Beyond Belief - Sunday 8th March 2026

0:00Good evening, it's just out at 9 o'clock on this Sunday evening, the 8th of March, and you're very welcome to Beyond Belief. Stephen Fletcher with you for this hour of Conversational Music. As I've told you previously, I've been busy travelling around the Church of Ireland Diasis with Bishop Michael this week, but during the week I managed to catch up on two members of our congregations who are doing interesting things. The first is Nile West, a recently retired school principal who's trekking to Everest Base Camp next month. And also I speak to Alan Cousins,

1:05from our Church in Westport, up in the north of the Diasis, who works for a Christian satellite T.R. network which broadcasts a Christian message to over 500 million people in the Middle East and North African region. And of course I talk to my colleague, Father Jerry Kenny, to catch up with what's happening in our Church's during Lent. Well the weather continues to improve, it's getting a little warmer and the days are getting a little longer. I see daffodils and crocuses coming out as I drive around and you might almost believe that spring cannot be far behind. So let's start with this from Johnny Nash. I can see clearly now the rain has gone. Let's hope so.

2:16One of the dark clouds that had me blind. It's going to be bright bright bright sun shining day. It's going to be bright bright sun shining day. I think I can make it now the pain has gone. All of the bad feelings have disappeared. Here is my rainbow I've been to pray for. It's going to be bright bright bright sun shining day. I'm going to fall around and laugh in the blue sky. Look straight ahead and laugh in the blue sky.

3:35I can see clearly now the rain has gone. I can see all I've stickled to my way. Going to the dark clouds that had me blind. It's going to be bright bright sun shining day. It's going to be bright bright sun shining day. It's going to be bright bright sun shining day.

4:35Here we are again happy as can be. Here we are again happy as can be. And joining me on the telephone this time is Father Jerry Kenny. It's good to have you. I hope you're well and enjoying the better weather. It's a little dampish but never that there is a smile and it's you know you can get out and that is good. But my gosh Steven you know what a week it's been with all of this newer and the trouble in the Middle East. You know how it gets suddenly takes over the headlines. It does. It does. Oh my gosh. Coming up in the program I've got an interview with someone from a satellite channel called Sat 7 who broadcast Christian messages and they broadcast to the Middle East and North Africa. And he has listeners across that part of the world and the company broadcast to them a Christian message.

5:39So I got that interview coming up so I thought it was a good time to to hear how they are getting the message into Iran and all the other places. So that's that's that Jerry but as you say it's a terrible terrible situation isn't it when you look at the suffering and the destruction again you know that we see we've got two use to it really with Gaza. But now we see it in Tehran and places like that so anyway we'll find out more about that. And I've been paragrenating. Going around with my business I know we're doing it over 10 days 10 stretch out days so it does give us a break in between the days which is good so yeah we're continuing that I'm about. Halfway through I suppose by now so that's that's good but I'm enjoying it I mean it's always good to go and meet people on the ground and people that you know of but don't actually see so it's good to actually have a chat and have a coffee and.

6:49Where we travel to this week I just get my notes Jerry and I contend you that this week I've been to Nina cloth Jordan and Ross Kray. Grass Keele Charlie and Macross near Kilani and Shinroen Burr and Banahar and then yesterday we went to a dare Limerick and Abington so it's a full on program even though I say you know at least it's not every day you know you do get a break in between so it's it's good and I'm enjoying it but it's. It is quite tiring though you know a part of it the old that you're doing and that you're inviting logos to bring forward to their vintage cars and tractors how is that going. It's going very well we're getting lots of old tractors lots of old cars even the odd bicycle has come along as well and when I get a moment I'm putting them up on the the diocesan Facebook page so look for TLK on the Facebook page.

7:58And you can see them but yeah it's it's good and it adds a bit of fun to it and then we sing the hymn that he's chosen which I've played before him number 350 for the beauty of the earth and we have a social time with coffee and biscuits and things like that so it's a jolly time as well very good very good. So I mean the at the moment in our at your circle over the past week you know the bishops have our down the bishops have had their spring easing and just the issue usually you should release after that meeting and of course in the front of attention of the moment is the difficulty that isn't our word. And a large people to support the troquer campaign which we are debuffing a program that's sweet yeah but also the focus is on is on prayer for peace and they've called that's when we journey into St. Patrick's day that we would have special prayers as all our services all our messes and that's for for peace at this time and for the difficulties that are happening in not just in the Middle East area and and that's but also throughout many other areas.

