CMS Ireland Feed

Prayer Request: 11 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:58:31Z

META Teams, STEP Placements and Youth Programmes: As Urban Soul finishes today, give thanks for the many young people who have taken part. Pray that they will be deeply affected by how they have seen God at work and ask that they will be inspired to a deeper engagement in mission.

Prayer Request: 10 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:58:06Z

META Teams, STEP Placements and Youth Programmes: Pray for all of those leading teams this summer. Pray that they would have the necessary wisdom, insight and sensitivity to lead effectively. Ask for God’s blessing upon each of them.

Prayer Request: 09 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:57:43Z

META Teams, STEP Placements and Youth Programmes: Pray for the ‘Ekisa’ and St Paul’s META teams as they prepare to work alongside our partners in Luwero Diocese, Uganda and Kajiado Diocese, Kenya. Pray that their work amongst local young people and churches will make a significant impact and a lasting difference.

Jambo...

2009-07-09T00:00:00Z

Jambo…

Last time we spoke we were still in N.I. but now we’re reporting from Kenya! All safe and well and loving Kajiado. Just so you know the internet connection isn’t great, but we’ll blog as often as we can.

So to fill you in quickly we arrived in Nairobi, after a long sleepless flight, around 9am, Ronnie and Maggie were waiting for us.

The first day was spent getting to know our new surroundings in Kajiado and meeting the Kenyan side of the team. Such a warm welcome, we felt right at home, with the blessings of the Bishop and his staff. We toured Kajiado town with the locals, sipping the newfound blackcurrant Fanta we discovered. By the time we got back, it was pitch black and we were ready for bed.

Day 2: We traveled to the Maasai Rural Training Centre in Isinya were Maggie & Ronnie live. We learnt the centres history, how they help the locals and about other similar organizations such as M.A.P (Maasai Aids Awareness Programme.) To finish the day we went to visit the Project Manager i.e. Jeremiah’s ranch, filled with cattle and sheep. You would be surprised how fascinated we were! During our travels we’ve already seen giraffes, gazelles, cranes and an ostrich.

Day 3: Andy got a rude awakening with balloons and party blowers (it was his birthday) We set off early to Kumpa Primary School where we destroyed two classrooms by taking out windows to replace them with new ones, and cleaning the walls to prepare them for painting in the days to come. But the ultimate experience was using the Kenyan toilet, the long drop!!

OK the food is definitely worth a mention. Our favorites are mandazis which have donut like taste, chapattis which have a pancakey taste – food is awesome.

So highlights so far would be all the people who are unbelievably friendly and chillaxed. The kids are adorable and it’s only our third day. Just for your information it is freezing here, we should have packed more fleeces. We wish Jonny would quit singing and we wish Rachel would brush up on here Geography skills after saying, ‘Is Nairobi the capital of Egypt?’ mind you Ryan’s intelligence could be questioned while sitting on the plane he asked, ‘Are we travelling by sea?’

Dear help Julie!!

Kawheri (quite hairy)

Prayer Request: 08 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:57:12Z

META Teams, STEP Placements and Youth Programmes: Pray for our Global Partners in Burundi, Kenya, Romania and Uganda as, between them, they host almost 100 short-term volunteers over the summer months. Pray that our partners would be encouraged by the visits and that lasting relationships can be built.

Prayer Request: 07 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:56:47Z

META Teams, STEP Placements and Youth Programmes: Pray for Urban Soul, which starts today in Dublin. Pray for safety during the event – especially as young people work and move throughout the city – and ask that everyone involved would learn more about God’s heart for Dublin.

Prayer Request: 06 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:56:17Z

META Teams, STEP Placements and Youth Programmes: Give thanks for the people who are currently on STEP placements. Pray that their short-term experiences will bring about transformation – where they are serving and in their own hearts.

Prayer Request: 05 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:55:53Z

META Teams, STEP Placements and Youth Programmes: Pray for the youth META team heading to Kenya today. Pray for safety as they travel and that the visit would bring blessing to our partners in Kajiado Diocese.

Looking forward to retirement?

2009-07-05T00:00:00Z

I can’t stop myself, I just need to share the conversation I’ve had this evening with an 83 year old lady doctor – who is working as the only doctor in an area the size of Wales in a region of the Himalaya full of the Taleban! Six foot of snow in winter is a bit of a challenge, and she admitted that really she could do with another doctor to work with her – because it will take 10 years to train up local girls to do her work, and at the age of 93 it might have become too much for her!

