It was one of those trips

It was one of those trips I hoped never to have: stolen phone, septic leech bite that caused my leg to swell and weep pus, airport closure which caused me to miss an international connection, thus canceling all subsequent flights, vandalized ATM so no access to money, leaving me to beg for food, cold water.

What a relief to get back to Little Portion. Not even a bank overdraft could dim the pleasure.

Today I got a replacement phone re-activated, banking snafu straightened out, noted that all traces of the leech have disappeared (finally!).

I wish I could say I went through all of this undisturbed.

I had some moments of extreme aggravation.

Sometimes the most important thing is just to get through things and move on.

So I'm movin' on, with a backward look of gratitude at some of the really great things that happened during my trip to South Africa, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

I led a Quiet Day for the superiors of 10 Anglican Religious Orders in South Africa. I was leading them in some reflections on the vows that we take as religious: poverty, chastity and obedience. I'm not sure what they got out of it, but I found in myself a deep sense of gratitude for my life as a friar. Talking about the vows was a chance for re-committing myself.

In Papua New Guinea, I led a retreat for the students and staff of Newton college, the Anglican church of Papua New guinea's theological college. This time my theme was "Taking up the Cross" and I reflected on ordained ministry.

In the Solomon Islands I was asked to meet with a group of 35 eighteen year old "sixth form" students from Selwyn College. It was a real joy to recount for them the story of my conversion when I was about their age.

And to cap it all off I preached in London at a parish with deep connections to Society of St. Francis, St. Philip's in Plaistow, the East End of London. This had been the parish of the Society of the Divine Compassion which became part of the Society of St. Francis. They asked me to talk about Celebrating Diversity: Unity in Diversity.

And to be honest I always enjoy the time with the brothers, sharing our Franciscan life and collaborating in ministry in all the different cultures.