Graduation before exams

Irene took the Bible knowledge prize after completing two years of intensive study of selected texts from the Old Testament, Luke and Acts. Out of the six students I have been teaching, sadly one has dropped out just before her 'O' levels. Another needs a miracle to get him through the exams. The other four might be able to write ten essays in English during the two times two and a half hour exams, but if there's a word they haven't come across, or the meaning of the question is not clear, all the knowledge and understanding they have gained could remain unseen. Please remember all the Form Four students during the next three weeks; one week of last minute revision, and two of exams from 8th October.

Meanwhile Kevin and myself have been preparing for our epic journey South by train and then North by ship. I have been collecting things in Tanzania since 1983 when I started my checkered career here. It is exciting and daunting to be clearing up, giving lots away, trying to sell the car, and spending time with friends who we may not see again. We value your prayers for all of this, and the journey ahead.

Grandpa Time

It's time to remember him. The date is October 4, 1912. He sailed from Liverpool with the Church Missionary Society for Kenya in East Africa. He must have gone through the stormy waters around the Cape of Good Hope, and the journey probably took a couple of months, or three. I wonder whether he thought about the Titanic on his way... :(

He did arrive, and met a girl in Kenya in 1916 who became my Granny. She's in this picture (taken around 1961), on the far right, but by that time he wasn't there any more, and I don't even remember him. Their two children are in the picture; my mum and my uncle, and all their grandchildren so far. Which one am I, and who are the others? Watch this space :o)

It's exciting to be following in his footsteps - even though it's in reverse order, as we are soon to travel by train to the Cape and then take a boat to UK. After I was born, my mum told me, he held me in his arms for a long time and prayed over me. All my life he has been the closest of my grandparents; the inspiration he gave me has lead me in his absence. God has been very close; Because of him I am here.

Goodbye Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo, literally 'Throw down your heart' in the 19th century was the last place the slaves would see before they were packed into boats and transported across the Indian Ocean. Thankfully, as a result of Dr Livingstone's reports, and the efforts of many others in the 19th Century, the Slave Trade was abolished, although there is still a so called 'Modern Slave Trade' operating in many places.

Today Bagamoyo is a ramshackle town with contrasting market and small shops, newly developed buildings and the ruined reminders of a sad past. Among all these is Travellers' Lodge, a garden of paradise planted with many different species of trees, including many palms. A grassy area near the beach is where I was camping when Kevin began to get serious at the beginning of our relationship three years ago.

When he visited Tanzania for the first time in 2010, we camped there together, and since then we have spent many happy days resting and enjoying the sun, sea and sand. Now our marriage is moving out of its infancy stage, and we are on the verge of a new beginning.

Pray for us as we're back in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, and will be in Kilolo for five weeks before starting the long voyage of discovery to South Africa, then up the West coast of Africa to the Canary Islands, and on to Tilbury Docks, London.