Apart from suggesting that if you’re a younger lady doctor (probably anything up to 70 would be spot on) there might be a fulfilling job for you to take over, I thought I should share with anyone interested the challenge that I, and probably you, are completely soft lazy free loaders compared to this fantastic lady.

I am encouraged to stop complaining and take on some fresh challenges!
Go thou and do likewise.

Rory

Prayer Request: 04 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:55:03Z

Rwanda, Kibungo Diocese: Give thanks for the many churches, Sunday Schools and primary schools taking part in this year’s Annual Project, ‘Start Small, Grow Tall.’ Pray that the project would make a lasting impact in the lives of many people in Kibungo. Pray especially for the Diocesan Development Department as they look to implement the programme in local communities.

How busy are you?

2009-07-03T00:00:00Z

A good chap called Dave Quintana has been sending me daily meditations to my in tray in recent months. One in particular struck a bit of a chord with me, so thought I’d share it with you. Some of you who stumble across these musings may find a similar attitude in your own lives:

“How are you Q?” people ask. “I am busy, very busy” I respond. Implied in my response is that I am too busy. Also implied is that it is not really my fault (I’m a bit of a victim really) and that it is only temporary. Further implied is that I realize that it is a bit unhealthy, but that I hope that it will change (sure, right) sometime fairly soon. And the painful truth is that I am too busy only because I want to be. Not too long ago a good (?) brother had the audacity to send me an article about “the gluttony of busy people”. (He clearly isn’t busy enough and needs to find better things to do with his time!) How many things that I feel I really should be doing remain for months on end on my ‘to do list?’ My defence, “there just isn’t time.” But doesn’t it stand to reason that there must be time to do all that God wants me to do? Today, each day, and everyday?

Mt 6:34
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.

It seems that whether I am living and working in Africa or in Ballyholme, I continue to enjoy being too busy. After 5 months in Ballyholme I appear not to have done many things which I would have wished to have done. It is useful to face up again to the reality that I have time for the things I prioritise, and not for the things further down my list.

Hope you enjoy doing the things which matter to you most this week.

Rory

Prayer Request: 03 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:54:51Z

Rwanda, Kibungo Diocese: The diocese is preparing for the Youth Camp at Kanazi Archdeaconry. Please pray for the ongoing preparations and last minute details. Pray that many young people would attend and that lives would be transformed.

Prayer Request: 02 July 2009

2009-07-01T07:54:34Z

Rwanda, Kibungo Diocese: One of the biggest problems faced by people in Kibungo is illiteracy. The diocese, through its parishes, has started trying to tackle this problem by providing adult literacy classes. Pray for the effectiveness of these classes and for those who attend them.

On the way to Kenya . . .

2009-07-02T00:00:00Z

From the previous update, the team had just been commissioned in Waringstown.The next time the group will be meeting, will be at the airport!

I should introduce myself at this early point. I’m Robert Coffey and I’m from Waringstown COI. I have the role, along with two others, Michael and Rachel, of being a diarist. In other words we will be keeping you up to date on what is going on over in Kenya.

At the moment we are still at home and looking forward to the big trip which is close! As I’m sure you know we leave Northern Ireland on Sunday. The team will fly onto London and then arriving in Nairobi on Monday. From then the team will travel by road to Kajiado.

Up to this point the team has extensively prepared for the trip. The preparation has included learning some words in the local language ‘Kiswahili,’ learning about the local area, the local culture, practising sketches and songs and not to forget the dreaded injections.

In the final few days coming up to the trip I would ask you to remember the whole team in your prayers and especially for their safe travel over to Kenya. Hopefully the next post will come from Kenya.

Kwaheri

"You look so fat..."

2009-06-25T00:00:00Z

‘You look so fat!’ will be one of the many greetings of welcome that we will receive on our return to Kiwoko. Although it is a culturally acceptable thing to say and in our case will a totally honest observation of our growing waist bands, it still is not one of the nicest things to hear as a woman. For me, it will be a compliment as to how well I have been looking after my husband! The major disappointment for the staff will be the return of Dr and Mrs Wilson, without a bulging waistline on Mrs Wilson for a totally different reason. Our thoughts are turning towards our African home.