9:12We've talked about them before places like Sudan and other places where there's you know ongoing conflict but they they don't reach the headlines that all that much and nevertheless we're you know our world is in quite difficult stage at the moment and I think we're living through. We're going from one crisis into another and like that's that's fighting for a lot of people and I know some families are quite worried about their own religions that are in place like the buy and you know in the Arab Emirates and that's and they're worried about them because they're over there on contract for teaching or nursing or whatever career they have and the risk that the whole difficulty about their safety and families back here being anxious about them. So we keep them in our prayers as well. Yeah yeah and the cost of heating oil and fuel and all that is it is racing away isn't it Jerry as well there's a lot to pray for and certainly for peace.

10:15There is you know I suppose like the what strikes me you know it doesn't affect everybody because when there's instability like this in our world like it impinges on all of us like we're all a little bit worried as you say you know we might be concerned about what we have enough. For the heating oil of the electricity bill that's coming in the door and all of that the utilities are going to go up to the injuries that's if this prolongs well then everything will go up because the whole transport costs for the essentials that are basic in the ingredients of many foods you know could be affected as well and you know there's a kind of anxiety and stress and strain had run to the daily chores. So you need a bit of time of calm of maybe you know sort of a bit of a desert experience maybe to just round ourselves as to you know the important things in life and and appreciating the goodness that is there and the feedings that we have in this part of the world and appreciate them and and be thankful for them and pray for those that have a living with constant instability in their daily lives.

11:24Yeah well thank you for that Jerry and I look forward to chatting to you in a couple of weeks time Jerry and thank you for joining me on your phone but the reception is not too bad. No problem. Okay thank you. Good and always good to chat to you Steven and continuing paginations with Bishop Mike. Yeah thank you very much thanks. Yeah yeah I used to think maybe you love me now baby I'm sure. And I just can't wait till the day when you knock on my door. Now every time I go through the mailbox I've got to hold myself down because I just can't wait till you write me you're coming around.

12:36Now I'm walking on sunshine. Yeah I used to think maybe you love me now know that it's true. And I don't want to spend my whole life just waiting for you. Now don't want you back for the weekend not back for a day. I said baby I just want you back and I want you to stay. I'm walking on sunshine.

13:46Yeah I used to think maybe you love me now know that it's true. And I don't want to spend my whole life just waiting for you. Yeah I used to think maybe you love me now know that it's true.

14:46And I don't want to spend my whole life just waiting for you. Yeah I used to think maybe you love me now know that it's true. That's Katrina and the waves walking on sunshine and I chose this because I'm about to talk to someone who is going to walk or trek halfway up Everest. Nile West is about to set off on a trek to Everest Basecamp and he's a member of the church of Ireland and church community in Holy Trinity Church in Rathkeel.

15:54And I caught up with him in the church at Rathkeel as I was paragrenating with Bishop Michael last week. Well I'm very pleased to have been joined in the church in Rathkeel by Nile West who is a native of Rathkeel born and bred here I believe and you went to the local school here. I did yes I'm from Crow which is only about three miles from Rathkeel and my mom was one of the teachers here in Rathkeel number two national school as it was known at the time. So I along with my sisters, three sisters we all went to school here in church straight in Rathkeel number two. And from there I went to Villiers for secondary school and I was in Villiers until just after my inter-cert as it was at the time and following the results of that I did my leaving cert in Closhtom movie in Rathmines. Closhtom movie would be the preparatory college for the church of Ireland teacher training college.

