Ray and his swimming challange
One experiences different kinds of changes in entire life, some are willingly but some are forced. Every change does not necessarily make us feel comfortable. Naturally, we tend to seek stability among constant changes, that is, hope for eternity. But it seems the constantly unchanged is change. Since we cannot avoid the reality of changes, how could we take action to transform changes into results with hope? And are we able to do so?
One of major changes in my life was to move from Hong Kong to the UK with family two years ago in 2021. This is the third winter we are going to spend here. And before it comes, I made up my mind to challenge myself for outdoor winter swimming. The change I experienced to move the family from much warmer place like Hong Kong to the UK might not so pleasant because of the political and social situations over there, but at least, I could try something completely different here. I always like swimming, but before this October, I have seldom tried to swim in water temperatures under 18 degrees Celsius. In the coming months, I am going to go swimming or dipping into ice water between 12 to 1 degree Celsius. Yesterday, I finished 2000m in the outdoor swimming lake, the feeling is special when cold water tickled my body from head to toe. It was also fresh and lovely, I found. That was a transformative action.
Swimming in winter is one small action I took, a much bigger transformative action I have taken was the involvement of the Hazelnut Community Farm. Not long after our family moved to the UK, we got to know this amazing community farm that is alternative and special. We are living in the time of climate emergency and biodiversity crisis amid the growing ecological, security and social crises (poly-crisis). All these crises forced us to change in this and that way. What Hazelnut community farm is doing right now is trying to provide a way out with hope. I learned that the idea of Hazelnut community farm started in the crisis of climate emergency, but it’s not sitting on it waiting. Rather, it’s trying to work together with community to reconnect people with land which human being came from when God created among other created things. In growing together, people from different background and ethnics share a common language to fear and worship God the creator. And what’s the most import thing is, Jesus Chris is placed in the centre of creation, through the community growing together, we bring up God’s presence with healings and comfort.
My family and I are involved with Hazelnut community farm every Sunday afternoon. It organises all kinds of events according to the seasonal cycles. In winter, everything is slowing down and weary, and we slow us down, as well. We adjust ourselves with the season and keep pace to share among the community together like we grow and harvest together in summer and autumn. We share food in feast together; We share our own life story together and we invite special guests coming with various topics and perspectives.
The Hazelnut Community Farm is based in Bristol, southwest England. Maybe you are not living here, or you will not be able to be with us at each event, but I would love to invite you to take transformative action with me. I invite you to give to support Hazelnut community farm. Positive changes through transformative action.