A bit about love

I have started to listen to the radio less and turn on the Mormon Chanel on my car journeys to and from work. Mainly to increase my spirituality and fill my head and soul with more wholesome material. After all, we are what we consume.

I was listening to a show where they were interviewing a singer/songwriter who said her grandfather who is less in touch with his feelings didn't say the words 'I love you'. I can relate to this. While I do often (but maybe not often enough) tell my wife I love her, I don't tell my parents. My makes a thing of it, which now makes it harder.

In my church we sometimes say it. Not very often though. Yet the 1st two commandments are all about love, showing exactly how important this principle is.

We know that actions speak louder than words and that couldn't be more true when it comes to love. You can say 'I love you' all you want, but unless it is backed up by action nobody will believe you. On the flip side, while it is nice to hear, it isn't necessarily essential to say. If you regularly prove it with action, kind deeds, help, gifts, kindness etc then those actions are the words. However, I suppose sometimes, or maybe often, those actions are not translated correctly.

In my church a lot of people do a lot of things for other people. There are people serving all over the place, some direct service and some indirect service. I hope that if each act of service could be vocalised we would hear the words 'I love you' regularly in our church community.

A little Pleasure

Pretty much all jobs in my church are voluntary, unpaid and are carried out in addition to all the other responsibilities of life including full time work. This includes bishops, teachers, group leaders and even missionary work.

My current responsibility is to run a series of self help classes (Self Reliance classes). It can be exhausting serving in the church. Sometimes you don't want to do it.you are tired, there are jobs that need doing at home, or another reason could simply be because I'd rather go home to my dinner.

Every Thursday I'm giving up an evening to help some fellow members. We were discussing education. And I was talking to a guy called John. john want to train to be a joiner. He's into his 50's and does not own a computer or use the internet. I had the idea to show him some of the virtues of the internet. There is lots of learning to be found there. I pulled up you tube and searched 'joinery' and was able to show him a load of training videos about his subject. When I showed him I saw something that I wasn't expecting. Something that made the sacrifice of my dinner that evening worth it.

He smiled. He grinned. He was amazed & delighted that such information is available to him and anyone to help him improve. It was a pleasure to whiteness.

Imagine feeling unsafe all the time. Living in a constant state of fear.

An estimated 1/5 million people have perrised in this civil war. Imagine living in a country where every major city is a target for civil unrest and highly likely to be bombed at any moment. Half your city has been destroyed already. You would feel unsafe outside, and you would feel unsafe indoors. Nowhere is safe. Naturally, you would choose to leave.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/14/world/middleeast/syria-war-deaths.html?_r=0

Hungary is earning a bad name for itself.

This is upsetting.

Migrant crisis: People treated 'like animals' in Hungary camp

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34216883

The short of it is that Hungary seems to have a very cold attitude towards the migrants/refugees. They are receiving a lot of bad press about how they are making life for them even harder by fencing off the boarders, collecting people to take them to registration posts rather than escorting them across the country and there was even a report of a Hungarian camera woman/journalist tripping up a father carrying a child as they were rushing to avoid the rather brutal police.

This article has a video which shows the conditions of one of these registration points. The most disturbing thing most people will notice is a policeman throwing sandwiches to the refugees. I'm not saying this is the case but it very much portrays the impression that this policeman is treating these people like lesser humans, like animals. He clearly has a pride issue. I also notice that none of his fellow workers stop him. While they are not throwing the food, they are not stopping him. They have also chosen to not order the people into lines and ask for civility but instead allowed a scene of chaos to ensue, further supporting the idea, though less obviously, that all these men (policemen) are treating these refugees poorly.

The article compares the scene to a concentration camp. And it is hard to then not compare the policemen in this video to Nazis. They may not realise it themselves, but I'd hope if they were to review their behaviour they would see why they are being compared in this way. I'm sure nobody would want to be compared to a Nazi, and I'm also sure these policemen and other Hungarian leadership have very ill feelings towards Hitler and his regime, so I really do hope they change their behaviour very soon, otherwise people might start reading about the Nazi like/concentration camp behaviour in history books in future.

I'm appalled at the apparent inhumanity that this video conveys. I sincerely hope that that this is an isolated case and there are other locations throughout Hungary where the migrants are generally treated a lot better.

Devastated Syria

A few articles have been showing the conditions the refugees are fleeing from. This BBC report shows the devistation.

