Endure Fort» Internet

Preparing for Nepal

Chris — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:46:29 +0000

In 11 days I’ll be heading to Nepal as part of a CMS Encounter trip to Nepal. There are 6 of us making the trip (myself, Chuli Scarfe, Suzi Shortland, Joanna Ramsay, Pete Brady and John Boyd) and we’ll be out there for 2 weeks (unfortunately Pete can only join us the 2nd week). The purpose of the trip is primarily to meet with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Nepal and to attend the SACYN “Cross the Bridge” conference in Pokhara.

We’re all very excited to go out and meet people out there – I’m particularly excited to be able to meet and learn from Christians who love out their faith in a culture that is so different to any I’ve ever experienced. 4 of us were able to meet together a couple of weeks ago at a training weekend down in Oxford – it was good to meet some of the folks I’ll be traveling with!

Before we leave there are still things I need to get done – I’m reading up on Nepal and cross-cultural experiences – using a book given to us by the CMS crew. It’s interesting reading, throws up lots of food for thought. I’ve manage to be prepared enough to have a lot of the things I need to take so I don’t need to worry too much about that side of things!

While we’re away, there are a few ways you can keep tabs on what we are doing, providing we are able to get internet access! I’ll be updating this blog as often as possible, we’ll also be posting updates on the cosyblog and tweeting whenever possible. We’ve also set up a group on Facebook where you can recieve prayer points while we’re away and read updates before, during and after the trip.

It should be an awesome trip – I’m sure we’ll all have a lot to write about while we’re away and when we return, we’ll be doing our best to make sure that the trip is well documented – in writing and in image.

The picture below is of 2/3rds of the team. Once we have a picture of all of us, I shall upload it!

Peace Out

Chris

Stages of a photographer

Chris — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:21:43 +0000

I’m a member of a photography forum called ‘Talk Photography‘ a great forum for general photo chat and help and advice about all aspects of photography! One of the members posted a link to the picture below today, which i found very interesting and quickly pinpointed myself on the chart! Do you agree with the chart? Where would you place yourself?

More changes?

Chris — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:29:19 +0000

So, you may have noticed that, right at the top of the page a new page has appeared on my page. I’m still getting to grips with things, but once I’m accustomed to the controls etc, this new page will be showing a selection of my photographs. I’m quite excited, I’m starting to get my website moving in the direction I want it!!!

keep your eyes peeled for more changes, and I’ll keep you updated with whats going on

peace out

Chris

Blue Horizon Social Media Training

Chris — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:45:46 +0000

Stewart Cutler is up in Aberdeen with us today taking the blue Horizon staff and some of the board through some social media training.

At the moment we’re talking about blog, everyone is setting up a wordpress and account and having their first go at blogging.

It’s been an interesting day so far, I look forward to hearing their comments at the end of the day after we’ve done even more with them!

Time for a change….

Chris — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:21:34 +0000

So, I’ve not been very active on here recently, things have been getting quite busy at work. The joys of my new job, don’t get me wrong, I’m loving it, but it’s very full on!

Anyway, for a while now I’ve been wanting to expand beyond just having a blog, so I decided to take the plunge! I’m able to do so thanks to my kind friend John Orr (also my ex-YF leader from many moons ago!

I’ve not yet made all the changes I’m planning on making, but I’m quite chuffed with what I’ve managed so far! I’ve had to learn more than I expected already just to change the photos in the bar at the top!

Anyhoo, I’m planning on getting into a better routine of updating my site now, need to make sure I make time for it!

Peace out

A year of Blogging

Chris Hoskins — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:14:04 +0000

Today marks a year to the day that I started blogging.
It’s been quite a year: so much has happened and I’ve changed in many, many ways!
I feel much more settled in myself since last year, a lot more confident in myself and much happier in general!
Thank you to everyone who has read my blog, especially those who’ve given feedback via comments or private messages to me. I don’t blog so that I can feel important or see how many people are reading my thoughts, I blog for various reasons: to share thoughts/ resources/ funnies/ articles/ photos with others and to help me reflect on things that have happened or are happening.
As much as the stats aren’t important to me, it does help when I’m feeling uninspired or think that what I’ve shared is tripe that I can see that people keep looking!
So here’s to another year, hopefully as eventful as the last year, but without a lot less tragedy!
This year marks an important transition time in my life, something I’ll be reflecting on quite a bit in the coming months. It’s been great to be able to share it with so many!

