V2Catholic.Com

V2Catholic.com A voice for the poor by HK prison chaplain胡頌恆神父Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I.Dr Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordanjdwomi@gmail.com +852 67095674
Imitating Pope Francis

My other sites/links

Tues March 17

St Patrick's Day!
From this article I learnt that HK's flag flower "Bauhinia blakeana" was named after a HK governor born in Ireland!
How HK celebrated St Patrick's Day in 2019

My new 2 min video .... the story of an Indonesian woman in prison in HK ... for letting her ID card be used for money laundering

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Israel murders boys and parents

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The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Genesis 19: The men of Sodom practised sodomy. They wanted to abuse the two angels who looked like men when the angels visited the home of Abraham's nephew, Lot. So the angels struck the threatening men with blindness. Then the angels told Lot and his family to leave Sodom immediately because it would soon be destroyed. As soon as Lot and his family had left Sodom the town was destroyed by a volcanic storm
Dear God, please help people avoid sodomy
My recording of this reading

Psalm 136: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his great love is without end. It was his wisdom which made the skies, for his great love is without end. It was he who made the sun, moon and stars, for his great love is without end. It was he who rescued and protected his people Israel, for his great love is without end. He gives food to all living things, for his great love is without end. To the God of heaven give thanks, for his great love is without end.
We praise you, Lord, for your great love is without end
Listen

Colossians 1.24 - 2.2: As I sit in my prison, I am at peace in my suffering, offering up my suffering to Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. God chose me to reveal to you his sacred message: Christ, your hope of glory, is among you. My aim is to bind you together in love, and to keep you growing in your knowledge of God's plan for your lives
"Bind us together, Lord, Bind us together, With cords that cannot be broken,
Bind us together, Lord, Bind us together, Bind us together in Love" (song)
Listen

John 6.1-15: Near the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd followed Jesus, attracted by the way he healed so many sick people. Jesus climbed a hillside and sat there with his disciples. Seeing the huge crowd, Jesus said to one of his disciples "How can we feed so many people?" The disciple Andrew said "There's a young boy here with 5 loaves and 2 fish. But what good is that for such a huge crowd?" Jesus said "Make the people sit down". The crowd of about 20,000 sat down on the grass. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all the people. He did the same with the fish. Everyone ate as much as they wanted to. The people, seeing this miracle, said "He really is God's great prophet". Jesus, aware that they wanted to make him king, slipped away and went up the hill by himself.
Jesus, please bless my prayers and actions to help others, just as you blessed the loaves and fish
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Reflection on the above readings: The 2 characters making the name "Jesus" can mean bread and fish!

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I saw a psychologist last night ... in fact several psychologists... they were with several social workers who came to the Dr Jesus Centre for a sharing ... then a meal at MercyHK's canteen!
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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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Mon March 16

This morning I am due to be at the High Court for two bail application hearings ...and for handing in a special "variation of bail conditions" application

Coming soon: a video about the dating site Haymandi ....which has been used to recruit 4 HK women for separate trips to bring drugs back to HK from Canada, Europe and Malaysia. The 4 women are now in prison in HK ....Haymandi for them meant Hayprison

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Israel murders 12 health workers in Lebanon *** Attack on Iran a crime - Guardian Editorial

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The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Genesis 18: One day at Mamre, God and two angels appeared to Abraham. At first, God and the angels looked like men. Following the ancient custom of hospitality Abraham prepared a feast for them. God told Abraham that the town of Sodom was going to be destroyed because of the evil done there. Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy Sodom. God agreed to postpone Sodom's destruction for a while.
Dear God, please help people avoid sodomy
My recording of this reading

Psalm 135: Praise the name of the Lord, praise him, servants of the Lord. Praise the Lord for he is good. Sing a psalm to his name for he is loving. I know the Lord is great. He does whatever he wills in heaven, on earth, in the seas. Pagan idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths but they cannot speak. They have eyes but they cannot see. Sons of Israel, do not trust in useless idols. Sons of Aaron, trust only in our Creator and Lord.
Dear Lord, please help people who worship idols to know and love you
Listen

