Missionary Gas

This morning I got my boiled egg just right. It takes exactly 1 minute longer than in Scotland - water boils at a lower temperature when at altitude. Doing things differently and crossing boundaries isn't easy. Last week's email photo caused the love-of-my-life to tell me clearly that such a picture was completely unacceptable. I apologize to those of you who also felt it went too far. Although, a Colombian colleague emailed me and asked when I took that photo of her. This week´s picture, taken not far from the Seminary, is typical of the Andes. A cross adorned with ladders, disks and odd parafanalia. Just an inoffensive cultural curiosity? Or is it christianized paganism with roots in the Conquistadors' brutal conversion policy of the indians. Olwen arrives back on Tuesday, so life will become more balanced and I'll stop experimenting with eggs. But I'll still be wondering what is offensive to the Almighty. Photo: Offensive or inoffensive to God?

Early mornings I often go out for a jog-walk down to a local park and do some exercises. At this time there are octogenarians, cyclists and overweight ladies all trying to work-out. Thankfully anything is acceptable. I’ve seen the young with contortioned yoga positions and pensioners trying to kick like David Beckham. However you need to be careful about the dress code. Running in jeans is unacceptable, unless you’re chasing a thief. The choice is typically: baseball cap, T-shirt and shell suit (for the really slow); optional baseball cap, T-shirt and Bermudas (for the half-fit) and no-baseball cap, vest and shorts (for unbelievably fit). The other rule is social etiquette. Early morning exercisers greet each other warmly without having a clue who they are. Occasionally there's a girl who doesn’t follow the dress code, never says hello and runs the opposite way around the park from everyone else. I reckon she's a North American, and a missionary too. Foreign missionaries can be

It´s a week now since our son, Matt arrived but he has already created an unforgettable impression. On his first outing with some students to a major public event - the annual flower parade - he fainted. Nothing brings out Colombian compassion more than a handsome collapsing foreigner. He´s learnt since then, and yesterday only came home with two enormous blisters from basketball, which he expects to be sufficiently bandaged before tonight´s football. But life here isn't all cheap steaks, sun and sport. He's taking my Augustine classes next week. And there´s nothing Colombian´s like more than a handsome teacher. But I'm sure he can defend himself as he launches into Augustine's dominant theme: love. Photo: When the sport stops: Seminary library and chapel

Classes started back a week last Tuesday. I´ve two: Church History and New Testament History of Israel. There's about 20 students in the each class. And it's good to be back and enjoy their company. The kind of thing that make the class roar with laughter is if I get someone´s name wrong. For instance my list included a girl called Adriana, who turned out to be a boy called Alexander. They thought this was hilarious. Or if I query whether a student's contribution to class discussion is really right. Someone will express why he thinks Jesus taught in parables. And if I say, "Mmm..." the class go into fits of laughter. What makes me laugh? Others laughing, and thankfully there´s plenty of that. I need it, for Olwen´s still in Scotland for another month. Photo: After the laughter has died down