Helen and Alastair - some background

Helen and Alastair - some background : We have always hoped to return to Africa once more before we're too old (perhaps we already are!). Alastair first went to Africa in 1974 as a junior doctor, working for the Church of Scotland in a small hospital in Transkei, South Africa. I met Alastair there in 1982, were married in 1984 and continued in Transkei until 1988. From there we went to Kenya, as employees of the Church of Scotland, where Alastair ran Chogoria Hospital. We left in 1995, with Alec, Peter and Becky to establish the children's schooling and our work in Britain. Here Alastair found himself as consultant in Breast cancer surgery, and Helen initially trained and worked as a GP before "evolving" to full time ordained ministry. Alec is now married to Ruth, and they have baby Zach; Pete is in his final year of medicine in Edinburgh, and Becky half way through nurse training in Oxford.

The Diocese of Western Tanganyika is a partner of Gloucester diocese. The plan is for Helen to join the teaching staff of the Bible College, teaching those preparing for ministry. Alastair will teach English to the students at the college, as well as doing some surgery at the church-run hospitals, and helping with project management in the Diocese.
We will keep you updated on our plans over the next few months and will greatly value your prayer support. Our current prayer requests - and thanks to God of course - will be posted on the side bar.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Invitation

Our service of leaving and commissioning ( as Diocesan Mission Partners) is on Wednesday 21st March at 6.30pm in St Barnabas - everyone's welcome and it would be great to see you and share in worship and prayer at that service. It will be led by Bishop Michael with some gutsy stuff about laying on of hands, anointing etc...There's a Church Hall do afterwards to which you're invited as well of course.  Then we have the furniture removers on Thursday morning - all our stuff is going into store - and we prepare to fly on the Saturday.

1 comment:

  1. Dear Helen and Alistair,
    I have just marked my calendar to remember you in prayer on the 21st especially for your leaving and commissioning service. Having spent three weeks in Madagascar three years ago, Ingrid and I have some appreciation for your new adventure in Christ. Godspeed and Bless you, Bill and Ingrid Roberts (friends of Ian and Frankie Marsh)

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