16:59So a lot of that was through Irish and I think that's possibly where I picked up in a Irish for my leaving cert and to get my place in teacher training. So I was trained in Rathmines in the church of Ireland College of Education and when I qualified from there my first teaching job was in Wicklow town I did a year there and then I was teaching in Tinihili which was also in County Wicklow. And finally then in 1999 I came back home back to Rathkeel and the enrollments had risen a little bit in the school and there was space for a second teacher once again my mother had retired at that stage. So I was teaching here since October 1999. Very good. Were there any of the teachers other than your mother, any of the teachers who were here when you were here as a pupil? Yes Rathkeel was still principal so that was, I suppose that was unusual coming back to you having left as a pupil and coming back as a teacher.

18:07So we worked together until I think was 2007 when she retired and then after her retirement I was appointed principal. Good. I was principal then until October of last year, October 2225 and then I suppose I always have fond memories of the school that's been there. So just going back to the school had the numbers increased from when you were there? They had actually fallen from when I was going they were increasing and decreasing and then there was quite a big decline and the school went down to one teacher school for a little while. So my mother retired at that stage and I think it was two or three years possibly that Ray was here by herself and then there was a slight increase in the enrollments and also the government changed the teacher of people ratio. So it was allowed for the appointment of the second teacher.

19:08It's always a problem with rural schools isn't it? Yes. The numbers decline as the population declines in many of these rural areas. Absolutely. It causes a lot of concern when numbers start to get low, doesn't it? Yes. So you're retired and a young retiree I'd say looking at you. Yes, I have. And so you've been 55. Well, I wasn't going to mention that. So you have a young fit future. Hello you. Well, I hope so, yes. And I know walking and things like that being active is one of the things you do. But you're planning something that I think most people would admit is a bit beyond the scale of, you know, just a little stroll. So what is it you're planning? So I'm planning to do the Everest base camp trek next month, about 15 or 16 years ago as a holiday.

20:10I climbed Kilimanjaro. Wow. To the top. Yep. So that was a, really enjoyed that. It was a great challenge. And I suppose the next thing then on my list since then I'd be thinking about it. So that is proper climbing. That's not a stroll with a few sticks, is it? That's Kilimanjaro is a big, I know nothing about it. Yes. It was a six-day hike. So we actually had four and a half days up on a day and a half down because you can only gain so much altitude per day. Yeah. And then you always have to sleep slightly lower than the highest point you've been. Right. So I remember one of the days when we reached our camp we had to then trek on from the half an hour up and sit up for a little while. I think even half an hour at a higher altitude helps the body to climb. So anyway, you're heading for Everest Base Camp.

21:13Yep. Just explain what is at the base camp. Is it luxury accommodation? No. Base camp will be tents. All right. So the trek itself takes about two weeks. So a week to get there and a week to get back. And along the way we'll be staying in what they call tea houses, which will be fairly basic accommodation. Not a lot of insulation, but we will have beds. There will be meals and we'll be able to get food and that. The only nice that we will have in the tent is actually at base camp itself. It's going to take you two weeks to get to base camp. A week to get to base camp. So a week to get there. So where do you start from? So we fly into Kathmandu and then the early hours of the following morning I think we leave Kathmandu. I've been told about 3am for a four or five hour journey to small little airport where the small planes take off to fly to Lokla.

22:20Now that's one of the things I'm most concerned about. Because it is rated as one of the world's most dangerous airports. That's a little bit. I think it's a relatively short flight. Very much dependent on the weather. So if the planes can't take off, you're waiting and hopefully for the weather to clear. So you've got a five hour journey then you take off from an airport. Very small plane. From what I can see, some of them are 12 seats or planes. They're quite small. We're very restricted then with luggage. Of course. So there's a 10 kilogram restriction on the main luggage. And then a little bit more restrictive. Now this is more to do with the, because there'll be sharpness carrying the main luggage. And then we're allowed a five kilo backpack ourselves.

23:23So just for essentials. So what sort of luggage do you take for a journey like that? Well, I've... What did you put in your bags, you know? Yeah, I have been doing quite a bit of shopping. As was most of the clothes and things I've had wouldn't be technical enough in the technical fabrics. Keep out the cold, but yet will be light enough. Also washing facilities won't really be there because I think even if you get something washed or chances of getting dried, you're fairly difficult. Basically, as was the change of clothes, tracking trousers. Several layers for the top. Temperatures do get down quite cool. I was looking in January. They were down to minus 27. At the moment, it's out minus 15. I'm told that by April, it gets down... At night, 10 gets down to between minus 10 and minus 15. Wow.

