Dear Friends,
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| On the Cornish Coast |
As the dark evenings draw in and the days get colder we are beginning to think about preparations for heading back to Tanzania in the new year. First we have Christmas to enjoy, when we will be visiting family and saying our farewells as well as visiting our final link churches. The boys are already getting excited with Christmas preparations which are very different to those in Tanzania.
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| In the Lake District with cousins Tom and Adam |
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| At a link church |
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| Harvest at Heligan |
We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in the UK up to now. It has been a great time of relaxation and refreshment and a chance to catch up with family and old friends, and we thank all of those who have helped and supported us in many different ways to make this time enjoyable and fruitful. We have also enjoyed our visits to various churches and thank you all for the warm welcome that you have given us, and for your continued support financially and prayerfully.We also had a wonderful holiday in the Lake District at half term with Christine's mum and sister and her family.
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| At a link church |
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| Daniel's 11th Birthday |
The boys have been very happy in school and have enjoyed making lots of new friends. It is great to see how well they have adapted and how much they have enjoyed school, but are still looking forward to returning "home". They have also benefitted from extra swimming and music lessons and have enjoyed all the exciting activities that are available in the UK. In September Daniel turned 11 and had a wonderful "lego movie" birthday party with friends.
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| Packing the container |
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| Packing the container |
As well as relaxing and enjoying the delights of the Cornish countryside we have kept ourselves busy. We have been very much involved with the life of Holy Trinity Church in St. Austell and have appreciated the support we have there. Christine has been spending time studying for a short module in church ministry with St. John's College , Nottingham, whilst Paul has been continuing to collect equipment to fill a container to send back to the university in Tanzania. He has done really well, collecting over 150 computers, lots more IT equipment, text books, laboratory apparatus and more. We are very grateful to everyone who has helped us by donating equipment and finding contacts for us as well as helping us store and transport what we have gathered. We hope to send the container on January 6th, and follow ourselves soon afterwards, leaving the UK on January 10th. Please pray that the container arrives safely and clears customs with little hassle or expense, and pray too that we travel and arrive safely, and settle back quickly into life in Tanzania.
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| With Christine's Mum |
Back in Tanzania things have been changing. A new vice chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Mbennah, has been appointed at the university. Also, a new general secretary, Canon Dr. Johnson Chinyong'ole has been apppointed for the Anglican church of Tanzania, following the installation of the previous general secretary as Bishop of our diocese, the Diocese of Central Tanganyika. This means new leaders for both of us in our work roles. Please pray that both may be good and effective leaders and that we will have good working relationships with them. Pray too that God gives us a renewed vision for our future work as we return to Tanzania.
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| With Paul's Mum and Dad |
If you need any ideas for Christmas presents, we are selling 2015 calendars aimed at helping you to pray for us and our work over the year. They are quite big with lots of space to write and lovely pictures. If you would like one they are £10 each including postage. We are also selling DVDs of Kikuyu Gospel Singers (swahili choir, but with a translation inside) for £10 and audio CDs of St. John's Gospel Singers (English language choir) for £8. Please let us know if you would like any of these.
Finally we wish you all a very happy Christmas and pray that God blesses you rich in 2015.
With love
Christine, Paul, Daniel and Isaac.xxx
