BOOK REVIEW
The Nile to the Netherlands – Our Faith Journey
Revd. Canon Brian Lea O.B.E.
 With a foreword by Lord George Carey

A fascinating and humorous account of Brian and Gill’s life’s ministry, journeying from Omdurman, in the Sudan, as a teacher with C.M.S. to the Church of St. John and St. Philip in The Hague with stops on the way in Barcelona, Hove, Paris and Chiddingly with East Hoathly in East Sussex.

The book will appeal to both clergy and lay alike. For Brian and Gill it has indeed been a journey in faith that has been their strength through the ups and downs of life lived in a variety of countries and cultures; a life of devotion to God and a love for God’s people.

Brian often refers to having “the travel bug” and I am sure that many of you reading this review will instantly relate, as I do, to this travel bug syndrome. There are many amusing anecdotes and some moments of sadness that we who have lived overseas will recognise. What would one send home as a Christmas present to your family from the Sudan in the Fifties when the most frequent and fastest from of travel was a steamship line? Perhaps just as amusing is what do your family send in return? I will not spoil the story; buy the book and read it for yourself.

Published by Thankful Books. ISBN 1 905084 06 4 Price £9.99

You may also contact Brian direct: The Revd Canon Brian Lea, 35 Summerdown Lane, East Dean, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN2O 0LE Tel: 01323 423226
 


 

… And to Laugh

Up at the head table in the school cafeteria, one of the nuns had placed a big bowl of fresh juicy apples. Beside the bowl, she placed a note that read: Take only one. Remember God is watching.
At the other end of the table was a bowl full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven. Beside the bowl lay a little scrawled note in a child’s handwriting that read: Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

The Lost Chapter of Genesis

Adam was wandering around the Garden of Eden, very unhappy and lonely. So God said: “I will make you a companion - a woman.” “What will she do?” asked Adam. And God said: “This pretty lady will gather food for you, she will cook for you, and when you discover clothing, she will wash it for you. She will always agree with every decision you make, she will not nag you and will always be the first to admit she was wrong when you’ve had a disagreement. She will praise you. She will bear your children and never ask you to get up in the middle of the night to take care of them. She will never have a headache and will freely give you love whenever you need it.” Adam said: “WOW! What will a woman like this cost?” God replied, “An arm and a leg.” And Adam said “What can I get for a rib?” – Of course, the rest is history!