Tintin

For many of us growing up Tintin and his friends were part of our lives.

Who can forget the sharply drawn characters and the basic goodness that shines through 'the boy reporter' (who never seems to be writing any stories of filing any reports - but that's a different matter).

For me the Blue Lotus remains my favorite tale - with its heroic look at individuals - and its realistic look at the challenges of Japanese nationalism in pre-WWII China.

Where are you today Tintin? Professor Calculus (see below) has been looking around for help, but doesn't seem to find it. All of last month we have seen a vicious civil war as the CPM local goons have battered slashed and burned their way back to power in Nandigram... Today the army was called out in Kolkotta because rioting broke out after a group of Muslims were protesting against Tasleema Nasreen... Recently a group of men broke into a prayer hall and beat up the pastor - and their henchmen video-taped the whole event - hoping probably to scare others with it (you can see the link: here)

God is looking for people to stand in the gap. He can use anyone who is willing.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. - 2 Corinthians 4:7,8