There's been a lot going on - spiritually as well as physically - at the Mission lately. As a result of our cutbacks we took a lot of flak from a local anti-poverty group. They made several unfounded accusations against us that the local paper parrotted without, in some cases, even asking us to comment. We have been much maligned.The group - for all of its concern for the poor - has never once attempted to partner with us in any way,  preferring instead to snipe from the sidelines.

It's been disheartening, and the staff have taken some emotional hits because of it.

Early this morning I was spinning the dial on the car radio and came across Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" and was caught up, once again, in the depth of it, breathing in the fragrance of "tea and oranges that came all the way from China", of the powerful image of Christ on His "lonely wooden tower". Tonight a local church group gathered in our building to hold a prayer and worship service. Their purpose in doing so was to encourage and strengthen our ministry in response to the criticism we've been receiving. There was absolutely lovely worship music. Flags were waved, shofars were blown, annointing oil was poured out. It was beautiful. The church group hosting the event never once included their own name in the posters promoting the event and, to this moment, I have no idea who they were.

As I was leaving I picked a piece of paper up off the floor. Handwritten on it was "No weapon against you will prosper. I have given you a spirit of courage and love not self-doubt or fear."

These days are filled with tea and oranges, these nights with the mystery and wonder of it all.