Syria: Snapshot of life inside Assad stronghold

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34192568

Summarising the crisis.

It should be quite clear to any reader by now that I am captivated by the migrant/refugee crisis at the moment. It leaves me feeling mixed emotions. It reminds me how incredibly blessed I am to have many things that enables my wife and I to raise our son, while at the same time, that sense of gratitude comes at the expense of learning about the incredible misfortune of other families. I am moved to dispense some of my excess and give to those struggling.

I do already regularly give to a number of charities. I have donated monthly for a number of years now. But while this crisis is ongoing I feel compelled to find a way to donate directly to this humanitarian crisis.

I also feel the need to understand the overall picture of what is happening. My interest comes years after this all started. I have just come across this BBC article which explains a few things.

Migrant crisis: Nine key moments from the last year

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34173972

The problem of corse is that I am at the mercy of the media for information. I need to trust that they are reporting accurately.

Also, my research could potentially go very deep if I let it. I don't need to understand every bit of detail,but I do feel like I'm still quite ignorant of the whole situation.

I will add other articles as I come across them.

Another Photo that fills me with pitty

Here we see a mum carrying a son that appears to be younger than my own 3 month old. She appears to have only one back pack which probably contains all of here and her sons belongings. I cannot see a husband and father in the picture. He may have already passed the photographer or may be the chap adjacent in the background. Or this mother may be travelling alone.

I will try to find a better quality image.

I know how hard it is to look after a new baby. Yesterday I had the worst headache I have had for a while. I knew I still had to get home and look after my boy despite how rough I was feeling. Parents hate seeing their children cry. They want to comfort them. My wife and I have a range of tools we can use to settle him. This mother seems to just have her back pack. Presumably in this back pack is everything she can carry for him and for her. She's going to a truffle to keep him happy.

Carying a baby on a long journey is also going to be incredibly hard. A child's this young, can't even sit up straight, they are incredibly vulnerable and need constant care and attention. They can't eat solid foods and depend on mothers milk or formula feeding many times a day. This mother will have to be feeding him while on the move. And this is not a journey of an hour or two. This is days, possibly weeks.

A picture is worth a thousand words. But it is only a snapshot in time. It doesn't tell the whole story, our imaginations will create that story based on what we have learned already. I can only imagine how challenging this time is for everyone leaving their destroyed communities to search for a new place to settle.

Is this what it is really like in Syria?

A friend of mine shared a Facebook photo album the other day.

I should warn anyone who clicks this link, it contains potentially upsetting images.

https://www.facebook.com/hgdance/media_set?set=a.1040448679300090.1073741834.100000049035267&type=3

What these photos presumably claim to show is what Syria looks like now.

This image gives an idea of what Syria looked like before civil way ruined it.

This image clearly shows what it looks like now that civil war is taking place.

Assuming these images are what they claim to be you can understand why people are leaving.

I'm using my words carefully here. I am assuming these images are what they claim to be, but they do say the internet is full of lies. So I can not confirm where they really are from. Whether they are from Syria or not, and I can't think of a good reason, why they wouldn't be, what we can confirm is that what you see in these images is real, people are suffering and the damage in these pictures is not due to building maintenance neglect, but civil unrest and war. Death has taken its toll.

So when you read about refugees fleeing Syria or anywhere else, this is probably what they are fleeing from.

Can you imagine if this was your neighbourhood, if the was Manchester, UK. Not just your home has been destroyed, but all of your neighbours, all of your street, and all of your town has been destroyed. There is not a single safe building left. You have nowhere to lat your head, the whole town has to move and leave many of your possessions behind, knowing that you are not going to return.

150 miles justification.

I've been following the migrant/refugee crisis over the last few days, mainly since the photo of young Aylan was published that I wrote about a recently.

I was pleased to learn that since Hungary prevented them from using the trains and were being particularly difficult by being strict to EU rules and forcing over 2,000 refugees to walk 150 miles from Budapest to Vienna that Hungary have provided busses to transport them to the Austrian boarder. From the boarder, Austria are providing transport to Vienna or on to Germany.

