Inspiring: trailrunner and firefighter

Living in SW Germany - an outdoor paradise

So privileged to live and work in this beautiful part of the world.

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Trail Running in the Swiss Jura

At the end of September, I got in the car and drove the 30 minutes south of the border to the Swiss Jura region of Wasserfallen (on the border between Canton Baselland and Canton Solothurn). I parked the car at the Reigoldswil cable-car station, put on my hydration backpack with 1.5 l water, 1 Milka chocolate bar, mobile-phone and a pack-lite windproof jacket. Firstly I followed the hiking signs for Wasserfallen and then for Passwang. Starting at 600 m it is a short steep climb up to 1200 m. With the gradient at times rising to a nose-dripping 45% – it's more of a quick walk than a run.

The terrain up on the ridge is a trail runners dream. Following the exhausting climb, you are rewarded with a small twisty trail that has the odd technical up and down but compared to what lies behind, is pretty flat. The ground is firm but yet has a bit of a spring from the years of fallen leaves that have decomposed and been trodden down by hikers and runners. The trees brush past your elbows. Large drops of moisture drip from the branches high above. No-one else around. Quiet except for the sounds from the valley of a chainsaw and the familiar ring of cowbells. The air is fresh and moist but still. The colours autumnal. Like a world with an instagram filter applied.

I use the Strava app for tracking my runs. You can retrace my route and view the stats here. The app often comes in handy when navigation becomes challenging. The blue tracking line against the digital map helps to quickly find your bearings and to plan your loop back to the car. I realised later that I needed to turn off the auto pause function. Seems when the going got very steep, the app thought I was so slow that I had stopped. Not sure if that's a reflection on the weakness of the technology or my physical condition.

Acts 29 Europe Conference

| RESOLVED : Rome, 4-6th April 2016 |

| A practical European conference on church planting |

| For church leaders, church planters, elders, church members |

Connecting for theological clarity, cultural engagement, and missional innovation.

Why Acts 29?

Why @Acts29? Watch & listen as @johnwbryson give some compelling reasons

Exciting announcement

After 9 years of incredible ministry opportunities which took me to 15 countries (mostly in Europe but also to Central Asia, Korea and USA), as well as the regular training courses at our European centre in Switzerland, in December 2015 we will be stepping down as CEF missionaries. 

In January 2016, I (Gary) will commence a new ministry with Acts 29 as Assessment and Training Coordinator for Europe.  As a family we plan to remain in our home located in the southwest of Germany. This provides an ideal, central location for the ministry and ensures minimal disruption to the family.

Acts 29 is a single-issue network, that exists to encourage, resource, facilitate, support and equip churches to plant churches that will plant church-planting churches! My role will be to assess potential church planters in Europe and to help them get the training they need to become healthy church-planting leaders. I will also be developing the training side of the ministry.

Acts 29 is a diverse, global network of church-planting churches that aspires to be known for:

• Planting churches that plant churches
• Pursuing holiness and humility
• Being a radically diverse and global community
• Praying for conversions through evangelism 

Acts 29 will succeed to the extent that it: 

• Recruits men dedicated to leading church-planting churches
• Assesses men based on core competencies to lead church-planting churches
• Develops men who are planting or leading church-planting churches through coaching, training, and support

I'm very excited to have the opportunity to serve with Acts 29 and Claudia and I would value your prayers as we commence this new ministry. 

Acts 29 is funded by partner churches and individual donations. If you would like to support church planting efforts in Europe click here.

As I am injured, I can only dream of this

A man's essential hand-luggage guide

This is my kit for a 3 day trip. I know that the place I am staying will have towels. I am flying with a no-frils airline, so in order to save money I have not checked in any additional luggage, but even if I had, the contents of my hand-luggage would look much the same. Here's what I have packed and why:

As airlines become increasingly fussy about what and how much we take unto a plane, I thought it would be helpful to share with you what I consider to be "essential kit".