24:23So lots of things. So there you are. You fly in. You've then got hair long before you get to base camp. So a week. A week of check. So we fly in and then we're... Actually, the trek starts straight away. It was a three hour hike the first day to the first tea house. And then the walking varies some days, four or five hours. I think the longest is up to about 10 hours of trekking. Would there be washing facilities for you in the tea house? Yes. Personal washing as well. Yes. You won't be guaranteed hot water. No, no. I think a few euro for a hot shower. Sure. But I'm not sure whether that's available at all the tea houses or not. But again, I suppose we'll all be in the same boat. Yes. So you say we're all. So how many of you will be trekking? Well, there's a friend of mine coming. And I think there would be about 12 of us in total. Right.

25:23The group that I'm going with, it's organized by Exodus Travels. Around. They generally have a maximum of 16 people. And I was just looking at the website this morning. And there are still four spaces available, so likely at this stage they'll fill up. I won't put my name down. So you're there with your friend who you've done other tricks with, how are you? Yes. And he's from North Wales. Right. I first met him on a cycling trip in Vietnam about 10 years ago. Right. And I suppose we've kept in touch. We've had several trips in the meantime. Because usually I do quite an active holiday. I don't like just sitting down. So I've done quite a few cycling trips and that. And there's a group of us that have met over the years. And we generally organize something every year. But Andy was the only one I could convince to come on this trip. So you get the base camp and that's it. You're not going on that. No. No.

26:23So you don't need ropes and crowns. No, it's all walking. I think I suppose the two biggest obstacles I think would be the cold and the altitude. Yes. I have been at altitude twice before, both Kilimanjaro and the Inca Trail in Peru. Right. And I have been fine. It hasn't bothered me. But I don't think that's any guarantee that this time will be fine. But I'm hopeful. Very good. So you'll actually be there for a day, will you, on base camp? Yes. We have booked on what they call their expedition trip. Right. Which includes a night at base camp. Right. A lot of the other trips. You go to base camp and you turn around after an hour or so and you'll start back. Thank you. But we're actually having a day. And what height is base camp? Base camp is just over 5,300 meters. Right. I think. So where we start and look, there's about 3,000 meters. So you gain about 2,000 meters over the course of the week to get there.

27:24Which as well as, isn't, it's a much more gradual. Yes. Ascent than what Kilimanjaro was. So I think. No. I've seen a lot of publicity lately about the rubbish that's being left on the mountain. Yes. From climbers supposedly. But it sounds quite a touristy thing. I think so. Yes. And I know at the moment it does seem to be changing for sustainability. Yeah. And you have to be encouraged to knock by plastic bottles of water but by the boiled water and to bring reusable things. And of course I suppose everything that we bring will be taking home with us again. I am hoping this to, I suppose, to fundraise for the school. Yes. That's one of the functions of this is to raise money. Yes. Yes. Now again that wasn't my original thought. Okay. Again going back to my trip 15 years ago, so many people asked me why, what was they doing? Was they doing it as a fundraiser? Yeah. Which I wasn't at the time. So I just thought this time that maybe it might be worth a try.

28:25Absolutely. So I set up a GoFundMe page. Good. Tell us all about it. So it's basically to find it on GoFundMe. It's trekked to every space camp in aid of Church Street National School. And it has been blown away by the sport. It has really taken off. Brilliant. I think it started off with a 500 euro A-mestiples which they very quickly increased. I think they, at the moment, the goals set now at 3000. Because it has done so well. And GoFundMe will increase the goal every so often. Very good. As of this morning, there's over 2,400 euro donated. And I have, that was all the people that have given me a little bit so as well. Very good. So give that address again. So it's on GoFundMe. Yes. If you search for a GoFundMe, then Everest-based camp trekked in aid of Church Street National School. Very good. What a snappy title. Yes. So if anyone is able to tell posts, that's what we call cause as well.

