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.

The church isn't an event, it's a people saved by God's grace.

Posted by Crossway on Thursday, 18 June 2015

God wrote a book

God Wrote a Book

The powerful imagery in this clip captures the beauty and thrill of running but more importantly it calls us to rekindle our passion for reading the book that God gave to us. 

I'm grateful to the people at Desiring God for creating it and allowing it to be shared via Vimeo on this blog. 

How to give and take criticism

Just explore!

I love Germany and the Black Forest. 

Signs like these on the main intersections that invite you to explore new ground. German efficency and the beauty of the landscape converging.

Identity - Who am I?

So much pride, jealous, hurt, misunderstandings... could be avoided if we could only get this and practice it.

I use this at the halfway point of the National Directors Institute to help our leaders reflect on who they are in Christ and not who they are because of their title or ministry statistics.

If anybody knows the source of this, please let me know. It's very well done.

Things to do with boys (and girls) in Lörrach / Weil am Rhein and surrounding area

49,000 people live in Lörrach, the district town that is the cultural and economic centre in the tri-border region of Germany, France, and Switzerland. The town is extremely popular for cross-border shopping and boasts an excellent pedestrian shopping area and lots of street cafes. 
Here is the town's own tourist website but if you are new to the area and you want to get out and do something that will give you some quality time with the children – then check out these ideas:

Free activities*

• Grütt Park – Lörrach's city park – great for cycling, running, kicking a football, throwing a frisbee, or playing in the stream on a hot day not to mention the attractive playground. 
• Rötteln Castle – Climb to the top of both towers and pretend to be a knight in shining armour. The lower part of the castle is free. The upper part has a very small charge which includes entry to a small but interesting museum. 
• St. Chrischona transmission tower - you can’t get into the tower but it is still impressive to look at up close. There is a great view here of the area. The church is also worth a visit. New is the Generation Parcours with 10 different activities for children from a labyrinth to a zip-line as well as a walk (signs in German, French and English). 
• Lange Erlen Animal Park - a small zoo just across the border from Weil am Rhein into Switzerland, with free entry. 
• Lörrach Library - children can join for free 
• Dam building and throwing pooh-sticks on the river Wiese – best on the Wiese upstream from Steinen 
• Train spotting on the main German railways, Basel to Freiburg line from the Friedensbrücke in Weil am Rhein. You will see the white ICE (high speed trains) as well as the freight, other regional trains and trains from other European countries. 
• Fly kites on the Tüllinger - this hill gives the best views of Lörrach, Basel, France and the airport as well as the best wind conditions for kite flying. 
• Geocaching - treasure hunt game using the GPS function on mobile phones. Once the app has been downloaded you will find 100s of geocaches hidden around this area. Two that we created ourselves can be found here and here
• FlightRadar24 – Track airplanes flying overhead using this great app (free and paid versions)
• Vitra slide tower – beside the world famous Vitra museum this slide is an architectural marvel. It is open to children and adults from 10-18 hrs and mats are provided. Slide as many times as you want for free. 
• Vita Parcour - 3.2 km forest trail with 15 exercise stations for you to choose from 
• Walk and picnic in the Wolfsschlucht, Kandern – a part of the forest where there is a special climate. Fascinating landscape and a great spot for a picnic 
• Basel Airport viewing gallery – There are visitors/viewing terraces on both the Swiss and the French side of the airport. The terraces provide an overview of the entire airport ramp and the air traffic on taxiways and runways. 
• The Grand Canal d’Alsace – The canal running parallel with the Rhine river has a number of locks which are great for viewing the large cargo boats. 
• Storchengehege Holzen - a small village which encourages storks to make their nest. You can drive right up to the special enclosure and observe these huge birds up close. 
• Kick football at local school pitch 
• Frisbee/badmington... - purchase at Müller in Lörrach's pedestrian zone 

