Synod

It does sound boring, but I'm really enjoying this Synod of the Diocese of Ruaha! It meets once every three years, and this is going to be the last one chaired by Bishop Donald Mtetemela. We're going to miss him, but are praying that God will make it clear who the next Bishop is to be, for next year. Meanwhile as we talk about what's been going on since the last one in 2005 it's quite exciting to hear. There are some discouragements as well, such as: The question was raised why evangelists sometimes leave their churches and return home. They are 'missionaries' though, and need support and training for the cross-cultural move, when they are sent to open a new church. Hopefully, as a result of this discussion, in the future this will be included in their courses at the Bible schools - one of them is where I teach, St Michael's Kilolo.

I was hoping to include a picture, but have been having trouble again with my laptop, so will try to get round the problem... Keep up those prayers!

New Dining Hall

In the Secondary school the graduation ceremony planned for next week is to be held in the new dining hall pictured before (and after) the roof was put on. It will involve all the form four leavers (74 students). They haven't yet done their exams, but when they do, it will be difficult to gather them together again, so it's done before the 'O' levels.

I have had a lot of difficulty connecting to the internet recently, so only now am able to update my blogsite. Actually I'm in Bagamoyo, 70km North of Dar es Salaam, camping while I get a root canal done on a back tooth. It will take a week, and is giving me a break, for which I am very grateful.

Bible School Graduation

This week the Bible School students in the picture graduate after three months' study. Two of them still struggle reading but their skills have improved a lot during their course. They both wrote good answers to some of the questions on the Old Testamant exam paper which I set for them. In fact all of them did well, and I feel quite encouraged by the way they answered the questions, with understanding as well as knowledge.

This weekend Elizabeth's daughter, Sue returns to the UK after a four week visit. It's been fun spending time together having picnics by the river. The water is not quite as cold now for swimming, but it's still a struggle to get in!

Bumps

This looks dangerous, but I can assure you Christina came out smiling! It was her sixteenth birthday and her friends and sister gave her 16 of the best! I managed to get back in time for the party from teaching in Kilolo, and also caught up with Elizabeth who has just arrived back from UK. She's had an amazing time travelling up and down the island; For her, being driven around by friends has also been part of the uplifting experience. Back in Tanzania now unfortunately the hip replacement is giving her trouble, so please pray for a good resolution for that.

Also pray for the Bible school students who will be doing exams in two weeks' time at the end of their three month course. And give thanks to God that I'm feeling happy and healthy, still able to swim in the river at weekends,and teach the whole school (and some) during the week!

Holiday is over...

Rachel has adopted this little lamb and named him Smudge, and I've had fun feeding him too. His mother decided she just couldn't cope with two lambs! You can see how dry the grass is. The rains don't come back until November or December.

It's been a relaxing and fun time just staying at the farm during the holidays. Unfortunately they had to come to an end, so today I go back to Kilolo for the start of the Secondary School term. I'll be back some weekends, and Elizabeth returns from the UK next week, so I'll have to come and visit anyway. The Bible School students are doing well, and their three month course will finish mid August.

My daily bread

This is the bread I made in my wood oven in Kilolo. It tastes good! In fact I take some with me to Kibebe Farm most weekends when I stay there. During the holidays I'm spending a lot more time in Kibebe because it's so relaxing and my friends make me so welcome there. Rachel (9) and I did some painting of pictures, including one of their house.

Elizabeth is still in the UK and seems to be enjoying herself. She went to the wedding of her grandson and saw her great grandson as well. She'll be coming back mid July together with her daughter and granddaughter!

Everybody needs good...

...neighbours... here's Mama Ndokole and her daughter and their vegetable patch, which doubles up with mine. Did you know that chicken wire keeps chickens out? There are loads of chickens around and up until a few weeks ago none of us could plant anything. Then we put up some wire and... it's like magic! Everything's growing. Now my neighbours are a happy bunch.

The bees have kept out of the cooker, and I'm having a holiday!