The last few months have been amazing. We travelled to New Zealand in April to attend Rory’s younger brother’s wedding and do a bit of travelling. It is one country that I have always wanted to visit and I was not disappointed. Swimming in the ocean, trekking, mountain ridge walking, wedding celebrations and time with family… I could go on and on. It was a real time of relaxation and fun. No mobiles or computers, definite time off.

There has been a lot of fun over the last few months catching up with friends , a week in Donegal with family, getting locked out of the house, breaking down in Enniskillen, a stag weekend and doing the Marriage Course (highly recommend this at whatever stage of marriage you are at!).

There have been lots of meetings with link Parishes and Friends of Kiwoko Hospital (FOKH). It has been so encouraging and humbling to meet people who have been praying for Kiwoko and for Rory (and now us) over the last three years. It is wonderful to know that such people are behind us as we head back to Uganda again on the 30th July. We know that we can’t do anything in our own strength and we value any prayer support that is going. Our meetings have taken us all over the Province, Scotland and England. It has even meant some exercise as we joined over 100 South Eastern Trust employees in the Belfast marathon, to raise money for the Outpatients department in Kiwoko. What a fun day!

Our thoughts are now definitely turning towards our home in Kiwoko. One bedroom has been designated the packing room and is filling up steadily. In the first two weeks in July we are hoping to attend a Christian Medical Fellowship course followed by a retreat at All Nations College. The last two weeks in July will be final goodbyes to close friends and family.

It has been timely to be back in Ireland, for a number of personal reasons and in the current financial climate to raise awareness of the needs in Kiwoko. CMS have looked after us well, and we are refreshed and ready to get back to work at Kiwoko. Bring it on!!

Hakuna Matata Team Commissioned

2009-06-24T00:00:00Z

The Kenya youth META team ‘Hakuna Matata’ were commissioned on Sunday night in Warringstown Church of Ireland.

Rev Liz Hanna gave the address, challenging the team to give over their worries and fears to God for their time in Kenya and when they come home.

The team are from a variety of parishes, primairily in Northern Ireland and Dublin, comprising of nine guys and nine girls.The team of 18 are heading out to Kajiado Diocese in Kenya for just over three and a half weeks on Sunday 5th July.

The team will be kept very busy whilst there by working alongside the youth team at Kajiado Cathedral, helping with repairs to the primary schools focused on the ‘Footsteps’ Lenten dvd , schools work and taking part in church services.

They are a fantastic bunch of very talented individuals who make up an impressively talented team . . .

Please do remember to pray for the team as they head off .

There will be weekly updates to see how they are doing in Kenya so please keep posted for these.

A New Term...

2009-06-07T00:00:00Z

Arua, June 2009

The second term for the Vocational Training School (VTC) has started with two newly appointed instructors. Two of the previous teachers decided not to sign the terms and conditions set by the management committee. It was a tough time for all involved but we hope and trust that this way will prove the best for the future of the VTC. When you pray please remember all instructors, the ones who left and those who stayed and came. At the start of our stay here at the VTC we thought that, and maybe indeed it was, the programme was fairly compact and oversee-able. The longer we’re here and trying to bring about change the more we recognize the complexity of coordinating the VTC.

We’ve been blessed with two visiting members from our home front committee in the Netherlands. They stayed at the guesthouse on the same compound as were we are. It was just great to share a bit of our lives here with them. They too felt that the experience gave them such a clearer picture of what it is like to live and work within the diocese here. They are happy to share that in turn with folks at our home church. The guesthouse is still under renovation by three former students (and Aart, I should add) from last year, but proved already a fine place. The idea is to develop the guesthouse on our compound as an income-generating project for the VTC. Next week we hope to receive four young guests from the US who plan to stay for a month.

The visitors arrived with rain, always seen as a blessing here. Another blessing that came during their stay (after 3 months not having any) was electricity from town. Wonderful. One is never sure for how long, nonetheless great for now.

We are also looking forward to having Rachel Manning (CMS Ireland) with us for a while. She will help out with the administration of the VTC and organising a library system. Rachel loves sorting and organising, so you understand that we’re really looking forward to welcome her here at Arua.

