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.

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Happy New Year

The New Year here is celebrated by Christians with special church services as people thank God for all the blessings of the previous year and commit themselves to serving God in the coming year.  I shared in leading the service at Mwilanviya church - our local 'home' church. The church, which was started only 18 months ago and has featured before on our blog, is still in its temporary building though with a congregation of 2-300. The pastor is exceptionally musical and as I took this picture was leading the congregation in  spontaneous singing and dancing. Beware any church I come back to lead in the UK - I've picked up some new worship ideas!!
We're now busy doing last minute work and preparations for our holiday. We leave tomorrow for nearly 4weeks - we will drive around the north of Tanzania, through the Serengeti and then to some of the smaller game parks and mountains. We have a rendezvous with our friends Ian and Frankie in Zanzibar on 17th Jan. So  - depending on internet - I will post lots of holiday pics and news.
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