Ask a ten year old ,nay a five year old ,what is a need in life , A hug ,aka Love? Food, a secure sleeping place ? Aka a home ..
Stop , think , what is your answer?
Then where is the justice in making a home a thing of investment and profit for self? Or of basic food being overpriced for profit , or the greed that fails to share love ?
Just asking
21 JAN 2015
And so we arrived in Uganda. My luggage and I. The beautiful bicycle all in the box.A big thank you to KLM for waiving the fee as a charitable gift. And to the packer.
(Just for the record re the “dwellers all in time and space ” post, my plane neighbour was upgraded and left me to enjoy a seat for two.Not complaining that his penchant for a violent film didn’t distract my reading)
Uganda is a place of warmth. Not just the equatorial sunshine, but the kindness of her people. So many people give such heartfelt greetings and
” Welcome ” is their word. It’s hard not to take a step back and feel undeserving of their words,smile and kindness.
Some have invited me into their houses in the few days I have been here and whatever the home style, the welcome has been humbling. “Welcome” tumbles off the lips of strangers as I struggle with quelling a sense of intrusion into their privacy.The visits are deeply appreciated as the pastor of the church his team and I call in on neighbours in the community just saying what a church is about. And they have a lot on offer.Caring, feeding educating, healing,medicines,support and salvation. Whatever the worldview of the folks we have seen there has never not been an active “Welcome “. Europe. Let’s learn.
The home from home cycle tour of the Abbeys of Yorkshire is finished
( except Nun Monkton…I haven’t forgotten you,and shall cycle over in the next few weeks).Thank you to all my wonderful supporters.You have been family and friends,financial emotional,physical and spiritual supporters.Thank you .
At Ripon,I felt an overwhelming sadness that the trip was nearly over and thought that Fountains or Bolton would make me very sad.Emotions are strange and unpredictable and having feared an over busy Fountains would be intrusive ,it was a delight to see crowds of people enjoying themselves ,treading the place of so many before them.It was good to be a happy and bustling monastery again. Different times and perhaps some differnt needs, but still with plenty of places of peace and people finding inspiration from those called by Christ to follow him.At Bolton Priory, I was not sad.I had my husband with me and it is here where we were married.I was also nearly home.
In Wensleydale ,the usefulness of Marrick Priory ,accessible by zip wire and a place of holiday and adventure today ,is a positive and fulfilling use of old buildings.The nearby ruins of Ellerton Nunnery are located in a private garden.Small, beautiful and important they are maintained by private individuals as a remembrance of the nation’s heritage. Watton and Newborough Priories , near Bridlington and Byland , respectively are simply private houses bearing the cost of the heritage and privilige.We need to be grateful that families will maintain these places and use them.
As I finish this trip , I have much much more to share,everyday stuff and thoughtful stuff and spiritual stuff,the surprises,frights and the kindness of people.This story Home from Home is simple.If you want true cycling adventures ‘Cycling home from Siberia’ is the most wonderful book http://roblilwall.com/about/adventurer/cyclinghome. By a geography teacher that was.
Did I keep the rule of Benedict?..It is hard and sometimes harsh but as to rules and wisdom Psalm 19 has great advice.I like to know what is better than gold and better than honey. Psalm 19 as read in Selby Abbey on my second morning .
” The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
May some resonance be found by all of you in this rule.
Fiona Schneider 