The small projects like card making and sewing of napkins to generate income for disadvantaged people in the community are slowly growing. (Visitors hand carrying cards to the Netherlands and Ireland do help.) I (Geesje) can coordinate the card making from home, so it is easy to combine it with house keeping and Dutch home schooling in the afternoons, not too long though… Anne Fleur and Ruben spend their morning hours at local schools where they are taught in English. Since the kids are still young I do see the need to spend much time with them at home, although I recently had a lovely experience linked with my old midwifery job. It was a planned home birth here in Arua. A missionary couple received their second baby girl. The thrill of new life and the thankfulness after all being well, is again and again overwhelming. Well, there is a time for everything.

Now it’s the time for concluding this blog. Thank you for your time reading it. God bless.

The den Breejens; Aart, Geesje, Anne Fleur, Ruben and Jan Lucas

Post Script:

In our last Link Letter we wrote about Rose, a young girl who had been brought to our local counsellor (LC). Neighbours found this 7-year-old lass lingering in the neighbourhood. She had asked for drinking water at a teacher’s house. The teacher observed a sad looking child. She fed and washed the girl as she looked dirty and found old and new scars from lashes on her back and tummy. When the girl started talking the teacher thought it better to involve the police. Rose (not her real name) was scared.

Rose lost her mum a couple of years ago, she said. Her dad was mentally disturbed. Rose was taken into the house of her half-brother and sister in law to care for their younger child while these parents went out for work during the day. However, whatever went wrong in that household during their absence; Rose would be the cause and would be beaten severely. She decided to run away. The LC and his family took care of Rose until the matter was further investigated.

Several people have asked what happened to Rose. Well, after a lot of talks, visits and civil judgement it was decided that Rose would stay within her own family, but this time with an aunt who is entrusted with the care of this girl.

Arua, Juni 2009

De tweede termijn van de beroepsschool is gestart met twee nieuwe instructeurs. Twee van de vorige instructeurs hadden uiteindelijk de arbeidsvoorwaarden en het bijbehorende contract, opgesteld door het bestuur, niet getekend. Al met al is het best een lastige tijd geweest voor allen die erbij betrokken zijn geweest. We hopen en vertrouwen dat wat gebeurd is de school uiteindelijk ten goede zal komen.

Als u bidt, bid dan voor alle instructeurs, degene die gegaan zijn en voor de nieuwe. Aan het begin van ons verblijf hier dachten we, en was het project misschien ook niet al te groot en redelijk overzichtelijk. Maar nu we hier langer zijn en bezig zijn met veranderingen wordt het duidelijk dat het niet altijd meer zo is.

Het was een zegen om twee leden van ons thuisfrontcommité te ontvangen. Ze hebben gelogeerd in het gastenverblijf op ons erf. Het was erg goed om ons leven hier even met hen te delen. Zij hebben het zelf ook een hele mooie ervaring gevonden en heeft hen een duidelijker beeld gegeven van hoe het wonen en werken hier zo toe gaat. Ze hopen dit nu op hun beurt met name te delen met de mensen in de kerk van Giessen – Oudekerk. Het gastenverblijf waar ze verbleven wordt op het moment gerenoveerd door drie voormalige leerlingen bouw (en Aart niet te vergeten), maar het was al een goede plek om te verblijven. Het idee is om het gastenverblijf tot een actieviteit te maken die voor inkomsten zorgt voor de school. Deze maand hopen we al gasten te ontvangen uit Amerika die hier een maand hopen te zijn.

Naast dat ons bezoek kwam met regen, (altijd een zegen hier omdat nog zoveel mensen afhankelijk zijn van de opbrengst van hun eigen grond) is er sinds drie maanden zonder nu weer stadsstroom. Geweldig. Opeens bedenk je dat je de magnetron en andere electrische apparaten kunt gebruiken. We hadden wel stroom uit een eigen systeempje maar dat was niet genoeg voor grote apparaten. We zullen zien hoelang het gaat duren, maar goed, we genieten van wat we nu hebben.

We zien er ook naar uit om onze eerste korte termijn vrijwilliger te ontvangen, Rachel Manning uit Belfast in Ierland. Ze komt hier voor een maand via CMS-Ireland op de beroepsschool werken. Ze gaat een bibliotheek systeem opzetten en de financiele administratie op de computer invoeren. Ze houd volgens eigen zeggen van organiseren en sorteren dus dat gaat dan hopelijk helemaal goed komen.

