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.

Friday, 6 June 2014

on our way.....

Farewell to Western Tanganyika
We eventually finished packing, thanks to Daines' help in the house, Paulo in the garden keeping a large bonfire going, and many willing recipients of our accumulated stuff. Life is now in 2 suitcases, and we are having a very much needed 2 days at the beach to take stock. Swimming and sleeping are very healing!
I will post a blog once we are safely home; but then I'll close this blog. Thank you to all who have so faithfully followed our life here through the blog, and for all your encouraging emails, thoughts and prayers. When I say that they have 'kept us going', I really mean it.
Any futureblog - rather than 'sammonsinafrica' -  may be entitled 'sammonslivingaquietlifeinCranham.blogspot.com!!
Sunday 15th June (Father's Day and Trinity Sunday) I will be presiding and preaching in Cranham, at 11am. After the service we will give a short 'slide-show-talk'. (and I hear there will be a glass of wine!).
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