Dear Friends,

Since my last letter in December 2023, sadly, the war continues between Israel and Hamas, the innocent continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in loss of lives, homes, and so much more, it is the same in Ukraine and indeed so many other countries around the world where war rages unabated. War is no respecter of persons but is cruel, unforgiving and has absolutely no mercy whatsoever.  In war excuses are always made for killing other people, excuses made for driving people out of their homes, excuses made for terrorising and torturing the population.  Always there is an excuse and well-constructed propaganda to try and make it all seem alright.  Well, it isn’t and never will be, for war is war.

For us it's very easy to get disheartened when we are constantly bombarded on our screens with seeing so much suffering from those caught up in these unrelenting conflicts.  So easy for us to think the world is a bad or evil place and in so doing lose any sense of hope or that things can change.

But we must never lose hope, for in the darkest of situations peace, hope, love and goodness will prevail.  In the midst of all we are hearing about the absolute horror of war in various countries we also hear stories of kindness, stories of hope and of love.

Let us not lose sight of these remarkable and uplifting accounts for in them we see the love, the compassion, the kindness, of God, who is right there in the midst of the suffering of the people.

Such acts become the bedrock and building blocks for that longed for peace.

For peace is built on love, respect, kindness, hope, and goodness.

A Peace Dream written by Claire Smith from Guyana

I dream

Of a loving world

Where we see each other

With God’s eyes;

I dream of a resourceful world

Where we cherish the unique gift

Of each other;

I dream

Of a hopeful world

Where we recognise the power of God’s grace

To transform and make new;

I dream of peace……..

May God bless and uphold all those who seek peace in our world today.