De kleine projecten waar Geesje bij betrokken is zoals het maken van kaarten en het naaiproject zijn langzaam groeiende. De projecten zijn er voor inkomen van mensen met weinig kansen waaronder veel vrouwen met HIV/Aids. (Bezoek dat kaarten meeneemt naar Nederland en Ierland helpt daarbij). Dit werk gebeurt voornamelijk vanuit huis en dus makkelijker te combineren met Nederlandse thuisscholing voor de kinderen en het huishouden. Die thuisscholing is overgens niet zo veel want de kinderen gaan ’s morgens gewoon naar lokale scholen waar ze in het engels les krijgen. Nu de kinderen nog jong zijn is het belangrijk om thuis tijd voor ze te hebben maar onlangs had ik (Geesje) nog een mooie ervaring buitenshuis. In mijn oude vak als verloskundige. Het was een geplande thuisbevalling hier in Arua. Een Amerikaans stel heeft hun tweede meisje gekregen. Het wonder van nieuw leven en de dankbaarheid wanneer alles goed is gegaan, is iedere keer weer overweldigend. Maar goed er is een tijd voor alles.
Nu tijd om deze blog af te ronden. Bedankt voor het lezen en Gods zegen toegewenst.

De Den Breejens: Aart, Geesje, Anne Fleur, Ruben en Jan Lucas.

In ons laatste bericht hebben we geschreven over Roosje, een jong meisje die mishandeld was. Verschillende mensen hebben gevraagd wat er nu verder gebeurd is. Na veel gesprekken en officieel beraad is er besloten om ze naar een tante te brengen zodat ze toch onderdeel blijft uitmaken van haar familie. (Belangrijk hier in Afrika want die is nodig voor veel zaken als bijvoorbeeld een huwelijk later). We hopen en bidden dat ze het daar goed zal hebben en dat ze als Moslim meisje iets moois heeft kunnen zien van de naastenliefde die ze gekregen heeft.

Going Home for Just Over a Month

2009-06-05T00:00:00Z

Going home for just over a month

Greetings! On 20th I’ll be back in England for just over a month. I can’t wait to see many of you socially or at talks / church gatherings.

I am really looking forward to having time with iNet to talk and pray through life here and hear what God is saying as I prepare to return at the end of July.

Last week at the Flame conference, I caught another glimpse of amazing ministry here. I feel passionate about God’s work here but it is costly and isolating living here – I miss friends, family and Church the most. It’s a real loss for me and others having the Guillebaud’s move to the US for some time. They have been such a blessing here to so many but I thank God the start of my time here coincided with them being here. I pray they will be so blessed.

My parents have booked to come here for a week from Boxing Day which is a miracle! I have a guest room and would love more visitors so please let me know when you can come!

Thanks for all your support, contact and prayers. I’ll write again in August.

Flame inner healing conference in Buye

I think last week was the most powerful week I have had in Burundi ever! Frederic and I joined Flame International in Buye Anglican Diocese for an inner healing conference. We had around 50 participants: mainly pastors and Bible College students .

In the first couple of days there was some teaching on The Fall, the Cross, healing the human spirit and forgiveness. People spent time repenting and releasing forgiveness to others. However by the end of the second day things still felt pretty heavy. We had quite a number of intercessors praying and we spent time really asking God for a breakthrough.

It came the following day. I shared a devotion on Ps 130, encouraging folk that this was their time for healing and then there was some excellent teaching on generational sin, emotional healing and soul ties. Many sins were confessed, incl. involvement in witchcraft and sexual sin and God healed people emotionally and physically.

Mark Leakey, born in Buye, spoke on ‘cleansing the land’. He and another man repented on behalf of the sins of Europeans, incl. missionaries, against Africans. Then Jean, the Diocesan Secretary, lead a very powerful time with the Burundians repenting for the wars and conflicts they have caused here.

Let’s go on praying protection, blessing and fruit for all who participated.

Prayer points:

- For safe journeys to / from Burundi and in UK.
- Good meetings with iNet and clarity on the way forward re friendships / spiritual input and work.
- Praise for my new on-fire housemate, Olivia, who’s representing GLO in Simon’s absence.
- Quality time at home with friends and family.
- For the Lord’s refreshment and renewal in England and in Burundi.

Picture this ........ without pictures!

2009-06-02T00:00:00Z

We were on our way to Oltiasika – one of our rural development Centres about 6 hours drive from Isinya – to do some repair work on the Guest House there. I want you to picture this using only your imagination – try to put yourself in this same position without the help of pictures.

