Interesting events going on in Turkey, a mass rally to support secular democracy and to oppose a Muslim candidate for the presidency. The army has staged a number of coups in the past to oust presidents, most recently one from the islamic Welfare Party, which is connected to candidate Abdullah Gul's Justice and Development Party. It raises some interesting questions about the objectivity of this secular state if a military coup is seen as necessary to defend secular democracy against democratically elected members of government.

An army statement on Friday accused the government of tolerating radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism.
Business leaders have also issued a statement calling on the court to annul the vote, paving the way for early elections.
The influential TUSIAD association said a vote was necessary "to preserve the inseparable principles of democracy and secularism".

It should be interesting to see how this pans out, but the issue of having a secular state has been hugely important in Turkey since is foundation as a republic in 1923, and I suppose especially now as it looks for entry into the EU. With 99% of the country being Muslim though, it seems almost impossible to have a secular state without some kind of external pressure.


Also in the news, a Dutchman has built a replica of Noah's ark, which he plans to sail around the inland waters of the Netherlands.

Your word, O Lord is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
You established the earth,
and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve You.
Psalm 119:89-91

You can watch Christopher Yuan telling his powerful testimony here.
Please remember me in your prayers as I am currently recovering at my in-laws from a viral bronchitis. Thank you Joy for your good care!

An immigrant family had broken down on a lonely stretch of highway on a freezing night in Northern California. They had several children, but all looked a mess and the car was a piece of junk. An imam was driving the deserted highway in his 4-wheel drive. He drove fast to make the mountain pass before the snow closed in. Suddenly, his headlights made out the wreck of a car, off the road and the family of Mexicans standing nearby. He swerved, irritated, and continued on into the night.

Not far behind however, was a missionary couple, home on leave. Almost at their destination, they were driving slowly in the old car they had borrowed for the trip. They were tired and short on money. The couple decided they couldn’t really help this time and kept going.

Several hours later, a group of atheist bikers where heading home from the local bar, a little worse for wear. On seeing the broken car, the lead bike pulled over. He found the family huddled in the back of the car; the children were cold but well. The baby however, needed urgent medical care. While a couple of the guys started working on the car, the others loaded their bikes with extra passengers and headed for the nearest hospital where the first biker pledged the full medical bills for the baby. The next morning he checked the rest of the family into a good motel and for the remainder of the week covered all their bills and sent them on their way with a fixed car and a healthy baby! He didn’t accept a cent for all he had done.

The nature of generosity, it seems, hasn’t changed in the couple of thousand years since the first addition of this story was published (in Luke 10:25-37). Let us all aspire to BE generous christians, rather than sit back and admire those who are. I got this post from a friend (Thanks David!) who linked me up to www.livinggenerously.com where they featured this article.

What happens when one of the top young violinists of America tries a bit of busking in Washington D.C. during rush hour? One person recognises him, and he gets a total of $32.17 for 43 minutes' playing (the woman who recognised him gave $20). You can read the full story here.

Thank you everyone who prayed!

Jonathan's talk with the university went well today and they said he only needs a written confirmation from the hotel that they have offered him a job for the year, so now all we need to do is contact one or both of the hotels in Tenerife that have offered him a job and see if they could write a brief note to the university.

Here is a picture of me in Tenerife standing just outside the church in front of the harbour in Las Americas. We have found affordable accomodation and the German missionary family that have invited us to help them with the church there have been very kind and supportive. Please continue to pray for this situation and also for when I should go over as Jonathan has these job offers for July, but I've got a job offer as a receptionist/practice nurse starting October. We would love to hear from anyone wishing to visit us during the year away there and we are so thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness and provision to us so far! What a nice birthday present from Him to hear this news today......one last year of my twenties to go!

Yesterday and Saturday must have been the warmest days of the year, around 21 celcius! The sun was shining and people were out sitting on their doorsteps chatting, and sunbathing in the parks.....yet I am stuck with a cold that has gradually matured into a chest infection over the last four weeks and managed to persist even through a course of strong antibiotics! Nevertheless Mr. Cold...or Mr C.I., tomorrow we shall see what my dear G.P. Dr. Gath will say and see if we can scare you off with an even stronger, more efficient medicine...haha!

Well, for those who don't know it yet, Jonney has got an interview with his college prof. tomorrow regarding the year away programe and where we will be able to go....he has at first said no to Tenerife as they were unable to give Jonney a contract.....please remember him in your prayers!

Sorry this is so short but I will try to post more later in the week!

Adios from Stoke!