Greetings from Cardiff
So from the UFM Northern Ireland conference we went to Belfast International Airport where I caught the flight to Bristol.
Northern Ireland was amazing. It's a small area, with just 1,500,000 people. About 500,000 live in Belfast. A large percentage of Christians and lots of churches, many of whom are evangelical. So a small community, but one that God has blessed and used over the years.
Some memorable quotes :
on cakes - "We don't like to take a cup of tea with nothing."
on Scotland - "The Scots are getting nearly as godless as the English". (I told them that sadly the Welsh are more godless than either.)
Colin took us on a tour of the Falls / Shankhill Road areas. The murals are quite disturbing and to see so many union flags and tricolors. But much of the "peace wall" has been demolished and the old checkpoint gates we drove through are no longer used. Maybe it's good that they remain as a reminder of how bad things can be. One lady at the last lunch spoke of how her husband, a farmer, was in the UDR and of how every time he drove up in his car she was aware that others had been ambushed and assassinated as they went from their car to their house.
We flew over Cardiff on the way to Bristol - the barrage, Penarth pier, Flat Holm and Steep Holm, Weston, then into Bristol airport. This morning I spent getting my phone unlocked and getting a Pay as you Go sim card to enable people to contact me if they need. I was very tempted by the 3 Skype phone pay as you go thing! Excellent deals in the UK on mobile phones. Let's hope France follows suit very soon.
Tomorrow into Cardiff city centre - I want to visit Rowlands and the EMW bookshop. The Bay Church in the evening and my dear old friend, Ian Parry, whom I have not seen for too many YEARS.
Northern Ireland was amazing. It's a small area, with just 1,500,000 people. About 500,000 live in Belfast. A large percentage of Christians and lots of churches, many of whom are evangelical. So a small community, but one that God has blessed and used over the years.
Some memorable quotes :
on cakes - "We don't like to take a cup of tea with nothing."
on Scotland - "The Scots are getting nearly as godless as the English". (I told them that sadly the Welsh are more godless than either.)
Colin took us on a tour of the Falls / Shankhill Road areas. The murals are quite disturbing and to see so many union flags and tricolors. But much of the "peace wall" has been demolished and the old checkpoint gates we drove through are no longer used. Maybe it's good that they remain as a reminder of how bad things can be. One lady at the last lunch spoke of how her husband, a farmer, was in the UDR and of how every time he drove up in his car she was aware that others had been ambushed and assassinated as they went from their car to their house.
We flew over Cardiff on the way to Bristol - the barrage, Penarth pier, Flat Holm and Steep Holm, Weston, then into Bristol airport. This morning I spent getting my phone unlocked and getting a Pay as you Go sim card to enable people to contact me if they need. I was very tempted by the 3 Skype phone pay as you go thing! Excellent deals in the UK on mobile phones. Let's hope France follows suit very soon.
Tomorrow into Cardiff city centre - I want to visit Rowlands and the EMW bookshop. The Bay Church in the evening and my dear old friend, Ian Parry, whom I have not seen for too many YEARS.
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