After only about 45 mins drive we came across the first dead cow – lying abandoned at the side of the road. As we were expressing our real concern for the people who lost this animal we came across another one, and then quickly thereafter another – only this time it had been skinned so it was lying completely ‘naked’ and seemed to express the depth of despair being experienced. At least the hide was worth something to the owner! As the journey continued we came across countless dead animals – including Zebra. The Maasai say that they know a famine is particularly bad when the Zebra start to die as they have the most resistance to drought.

After a long silence and looking at the situation unfolding before us the Maasai Elder in the Land Rover with me said ‘The place where we are heading is not a good place.’

Our drive took us through huge expanses of savannah land and there was not one living thing to see – the grass had been completely grazed down to bare earth and the dust plumes rising behind the Land Rover bore witness to the level of drought and famine being experienced in the whole area of Kajiado.

On our return journey the following day we came across a small herd of cattle standing looking forlorn and hardly able to walk at all. One cow was lying down and making no effort to get up, another was down but trying to stand. It was so weak its legs were shaking with the effort required, while the herdsman was standing behind it trying to help it to stand. The Maasai know that if they can just get the cattle to stand then they will continue to live – it is when they cannot rise that they know the end has come. And we were only seeing what was happening at the side of the road we were travelling on. What about in the interior where there are no roads and no people from outside to witness the catastrophe that is unfolding before our eyes? I actually thought about taking a photo but stopped myself. What would such a photo show? How could it express the level of suffering we were seeing? Why should I take such a photo, surely I don’t need a photo to move me to respond to a situation like this? I put my camera away feeling a little bit ashamed that I nearly undermined the privilege of being allowed to work in a place like this by putting on public view the distress of suffering loss.

Many of the owners of the dead cattle we saw will be going to some of our Churches in the Diocese on Sunday – places like Meto, Namanga, Magadi, Kajiado Cathedral, Torosei, Loitokitok, Isinya and Oltiasika – names familiar to many of you who are reading this blog. Our Pastors will have to minister to them and support them in whatever way they can. They will not be able to put much into the collection bag as they simply do not have it. This means that the Churches are unable to support the Diocese and this in turn prevents the Bishop from making his pastoral visits to some of these Churches to bring spiritual support and encouragement to those who need it most.

This is the reality that we are working under here in Kajiado and so it brings with it huge challenges that are difficult to meet.

It’s like having a nightmare in which you are standing in line at the ATM and as you wait your turn you realise that the person in front of you is using your card! You note that he has your bank balance on the screen and then he begins to enter your pin number and proceeds to take out all your money from your account. You try your best to stop him but somehow you can’t get through to him and before you know it your account is empty. The people here have no control over what is happening and are standing helplessly watching their livelihood disappear in front of them. Anyway, nobody wants to buy animals that are in such poor condition.

The weather forecast here is not encouraging and the govt has said that there will probably not be sufficient rains to complete a maize harvest. Apart from lack of food for the people, this also means that there will not be sufficient grass for livestock grazing and insufficient water in the waterholes and dams across the land. There has been some rains in a few selected areas. The Maasai are moving in big numbers into these areas with their cattle and this will add a huge strain on the grazing of such large herds and very quickly the grass will be finished. All the other areas are just simply dry.

Please pray for the Bishop and all the Church Leaders as they face this reality over the next number of weeks and months. Pray for wisdom to know how best to respond to such need.

Picture this and plead to our God – who is able – to bring blessing in such circumstances.

Birthdays, Banks, BSF and Busyness!

2009-05-29T00:00:00Z

May has rushed by and we are nearly at the half way point of our 15 week stay in Yei. Poppy celebrated her birthday here in April and John celebrated his on Saturday. It’s not easy to find suitable presents and Sudanese people do not generally celebrate birthdays. So Poppy gave John an African shirt and two apples! Apples cannot normally be found in Yei but Poppy found a shop selling some and snapped up two. If you want mangoes, that would be a different story. Poppy bought 15 last week for 57p. Anyway, thinking of birthdays, when a local person found out it was John’s birthday, he organised for a group of trumpeters to play Happy Birthday to you, in our front garden. They had never heard the tune before but they picked it up and had a go. These trumpeters are from a village near to the Congo border and they had been doing an outreach in the area with the youth group of Immanuel Cathedral. The trumpeters play well but don’t have their own instruments so must borrow trumpets and trombones from across the border in Congo! Can you imagine, nipping to England to get your violin? Poppy would like to find a supply of second hand trumpets and trombones and if anyone knows of a source, please let her know.