The problem is that while this was in the news because there was a massive build up of people at the train station in Hungary, it does not solve the problem for all the refugees still entering the country and wanting to progress with their journey. Meaning that those still arriving are still being forced to walk to the Austrian boarder town of Nickelsdorf where Austria are then providing transport to Vienna. Still a journey of about 110 miles. Which is what the video in the article below states.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34165674

http://youtu.be/gGUwFr58h-w

I have also read other articles stating that Hungary are now allowing or providing further transport to the Austrian boarder, despite their original suggestion that the busses they provided were a one off. So I don't really know what's going on. Are people still walking or are they be given help?

I do want to do my part to help. As stated previously, I had the idea of walking a similar distance to raise awareness and highlight just how tough it is. And it is tough, last year I walked 60 miles in 30 hours and earlier this year, 50 miles in 20 hours, and I was in serious pain by the end of each endeavour. However doing such a walk would not be a very effective way of raising awareness if nobody is walking from Budapest to the Austria. So now I'm rethinking my idea.

I had started planning how I would walk 150 miles, and when I would do it. I thought I would walk 30 miles a day over 5 days. Walk Thursday 17th Sept  to Monday 21st Sept, in a couple of weeks. I would use my home as a base and walk along trails for 15 miles, then turn around and walk back. I could go in 5 different directions each day. To make it more of a challenge and more like what these people are going through, I would set the tent up in the garden and camp out each night and I would still expect myself to continue with my parenting responsibilities. When I get home after a day of walking which would be about the same time out of the house as a normal working day, I would still expect myself to honour my parenting responsibilities as many of the refugees are families, and they still have to look after their children along the way. But even by doing this it would still feel like luxury compared what they would have to endure.

A couple of problems with this though is that while mid to late September is the 1st most practical opportunity for me to complete the challenge (it still clashes with existing plans and either plans will have to change or I will have to incorporate them into my challenge), in two weeks we might find that none of the refugees are having to make the journey by foot, as reports now suggest that they are being supported. Reports also suggest that they will not have to walk from the Austrian boarder town of Nickelsdorf to Vienna, but that there is constant help for them once they cross the boarder, reducing the potential walk down to 110 miles.

Taking time off work to do this would be a sacrifice. A big one for my family. We would survive, but I do wounded if it is worth it, and maybe I should just donate what I might have lost in income to a charity committed to helping with the crisis.

I am still anxoius to do something to help and raise awareness. But I might need to think of a different way. It feels so easy and heartless, but I may just resort to making some extra regular charitable donations over the next few weeks and months. I do already regularly donate to 3 or 4 charities.

150 miles - Budapest to Vienna

I've read a lot of articles on the Syrian crisis since yesterday.

One of the latest articles I have read is the following.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34155701

In short, it would seem as though hungairian officials are denying the refugees passage from Budapest to Vienna via train, forcing them to make the journey to Europe on foot.

I have been pondering to myself about how I can help. I do feel helpless and useless. I need to look after my family here. What can I possibly do?

Well, as soon I read that these refugees are having to make this 150 mile journey on foot, I had a crazy idea. I will walk 150 miles.

It is easy to sit in an arm chair or at your office desk an assume 150 miles is not a big deal. But it is a big deal. It is a massive deal. Earlier this year I walked 50 miles in less than 20 hours, by the end of it I was in a massive amount of pain. I could hardly walk or stand. I had very saw blister covered feet.

These refugees will be making this journey, unprepared, carrying their worldly possessions with them, with no special footware or blister pads. It will take them weeks.

I have discussed a basic outline of the idea with my wife who supports my idea to do this to raise money but also awareness of what these people are through. I will publish a plan of how I will achieve this within the next few days.

My heart now goes out to them.

It is late. I am in my bed writing this, the refugees have probably assembled their makeshift shelter and are sleeping rough. They have endured so much, and they have another big day ahead of them tomorrow.

Humanitarian Crisis

Dear Father.

I am so sorry for not paying attention sooner. Please forgive me.

Yesterday a heartbreaking story of a family seeking a better life has come to light in the media. It has changed me. It has made me pay attention and I suspect it has done the same for many others not just in the UK or Europe but possibly the world.

The BBC reported the following.

Drowned boy's father speaks of heartbreak

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34143445

(Picture of Abdullah grieving over his lost family)

From what I understand Abdullah Kurdi is a hero. After the original 'captain' of the boat bailed, he took the controls of the boat to save everyone. Sadly, in saving others, he was unable to protect his own family and they perished.

The father must be feeling terrible, feeling responsible for their deaths. Guilty for bringing them on this journey.

Possibly feeling a little remorse for saving many others others.