Activities with a charge

• Lörrach Swimming pools - medium size indoor pool (October-April) has an 8 lane 25 m pool, a children's pool and a baby pool. The outdoor pool (May-September) has an Olympic size swimming pool, a fun pool, slides, whirlpool, wave machine, 3 diving boards, lots of grass space for sun-bathing, football field, 2 beach volleyball fields, 2 table tennis tables, trampolines (extra charge), a cafe and a tuck-shop. 
• Steam train ride on the Kanderli - every Sunday (May-October) from Haltingen to Kandern where you can walk around, buy an ice-cream and get back to the station for the journey home. 
• Forest with high-wire climbing structures – one of Lörrach's best attractions for the young and fit. It's a little bit pricy but well worth the experience. Each entry is for 3 hours and includes a safety orientation at the beginning. 
• Vogelpark Steinen – Bird Park with a really entertaining falconry show (even if you don't understand German) that allows you to see many birds of prey in full flight. Also has barbary apes. There are barbecue pitches for hire. 
• Bicycle hire – enjoy many kilometres of traffic-free paths - bring food and drink and have a picnic. 
• Explore Basel city by public transport with the 24hr TicketTriRegio - take the bus, trams, and trains in the border regions of Germany, Switzerland and France. 
• Basel Zoo - an excellent world class family-friendly zoo (bring your own picnic in a rucksack and spend the whole day there) 
• Rhine ferry - take the small Münster ferry from the north side of the Rhine across to the steps leading up to Basel's most famous church, the Basler Münster.
• Mona Lisa - best Italian ice-cream cafe in the centre of town with something for all tastes. 

For a rainy day 

• Museum of local history with special exhibitions (signs unfortunately only in German and French) 
• 10-pin bowling – not the most modern facilities but good value for money 
• Climbing wall - in the Impulsiv centre which offers many other sport activities 
• Laguna Indoor adventure pool - in Weil am Rhein 
• Soft play adventure areas – Oki-doki Lörrach or Kinderland Weil (our boys say this one is much better) 
• Basler Papiermühle - fascinating insight into the history of paper and the printing press. The staff do a good job of making it interactive and enjoyable for all ages (just discovered this recently and I'm looking forward to going back).
• Karting - something for the teenagers. I have never been there but it looks expensive. 
• Build and fly paper air-planes – here, here and here
• Read to your kids (or listen to an audio book) 
• Play Lego 
• Play boardgames 

Within an hour of Lörrach

• Europapark is one of the best theme parks in Europe and it is less the 1-hour drive away. It is expensive but well worth it! 
• Hasenhorn Mountain coaster - Germany's most spectacular mountain coaster, the Hasenhorn in Todtnau. Strap yourself in and away you go on an unforgettable downhill journey – great fun for young and old alike. 
• Todtnauer Waterfalls - beautiful waterfalls. 15 minute walk from the car park. A path leads up to the top but because of the obvious dangers, it is not recommend for small children. 
• Steinwasenpark - a cheaper alternative to EuropaPark and kids under 12 will have much more fun here for their money. 
• Feldberg - the main ski region in the area with cable cars and a great view of the Black Forest 
• Schluchsee – a charming lake in the Black Forest with a quiet town and a lovely (but often busy) outdoor pool. For families I recommend the 1 hour round-trip on the boat. 
• Galaxy Schwarzwald in Titisee – the best swimming pool for slides and tubes in the region. Costly but the kids will enjoy it a lot. The nearby town has lots of souvenir shops and is a real tourist magnet. 
• Erdmannshöhle - explore the network of caves (guided tours probably only in German) 

If you are going to be on holiday in the region, you may consider purchasing The Black Forest Card which offers unrestricted access to public transport and reduced prices on admissions.

Annual/monthly Events

• Lörrach City Run (June) - annual family run with categories for all ages and abilities 
• Slow-up (September) - a Sunday when a number of main roads in Germany, France and Switzerland are closed to motorised traffic and open to cyclists, runners and roller-bladers in a one-way circuit. Well organised, free and lots of places along the way to buy a hotdog… 
• German Railway repair workshop open day - DB Werkshof Haltingen (watch local press for details) 
• Guide-dog training school open day is every first Saturday of the month at 15:00 in Allschwil, Switzerland 
• Basel Museums Night (January) - Each year on a Friday evening from 5pm - 2am. With your ticket (children are free) you can enjoy 8 hours of travel on special shuttle busses and gain entry to 40 museums in the tri-country area. If you plan well in advance what you want to see, you can save a lot of money. But remember it is very popular and many of the venues will be overcrowded. For that reason I recommend it for children 10+.

