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.

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Happy Easter - belatedly; internet connection slow for a few days.
Heri ya Pasaka!! Jesu amefufuka.
We had a good Easter - long but enthusiastic worship with baptism of those converted from Islam, and a great privilege for me in sharing in the baptism and also in the celebration of communion. 700 ish people at both of service in the morning.
The water has just come back on after 48 hours which is good - and Alastair's new plumbing holding up well so far. Life still a bit slow moving though now getting going with preparation for quite a full teaching programme starting next week. Have got curtains up in bedroom, sitting room and study, and getting better at local cooking so have had some enjoyable meals. Managed a cottage pie (of sorts!) yesterday. Not quite good enough to invite anyone round yet, and still rather short of chairs.
Alastair cut my hair at the weekend - the lessons from the fancy salon in Gloucester have been invaluable. Our only mirror is a 6 inch plastic one from the local market - so no possibility of vanity!!
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