Berwick upon Tweed - Rotary

It was very good, this week, to have the opportunity to talk with Rotary in Berwick upon Tweed about the situation of children in crisis in the Holy Land. Thank you for such a warm welcome.

Talks and Meetings

I am very grateful for some kind invitations to speak a little about the work of Abraham’s Children in Crisis. I look forward enormously to seeing some old friends and to meeting new friends who have shown an interest in hearing about the plight of some of the children in crisis in the Holy Land and how best we can work together to help alleviate some of the problems that these children face.

January

22^nd                     Youth Activity Group – Berwick-upon-Tweed

27^th                      Rotary – Berwick

February

8^th                        St. Mary’s Church, Holy Island

22nd                    St. Michael and All Saints, Edinburgh

26^th                      King James’s School, Knaresborough

27^th                      Manchester

28th                     Blackburn

March

1^st – 5^th               Denbigh – North Wales

6^th                       Shirenewton - South Wales

9^th                       Inner Wheel – Berwick

19th                    Rotary - Banff

20th                    Beyond Boyndie Charity Concert - Banff

Quiet Day in Edinburgh

A ‘quiet day’ today at Emmaus House in Edinburgh. A haven in the midst of all that is happening in this troubled world and a time to reflect and think of the children in crisis in the Holy Land and how best we can help alleviate some of the problems they face. Emmaus House so wonderfully looked after some children from Beit Jala nearly five years ago when they were visiting the UK and staying on Holy Island. It is, therefore, a good place to think of these ‘tough’ children, who may smile and laugh on the outside but hide so much pain and trauma on the inside.

http://www.emmaushouse-edinburgh.co.uk

No Refuge

Children displaced from their homes enduring the most severe weather conditions.

Barbara Salisbury

I am so sad to report today that Barbara Salisbury, a wonderful, bright lady from Denbigh in North Wales, has died following an accident in her home. Whilst getting ACIC under way last year Barbara, who had spent much time in the Holy Land, was such a kind and gentle inspiration, supporting the fledgling charity with advice and friendship. We ask God’s blessing for her and after such a selfless and giving life, may she rest in peace.

Happy New Year

“Nothing hides the face of God so much as religion.” Martin Buber

"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction."  Blaise Pascal

2014, this first year of Abraham’s Children in Crisis has been one of many contrasts as we have worked to try and alleviate some of the problems affecting children who find themselves in crisis. The horrors of war in Gaza which killed so many and injured so many more, the endemic poverty within huge parts of the Holy Land, the instability of the region which has had so many different effects - on people’s mental health, feelings of security, on any hope of a peaceful future. So much trauma and sadness but equally so much determination, courage and humour in the face of all of this. I have been heartened and encouraged by the young people of the Holy Land who tell me that although there is very little internal smiling it is so important to keep a smile on the outside. This is certainly what I have witnessed and my hope, my dream is that one day these wonderful young people can smile with all of themselves and that they will be able to live in peace and security. I really believe that this hope and this dream are worth working towards with all that we have.

I wish I knew the answer but maybe it wouldn’t take too much to achieve if some within this fractured world would concern themselves with others rather than seeing self-interest as a goal.