Colossians 1.15-20: Christ is the image of the unseen God. In him were created all things. All things were created through him and for him. Before anything was created, he existed. He holds all things in unity. The Church is his body. He is its head. God wants all things to be reconciled through him who brought peace by his death on the Cross
Jesus, God the Son become man, may our world find reconciliation and peace in you
Listen

Matthew 14.1-12: Not long after Jesus began traveling and teaching, King Herod arrested John the Baptist and put him in prison. This was because John had told Herod he was breaking the Law by living with Herodias, his brother's wife. During a birthday party for Herod, the daughter of Herodias danced. Her dancing so pleased Herod that he said he would give her anything she wanted. Herodias told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a dish. Herod then had John beheaded. John's disciples came and buried the body.
Jesus, please give the world good leaders, and protect people from bad leaders like Herod
Listen

Reflection on the above readings: Herod's birthday party was John the Baptist's deathday party

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Yesterday afternoon there was a most enjoyable birthday party at Jordan McDonald's for Patricia (3 on 17/3) and her good friend Austin (5 today)

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N. America

Jesus, today, Monday, please bless the people of Europe & Russia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Qinghai

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Malawi

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Sun March 15

Video I made last night for High Court case coming soon: Thailand couple - 21kg heroin - 16 years in HK prison

On yesterday's menu, below, I asked readers to pray for Gary who was in coma in ICU on Friday night when I visited him and prayed for him. News from someone who visited him yesterday afternoon:
I just visited Abang. He no longer needs oxygen, is awake, and chatted with me. He's still on an IV drip and can't eat, but he said he feels very hungry. So if someone feels hungry, they're probably getting better soon. He should be able to stop the IV drip tomorrow. And he should be able to eat tomorrow? Anyway, thank God. Abang said he can move his whole body, so it shouldn't be a stroke.
THANK YOU JESUS! And thank you to the kind readers who prayed for him!

See below re free movie: Amazing Grace

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Entire families in Lebanon murdered by Israel

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The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Lent 4

1 Samuel 16: The Lord told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse's sons as king. Samuel anointed Jesse's son David as king. The spirit of the Lord came down on David and stayed with him from that day on.
Dear God, may your Holy Spirit come down on more and more people
My recording of this reading

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path. He is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil. My cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
Thank you, Lord, for being my good shepherd

Recording

Ephesians 5.10-20: Try to discover what the Lord wants of you. Have nothing to do with the futile works of darkness. Wake up from your sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful about the sort of life you live. Follow your enlightened mind, not your unruly passions. Avoid drunkenness. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Sing prayer songs when you are together, and when you're by yourself, keep on singing to the Lord in your heart, always giving thanks to God.
Jesus, make my heart sing right through the day
Recording

John 9.1-33: Once when Jesus was walking along the road, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud with the spittle. He put the mud on the man's eyes, and said "Go and wash in the Siloam Pool". The blind man went and washed, and came away able to see. When the blind man heard people criticize Jesus, he said "Ever since the world began, it has never been recorded that someone opened the eyes of a man born blind. This man must be from God".
Jesus, please heal my blind friend ....(name)
Recording

Reflection on the above readings:
Today's Gospel reminds us of the story of John Newton, a former slave ship captain who in 1829 composed the words of Amazing Grace (with the lines "I was blind, but now I see"). My homily for today will feature him *** Powerful movie - Amazing Grace - whole movie is free here

Bible Claret Reflection

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Happy reunion yesterday with Alison and Bernard ...whose wedding I officiated 25 years ago yesterday!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N America
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless the people of Africa

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Liaoning

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liberia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless all Muslims in my country

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Sat March 14

I spent most of yesterday at Lai Chi Kok men's prison ... on a beautiful day enjoyed by the prisoners as they played basketball and volleyball in the lovely sunshine

Last night I went with MercyHK case worker Shirley to Kong Wa Hospital to pray with a street sleeper in ICU ....grateful if dear readers also would pray for him ...his name is Gary. See also this recent FB post by Shirley about people living in "caged homes" (can click "translation" for English)

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: God, please (temporarily) incapacitate Trump and Netanyahu to stop them wrecking havoc on the world

