Kabul 24 by Ben Pearson & Henry Arnold, 2009

This is my first book review for Thomas Nelson publishers. I am a supporter of their approach which provides bloggers with free books in exchange for reviews – great win-win idea! Anyway, here’s to many more books and blog reviews – enjoy.

Kabul 24 captures the story of a group of Christian aid workers who risked their lives to serve the people of war-torn Afghanistan. The common thread that ties the aid workers together is the organisation they are a part of, Shelter Now International (SNI). The aim of SNI is to come alongside refugee communities and serve, love and care for them and provide for their day-to-day needs.

This true life story is set around the time of the 9/11 terror attacks and imminent American invasion of Afghanistan. The atmosphere surrounding the SNI team in Kabul rapidly changes becoming tense and unpredictable. A sense that things could go horribly wrong starts to creep up on the team; and what they certainly hoped would not happen, does. They find themselves caught up in a hostage drama that only God can pull them out of.

My opinion of this book certainly improved the further I progressed. I pushed through the first 50 pages, which I found rather weak, and I am glad that I did. I felt that more historical context could have been given to the characters and the SNI organisation. Once into the main body of the story, I found myself wrapped up in the emotion of the situation. I had found a good companion for my evening commute.

I found this story personally challenging and humbling, particularly the risk taken to serve these refugees. I am left wondering what is to become of Afghanistan. Such anger, deception and brokenness – one can only hope that God has a plan to heal and restore. Overall Kabul 24 is a good read and a book I recommend.

Piccadilly, Battersea Park fireworks and Mercedes Live 09 – what a weekend!

This weekend has been great fun! It all started with a golf outing, otherwise know as a “work training course”, on Friday up north in Harpenden. Caught the train with my golf clubs all the way there and back (oh so committed – not too many funny looks). 18 holes of golf, including a quick pit stop at the Wicked Lady (pub) for some beer battered cod and a brewski made for a fantastic start to the day. Rain and the waning light bought a swift end to the round and saw me heading back to London for the next leg of the journey. All Bar One in Piccadilly was the next meeting point. Great to see a number of South African friends and grab a fairly late Italian meal after walking the streets of Chinatown and round the West End.

After a lazy Saturday morning the wife and I hit the shops with avengence – driven by the icy chill to find winter coats. Two successful purchases and we were ready for the fireworks in Battersea Park. What a fantastic display!! Quick clip for you to view below. Heard so many SA accents in the queue on the way in – we are literally everywhere!

Sunday morning saw us up bright and early to traipse off to the Mercedes Live 09 end-of-season event. Braving the icy conditions we managed to see all the Mercedes drivers and cars along with 12,000 other Formula One fans – great experience. Thank the Lord it didn’t rain. What a weekend!