We're enormously proud of Hiranya. I remember baptising her five years ago; for a year she led our children's work; she's an accomplished poet; she was a big formative influence on many of our young people; and we always knew, when she was working as an accountant, that she'd end up doing something more adventurous. Well, after a degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies, she is indeed doing something more adventurous - she's working as an accountant! But she's doing it in Kabul in Afghanistan. as finance director for Skateistan, Kabul's premier (and only) skate-park.
Click here for a link to a you-tube video. And click here for a report from espn.
Hiranya writes: "As we had landed, I had an incredible emotional reaction to the beauty of Afghanistan, the rugged, sparse mountains. My heart was in my mouth. I have never had a similar reaction, except for Sri Lanka (for obvious reasons). And I felt, in my heart, that this is where I’m meant to be. Maybe this sounds like wishy-washy hippy speak to some of you, but I can only speak from my own experience. As we drove through the streets of Kabul, my excitement mounted... Something in my heart is at peace, despite the external chaos of things...
"The next day, we went to the Skate Park and I was shown around. ... I found a place to meditate in the girl’s locker room, so it was good to begin my practice as I mean to go on. Then, in the afternoon, I skateboarded for the first time. It is like flying, and I loved it, loved persevering and practising the basics over and over. I can’t wait to keep going at it. The climbing wall is a bit lacking in holds (as most of these are held up in customs somewhere) but should be good in due course. ...
"This morning, I was woken to the sound of bombings. I thought to myself, ok, well this is Kabul; what do you expect, and was determined to sleep at least until 6am. I was really irritated at the planes flying overhead keeping me awake. And resolutely, went back to sleep. At 7am I got up. We have a Nepali journalist living with us, so he informed us that it was the British Council and (at that time) there were 3 civilian causalities. ... I’m in Kabul; I wasn't expecting Disneyland. But still, it is probably a great teacher as far as living in the present moment goes.
"One of my German colleagues had a great quote: “Suicide bombings: the best alarm clock in Kabul.”
"Sitting on the porch, watching the army planes fly by – very lowly I might add – I also watched the butterflies, the kites and the birds. It occurred to me that all these things fly, yet some are silent, and other more ugly things, have to make a big noise.
"So, that’s where it is so far. I feel very at home. Afghanistan is like a seductive lover: she lures me in. And I know she will break my heart, but I am falling in love, and imagine I will keep coming back to her, despite knowing she will hurt me again. There’s something about this place that gets you; je ne sais quoi!"
And this week the Vice-President of Afghanistan visted the Skatepark today. Hiranya says "There was lots of security; searched twice on my way into work." Personally, I think that's pretty cool. I asked for permission to write about it on the church blog because there can't be many churches in Essex with members working on projects visited by Vice-presidents.
Click here for a link to a you-tube video. And click here for a report from espn.
Hiranya writes: "As we had landed, I had an incredible emotional reaction to the beauty of Afghanistan, the rugged, sparse mountains. My heart was in my mouth. I have never had a similar reaction, except for Sri Lanka (for obvious reasons). And I felt, in my heart, that this is where I’m meant to be. Maybe this sounds like wishy-washy hippy speak to some of you, but I can only speak from my own experience. As we drove through the streets of Kabul, my excitement mounted... Something in my heart is at peace, despite the external chaos of things...
"The next day, we went to the Skate Park and I was shown around. ... I found a place to meditate in the girl’s locker room, so it was good to begin my practice as I mean to go on. Then, in the afternoon, I skateboarded for the first time. It is like flying, and I loved it, loved persevering and practising the basics over and over. I can’t wait to keep going at it. The climbing wall is a bit lacking in holds (as most of these are held up in customs somewhere) but should be good in due course. ...
"This morning, I was woken to the sound of bombings. I thought to myself, ok, well this is Kabul; what do you expect, and was determined to sleep at least until 6am. I was really irritated at the planes flying overhead keeping me awake. And resolutely, went back to sleep. At 7am I got up. We have a Nepali journalist living with us, so he informed us that it was the British Council and (at that time) there were 3 civilian causalities. ... I’m in Kabul; I wasn't expecting Disneyland. But still, it is probably a great teacher as far as living in the present moment goes.
"One of my German colleagues had a great quote: “Suicide bombings: the best alarm clock in Kabul.”
"Sitting on the porch, watching the army planes fly by – very lowly I might add – I also watched the butterflies, the kites and the birds. It occurred to me that all these things fly, yet some are silent, and other more ugly things, have to make a big noise.
"So, that’s where it is so far. I feel very at home. Afghanistan is like a seductive lover: she lures me in. And I know she will break my heart, but I am falling in love, and imagine I will keep coming back to her, despite knowing she will hurt me again. There’s something about this place that gets you; je ne sais quoi!"
And this week the Vice-President of Afghanistan visted the Skatepark today. Hiranya says "There was lots of security; searched twice on my way into work." Personally, I think that's pretty cool. I asked for permission to write about it on the church blog because there can't be many churches in Essex with members working on projects visited by Vice-presidents.
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