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The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Genesis 17: God appeared to Abraham and said to him "I will make an everlasting covenant with you and your descendants. As a sign of this covenant, all your males must be circumcised. Baby boys must be circumcised when they are eight days old. Also, Sarah your wife, even though she is old, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac."
Dear God, please bless all the babies in the world
My recording of this reading

Psalm 134: O come, bless the Lord, all you who serve the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Lift up your hands to heaven and bless the Lord through the night. May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made both heaven and earth.
Lord, please protect my family tonight and every night
Listen

Colossians 1.9-14: I pray that you will continue to grow in your Christian life, a life full of good deeds. Never give in when trials come, but bravely, even joyfully, carry your cross each day. Keep on thanking the Father who has rescued us from the power of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins
Father, thank you for letting me be a Christian. Help me be a good Christian
Listen

Matthew 10.17-38: Jesus said to his apostles "Because you follow me and speak my message, therefore you will be arrested and put in prison. But don't worry about what to say for your defence. What to say will be given you by the Holy Spirit. Boldly proclaim my message and do not be afraid of persecution. Take up your cross and follow me. Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me
is not worthy of me."
Jesus, please give me more courage
Listen

Reflection on the above readings: Colossians and Matthew both speak about carrying our cross each day

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Yesterday when I got to the welfare office at Lai Chi Kok prison - to check some prisoners' locations - I found I had lost my pen ... and needed to borrow one from one of the welfare officers. But then when I went down from the 2/F welfare office to the ground floor a kind officer in charge of opening gates smiled at me and said "you dropped this" as he gave me my lost pen!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent. & N America
Jesus, today, Saturday, please bless the people of Central & North America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 14th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jilin

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 14th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea Bissau

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday, please pacify the Taliban

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Fri March 13

3 year old Patricia - giving out red packets for street sleepers

My short sharing March 4 with secondary students - about the danger of drug addiction

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Attack on Iran is an American failure *** School bombing atrocity

London, San Francisco and Beijing - success in reducing air pollution

Fridays of Lent: Prayer before a Crucifix

The Jesus Stabat Mater

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The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Genesis 16: Abraham and his wife Sarah had been married many years but they did not have any children. So Sarah said to Abraham, "Take my slave Hagar and have children by her." When Hagar bore a son, Sarah was jealous and treated Hagar badly. Hagar ran away from home, but God said to her "Go back to your mistress and submit to her; I will bless all your descendants."
Dear God, please help childless couples to have a baby
My recording of this reading

Psalm 133: How good and how pleasant it is when people live in unity. It is like precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard. It is like the dew of Hermon which falls on the heights of Zion. For there the Lord gives his blessing, life for ever.
Dear Lord, please help all the peoples of the world to live as one family, in unity.
Listen

Colossians 1.1-6: From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, to the Christians in Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father. I always pray for you and give thanks for your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love you show to others because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven. The Good News is spreading all over the world, bringing blessings to so many people
Jesus, increase my faith, hope and love. Help me spread the Good News in my corner of the world Listen

Luke 9.1-6: Jesus called the 12 apostles together. He gave them power and authority to cast out devils and to heal sick people. He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing sick people
Jesus, help me understand how some people have a special gift for healing sick people....and how I can better pray to heal sick people
Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings: Healing the sick should be an ordinary part of Christian ministry

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Beautiful weather these days in HK - Thank you Lord!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: S. America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless the people of South America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jiangxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Congo

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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Thu March 12

I spent most of yesterday at 18A rehabilitation centre on Hei Ling Chau Island ... and met with more than 100 men ... inviting them on release to contact MercyHK for help with employment and accommodation .... and giving them a copy of my little booklet No Next Time

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Pope's sorrow at priest killed by Israeli bomb in Lebanon *** World must pressure US and Israel

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The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Genesis 14 & 15: In the land of Canaan there were many kings. Sometimes they went to war against each other. Melchizedek, king of Salem, was also a priest of God. Abraham gave Melchizedek 10% of all his possessions. Melchizedek gave Abraham bread and wine. Melchizedek asked God to give Abraham a special blessing. God said to Abraham, "This land of Canaan is yours; I give it to you and your descendants."
Dear God, please help all the kings and leaders in the world to be friends
Recording

Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice. If you, O Lord, should record our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness. For this we revere you.My soul is waiting for the Lord. I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for the daybreak. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity.
Lord, please forgive me for all the bad things I have done
Recording