29:28Yes. School as always. Always looking for money. Always looking for money. For the extra bits and things. Yes. Great to be able to. Well, it's been great. I know you through the Church of Ireland and you're on diocesan camps and things like that. So it's really good to find that you've got a bit more to your life than just a school and then church. Yes. But thank you so much for joining me in this evening. Thank you. Thank you, Stephen. I look forward to seeing your progress. Lots of pictures, I hope. I hope so. I might not be able to send them from there. No, from the Himalayas. 5G probably hasn't got there yet. It may not have. Thank you so much. Thank you. These are the proclaimers walking 500 miles and then they will walk 500 more, just like Nile I suppose.

30:28If I get drunk, then I know I'm going to be a man who goes along with you. If I get drunk, then I know I'm going to be a man who gets drunk next to you. If I have a, then I know I'm going to be a man who's even to you. But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more, just like being a man who walks up those and miles then fall and I should too. But I'm walking. Yes, I know I'm going to be a man who's walking hard for you. Then I'm money. Comes in for the work I do. I'll pass almost every penny on to you. When I come home, I know I'm going to be a man who comes back home to you. If I grow, then I know I'm going to be a man who's going over you.

31:31But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more, just like being a man who walks up those and miles then fall and I should too. When I'm lonely, well I know I'm going to be a man who's lonely without you. And when I'm screaming, well I know I'm going to scream. I'm going to scream about the time when I'm with you. When I go away, well I know I'm going to be a man who goes along with you. And when I come home, when I come home, I know I'm going to be a man who comes back home with you.

32:33I'm going to be a man who's coming home with you. But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more, just like being a man who walks up those and miles then fall and I should too. And I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more, just like being a man who walks

33:33up those and miles then fall and I should go. Well we're seeing such terrible news on our TV's each night at the moment. And during last week I caught up with Alan Cousins, who's a member of the Church of Ireland parish of Westport in County Mayo and Alan is also married to the rector there, the Reverend Suzanne Cousins. Alan works for the Christian satellite channels of Sat Seven, which broadcast to the Middle

34:35East and to North Africa. When I spoke to him, I asked him to tell me more about Sat Seven and what role it has in Christian ministry in that area. Thank you Stephen, well we're hardly known here unless your Arabic is quite good or your English or Farsi. But Sat Seven is a Christian ministry into the Middle East and North Africa using satellite television, free of charge for people there and they value it greatly because it's free of government interference as well. So it's like RTE 1, 2, 3, 4, whatever we are, Sat Seven, and increasingly on YouTube and other means as well. But in the nutshell that's who we are. And so you cover a vast area then, Middle East and North Africa, is that right? It is fast, it's 500 million people and growing rapidly. It's also very different to here in Ireland because here the average age is rather higher.

35:35There I think is 45% of the population is under 25 years of age. So it looks very different. But yes, all the way from Mauritania to Sudan to the Persian region, Afghanistan and so on. Yes, so it's huge. We deliberately chose them to never mention finance and we are financed by churches and my friends who we talk to help us and for that we are immensely grateful. So what sort of programming do you give to people? You say it's religiously based. What would be a typical program on a typical morning? Well, I'm not sure there is a typical one. Well, maybe I could begin this way by saying we started 30 years ago with a board of camera in a board studio in Cairo and not sure what would happen. And today we are 24-7 in Arabic, Turkish and Karse and numerous dialects.

36:39And we understand we have tens of millions of regular viewers. It's fumbling and the range of programming is to try to serve the people of the Middle East and North African in the best ways that we can. So for example, dramas and chat shows during times of conflicts. And for example, after earthquakes we provide a lot of trauma counseling. We also provide education curriculum for millions of children who have never been to school for a day in their lives nor do they have any access to it. We provide a lot of programming that speaks directly to women's issues. And during COVID in particular, the program you were not alone seemed to resonate with a lot of people. We provide a lot of viewer response, people getting in touch with us speaking on the air. So yeah, regular church services from Cairo, Beirut, Algiers, not also Bible teaching, praise, not teaching children. We have seven kids.

