Words of Light and Hope from Muriel Rogers

Having created our nests within the confines of the coach, we were ready to face a journey into
the interior. The powerful diesel burst into life and then we were off. Soon it was time to say
goodbye to the tarmac road, it would be getting rougher and rougher from now on.

This was the start of the Northern Volcanic Zone in Iceland. As we travelled deeper into the zone
we left behind all green and entered a harsh, unforgiving land where all life has to struggle to
exist. The coach slowly clambered its way up a steep slope. As we crested the brow we saw laid
out before us what can only be described as a moonscape, black lava as far as the eye could
see; the only sign of the road was a rough dusty track across the never ending black.

The landscape appeared to be totally barren but a closer view, as we stretched our legs, showed
this to be totally untrue. Dotted around were small patches of vivid purple and bright pink (wild
thyme, thrift and moss campion), some plants only big enough to hold a solitary flower.

Water in Iceland is a force to be reckoned with. Our journey took us across many streams and
rivers, each of these had to be forded. With these rivers came life. Many of the rivers and
streams were clothed in a brilliant lime green (fountain apple moss) and in one special place,
this was accompanied by a carpet of deep pink (the aptly named arctic river beauty).

This summer what we have experienced here in Reepham, has shown us firsthand the
importance of water, burnt brown grass coming to life again. A very small amount of rain has
turned the grass green again. We have truly witnessed the phrase, ‘the water of life’. As a church
family, what ‘water of life’ can we offer? Maybe a listening ear, a quiet word, a helping hand, a
cup of tea.