http://rtu.paulabbott.org/?_Action=search&_Constraint=All Paul Abbott Reaching The Unreached en-gb Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:04 GMT Paul Abbott 2010 - 2012 http://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html 60 Brother James had not been in his home country, England, since the early 1970s and he'd not had a plate of chips since. I'd not had any chips myself for two an a half months and I was feeling it. But 40 years was a bit much! The poor man needed sorting out. Something had to be done. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/331 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/331 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT This was a strange day, because it didn't really have a beginning it just carried on from the previous day, because I hadn't slept the night before. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/338 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/338 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT In the morning there was a fire nearby and a huge cloud of thick black smoke formed. It didn't look at all healthy. After about 30 minutes or so, the first fire engine appeared. It wouldn't be the last. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/336 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/336 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT I'd set off from Manchester with the aim of raising £8,000 to build ten quality homes for ten poor families to replace homes like this one. I wanted to see houses under construction before leaving RTU. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/333 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/333 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT Brother James had disappeared to Bodi, a couple of days before, as he tends to spend three or four days there each week, and I'd been prevented from going to see him there as, apparently, Brother James thought I would be 'taking too much of a risk' if I went there by motorcycle. This was a bit rich coming from a man who, at 85, is still riding on a two-wheeler around RTU. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/328 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/328 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT For some reason, there was a big staff meeting for all the departments of RTU, and it was to be held at a different venue - a village where RTU was doing some work. This was a perfect opportunity for me to escape to Kodaikanal - if I could get my hands on a motorcycle. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/330 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/330 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT It was 23rd May, Bro Jim's 85th birthday! I'd cycled a long way for a slice of his birthday cake, and, thankfully, Jo and David Cassidy, two very special old friends of Brother Jim, had sent a beautiful cake. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/329 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/329 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT Having read about some of the terrible family backgrounds of some of the children under the care of RTU, visiting RTU's 'Miriam Children's Village' was a most delightful and humbling experience, a genuine highlight of my stay at RTU. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/332 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/332 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT The plan was to spend the time updating the website, but there was a power cut which lasted for around 8 hours. There was nothing anyone could do. The substation at the local Polytechnic had blown up. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/335 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/335 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT St Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles, came to India in 52A.D. And he died there as a martyr in 72A.D. He was buried at Mylapore, San Thome, Chennai and the Basilica of St Thomas is built over the tomb - one of only three churches in the world built over the tomb of an Apostle. http://rtu.paulabbott.org/334 http://rtu.paulabbott.org/334 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT