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.

Saturday 25 May 2013

Kangas

"The love of God is for ever"
Kanga aprons
 Kasulu is one of the best places in Tanzania (Africa?) to buy kangas. The market is full of colourful stalls packed high with kangas in different colours and designs. They're a standard size, always with a border and a message of some kind - often Christian. The blue one here  was a gift when I preached last Sunday, and says "The love of God is for ever". They cost £1-00 each, and are given as gifts here rather like we might choose a greetings card at home. The local women wear them over their other clothes when they work at home or walk to the market; they carry their babies in them, wrap shopping in them, and when they're worn out they become babies' nappies or useful cloths.  I use them as table cloths, beach wraps..... and love sewing with them.  This week I have been teaching our 15 pastor's wives in college to make them into aprons - here proudly showing their finished work.
We're happy to bring lots home so do place your order!
Thank you for messages of encouragement after a tired blog last week. We're better-ish though very much in need of a proper rest. 

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