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At the moment I’m going through some of the worst home sickness I’ve had since I’ve been in South Africa. It’s not really family or friends I’m missing this time though… …it’s a festival, an arts festival that I’ll try to tell anyone that’ll listen is my heaven on earth. As I type the last day of Greenbelt 2007 is beginning to wind down.

It’s like nothing else I’ve ever been to. It exudes this creative energy - not only that but it’s not a destructive energy that robs you of innocence like many other places, but one that is built around awe and wonder. I miss the bands, the dodgy festival food you can eat sitting on the ground with your mates, the “two of Jesus’ favourite pastimes” with hymns in the organic beer tent, exhibitions of photos and art, quiet places to reflect and pray, comedy, book stores, people lighting up the night with their glowing juggling balls and clubs, bubbles, skate parks and the sense of love that comes from being in a community of awe and wonder.

My friend Jude would kill me if I didn’t mention Last Orders in this somewhere - so I miss that too :-) But seriously, what’s a better way to round up an evening that go along to a cabaret of everything that you’ve missed?

To all of you who went this year - never underestimate how amazing that place is - work towards it in your life. Towards the trust, the asking questions, the creativity, the space to be you and let others be themselves too (even if they are different).

I’ve just spent a while trying to find photos of greenbelt to post here. Nothing quite encapsulates the essence but this comes pretty close - diversity and Wellington boots. Next year I cannot miss it again.