37:40Let's watch my millions and trusted by mothers and aunts. So yeah, if I was under a little anxiety field and you'll understand. Yeah, with some justification, that's an amazing story and one that I'd never heard anything about before. And you get feedback from the viewers despite some areas where there may be restrictions and things. You find that your signal can get through and people can respond to you. Yes, indeed. And we're again very thankful for this, you know, governments, if they choose to come block or shift the internet, satellite television that can't be done. And so we do have continuous access. The majority of countries respect us and value us. So for example, the Turkish government being aware of the cost for us of being on commercial satellites. They invited us to come up with government satellites. And so, yes, I think although we're distinctly Christian in our ethos and our outlook, we are respectful and that has led to some wonderful relationships.

38:43So, you know, it seems to touch into hearts and homes and lives right across the region. We have more than a thousand people who contact us every day. Many asking for help or simply saying thank you. Some of those are very distressing. And so we have, for example, an Afghan church in Canada who provide the help when the Afghans get in touch with us and under the Taliban regime that's exceedingly difficult for them to do this. But they do. With the Iranians, we have Iranians in Cyprus, in Germany and in London, who provide support and help pastoral care for those who reach out to us. So, yeah, it's a pretty immense operation. We've had a small army of people who are available dedicated to to disciplining and to providing help when people ask for this. That's amazing. And where are your main production centers? Where are your studios? So, for Arabic, it's Cairo and Beirut.

39:45Beirut is our largest studio and our colleagues there yesterday were describing the horrors going on around the sphere of attack. And for the Turkish, we have a studio in Istanbul. And for Iranian work, we can't be inside Iran as you have been in the past. But we have an Iranian studio in Cyprus and one in London. So, those are our main centers. Our headquarters is in Cyprus. Right. No, that's interesting. And as you say, nearly 50 years ago, just before the revolution, I was in Iran. And working as a civil engineer for consultants, supervising construction of roads in the oil fields in the southwest of Iran, based in Ahwas, was where we were. But I was in a tin box, miles and miles from there, tin box with air conditioning both ends, because it was very hot there.

40:47And so, I spent about 18 months there. And then it started to get a little unpleasant, because there was a lot of dissension coming out. It was in the time of the Shah, of course. And so, I actually came back to be best man at my best friend's wedding. And I met the bridesmaid there, and five months later, we were married, Francis and I were married. So, it was... And so, I actually broke my contract, but it didn't matter, because in the meantime, the Shah had been overthrown. And so, the people that I was working with had all been sent home anyway. So, I enjoyed it very much. It's a lovely place. The people are very kind and gentle and peaceful. But of course, you know, things changed, aren't they? And rulers change, and that was something that I'm very aware of. What's the experience? Yeah, it was a great experience.

41:47The only Farsi, I can say hello, and the chef, as we had a chef looking after the camp where we were. And it was very much a camp. But he was a mute, a deaf mute. And so, we corresponded by sign language. And of course, that was perfect for someone who couldn't speak Farsi other than saying, how are you and Salam al-Akongra. But anyway, we converse very well. But yeah, a lovely, lovely place. So, I was very taken with it. And as you say, they are a very warm people. There's something in their culture that is very community orientated and very gentle. Not all of the neighbors are necessarily like that. You know, I have a number of Iranian friends here, quite a few. And I would say that's consistently the experience I've had with them. Yeah. Yeah, it's an interesting place, very interesting.

42:49So, what messages are you getting with the terrible situation there is at the moment? What news are you getting from Iran particularly? I perhaps see them, I could answer that by giving just a couple of blooms. Let me start from, let's say, two years ago. If you'd spoken to me at that point and asked about Iran, I would have remarked on the remarkable growth in the Christian church there. Probably 20 plus years it has been the fastest growing church in the world. Both in the country and amongst the Iranians elsewhere, including here in Ireland. We're just seeing this and listening to my Iranian friends. They often quote scriptures to indicate that the promises of God to the people of Ilam are very strong and they would argue that they were seeing them being fulfilled at this time. More recently, if you've asked me, let's say a month or two ago, I would have commented on the political instability and certainly people on the ground

