Bank Holiday Busyness (!)

We've just had the first May Bank Holiday weekend, and, surprisingly, it was quite nice all weekend. So, obviously, I spent most of the weekend inside. And hardly saw anyone.

Not that I particularly dislike the sun as such (more that I just don't mind it), nor that I didn't have anywhere to go - things just worked out that way. I was working on the Saturday as normal, so I was quite tired; so I didn't go out in the evening either. I was invited to a barbecue, and I was told some friends had gone to the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, but I really didn't feel like going anywhere at that point. So I didn't. I stayed in and read and wrote a blog post and stuff.

And, because I'd had a couple of tiring days, I didn't get up that early on Sunday, either. I was invited out to the Jazz Festival again, but again I didn't feel like it. So I read for a bit. And then I was struck by the thought that my team was probably on duty at church that evening. But I wasn't sure. So I had to check online, and because my computer was playing up, it took me a while to find out that was the case. About 5 minutes before I was due to be there. So, what with one thing and another, I got there 10 minutes later than I should have done. But at least I now know when the next date definitely is, so hopefully I'll get to that one on time - or even early, who knows?
Church was fun - and, you know, not being ill made it much better. I ended up on the bookstall again, which kind of surprised me; and this time, I actually sold things. And met someone new called Alice, who's just moved back to Cheltenham after a couple of years in Malawi. Being on the welcome team means you might get to meet new people. And after clearing up, I went down the pub. Which was nice. Had a nice chat with a bunch of friends, and a couple of interesting things came out of that. One was that I discovered a friend is moving round the corner from us soon - she's not sure exactly when - and that led to a nice chat about theology and the like. It also came up that another friend is thinking of moving, and may well move in with us, which will be nice - he's a good guy. But the most important thing that happened was that I somehow got myself agreeing to do a sponsored walk sometime in the summer. It won't be that long; certainly less than 10 miles. It's to raise money for Hope for Justice, and it's called the Zoe Challenge. Have a look if you want to find out more; maybe you could sort out a walk for yourself as well.

Monday being the Bank Holiday, I didn't have anything to do except relax; so I did that. Then I realised I had to go into town, so I went and did what I had to do, then decided to go up and wander around the Jazz Festival. As I got there, I walked past an acoustic stage where a band was playing, so I watched the rest of their set, which I really liked; especially 'King of the Swingers', which they finished with. I then wandered around the main arena, where I met a few people I knew, including a couple called Stuart and Jade. They were with a friend of theirs, who they were trying to persuade to come on an Alpha course; and I tried to persuade them to come. I hope they do; it will be good to see them around again. I then went home via Grumpy Whiskers, where I got one of their waffles (mmhmm); and, when I got home I felt I should ask if anyone wanted to go to the cinema, now I've got my unlimited card. So I did that, and ended up going to see Spider-Man with Rhys. In 3D, which I wasn't planning on; but at least that now means I have a pair of glasses for the future. Anyway, it's a really good film, and I recommend it. And they showed a trailer for Godzilla, which definitely looks worth seeing. A good start to my year of films, I think.

Human Trafficking Is Not Okay!!

A couple of weeks back, we were just about heading into Race Week here in Cheltenham. For those of you who have no idea what this means, it's the week when the Gold Cup is held-usually the same week as St Patrick's Day. There are currently four days of races in the week, and for that week thousands of people come into Cheltenham, hundreds staying locally.

Now I don't know when Race Week first started, but certainly longer than I've been aware of it. I remember working there about 20 years ago. And for most of my life, it was primarily seen as a good thing; something to celebrate. Everyone I knew looked forward to it, and the atmosphere around town was generally happy. But in recent years, something has changed. The atmosphere is different, and local people stay away from the town centre during that week unless they really have to be there.

And, also, I have been made more aware of the rise in sex trafficking over that week. I only heard it mentioned a couple of years back, but I remember not being surprised. I'm not saying that it only happens here (for instance, it has been talked about around the Superbowl and the Olympics).  That's why I didn't find it surprising. It makes sense to think that wherever there is going to be a large number of (drunk) people, this market will increase. Nor am I naive enough to think that it doesn't happen all year round, though that does apparently surprise some.

I got to know a bit more about it through the charity Hope for Justice, which my church supports. And, as a result, I joined the local Act for Justice group-which is their local support group. They have them all over the country, and there was quite a lot going on this month because of the races. First, near the start of the month, the church put on a showing of the film Nefarious, and the week after, there was a lot of prayer on the streets. On the Monday of Race Week, before the races started, we joined with the Gloucester Act for Justice group and prayed at the racecourse; and then, the next few days, various people from church went on on the streets in the evenings offering prayer to anyone who wanted it.

I went out with a group on the first day, and we had some interesting conversations, though no-one asked for prayer. We met some girls handing out leaflets about a lapdancing club (I think), who said they didn't want to be doing it; and we had a conversation with some very drunk Irishmen, one of whom showed us a picture of his 5 month old daughter. They changed their minds about going to a lapdancing club when one of the girls in the group pointed out that every one of them was just like his daughter once.

So, I've been thinking about the subject a lot this month, and thought it was about time I said something on here. It's gone quiet again here, but that doesn't mean the subject is closed. This horrible trade is still going on here, there, everywhere, and has to be stopped-so I thought I'd finish by giving you some ideas of what you can do to help. I would recommend that you watch 'Nefarious' at some point; but, there are other things you can do. Mainly by getting in touch with one of the organisations that deal with it on a day-to-day basis, and seeing how you can support them. Hope for Justice is based in the UK, but, internationally,  Exodus Cry is a great organisation to get in touch with. They will let you know how you can help; pray, donate, campaign, but do something. And tell others.