If you have more ideas, please leave them in the comments section so I can consider adding them

* Take care if going through grassy or forest areas as you are likely to pick up ticks. Children (and many adults) from the area are usually immunised but should still always have someone examine you after a day out. They should be removed from the skin carefully using tweezers or a special tick card “credit-card” which can be purchased for around 5€ at any chemist “Apotheke” http://www.tickremoval.co.uk/tick_card.html Just ask for a “Zeckenkarte"

Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of less

Here's a concept I am currently looking into that I think is very important for Christians in ministry and leadership. To people pleasers, who say yes to every opportunity that comes their way, Greg says, "The biggest lie that we tell ourselves is that when we take on more there are no trade-offs". I think that is so true but so often I tell myself "I can do it – I can squeeze this in and still do everything else well". When I think about all the areas of my life where I need to maintain balance, when I give too much time to one area, other areas pay the price.

As Kevin DeYoung says in his book Crazy Busy, "God expects us to say no to a lot of good things so that we can be freed up to say yes to the most important things He has for us". Saying no is not easy but it becomes easier when we know what is essential and use that conviction to be deliberate in how we use our time, energy and resources. If we are aware of what God has called us to do in life and we desire to stay on point, then we need to stop the undisciplined pursuit of more, and embrace the disciplined pursuit of less.

Fell running is not trail running

Slieve Donard mountain 850 m climb from sea level

For a while I have been asking myself what the difference is between fell running and trail running. Last weekend I found out the hard way, when I accompanied three fell runners up the highest mountain in N. Ireland, Slieve Donard in the Mountains of Mourne.

It was a humbling experience to watch the leader of the group effortlessly stride straight up like a mountain goat while I was reduced at times to going on all fours and being offered energy gells. The stamina required to go straight up a steep grassy sloop, maintaining forward momentum while a gale-force wind makes one side of your face feel numb and the mist disorientates you - cannot be overstated.

So if you asked me what's the difference, I would say that fell running involves setting a compass bearing to the summit and basically running the most direct route to the top and the same to the next checkpoint. Whereas trail running (as the name suggests) is about following the trail wherever it takes you (even if it is not the most direct route).

I now have a fresh appreciation and admiration for fell runners. I really appreciated the day out but my mind is made up – I'm staying with my Black Forest trails!


 Another post of mine on fell running

 For more on fell running in Northern Ireland visit: Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association

The place for things you have asked me to share

• Who am I? Identity youtube clip 
• Quiet Time tools (CMLC devotional life classes)
• Resources for the Christian leader committed to life-long learning
• Audio downloads (recent sermons or seminars)

Essential advice for runners on dealing with dogs

I have often lifted a stick or a rock but haven't needed to use it. I do keep my rabbies vaccination topped up. But I still haven't worked out how to calm a dog when he gets freaked out at night by my head-torch and high visibility jacket.

Fell running

The term “fell” is an often used Northern England expression for hill or mountain. It is presumed that Shepherds were probably the first ever fell runners with the earliest documented accounts of running in the fells dating back to the 11th Century. By the 19th century organised fell runs began taking place in Cumbria in the United Kingdom. Locals raced each other up and down hills and a sport was born.

In “Of Fells and Hills” we travel with American Writer, Photographer and Trail Runner, Rickey Gates, to the UK to explore and discover the history, culture and legends of the ancient practise of Fell Running.

Guess which country has the highest cost of living around the world?

An interesting map from MoveHub reveals living costs around the world.

The darkest day in Binzen's history

On the 22 December 1939, 101 people* lost their lives in the worst train accident in the German Reichsbahn history – 42 of the victims came from Binzen.

