denial and death and rising again as a new creation in Christ? Could their be a spiritual death and spiritual resurrection for all of us to encounter in time as well as in eternity? If so what would it look like? Go on get writing.

Just back from Largs. I was speaking at St John’s Kirk Session Retreat. it was an opportunity to reflect upon the challenges that face all of us in the church today. How do we reclaim an authentic voice to speak to the nation? It was challenging to remind the assembled audience that we can no longer do church the same way as we have been doing it in the past. We need to encounter a new dynamic that will resonate with a 21st Century Generation. At the heart of this dynamic there needs to be a deeper understanding when it comes to the art of communication.

The truth of the matter is that the church needs to remind itself that it is primarily in the business of communication. the great commission of Jesus was “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.” Jesus himself was into communication in a big way. Indeed he was the word made flesh. The living embodiment of God himself. God communicating in person. I guess that is the greatest change for all of us as Christians that we communicate the gospel person to person. The high touch comes before the hi-tech.

Children in need

I’m listening to the radio as the public here in Scotland  express their views on the release of Abdel Basset al-Magrahi, a former Libyan intelligence officer, who  was convicted in 2001 for his role in plotting the 1988 attack that left all 259 passengers and 11 people on the ground dead. The question people are asking was the Justice Secretary Kenny McCaskill right in releasing the man on compassionate grounds because he has a few months to live.

As I  listen to all this I wonder what Abdel Basset al-Magrahi, is thinking. If he is guilty then he is experiencing what Jesus called, “coals of fire being heaped on his head” in other words he is having to reflect on the idea of grace and compassion being shown to him who showed none to others. None of us should under-estimate the reforming power of compassion. Compassion should never be viewed as a weakness but as a strength. There is a wonderful verse in the bible where it says” While we were yet sinners Christ died for us”.  It is the compassion and love of God shown to rebels like us that turns our hearts to God.

The second idea  that runs through my head is this, if Abdel Basset al-Magrahi, is an innocent man,made the fall guy for the sins of others, then he returns home feeling that God has heard his prayer, and his family can have a little  closure on a very  traumatic period in their lives. If he is guilty then once again he is left to think, what he did  to those families who have no closure. He will also be preparing to face the Judge of all, who will do right by everyone.  I thought it was interesting that in an interview the Justice Secretary hinted that their was yet another trial awaiting the prisoner.  Perhaps we all need to reflect on the scripture that says, “It is appointed unto man once to die and after death the judgement”  So did the Justice Secretary do the right thing? On balance I think he made the right decision. However its over to you what do you think?

The phone rang it was 6.30 am , a little earlier than I had expected.  My taxi had arrived at the central hall in the hotel. I was up anyway, I had  showered, my linen suit was pressed, and my shoes polished. I going to see the Bishop this morning. Dr V Devasahayam is the Bishop of Medras. He is the first Dalit to ever be put in such a position of power and influence.  Dalits  I believe are  outwith the Indian cast system and as such are not seen as a cast. They are often known as the untouchables. In todays India,the government are seeking to find ways  to support and compensate this group.

V Devasahayam is a scholarly person, quite famous for his writings on the parallels he sees in the Bible and the situation of his people in India. Dalits have been an oppressed minority in India yet they are a sizable group over 200 million of them. Theologians like Dr V Devasahayam, have traced the roots of this tribe of people back almost 4000 years. They see their people as being proud and significant. He is seeking to engender in this cast a sense of pride and dignity.

The Dalit theology is rooted in the thinking of  Liberation Theology that came from South America in the late 50s and 60s in the last century. It was this theology that inspired a Tutu and also brought about the death of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador. It seeks to highlight the place of justice and equality and also the judgement of God

Today it is still seeking to inspire hope in the lives of millions through priests and cleric who believe that God has a bias towards the poor and the oppressed. The Bishop of Chennai would stand in the same proud tradition of these great activists , thinkers and reformers.

We  make our  way down from the room, we are met by Alfred our ever attentive co-ordinator and fixer. We drop him off at a Gideons prayer meeting and make our way across town to the Cathedral. The Bishop welcomes us into his office. He is wearing his  well worn white surplus, with a simple purple cord around his waist and a small wooden cross around his neck.  He takes time to ask about our trip to date then suggests we go for breakfast. Over the next three hours we were greatly encouraged to hear all that is going on in the Church of South India. We learn that last year 5000 souls willingly and without any kind of inducement declared their faith in Jesus and were baptised. Time seemed to be flying by, I  feel a bit under pressure to try and keep to time. I know i have Alfred waiting to be picked up. We thought we’d be with the bishop for just over an hour.  Stay with us a while longer he pleads. This is our evangelism weekend. He explains that this is a busy weekend.  He has an appointment to address the conference at 11.00am and he’d like us to go along with him. After a few phone calls to Alfred we’re crossing the city again to another venue.

We’re taken by the Bishop to the new Convention and Training Centre that has just been built. We are ushered into a conference of over 500 lay evangelist and church planters. These folks have been trained by the Diocese to take the gospel out round the villages and plant new churches. Today the Bishop tells me he is excited because he will be baptising another 300 new Christians. His senior lay evangelist comes into the room and he explains that to date there has been over 2,700 baptisms. He feels they are on target to see another 5000 souls come to Christ this year.

My heart sinks as I think of Scotland, and the news in the Scotsman this week that more and more people are opting for the services of the Humanist Society. I’ve often thought we should have a national advertising  campaign inviting people to consider claims of  Christ and get baptised. I think we could run a really effective campaign with the slogan ” Get Baptised”. Well we end up on the main stage being honoured by the Bishop receiving our welcome shawls and bringing the greetings of the Church of Scotland to the conference. A few minutes later we’re ushered out and in taxi on our way to meet up with Tucker. As we go we reflect on all that is happening in India. I know we are so culturally different and there are aspects of all this that could never work in Scotland. Yet one can’t help but notice the dedication and commitment of these Christians. What an example to all of us.  I was glad when the taxi pulled up outside our  hotel. It was time for lunch then a siesta.

