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Carole's Stories

'Music is my life,' shares a young Syrian refugee in Turkey

As I toured the World Vision-supported Urfa Community Centre in Ṣanliurfa, Turkey, I lingered in front of a photograph displayed on the wall of the art room. A hand, fingers outstretched, seemed to be trying to touch heaven, while birds circled high in the distance. Knowing that the Centre served Syrian refugees, I imagined her photograph meant, "I want to escape earth, its confusion and death, to fly with the birds in the peaceful heavens." But what did it mean to the photographer who took it? I asked if it would be possible to meet him or her.

"Will you marry me?" Something wrong, and right, in prison communications

I’ve been involved in communications for development for many years, and have heard many inspiring stories, but so far, this one has touched me most. I was listening to Podcast Playlist on CBC Radio, a weekly show that curates great podcasts from everywhere, and they were playing a podcast about the WMMT radio station in Appalachia, USA.

It all started with a jazz station that evolved into a hip hop show. As it was unusual for the region, a listener sent a letter of appreciation to the DJ. It was from an inmate in prison.

A new year, a new beginning

It’s January 1, 2016 – a new year. I started it wonderfully, in my prayer chair. For Christmas, my friend gave me "Thomas Merton: A Book of Hours.” It has prayers for every day of the week, dawn, day, dusk and night.  Reading the dawn prayers today started my year off beautifully.

Advent Peace

It's advent - the season of year when Christians await the coming of Jesus anew in our hearts, in remembrance of his birth over 2,000 years ago. To celebrate, we light a candle each Sunday - one for hope, one for peace, one for joy, and one for love. This Sunday, my church asked me to light the candle of peace. As someone called to be a peacemaker, I was grateful for the chance to share some of the stories and journies of peace I have made over the years. Let me share the highlights with you.

How do you lose "three layers of tension"?

I work with a global team of colleagues at World Vision International. One of them is John Locke from California. Like many of our staff, John works with people from around the world, often spanning 12 hour time zones in long days of meetings and deadlines. To destress after a busy day, he goes to the martial arts studio to exercise body and mind. John attributes meditation for reducing "three layers of tension."

Je suis Charlie

As I write this, I am watching a tribute to the victims of the massacre at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris today. Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French magazine, was targeted by terrorists today. In an attack by two gunmen, twelve lost their lives, including nine employees, two policeman, and a building maintenance man. The suspected motivation was revenge for publishing cartoons satirising the Prophet Mohammed.

On my way to Israel

At 11 PM I board the first plane and settle into my seat. I'm on my way to Israel. I have been anticipating this trip for years, yet planned it in two weeks when a break in my hectic work schedule emerged. I'm excited, nervous, and prayerful that God will make the connections that I didn't have time to. Only my first 2 nights are booked to recover from jet lag in Tel Aviv; it will take me 24 hours to complete my journey (because of a much too generous layover in Amsterdam).

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