Unless you regularly surf the net and read the Sudan Tribune, you will not have heard of the liquidity problems of the Nile Commercial Bank (NCB), which started two months ago. The bank, which used to be the only one in Yei, basically ran out of money and no-one could withdraw funds from their account. Poppy and I had only small amounts in the bank but the Martha Clinic kept its money there as did the Diocese, the micro enterprise scheme and the vocational training college. Transfers from the UK sent in March have still not been credited to the account and, although the Bank of Southern Sudan (BoSS) has said it will support the bank with funding so that we will eventually get our money, there is no sign of when this will be. In the meantime, we are trying to ensure that the Clinic and College can continue to run and to pay salaries at the end of each month. Poppy was able to pay all the staff at the Martha Clinic in April and has enough for May. The College was able to pay its staff thanks to a gift from the UK that arrived on pay day – 30th April. Another gift should be enough to see us through in May.

At the end of April, our team was visited by someone from the Basic Services Fund (BSF) secretariat to see how we were getting on with spending their money. We took the lady to the villages that have been selected for the mobile clinic, for boreholes and to the location of one of the two schools we are building. At each location, we met community leaders (left) to explain the projects and we were very well received by Boma Chiefs, Payam Administrators, church leaders and other leading members of the community. John said how similar the meetings were to the tenant consultation meetings he used to attend in Andover.

The mobile clinic has been ordered and is now on a ship steaming to Mombassa. We are hoping the Somali pirates will leave it alone. Poppy is struggling to work out which papers need to be sent where and how we can avoid paying a large amount of import tax when the vehicle arrives in Southern Sudan. Without email, we don’t know how this task would be managed as there is no postal service in Southern Sudan. The little mail we get is flown here by MAF and we meet the plane at the Yei airstrip. But birthday cards sent to John over a month ago have still not arrived!!

We previously detailed all the projects we are managing so we will not repeat this information. John is keeping an overall eye on the finances and is the one responsible for sending in the monthly and quarterly reports to CMS Ireland, to be sent on to the donors. Our assistant, Nelie, keeps wonderful financial records but two weeks ago she dislocated her shoulder playing volleyball and was flown with her husband back to the Netherlands for an operation. Nelie is eager to return to Yei as soon as possible and is frustrated that she is now on a waiting list for treatment. We are equally eager for her return!

Poppy is handling all the health tasks, which are many, and is finding that nothing is easy. Even finding training places for nurses and midwives can be tricky as it is often very hard to find out the information you need as to where you apply, how you apply, when you apply and how much you pay. Poppy is still quite involved in the management of the Martha clinic but is gradually handing over and is now getting things ready for the new clinic in Lainya (above), which she hopes will open in January 2010. Poppy is also preparing a health education programme for the Mothers Union which will make good use of her health visiting experience. Sadly that experience does not fit her so well for her work managing the contracts for borehole drilling! John meanwhile is preparing contracts and plans for the construction of two primary schools, liaising with local government and interviewing builders. The process is really not very different from building a housing development in his previous job, although his team is rather smaller than it used to be!

We plan to return to UK on 27th July, stay for nearly 4 weeks then travel to USA for our son Davey and Erin’s wedding on 29h August. That will be a most exciting time!

With our love, John and Poppy Spens

A CMS Ireland Team member reads the Bible during worship in Oltiasika, Kenya

2008-07-01T09:17:08Z

Kenyan Student gets to grips with the bible

2008-07-01T09:15:22Z

Rwandan women shade themselves from the sun...

2007-10-25T14:08:36Z

Mother and Child at a community clinic in Luwero

2007-10-25T14:08:32Z

A view of the Himalayas, Nepal

2007-10-25T14:08:31Z

Hand in hand - Fort Portal, Uganda

2007-10-25T14:07:55Z

Morning Worship at Kiwoko Hospital

2007-10-25T14:07:54Z

Rainbows arc over Victoria Falls in Zambia

2007-10-25T14:07:53Z

Sudanese Children peer through barbed wire in Maridi diocese, Sudan

2007-10-25T14:07:46Z

Ronan tries to catch the sunset in Zambia

2007-10-25T14:07:36Z