We Do Adventure

Every now and then I read a column that really resonates. All too often I get the suspicion columnists are being contrary purely because balanced opinions are rarely exciting, or likely to generate buzz. This can lead to foolish over-statements that undermine good arguments. Today I stumbled upon something that seemed truly heartfelt, an against-my-better-judgement confession. The columnist was dragging out from under the carpet what we moderns, or post-moderns, or post-post-moderns, would prefer kept from sight. Under the headline “ As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God ” Matthew Parris placed the subheading: “Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem - the crushing passivity of the people's mindset.” There was no way I was not going to read on. And if you are in any way interested in aid and true transformation of society and culture I recommend you don’t overlook it either. Sure it’s one man’s perspective but he is one man daring to ...

Today we were moving boxes again. The ‘we’ doesn’t include Rowan this time. The male contingent of the Novi Most Mostar team was sent over to the local warehouse of Mission Without Borders to pick up food packages that will be distributed among people we work with over the next couple of weeks. This provided another insight into the sharp end of humanitarian aid. It’s easy to feel detached standing in a warehouse piled high with identical-looking boxes. It’s much harder to remain so when you see locals collecting parcels that so obviously will make a massive difference in their live, albeit perhaps only for the lifespan of their contents. I’m sure at some point down the road I’ll have the perspective to draw all the thoughts flying round my head into a logical form. For now, it’s too early for that – and I’m typing too late at night to risk anything too profound! And so with that fairly feeble get-out I’ll draw this post to a close. Doubtless this is a topic that will be revisited – p...