We began 2012 as we ended 2011 with Bob, Hilary and Geoff convening at the White Rose. Bob began asking if any of us had had any flashes of inspiration or insight during the week that might help us in our conversations during the evening. Geoff shared how he had been reading about the New Testament idea of "mercy." Unlike the modern western idea of mercy - the suspension of just retribution - the old Greek idea which appears in the New Testament was a richer notion of soothing, and comfort from pain.
As far as clues went it was a frustrating evening. We either found ourselves in a location with no people, or with people who didn't match clues or who simply didn't want to talk. The shopping centre was very quiet after the Christmas and New Year rush. Geoff suggested we come back sometime and bring chocolates to cheer up the store holders.
But sometimes it's good to go off your treasure map. Bob suggested that tonight would be as good a time as any to share some chocolate joy, and with a couple of bags of creme eggs at our disposal we went looking for some people in need of a sugar hit.
Hilary immediately found a stall holder who was in the UK studying English with a view to going home to teach in Brazil. Having been to Brazil herself a couple of months previously, Hilary immediately had a point of reference. It got even more interesting. The student lived near the same area that Hilary had visited. When Hilary explained that she had been to support a Christian project, the student asked if Hilary knew a Brazilian pastor from Beeston. Hilary didn't, but pointed out that God was probably the one making these connections. It's not long before our student friend goes back to Brazil, but she may still have time to teach some Portuguese to a friend of Hilary's who is working on the same Brazilian project. They exchanged some phone numbers.
Another student manning a stall was from China, and was interested in the whole treasure hunting idea, perhaps as a British cultural curiosity. Bob offered to pray for her to find further work when her course ended. She agreed, but seemed a little bemused by the experience. Nonetheless, it will be one of her memories of visiting the UK and we pray she has other memorable encounters with Christians.
Hilary's final conversation was with a stall holder who was about to loose her job with her company closing down. Chocolates were a small comfort but a genuine act of compassion and sympathy is never without value. As Hilary ended the conversation and the evening, Geoff noticed the song playing as backing music in the shopping centre. Duffy - singing "Mercy".
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