There’s a line of a song that goes “We were made to thrive”. Those things that cause us to thrive and those things that stress us will be different for different people. One major thing that has occupied us whilst we have been back in the UK has been house moving. Of course, this began... Continue Reading →
Holiday packing – the nomad traveller edition
Since I’m on holiday at the moment I thought I’d post a few observations about packing based on our experience in the Amazon. Packing is always a balance between having stuff for every eventuality and traveling light. Age, destination and personality all come into it so there’s no right answer but……. Take clothes that don’t... Continue Reading →
10 aspects of mission (or whatever we call it)
Mission is a slippery word. What does it mean? Is it still useful? Should we find a different word? The debate will continue but there are at least 10 aspects that need to make up our understanding. Being sent. In John 20 Jesus tells his disciples “As the Father has sent me I am sending... Continue Reading →
Supporting churches in mission
Over the last few months we’ve visited a number of churches to share about our work in the Amazon. We’ve also been asked about how churches can support global mission so here are 5 suggestions: Make mission a key value of the church. Global mission is part of a bigger call to be witnesses and... Continue Reading →
10 lessons from a year as a mission worker
It will soon be a year since we left Poynton. Moving from being a church minister to working with a mission organisation has been a learning curve. Here are some of the things I’ve discovered. It’s a lot less stressful than leading a church. Sure it is hard work with the heat and humidity, struggling... Continue Reading →
Transcending Mission – some further thoughts
Moving house has meant little time for blogging but I’ve continued to process thoughts and ideas from the Thinking Mission symposium. It’s a bit disjointed but here are some of the things bubbling round my mind. While Stroope is right that using the word ‘mission’ is problematic it is here to stay. What will be... Continue Reading →
Transcending Mission: A review
Over the last couple of months, whilst back in the UK, I’ve been reading a number of books. Michael Stroope Transcending Mission (IVP academic 2017) is one. It’s a serious, well-argued book that sets out to show why we should abandon the word mission (as well as missions, missional and the rest). Anyone involved in... Continue Reading →
Another day in paradise?
Last week Lori wrote some reflections on her first six months in Peru, now it is Neil’s turn: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Not so much the tale of two cities but of the twin responses to living in Nauta. I’ve often felt both emotions on the same... Continue Reading →
Cold water, insects and uncomfortable transport.
We've now been here six months so to mark this we are going to share a few reflections on our time so far. First up, Lori writes: In many ways it is hard to believe that we have only been in Peru for six months (except for our break with family in the UK at... Continue Reading →
Jungle invites: Amazon fresh to your church
Would you like us to speak at your church? In less than a month we will be back in the UK and already have several churches who have invited us to share about our work here in Nauta. We are also looking for more opportunities. Partly because we need to encourage more people to support... Continue Reading →