Games are over and some are staying... or trying to anyway.

Well, sad as it is the games are behind us. It was a fantastic time to be in Melbourne. I know, I know, it was only the Commonwealth Games, not the Olympics or anything.

And yet, it was amazing! Melbourne embraced this spectacle and we all got into party mode. Athletes poured everything they had into competing for their countries, and all around we were treated to this incredible... well, this incredible 'thing'. I can't do it any better than that. I have no other words. But it was stunning. Sitting at the G when Kerryn ran in to take first place in the marathon and being amongst the most almighty roar was simply staggering. It brought a tear to my eye - just being taken away by the whole emotion of the moment as all 85,000 of us willed her to the finish line.

There were many other moments, but that one will remain with me - it was inspiring and moving.

Anyone keeping up with the news will be aware of all the athletes that are currently missing since the games - a whole host from Sierra Leone (75% of the team - after 70% went missing at Manchester... as Matty Parker put it 'at least they are improving'). Also, one athlete from each of Tanzania and Bangladesh are gone, and now 9 from Cameroon.


Here are the 6 from Sierra Leone who were found in Sydney yesterday.

It's a fascinating topic - I certainly have read and spoken to a lot of people who are really annoyed that these athletes would do that. I don't share that view - I really don't.

You and I will NEVER (hopefully) understand ANY of what it is like to live in a country ravaged by war, conflict and poverty. It's easy to say things like 'there are lots of people in those situations who are seeking refuge here, why should these people jump the queue'. I'll tell you why, and no, it's not about the fact they are athletes and therefore could bolster our 'stocks'. It's called compassion. They are here, and are pleading for help. That's why.

One thing about Jesus was he never took his eye off the individual simply because of the 'greater good'. He healed a man who was a leper because he was in need, not necessarily because he was the 'most' deserving, or the one who had been affected the longest. The man was present, so Jesus showed compassion - that was enough. The simple question I ask is 'can you blame them for staying?' Of course not. Keep in mind all the things we will never understand about a land of war and strife, and can you blame them for attempting to stay here once they make it over here?

Is there a risk of 'opening up the floodgates'? Of course there is. But if we start saying we would rather keep them out, and leave them to those situations rather than have this place overrun and our quality of life drop then we are truly nationalistic, but also lacking any human compassion. And for me, as a Christian, compassion MUST come before nationalism and national pride, even with this country I hold so dear. Compassion for humans is a duty. Personally, if they are found to be at risk and truly in danger then they should be allowed to stay, regardless of if someone still over in the other country may be 'more deserving' (however you actualy can define that). They are here, they need help, that should be enough.