Revelation 22.16-20: "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to make these revelations to you for the sake of the churches. I am of David's line, the Root of David, the Bright Star of the Morning". The Spirit and the Bride say: "Come". Let all who want eternal life say: "Come". Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Come Lord Jesus! Come into my heart! Come into our world!
Listen

Matthew 10.1-16: Many men followed Jesus as "fishers of men", as "disciples". Jesus chose 12 of them and called them "apostles": Peter and his brother Andrew; Zebedees' sons James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas. Jesus sent them to prepare his way by visiting the places he would go. He gave them power to cast out evil spirits and to heal all kinds of sicknesses. He said to them: Proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near. Cure the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Cast out devils.
Jesus, please help all Christians to be apostles and fishers of people
Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings: Resumes of Apostles

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The 12 Apostles in Australia

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe , Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 12th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jiangsu

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 12th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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Wed March 11

Yesterday morning I went to the High Court to submit documents for 2 bail applications. The applications will be heard on Monday March 16.

Last night I joined the usual weekly gathering at the Dr Jesus Centre for Nepal drug addicts .... animated by a Caritas social worker

Today I'm hoping to visit Hei Ling Chau "18A" drug treatment centre. And see , below

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: More evidence that US was responsible for Iran school building that killed 100 girls

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The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Genesis 12-13: God said to a man in the land of Haran named Abraham, "Leave your own country and go to a new land I will give you. I will make you into a great nation." So Abraham and his family left the land of Haran and moved to the land of Canaan. God said to Abraham, "I will make your descendants as many as the number of dust particles on the ground ....an uncountable number." Even though Abraham and his wife Sarah were old and had no children, Abraham believed God's promise to give them many descendants.
Dear God, please help me to trust you like Abraham
My recording of this reading

Psalm 128: O blessed are those who love the Lord and walk in his ways. By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper: your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed the people who love and honor the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life. May you see your children's children in a happy Jerusalem!
Dear Lord, may all married people live to see their children's children
Listen

Revelation 22.1-5: Then an angel showed me the River of Life, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, flowing crystal-clear through the middle of the city. Here God's servants will worship him. They will see him face to face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. It will never be night again. They will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them Jesus, may your name be written on my forehead
Listen

Luke 4.23-30: People in the prayer hall rejected Jesus. "Who does he think he is?" they asked. "He's just the son of Joseph". Jesus replied "No prophet is ever accepted in his own country". The angry people then took Jesus by force to the edge of the hill on which Nazareth was built. They planned to throw him down the cliff. But Jesus escaped from them and went away
Jesus, please forgive people who reject you. Please help them accept you
Listen

Reflection on the above readings: King Herod tried to have the baby Jesus killed. Today's Gospel records murder attempt number two

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Each time I go to Hei Ling Chau I remember this very special visit in 2013!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E.Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus, today, Wednesday, please bless the people of East Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hunan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Yemen

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday, please pacify Al-Shabaab

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Anti-drug campaign trips:

Europe:
Many reports of 2026 trip here (Jan 6 - Feb 7)

Africa:

2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg

Jan 1, 2020: How cocaine trafficking is impacting West Africa

2017: My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai ( The Last Run)

April 4, 2016: BBC video report (3 mins) about East African drug mules going to HK ...and my anti-drug campaign

2016: My trip to Kenya, Uganda

2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi

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Latin America:

2019-05-10: No More Mules Peru FB boost 199,000 views!

2019-01-20: Article in El Pais, Uruguay - 01 02

2018-09-18: No More Mules Facebook campaign - more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela

2018: My trip to Latin America

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South East Asia:

Aug 16, 2020: CNN - Indonesian women recruited to take drugs to Hong Kong

Oct 23, 2019: FM988 Breakfast program in Kuala Lumpur at which I was a guest

June 2019: My campaign featured in The Malaysia Drug Trade (6 written reports & documentary video)

2019-03-25: Eleven HK01 video and photo reports about Malaysian drug mules arrested in HK- here (one of the reports is about my anti-drug campaign).

Dec 2018 - My Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia

2018: My trip to Thailand and Cambodia

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