As I write, I sit in a South African prison, not as a prisoner, but as a therapist. . I have only been here an hour-and-a-half but have already spent an hour with my first offender client in the sweltering heat of the group therapy room. It is hard to believe that only three weeks ago I experienced the worst winter the UK has seen in 20 years. 

Some friends of mine and I had the privilege of serving in the Sichaun earthquake affected area this past Summer. I personally could not go into the heart of the quake zone myself, being sick and all. But my friends could. A local family had a favourable arrangement with the government, and the members of our team were allowed to go and help with an education project.