Count Your Blessings - 4 April

Three mornings a week Anna Akerlund stands at the main checkpoint between Bethlehem and East Jerusalem, where around 2,000 workers pass each day. She is there to monitor human rights abuses. ‘It’s important just to witness what is happening,’ she says. Thank God for his most costly gift. Reflect upon the freedom it bought you. Give an additional gift of your choice, if you wish.

Looking back over Lent that is 52.79 in total -  + an amount that I am not going to share with you!

Thanks for those who have been following this posts during Lent.  I hope you have found them helpful and challenging.

Count Your Blessings - 2 April

Children in nearly a third of all families in Gaza experience anxiety, phobia or depression – as do many children in the Israeli town of Sderot who live in fear of rockets fired from Gaza. Pray for all who battle mental illness.

Absolutely - this is a tough one and there is more of it about than is obvious.

Count Your Blessings - 1 April

‘YMCA is the spirit to my body. They gave me olive trees and helped me plant.’ Palestinian farmer Abed Rabin, Bethlehem. YMCA replants olive trees where they have been uprooted. Give 5p for every tree outside your window.

I can see 30 another  1.50

Count Your Blessings - 31 March

The unemployment rate in Gaza is 45.5%. Give 40p for every treat you bought yourself yesterday.

Mmm - treat? - Holy Week.  Day off!  80p

Count Your Blessings - 30 March

The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated places on earth, with 1.6 million Palestinians living in 365 sq km. Give 60p if there are more rooms in your home than people.

Well, that is 60p then.

Count Your Blessings - 29 March

Ilana Rathouse is an Israeli nurse volunteering in the West Bank. ‘We are creating threads of an embroidery upon which peace can be built,’ she says. Give 10p for each time you’ve visited a local pharmacy this year.

Mmm - lucky enough not to remember - lets try 3.

Count Your Blessings - 27 March

We believe unequal power relations are at the heart of poverty, so we campaign to change the structures that hold poverty in place, and support people to claim their rights. In Afghanistan we work to challenge the stigma and discrimination faced by people who are blind and poor, ensuring they can access education and jobs. Consider the last time you felt excluded. Lift to God those who face discrimination.

 Good question!  When did I last feel excluded?  There may have been little ones, but the one that still sticks in my mind is this one http://revdalan.blogspot.com/2009/07/thoughts-around-communion.html

Count Your Blessings - 26 March

‘70% of the people live in rural areas, yet they have no space in the media.’ PV Satheesh, Christian Aid partner DDS, which launched India’s first rural community radio station. Give 30p for each time you caught your local news this week.

Guilty as charges - nil.

Count Your Blessings - 25 March

Rich countries spend US$1bn a day subsidising their farmers. Much of their produce is sold to poor countries at vastly reduced prices, undercutting local traders. Give 40p for every local market you have shopped at this year.

This is another one that seems the wrong way round!  Give 40p for every local market fewer than 5 you have shopped at perhaps.  80p.

Count Your Blessings - 24 March

855 million people in the world are illiterate. 70% of them are female. Give 2p for each item in the room that has text printed on it.

I really wish I weren't in my study at this moment!  I am not going to count - but that must be at least a tenner.

Count Your Blessings - 23 March

Tax-dodging multinationals cheat the developing world out of at least US$160bn each year, nine times the amount needed to educate all children globally. Visit www.christianaid.org.uk to demand tax justice.

 Mmm - not convinced by the case for the Robin Hood tax - see here.  Though I support most of the tax issues that Christian Aid are talking about.

Count Your Blessings - 22 March

Fair trade helps 7 million worldwide. Next time you visit the supermarket, buy a fairly traded item you haven’t yet tried.

OK - lets try that one - not sure when it will be - or what!

Count Your Blessings - 20 March

In 10,000 schools across India, after-school clubs set up by our partner SEEDS are tackling both the causes and symptoms of climate change. Here children learn to conserve energy and respond to increasing floods, cyclones and drought. Give 30p for every electronic device you own that provides entertainment.

OK - TV, DVD, Freeview box, mobile, computer, radio, record player, tape (yep still got those - hardly ever use it them though) - so 2.70.

Not sad enough to watch the washing going round and round  or there would be another J

Count Your Blessings - 19 March

Most plastic bags are only used once. Many take 1,000 years to degrade. Give 5p for every plastic bag in your home.

Mmm - not got any new ones for a while - but there are too many to count - lets call it a fiver.

Count Your Blessings - 18 March

£7.50 could buy enough drought resistant millet seed to feed four people for a year in Burkina Faso. Give 75p for every pair of wellington boots in your home.

No wellingtons either L

Count Your Blessings - 17 March

Christian Aid gets £4 for every recycled phone and £1 for every recyclable ink cartridge you donate. Call 0845 130 2010 or visit www.recyclingappeal.com/christianaid and quote ‘Christian Aid’ to order a recycling envelope today.

You need to check the web site, and my cartridges don't appear on the list L

Count Your Blessings - 16 March

Predicted changes in climate could put an additional 400 million people at greater risk of malaria. Give 40p for every flight that you took last year.

Well that will be £0 then. Not a great one for flying, I think I have flown only once (whoops - twice - I came back!) on my own account and a handful more times on business.

Count Your Blessings - 15 March

The UN estimates that there are now as many as 50 million refugees worldwide as a result of the effects of environmental deterioration. Give £1 if you own your own home and £3 if you own more than one.

So that is a quid then.


I'm still reading Lucy Winkett's book, but finding it impossible to blog - despite hearing her speak in person, covering much of the same ground, in Chesham last week.  As a non musician I find her use of musical metaphor passes me by, so there is good stuff, but to me it doesn't seem to cohere.

Count Your Blessings - 14 March

At 16 months, baby Cassim was diagnosed as malnourished and had stopped eating. Fearing for his life, Cassim’s mother turned to our partner the Baptist Clinic, Malawi, for treatment and help with feeding. Nutritionist Kingless Chilembwe tracked his journey back to health every day for 11 months. Cassim is now a fit and healthy two-year-old. This Sunday is Mothering Sunday. Give 30p for every healthy child in your extended family.

 Mmm - who is a child?  If I go for 18 then I think it is 6.  1.80

Count Your Blessings - 12 March

Children in the UK receive an average of £4.80 per week in pocket money. Give 48p if you’ve ever received pocket money.

Well yes... 48p