Hey I visited the new house last week and this is what I saw... No worries, as I have a very comfortable house just outside Iringa at the school for deaf children run by the Diocese. I am teaching two days a week at the moment, so go and stay with friends each week. Hope is Secretary to the headmaster of St Michael's school, and Riziki is head of the Bible School, so I take it in turns with each of them.

I'm loving it, and at last getting used to the altitude - felt quite tired at first.

Arrived

Hey folks, This is my family here in Iringa - Hope is in the middle with Lydia to the left (I'm behind them - boo!) Kenny on the far left and Anna far right, with Chrisophena and Baraka. Behind all of us they are drying some chicken feed in the sun (when it doesn't rain) and beans harvested recently, and the maize crop is growing very well. Hope is working in Kilolo as secretary to the Headmaster, just visiting for the Easter break... so when I get there I'll have a friend :^) Anna her sister is doing lots of small income generating projects, and looking after the kids. It's great to be back!

all the greats

Ella is the best and most perfect great niece that anyone could have. I saw her for the first time last week, and it may be a long time before I see her again. Oooo. She has made my brother-in-law into a grandad, and my own dad into a great!

I am off to Tanzania on Saturday - if my residence permit comes through! Keep up those prayers!

Valentine's day

Yesterday was the best ever! We had a pudding party here at college and I was surrounded by friends who prayed for the future. It's all good, and love is in the air!

My last essay is done and dusted, and in. Now there are just a few more weeks left until I fly to Tanzania on 15th March. Most of that time I'll spend in Devon, staying in the house of a friend, and being part of my church family. God is good.

still at redcliffe

January has come and I'm still here, still expecting to go soon! I'm enjoying the extra time in College, and have made some more good friends. They seem to get better and better! I am living in the family's house and sharing the kids.

The weekends are all taken up with visiting churches to raise support, and that is why I've been delayed. But I am finding it quite inspiring to go round and talk the walk. Lots of stories to tell! I expect to leave Gloucester in mid February and leave UK for Tanzania in mid March.

Overlooking Gloucester

I am leaping into the future now! My studies are almost over - just one more 6,000 word assignment to finish in December and then I should be all set for the next step. Perhaps I'll take a break somewhere first, and visit a few friends. Look out world, I'm coming!

summer

Over the summer I went to the wedding of a college friend, Beth, who was marrying Mike in a field in North Wales. It rained and the sun shone at the same time, and we danced into the evening as the mud became wetter. It made good paint, and catalysed some mud fights. Although I haven't been to Glastonbury, I felt as if I had this year!

Now in October I am back at College, unexpectedly again, because my departure to Tanzania has been delayed from November to February next year. I finished my dissertation, but am still working on the last module on leadership. It is part time, and College offered me a job working in the kitchen and cleaning. Nice to be out of the books and letting my brain go into neutral sometimes!