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 1 June 2013

Unexpected Visitors

Around the world - via our house!
One of the fun things of living in places like this is that one meets fascinating people. 2 days ago 3 very dusty cyclists arrived at our front door looking for somewhere to pitch their tent for the night. Sharon and Tim who are from Devon are cycling around the world, north to north, having started at the North of Norway exactly a year ago. They've travelled over 11000 miles so far!  2 days later we had become great friends - they preferred our spare bedrooms and hot showers to the tent, and enjoyed the good meals and conversation that we could share together. Hannah, a Japanese cyclist who they met on the way, is travelling with them. They set off this morning, with their entire living equipment efficiently strapped to their bikes,  to brave the dirt roads over the mountains to Kigoma, before heading south to Malawi and then into South Africa. They made our life look very comfortable and tame!
Of us : It has been a hugely busy week in college with the final exams for the students and end of term. The students have all gone home now so I can have a quieter few weeks catching up with admin, marking, and preparation for next term.  Alastair continues his busy hospital schedule, now - as the dry season has started with avengeance - battling with the dust of the roads and rutted surface left after the rains.
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