The second world war had begun four months earlier and the invasion of Poland had already been completed. While many of the men had been called up to join the war effort, many of the residents from the southwestern border region, mostly women and children were evacuated by train to Kleinwalsertal in the Bavarian Alps.

However an expected French led invasion along the Rhine, did not materialise and the decision was made by the Wehrmacht to allow the evacuees to return to their homes in time for Christmas.

On that fateful evening, a special train left Oberstdorf in Bavaria, packed full with 500 people, excited to be able to spend Christmas at home. They came from Weil am Rhein and from the many villages surrounding the German town (the area known as Markgräflerland, on the southwestern border with France and Switzerland).

Recently the local newspaper (die Badische Zeitung) remembered the 75th anniversary of the disaster by publishing an interview with a sister and two brothers from Binzen who survived the accident. They shared how their mother was so nervous about the journey that their father had taken time off so he could come and personally accompany them home. While many were pushing to get into the front carriages, that would be warmer during the long journey, the father held the family back until the rush had passed. "He was always the one who called for calm", remarked his daughter. As most of the fatalities were in the front carriages, the siblings have often wondered if it was the calm nature of their father that saved their lives.

The passenger train and the freight train carrying coal, both travelling at 60 km/h, collided at 10:17pm. The explosion caused by the collision could be heard across Markdorf and further afield. 

Hans Krebs† who was 9 years old at the time recalled the moment of the collision, "there were two strong jolts, in fact with the first one we fell out of the overhead baggage nets." At least they landed on other family members who had slipped off their seats. In the final seconds, the driver of the passenger train had applied the emergency break. The second jolt was the collision. "After that there was no light and for a moment it was very quiet". "Then everyone started shouting". The father went out to investigate and then came back to tell them to stay put while he went to offer assistance. Later he would return covered in blood, while outside the emergency services dealt throughout the night with the carnage.

Despite it being a dark, foggy night, the investigation would later establish that the accident was the result of multiple failings that ultimately came down to human error. The signalling employees at Markdorf station had forgotten about the specially chartered train that was approaching, and had not followed proper signalling clearance procedures, so that the freight train was given the all-clear to proceed on the signal track railway - directly into the path of the oncoming passenger train. 101 people died that night, including 56 children and 27 women, 47 were injured. The majority of the victims came from Binzen 42, followed by Egringen 7, Fischingen 2, Haltingen 7, Weil am Rhein 27 and Welmlingen 13.

On Christmas Eve, relatives and local people gathered in the Market Square in Markdorf for the memorial service. The relatives sat in stunned silence with tears in their eyes. While around them thousands of local people dressed in black stood close by to show their support at this time of great sorrow.



99 coffins were on display in Markdorf town square – those on the right for the children, left those of the women and the few men who lost their lives.

The Bodensee-Rundschau newspaper reported that the Wehrmacht solders on leave, an SS-Group, the Gauleiter, his assistant, the Lord Mayor of Markdorf and senior party members were all present. 

The Hitler-Jugend formed a guard of honour. The flags of the Großdeutschen Reiches were at half mast. In his speech to the mourners, Gauleiter Robert Wagner sought to bring comfort to the German people by appealing to their national pride and reminding them that as Germans at war, they had a different view of death. Every death was a sacrifice that was not in vain. Wagner spoke of "the sacrifice of the people for a better future" and from "dying in the peoples battle for life".

Not wanting this tragedy to negatively affect the morale of the people, the NSDAP (the ruling socialist party) tried to prevent the incident from being widely reported. With war now in its first winter, this event could not be allowed to affect the morale of the people. 

On the 25 December 1939, the coffins of the victims came to Binzen and were laid out in the Laurentiuskirche (Reformed Church). Gradually the children came to realise that their school friends, neighbours and relatives from the village were no longer there. 

Today in Binzen a small plaque beside the war memorials list the names of the 42 people who tragically lost their lives that fateful evening, their bodies are laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard.


* The final number of fatalities including those who died later from their injuries was 106