Peace out

NYA2009 so far

Chris Hoskins — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:39:40 +0000

NYA has been pretty awesome so far.
It’s slightly bizarre thatm after being hosted by the Apex hotel in Dundee for 6 years, we’re in a sprawling University campus in Stirling. Usually everyone would be on top of one another, everything would happen within 2 minutes walk of each other. Instead, there is a good 10 minute walk from Accomodation to many of the places we are using, not much, but it gives you an idea of how much bigger the space we have is.
Usually, where I would sit during NYA to relax and reflect would be filled with 300 other NYA delegates and staff trying to catch up with friends, make new ones or refelcet on happenings as well. Instead, I find myself just now reflecting in a huge lobby, that is silent apart from the A.C. It’s wierd. But I quite like the silence.
I’m posting a wee bit on the NYA2009 blog aboutgeneral happenings etc, but on here I wanted to be selfish and reflect on the parts of the weekend that I’ve been directly involved with so far, specifically the social media aspects, sport, a worship session and relationships.
As I previously blogged, i’m delighted this year to serve the NYA through 3 mediums I’m passionate about: Sport, photography and social media.
I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the social media side of things, wandering around talking to people about their impressions of the weekend and what they have enjoyed so far, we’re hoping to put together a blog post and a video of such thoughts before the end of the weekend.
Sport, I love sport, today we had 3 hours of sport: Ultimate Frisbee, Badminton and Golf. Everyone seemed to have a good time and there was some good banter going around, i’ve always maintained that sports are great for people getting to know one another…a great tool for Youth Ministry.
Photography. Today I led a worship session exploring the idea of worshipping or praying, using a camera as a medium. It’s been interesting preparing that slot, exlporing within myslef what worship is, how I worship, what prayer is, how I pray, does photojournalism inform this idea of worshipping through a lens? Later I’ll write a blog post about that session, would be good to get some feedback on my thoughts!
Tonight we’re having a bit of a fancy meal and a fun presentation ceremony, will be a good night, I’m sure I heard mention of a ceildih and a Jazz band!!!
I’m loving being a part of NYA2009, its one of those events where I can’t wait for it to happen, but at the same time I don’t want it to end!!!
I had some good chat last night as a part of my role as a ‘Houseparent’. Chatting to some folks about what NYA means to them and how it has influenced their lives. The number of young people, myself included, who have been so positively influenced by this event is astounding. Without doubt, the long lasting legacy of NYA will be a long list of lives changed for the better, people inspired and enabled to serve God.

Peace Out

Once more into the breach…

Chris Hoskins — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:26:10 +0000

Today is the day!

The Church of Scotland National Youth Assembly starts today! As I’ve previously blogged, this is an awesome event! Close to 300 young Christians from around Scotland will be gathering in Stirling as of this afternoon to spend a weekend together exploring what it means to be Christian in Scotland in the 21st century and how we interact with the rest of the body of Christ.

There is so much going on this weekend, I can’t begin to describe it all! I’m excited about my contribution, I’m away to go for breakfast so can’t describe it all fully just now. But basically, I’m serving NYA with 3 of my greatest passions this weekend: I’m leading 9 hours of sporting activities over the weekend, I’m doing a session called ‘worship through a lens’ and I@m part of a team blogging and twittering about the weekend. It’s great to be able to use my passion to serve a community that has given so much to me over the years!

Must dash, food calls!

Peace out

RIP Michael?

Chris Hoskins — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:05:26 +0000

As I write this, Michal Jackson may have died. I first saw the news on one of my friends status updates on Facebook, since then it seems to be firing round everyone, twitter is repeatedly overloaded, I suspect because many people sharing the news with each other. Those who have shared it on Facebook are seeing many people commenting on it. Everyone seems to be in shock; there’s so much disbelief about the idea. TMZ first reported it, now CNN, Sky and the associated press are trying to confirm it, so far the only ones other than TMZ to confirm it are OK! magazine and the LA times.

If it is true, its a loss to the music world. Sure, he’s had his crazy antics, but his legacy will and should be his music. His music was so popular, who can forget ‘Billy Jean’, ‘Thriller’, ‘Bad’ and countless more hits? His music inspired so many, one of my memories of primary school was performing in a drama class to ‘Thriller’, dressed up as Zombies and all sorts!

It’s quite sad that already, before its even confirmed, there are cruel, sick jokes going around about his death, whats wrong with people? If you didn’t like or respect him as a person or a musician, respect the fact that others do have that love and respect for him, respect the fact that he has a family who are going to be hurting!

I’m watching Sky news as I write this, as well as following various Facebook updates and those I follow on Twitter(when it doesn’t crash!). The big news agencies now seem to be confirming that he has in fact died. I’ll be praying for his family and friends, no death of a close friend/ relative is easy. If you are a person of faith, please pary for his family too, especially his kids…..

Peace Out

Change of address!

Chris Hoskins — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:28:42 +0000

So, for a while now I’ve been toying with the idea of getting my own personalized URL, step 1 in the process of getting my own, personalized website(a project I’m currently looking into). Anyhoo, if you haven’t already realized, my new blog address is www.choskins.co.uk I had wanted a chrishoskins domain, but .com and .co.uk were already taken, I did fancy .ca (Canada) but you need to be a resident of Canada to register a .ca domain! Don’t worry, if you type www.chrishoskins.wordpress.com it will still direct you here!
I can also be found on twitter and Facebook(my previous post tells you where I am there!)
Peace Out
Chris