My friends Wilfred and Shanti Davidar took us out for dinner the other evening. We ended up at JCs Cafe in Chennai. Its actually quite a cool place. It was also quite busy. It is run by a Christian businessman, who is seeking to reach out to a group of people who are seeking to engage with spiritual ideas. It is a place where people of different faiths and no faith frequent, because they enjoy the ambiance.  I actually think it could be a brilliant place to promote and run Sanctuary First  in Chennai. I spoke to the owner and he seemed quite interested.

Anyway it was an opportunity for us to catch up with the Davidars after spending the day with their staff who run the Raphe Ministry. Shanti is always full of amazing stories and her faith in the Lord is quite irrepressible.

Among the topics we discussed was the work that was started in the Rainy Hospital by   another woman, this time a powerful Scots lady called Christina Rainy, she was ably served by another Scottish lady doctor . Together they founded the Rainy Hospital here in Chennai in 1888.  Christina Rainy had visited this area with her husband Robert Rainy who was the Principal of New College in Edinburgh. She returned home with a passion to establish the hospital and find women doctors who would come and work to establish a service for local women. Christina rainy knew that moist women like to be examined by a woman doctor. So the hospital was established.

I spent sometime looking round the facilities yesterday. I found it very sad to see that the place had been allowed to fall into such poor condition.  I was heartened to meet the senior doctor in charge of the hospital  Dr Chris Roy. I was also full of admiration for the task that he has taken on. He has only been in post a year. He tells me he is fire fighting everyday to raise enough money to pay bills. He is in need of so many resources. he is short of sterilising  equipment, a present he has cannibalised  an  older broken down machine to make the present machine work. It is difficult to know where to start he tells me as he shows me round a hospital that has been allowed to fall into such disrepair. Yet he has nothing but faith and praise for his team of doctors and nurses. He tells me they have just stabilised a young girl who was admitted the previous evening after trying to hang herself in her home. He tells me of the successes he has had with such meager resources. We try hard to keep the wards clean and tidy. We have no infection whatsover in the hospital. However he explains it would be wonderful if we could paint the walls and have the equipment we need to do the heart operations that I’m skilled to do.

I came away moved at the commitment of this man to bring back to life the vision of these two Scottish ladies and I thought to myself I’ll do all I can to help him make that vision a reality. When we get back home there will be opportunities i hope to speak with others who might take up the call.

I’m sure in the past this hospital no doubt has had challenging issues to try and resolve. However with the right support there are no issues that can’t be resolved and indeed turned to good. Pray for Chris Roy as he works tirelessly along with his staff to serve the poorer people in Chennai.

The last few days just seem to have flown by. I visited the Leprosy Colony at Chengelpod. It’s a facinating story how the Colony has been able to develop and survive. It is always a moving scene busting these people. We also spent some time at the Raphe Ministry. The group of women work among sex workers and their families. They have now formed themselves into a church. What an amazing stories these women shared with us yesterday. I’m actually hugely impressed with the quality of leadership that seems to be present in all these ministries. It also ntetesting to notethat the key players are all women.

It was actually no different this afternoon when we visited the Sangita Orphanage. What an amazing transformation has taken place in the last year. There are a number of key building erected now enough to move some of the children in next month. There’s still a considersbleamount of money required to finish the work. Paul tells that they at short of about 100,000 to complete the whole project. I’ll get some pictures up when we get to Temple Bay.

We’ve just been resting here for the past twenty four hours. I think it is a well earned rest. It also has allowed me to reflect on all that has gone on in this trip.

We are so grateful to our fixer over here Captain Alfred Thacker. He is a man with outstanding determination and is greatly respected in these parts. In India seniors are often referred to as Uncle. it is a term of endearment and also respect. So we salute uncle once again on this trip just encase he thinks he’s been overshadowed by the women. Anyway her are a couple of pictures from the Sangita Orphanage. We have been filming the new build. In due course when it is edited we’ll get it up on youtube so that everyone can see the massive improvements that will come about with the new build. Grace was telling us that she took the children to see their new home. their eyes were popping out of their heads at the sight of the new granite floors and the spacious sleeping areas. Here are some of the children.

We arrived in Munnar last night after spending a very interesting afternoon with the Little Sisters of Nazareth. The town is about 5,000 feet above sea level. We booked into the “Westend Hotel” it has a grand entrance , with beautiful gardens. I’ve stayed in this hotel once before. it has a bit of a colonial feel to it. Perhaps the present owner may not like that idea, but it certainly reflects a bygone era.

We were welcomed and shown to our rooms. The sheets on the bed can only be described, as they say in Glasgow as “mankie” one had a hole in it.

In comparison the sheets on the second class sleeper from Chennai to Dindigul were dazzling white. Anyway this is good missionary training.  But we still made a point of getting them changed.

Munnar is a hill town built up by the Brits when India was part of the British Empire. Its a tea town, surrounded by tea plantations. It snuggles into the rich green vegetation of the hillside. It has become the holiday destination for many Indian tourists seeking to find a place of sanctuary from the relentless heat of the Indian cities. The temperatures here are just like a mild summer in the UK.

So first thing this morning we head out for a bit of down time. This was an opportunity to visit Mattupatty and go for a brilliant ride on the resovoir there in order to see the wild elephants. it was a great experience. Following on from this great experience on the speed boat, ( video of which could be available), we continued with the elephant theme and went on an Elephant ride expedition. have a look at the pictures below.