• I use a Samsonite bag that conforms to the size requirements, has a retractable handle, 2 wheels and concealed shoulder straps which allow you to convert it into a rucksack if the terrain at the destination is unsuitable for wheels. 

• Teaching/meeting notes, laptop/tablet, power cable, VGA adapter...

• Shoulder bag. Can be pressed flat and placed inside hand-luggage bag (if only one item of hand-luggage is allowed). I use the shoulder bag when going out as an alternative to carrying the bigger bag.

• Toiletries in transparent zipper-bags. A few years ago strict regulations were brought in regarding the transportation of liquids. No single bottle can have space for more than 100 ml. Special travel size toiletries can be purchased at most chemists but if you stay at a hotel, take the little shampoo or hand cream bottles with you for your next trip.

• Don't forget your toothbrush!

• Wet-wipes. Always useful for cleaning up spills or as an alternative to a shower if this is not possible.

• Packet of tissues.

• Small face towel. Made of special anti-fungal fibres which allow it to be packed away while still damp (available in outdoor shops). A larger version can be used as a travel towel.

• Head torch. Useful for reading in bed or for locating the toilet at night without wakening your room-mate. It can also be worn if out running in the dark. Alternatively use the light on your mobile phone.

• Two changes of socks and underwear. If you need to go into "survival mode" you can start to hand-wash in the sink using liquid detergent like 'rei'. Place washed items on plastic coat-hangers and drip dry in the shower or over bath. Later place over radiator.

• One change of clothes.

• Crocs or slippers. Culturally, many countries prefer you to remove your outdoor shoes when you come inside. They may offer you a pair of ill fitting slippers but you will feel much more comfortable if you have your own to hand.

• Charging cables. If you forget to bring your phone charger don't panic. Most hotel receptions have a box containing chargers other guests left behind. Just ask and they will usually lend you one for free.

• A battery-powered cordless shaver. This holds charge for about 5 days so no need to bring the cable. If sharing a bathroom, you can shave in your room and avoid blocking the bathroom for long periods (particularly useful if staying with a family who only have one bathroom).

• Hat and gloves. Pack these at the top of the case for quick access when standing waiting on a lift or public transport.

• In-ear headphones. Arguably the most important piece of kit. They can block out the noise of a crying baby on a flight or you can listen to a podcast at night if you are having difficulty falling asleep. Sometimes I wear the earphones unplugged, just to reduce the noise level.

• Polo mints or fisherman's friends. I like to have these in my pocket to combat bad breath, especially after teaching or preaching, .

• Running clothes and shoes. These are lightweight and do not take up much space, especially if you pack things inside the shoes. Often trips can involve hours of non-stop sitting at meetings. Getting out for an early morning or evening run helps combat back pain, clears the mind and generally helps you just to feel better.

• A few packets of instant coffee. Not really essential but it takes up so little space I just throw it in for a little treat.

• First aid kit. Last year I had a 5 hour stay at an airport while waiting for a connecting flight. The whole time I had a severe migraine headache but there were no shops selling pain tablets. I vowed to never travel again without having Ibuprofen in my hand-luggage. Depending where you are travelling to, you should also pack, Aspirin or Lemsip, something for when you can't "go" and something for when you can't "stop", Iberogast (for tummy cramps), sticky plasters, antiseptic wipes and savlon antiseptic cream.

• Some local currency. For a coffee or snack at the airport.

• A Bible. I searched a lot before finding this one. Lightweight, big enough to preach from, ESV and most importantly it can be zipped closed, so it can be squeezed into the bag without fear of crumpling the pages.

Other things to pack if space permits:

• Sleeping bag liner. A thin light-weight layer that increases hygiene and sometimes gives you that extra warmth and comfort necessary for a good nights sleep. Or a travel blanket for those cold nights.

• Travel towel. Small, light-weight, quick drying. If the air in the room is very dry, take a shower before going to bed and place the wet towel over the heater.

• Ear plugs. I recommend OHROPAX classic. Put them in and place your head on the pillow. You will never regret bringing them – believe me!