43:50agitating unhappy with their regime and the levels of violence going on were very frightening. So for example, two Wednesdays ago, on our prayer call for the sat-7 staff all over the world, there were about 200 of us most of us part-time. And some of my Iranian colleagues spoke of having had contact with their families. They had been cut off from them for about two to three weeks. And now conversations back home, I remember one lady describing her in her time. The levels had arrived. They went into the hospital. They murdered all of the patients. All of the medical staff in that hospital was not completely disappeared and to even go to the shops for mum had said was a very frightening experience. So as recently as a few weeks ago, that would have been higher. I'm surprised. At this moment, it is of course not only for the people of Iran,

44:51but indeed across the Middle East, the level of fear today is immense. We understand that. Well, we probably don't exactly. But behind all of these scenes that we are seeing on our social media and on our television, these are real people trying to take care of their families, to love them, to make them safe. So it is very distressing. And for us as a Christian ministry, we have long to provide whatever small help we can to encourage others to deliberately pray, help for these people. And we don't understand geopolitical consequences and what's happening around us. But we are thankful as Christian believers that we trust in the God who, however painful or however difficult it may seem, yet we may trust in Him. My role here in Ireland is to find new friends for this ministry that is huge and growing rapidly.

45:52And we're so thankful that the Church of Ireland have a year ago made us one of their AMSs, one of the Association of Mission Societies that they help and support. And we're very thankful to God and to the Church for this privilege. So we're here to serve in whatever ways we can. And that's praying, it's listening, it's growing in our understanding of the region. And also for those from that region who are living amongst us here, I'm not on the wear of the political and social pressures. But yet these can be amongst our best neighbors. They are hardworking people of time and the majority of them are here with what is necessity. And so yeah, for us to reach out to them and provide you love and hospitality. And they are a very hospitable people, the people in the Middle East and North Africa more than we realize. And so I would encourage us to show that kindness, that love of God. And just if people do want to find out more about you, where can they find you?

46:55And so that's it in the UK and the Ireland or website is set7uk.org. Set7uk.org and you'll soon find us there or on YouTube. And thank you, Stephen. Not at all Anna, thank you so much. And I'm sure that you shine a light on what is a very dark place at the moment. And please God, you know, with prayer and support, these people will get some comfort. But I do thank you for being with us this evening. Well, it's all a pleasure. Thank you, Stephen. Bye for now. Bye now. Yeah. And my thanks to Alan Cousins for telling us all about the work of set7, which you can find on sat7uk.org. Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come.

48:00And I believe it could be something good had to be done. Well, I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world at once. And I believe it could be someday it's going to come. And I believe it could be something good has begun. Well, be strange, sound and louder. Slide on the deep strength. And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun. Well, be strange, sound and louder. Slide on the deep strength. And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun.

49:00And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun. And I believe it could be something good has begun. It's a movie with you I come and you're in the lift That's not so far from you And it's getting nearer Soon it will all be true For peace, train, sound, and love Loud on the peace train Oh, wow, wow Come on, you'll be straight You'll be straight Oh Now I've been crying late Thinking about the world as it is Why must we go on hate?

50:01Why can't we live in bliss? Because I'm on the edge of darkness There are to be strange Or peace, train, take this country Come take me home again Or peace, train, sound, and love Loud on the peace train Come on, you'll be straight You'll be straight Oh, you'll be rollin' Everyone jump upon the peace train Come on, come on, come on Here's come on peace, train, hey Here's it's the peace train Come on, you'll be straight

51:07Come on, you'll be rollin' Come on, you'll be rollin' That was Kat Stevens, peace train Music

52:07Well, we're coming to the end of Beyond Belief for this evening Thank you for joining me And we have the Claire Benediction by John Rutter To take us up to the news at 10 o'clock My thanks go to our guests Nile West, Alan Cousins, and Father Jerry Kenny Remember, you can listen back to this Beyond Belief By going to the Claire FM website And clicking on the catch-up tab And you can join Father Jerry for Sunday Prayer At a quarter to eight next Sunday morning Until then, this is Stephen Fletcher Wishing you a joyful and a peaceful week ahead Free from worry and concern Continue to pray for peace And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of his hand Slon August Banocked

54:05Music