Well, it’s been a while! About 10 months to be precise and a lot has happened. I've been back at work as an architect, my sister got married, which was a fantastic celebration, and I've been back to Criccieth for CYFA camp....but now it’s heading towards autumn in Manchester, the nights are suddenly getting shorter and once again, I’m planning a trip to Zambia. I say planning, it’s already planned really. I’ve got a ticket...so I’m going...a week on Monday! With one week and one day left at work and loads of you lovely folks to see before I go, I’m not quite sure when I’m going to pack or sort out all my stuff here at home, but it will all get done somehow...and what doesn’t get done will just have to wait, or not matter.
I’m really excited about going back to Zambia. This will be my third trip working alongside Dignity and being involved in their Life! initiative. Check out the link to their website to find out more. The small groups we have helped get started in about 40 or 50 villages across Zambia are continuing to meet and simply study the Bible together, learning and growing in God’s love. As they do this, we are seeing real practical change and the out workings of faith filled lives. These range from increased unity in villages where relationships used to be tense to the growing or extra food or rearing of extra animals by groups to help ensure the elderly in their village are fed, rather than going hungry. These aren’t things we have told people to do - these are ideas born and nurtured by people who have very little to help others. It’s amazing and so exciting!
My time in Zambia will start this year with establishing the production of a simple magazine that can be circulated around all the groups. We have seen that one of the most encouraging thing to people living in difficult circumstances is hearing of others in the same circumstances pushing forwards and making positive change happen. Therefore, we want to start a really simple publication that can be easily produced and circulated around all the groups. Myself and Abi, who works for Dignity in the UK and is joining us for a couple of weeks, are going to spend some time with Angela, who is involved in the work in Zambia, and hopefully get something up and running.
After that, I think I will be out and about visiting numerous villages around Zambia where Life! groups are beginning or have been running a while, spending time with people, encouraging them and helping them carry on moving forwards! It will be so good to see old friends and meet new people who share our vision to see Zambians helping each other and making real change in their villages, secure in the knowledge that Jesus has saved us and gives our lives purpose and value.
I’ll be in Zambia until mid-November (or so) and then I shall head to Kenya for about a month to visit IcFEM again. I’m not sure what I will get up to while I’m there, but I do know that there will be plenty I can get involved in and help out with! I’m sure that my time there will take shape when I arrive...
And finally, I’ll be heading home again mid December....just in time for some evenings at the Christmas markets in Albert Square, a big warm winter coat and of course, Christmas, birthday and New Year fun!!
My aim this trip is to write shorter, more frequent blog entries so it’s easier for you fine folks to read...I’m already sat here thinking of a million and one other things I want to say right now, but I’m going to shut up (as it’s late at night and I need to go to sleep) and leave this entry as it is! Do say hi from time to time if you read this - it’s always lovely and a real treat to hear about life at home when I’m miles away. So keep in touch....
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Thank God for:
- provision of work and everything I’ve needed while I’ve been at home
- the opportunity to go back to both Zambia & Kenya
- all those who have continued the work in Zambia & Kenya while I’ve been at home!
Please pray for:
- safety as I get ready to go, and readjust to Zambian life
- understanding of different cultural situations
- increased love for those I meet in all walks of life