• Small travel kettle, plastic mug and convenience foods like cup-a-soup or dried noodles that can be prepared in your room without offending your host.

• Hot-water bottle. There's nothing worse than lying awake for hours in a strange place because you can't get warm.

• Box of chocolates. If staying with a family, present them as a gift on arrival. Bring some small packets of sweets or bars of chocolate to give away to people you meet.

What do you like to put into your hand-luggage? Have I left out something important?


It is advisable to keep all valuables in your hand-luggage as you have this with you at all times. In my pockets (i.e. on my person) I keep my passport, boarding cards, mobile phone (fully-charged) and wallet.

Remember that different airlines have different restrictions regarding the size and weight of the bag you can bring on board. The low-cost airlines are more likely to weigh the bag before boarding, although most will do it only if the flight is very full.

And to finish. Here's a really helpful little video from Heathrow Airport on how to pack like a pro. Enjoy and Bon Voyage!



This post was originally published in 2013 but has since been revised and republished.

How to run 10km inside Lurgan Park

Lurgan Park is the second largest urban park in Ireland and is steeped in history dating back to the late 1700's. The park is over 250 acres in size and boosts many paths for walking, a super play area, large green spaces and of course Lurgan Lake. It is also only five minutes from my mothers' home and an excellent location for running. A typical run around the park would be under 4km but with a little planning it is possible to lengthen the distance considerably. You can begin at the entrances located at either Windsor Avenue, Robert Street, Avenue Road or where I did - Demesne Avenue (the first two offering the most parking spaces).

How to stretch it out to 10km

First of all I ran as close to the park boundary as I could. This took in the eco-trail which often goes behind the tree line or into the wooded area where it is paved with bark chips. Make sure to take the trail right around the back of the tennis courts, keeping as close to the park wall as possible. The second lap I again did as big a loop as possible while staying on the tarmac surface. On finishing that I backtracked close into the SE lakeshore before coming back again to do a few trail hills in the forested section behind the cricket pavilion. To finish off I ran across the grass following the stream before cutting across to the Demesne Avenue / Avenue Road entrances.
If you are in the area be sure to make a visit. More about the park here.

Keeping a journal

I don't write a daily journal but I usually reach for it at times when my thoughts need some odering. Times such as when there is conflict, confusion, disorientation, when I'm needing to make a decision, experiencing a memorable event, sensing a change of thinking on a particular issue.

So much of our lives is shared online. The temptation to do something so as to be able to boast about it on social media is a trap many of us have unwittingly fallen into. The beauty of a journal is that it's private. It's a little conversation between you and your Maker and it is not meant for human eyes. In your journal there is no need to be selective by only writing those things that will place you in a better light – you can simply write from the heart. No one else should read it so you have no one to impress. Rereading can sometimes be a valuable check as to the true condition of your own heart. 

Some will prefer the craft of writing by hand in a Moleskine, perhaps even using a fountain pen and there's a strong argument to made for that. I prefer to use a digital device simply for convenience  I always have my phone with me and can key in thoughts while still fresh. In previous posts I have written on the benefits of Evernote versus DayOne and said that (in my opinion) DayOne is definitely the best app available for journaling. The clean, distraction free layout lends itself beautifully to creative writing. 

I also wanted to share with you this inspirational post over at the Gospel Coalition site called 7 Reasons to Keep a Journal. It gives a Christian perspective on the value of this almost forgotten discipline. 

BTW If you are reading this thinking that journalers are an obnoxious breed, of 'holier-than-thous', make sure you read to the end of the article for a balanced perspective and timely warning.

Tim Challies also has 3 helpful instructions on keeping a journal, gleaned from John Flavel's writings. He summarises them as:

1. understand that your memory is far too slippery to entrust with all of the amazing providences you have encountered in your life.
2. do not simply record these treasures in a book, but also ensure that you refer to them often.
3. be careful not to diminish your past difficulties and dangers when comparing them to newer ones.