Little reflections, from Lindsay

19 days left in Syria until we fly home - time is moving slowly and yet the weeks are being swallowed up. It probably is not a time to over-analyse thoughts and feelings, for it is a mix including impatience, boredom, and plenty of moments trying to capture and absorb the sights, sounds and smells. For I will never forget Syria, and I am sure there will be times I wish to be back - to reconnect with friends and to remember the place. Last year, the tug to leave was stronger; this year, Syria has given a lot back to us.  It has been an interesting week... let me tell you and you can see what you think! I've been seeing Penny (Think Forward Career Counselling) over recent months, and have felt an injection of energy and spark towards work, bringing me hope that I may find better-fitting roles that will bring a greater sense of satisfaction. She has supported me to understand what roles I may like, and to identify which organisations I feel drawn to in Nottingham. Along the way, I hav...

Mid-June, and it is hot in Aleppo with warm nights giving way to boiling days. There is mixed advice on whether your windows should be open (to channel a breeze) or closed (to keep the hot air out), and it is a battle we are generally not winning. This week and last has brushed past 40 degrees C and our lunchtime stroll has been cut down to limit the chance of dehydration and sunstroke. But our time is drawing to a slow close, and I'm trying to embrace each moment and opportunity in Syria to enjoy the culture and experience. In a month, we will be heading home finishing our 1 year contract in Aleppo, and 2 years with Medair. The countdown is on (unfortunately), and while I wish it was not so, I am really ready to go home. I dream of our house and garden, Beeston, church and friends, seeing family and resuming 'normal life'. The very situation I was keen to leave 2 years ago is now exactly what I want to reconnect with. I'm obsessed with home and garden shows on BBC and ...

We have returned to Aleppo for the last time, following a wonderful holiday in Turkey. We travelled around, visiting Cappadocia, the Turquoise coast, Pamukkale, Ephesus and one last day in Istanbul. The sea is amazingly turquoise (as the name suggests), and while it was not all beachy, there were plenty of lovely viewpoints. Also, seeing Ephesus was really interesting, having heard and read about it from the perspective of Paul and the Bible, and also through a couple of my favourite novels, parts of which are set in first century Ephesus. Seeing the amphitheatre, and the market place, and the areas where scholars would have stood and argued brought it all to life! It is also special to re-read parts of the Bible again imagining what the places looked like and felt like. You can imagine the bustle of the crowds, the well-worn stones underfoot, the sunshine overhead and the view of nearby hills.  Ephesus The break from work was appreciated, as was entering into a new headspace for a...

Is Easter Tuesday a thing? If it is, then today is Easter Tuesday! It is always an interesting experience to celebrate a festival when you are in a different context. Easter this year felt different to usual. Holy Week is normally reflective running up to Good Friday, which is a very special day focused on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We tend to go to church several times for a Maundy Thursday event, and a Good Friday eveny, and the Easter Sunday service.  There is very specific feeling that accompanies Easter Sunday - the wonderful celebration of life after death. Rejoicing in the triumph of Jesus over sin, death and hell, and how he has forged a new path from earth to heaven that we can follow. Singing 'Thine be the glory' or similar Easter hymns and meaning every word. Even the chocolate eggs feel special. But this year, I tried to feel as I feel at home over Easter and failed.  But what was comforting was the fact that the essential truths behind Easter remains the...

Why does it matter if Jesus came back to life again? 1 Corinthians 15:13-19 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.   And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.   More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.   For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.   And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins .   Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.   If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied . Coming up to Easter, I have been thinking about whether the resurrection is really important. I believe Jesus took into himself every single sin that every believer has ever done and will do, and he took up...

As people living and working in Syria for a Humanitarian Organisation, we have key principles around neutrality and impartiality. We do not favour (or reject) anyone based on any difference in culture, background, or belief etc. And we do not share any opinions on how we think our host country should be run. We do not showcase any beliefs, and we do not ask anyone to think as we do. This is super-important, because it means we are not asking anyone to say or do the 'right' thing to feel they have earnt our assistance.  But it also means that as Christians, we do not look for opportunities to talk about our faith even with our colleagues, most of whom are Muslims. It could damage our reputation as an impartial provider of aid and employer if we suggested or imposed any level of Christian practice or belief upon colleagues and those we serve.  However, if somebody comes to us to ask questions about our personal beliefs , we can talk! And this is what happened this week. One of t...