Along with Abdulla's story a photograph of a young boy has been published. A photograph that I suspect will become a symbol of the humanitarian crisis that is happening at the moment. Not just in Syria but in many parts of the world. The photograph is of Abdullah's sons body washed up on a Turkish beach.

(Picture of Aylan face down in the sand)

It breaks my heart to see this. It looks like he is sleeping. But we have heard lots of stories about desperate refugees drowning lately to know that he is not.

I have a son, just 3 months old, he is right here by my side peacefully and slowly falling asleep. It is hard to imagine what I would not do for him. I cannot look at this photo without comparing this young toddler to my own and not feel incredible sadness. I really do want to cry.

Yes it is disturbing, and part of me says because of it's disturbing nature it should not be shared. But also because of how it has affected me and opens my eyes, it is necessary.

The young boy (Aylan Kurdi) did not die in vain though. He is also a hero.

As disturbing and as wrong as it is, I suspect God has had a part part to play in this. I believe the photographer was there that morning to take this picture so that it could open my eyes and the eyes of many others in Europe and the world.

If Aylan's picture will soften the hearts sufficient to prompt more dramatic action then he has helped this humanitarian crisis massively.

This picture has stirred the souls of many and the internet is now buzzing with activity pleading for the cause of these refugees.

Has one picture shifted our view of migrants?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-34142804

I've known that this is a crisis for a while now. It's more than just young men seeking illegal entry into the UK to claim benefits from the soft UK government. I heard or read a very powerful line in an article recently that said 'this is not a migrant crisis, this is a humanitarian crisis'.

I can't imagine what it is like. Fathers (men my age) have a choice to make. Stay and probably perish for lack of facilities like food and water or leave everything that you spent your life building, including your home, your pets, your prized possessions like your car or favourite piece of furniture, musical instruments, books, photo albums, your garden, your neighbours and your job, to hopefully find refuge somewhere that has the necessities of life. For all those things I listed above, as desirable as they are, they cannot sustain life.

Knowing that the journey will take weeks, maybe months, and that it is dangerous, many have chosen to do this rather than stay. I think we underestimate just how terrible things are and how desperate they have become.

A friend of mine posted the following article of Facebook.

http://archbishopcranmer.com/aylan-kurdis-drowning-reveals-our-hypocrisy-towards-europes-refugee-crisis/

It is bold and damming to the guilty reader, but so true. We have been complacent. We have been selfish. Why has it taken us this long to create the desire to reach out and help as suggested in the following BBC report?

So now that I feel an overwhelming sense of compassion for them, what is to be done. What can I do? Obviously any efforts to help that I make are just a drop in the ocean. But is that a reason not to help? We know the answer to this is no. There are some who are fortunate enough to be in a position where they have gone to help centres in Europe to give of their time. I can't do that. I do have a responsibility to my family. I need to work to pay for our home and food. My wife needs to be home to look after our son. The answer is typical and easy. Give some of your money. Do your research and select the charity that seems to assist in the way that best suits your desires. There are good people out there who will put that money to good use. It will alleviate the suffering that many of these families are going through. I think we can all afford to give something, we all can make an extra sacrifice and make ourselves a little more uncomfortable to help ease the burden of another. A little bit or a lot, it doesn't matter. 

But can I suggest another way we can help. One that might require a little more faith.

Migration is a difficult subject. It was a big subject just 3 months ago when the leadership candidates were discussing policies in the hope to win votes for the position of prime minister. The country back then wanted tighter boarder controls. They wanted fewer people to come into the country to either work or glean off the government. We all want a stable future and allowing more migrants into the country means there are fewer jobs to go around and the welfare budget gets stretched even further. It basically makes things harder. So if I recall correctly, each of the main party leaders proposed some form of immigration control.

Now that everyone's had a change of heart and wants to help the prime minister now is under pressure to change his policy. If he does not he is perceived to be a heartless monster.

David Cameron: UK to accept 'thousands' more Syrian refugees

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34148913

I'm pleased that we have had a change of heart, but I am saddened that we are so easily swayed by the media and almost two faced. The country's leaders want to make the general populous happy so the make promises relating to immigration, then the public cry for those promises to be broken making the leadership look like monsters when they try to honour their initial promise.

In addition to giving our money, which can feel almost casual and heartless, we can be more accommodating and give them an opportunity to find peace in our land. We can accept them, despite the challenges we might face as a result.