But he said it was just around the corner

Once in the Andes I asked a local for directions and was told "it was just round the corner". I went on my way delighted, past corner and corner, eventually finding the place in a completely different location. The good man didn't really know where it was but thought it was best to tell me what I would like to hear.

Northern Europeans are strong on justice and truth and so Latin American unreliability can be difficult to swallow. This week involved me a case of students copying in an exam and is the part of the job I hate. Part of me wants to have a quiet life and say, "If they want to cheat let them". But a teacher who is a soft touch finds himself dreading an increasingly chaotic classroom situation.

Olwen in her practical teaching class is battling with small items disappearing. The actual monetary value of a stolen thread bobbin is insignifcant, but the loss of trust it generates is significant.

Fashion student Mairianna Campbell from Lewis has arrived. Her first student workshop on bag-making is 7 a.m. Monday morning (1 p.m. UK time) and her aim is to help women develop skills which will enable them to provide for their families. The sewing room is full of machines, coloured cloths and drawers with all sorts of small things. For the project to succeed it also must be full of the honesty of those who take part. It is interesting that Jesus said to the woman at the wellside that genuine followers of God "must worship him in spirit and in truth".


Photo: First year students discussing New Testament Jewish history

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