Hurricane Sandy Cuba Update

Thomas Quenet has given us an update another update on Cuba:

“I also spoke last night to the Cuban Bishop, Bishop Ricardo Pereira. He confirmed that the devastation in the Santiago Province has been significant. The church has been distributing food, clothes and sacos (tarpaulins, but literally translated as ‘sacks’) to as many people as possible. The Church appreciates the response of the Methodist Church in Britain and the phone call. He said that on Sunday, at the centenary of his church, they had raised 3,000 Cuban convertible pesos (Cuban currency pegged to the US dollar) and the service had been attended by thousands, with the police peacefully managing to control the crowd”.

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Marcella is the Methodist Church in Colombia's Secretary of finance. She always does much more than than her job. A few days ago at the meeting of the Church with its international partners in a "Round Table" she spoke courageously about the needs of the Church here in Colombia and how e should all respond. Marcella is not a preacher but she spoke God's word to us all and reminded us about the priorties of the Methodist Church in Colombia with passion, grace and dignity. An example to all the combined wisdom gathered round the table. Liliana is next to me in turquoise  in the first image, then ne[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

JAPAN Days 14 - 16

Days 14-16: spent in Niigata in the North West by the Sea of Japan. The visit has been in stark contrast to the post from Steve today on Babies in Bangladesh. Niigata is world known today as the centre of the Koi breeding industry where fish are bought for large sums of money. Dealers come at this time of the year from around the world. Some of the breeders at their farms are known around the world for a particular speciality. My youngest son works in this industry and I was pleased to visit and be introduced to many of the people in this amazing industry. Good for a father to hear how much one of their children is appreciated by so many people. Whole of the area is covered in hills, many of which are moving into their glorious autumn colours, and mountains are already experiencing some early snow falls. During a typical winter up to 2-3 metres of snow can fall in the region. Extra ordinary efforts are made by local people using government equipment to keep access open. They survive by pulling together in the tough weather conditions which are extreme to say the least.  Now I am back in the south in Okayama preparing for my visit later this week to Nagasaki to see out Mission Partner Sheila Norris.

Alan Ashton - 5th November 2012.

Babies in Bangladesh

Visits to some of the satellite clinics today.. Most births here take place at home of course, but this is one of four newborn babies at this clinic. All so basic and a place where small interventions are a huge contribution to health. Another humbling day. Steve

Bangladesh

After two days of partners meetings I have travelled seven hours north of Dhaka to Bollophur and am now in sight of the Indian border. This town is one of the centres of Christianity in the country and the hospital where I am staying is an historic mission centre. Among other things my meetings in Dhaka examined the future for church medical work; here I have just been with the young woman who has had a premature baby and is watching him in an incubator, along the corridor from a room of 13 elderly people who have no one to care for them. We need both good policy and fundraising and also good work and dedication on the ground. Steve, Saturday.

Hurricane Sandy's effects on Cuba.

As we meet with the Methodist Church in Colombia, news and some images are being received of the effects of Hurricane Sandy on the lives of the Methodist Churches and its neighbours especially in the regions and Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and others. The library of images here is courtesy of Bishop Ricardo Pereira. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

Bangladesh

All Saints Day finds me in Bangladesh for a partners round table meeting. The sermon at this early morning communion is talking about saints being like pyjamas - a word usually found in the plural. Saintliness is something found in community. We need each other to be saintly. Later of course we will be talking about how we from Europe and US can be with the people of the Church of Bangladesh in the work of sharing God's love in this beautiful country. Saints always have dirty hands the preacher is saying... Steve