A YEAR IN: Part Four

After various delays, waiting first for visas and then for seats on our flights, I can at last confirm that we will be flying out of Heathrow on Tuesday 24^th January. Obviously these extra two weeks have not been without their frustration and difficulties, borne out of being apart from team-mates and wondering what on earth God was doing (until the visas arrived, I couldn’t even be certain I was to end up in Angola).

During all of this time, Tom and I were both endeavouring to put all of our trust in God, knowing that his timing is perfect, and that this extra time in the UK wasn’t just for sitting around and moping! With that in mind, I’d like to tell you about a couple of people, of whom you may never have heard, had my departure been on the 10^th as originally scheduled.

Kingsley is homeless and sleeps rough in Reading town centre. He approached me late one afternoon last week when I was in town to pay a few cheques into the bank (see Money Matters). Having been challenged about my attitude to the poor in this country some weeks earlier, here was an opportunity to put things right. Thankfully on that occasion, I had some change in my wallet, and so we went to a fast-food outlet where I was able to buy him his first meal since the previous day. Kingsley told me that he goes to a church in Caversham when he can, and I pray that my words were an encouragement to him to keep going. I thank God that he used me in this way… please pray for Kingsley, that God would continue to touch his life and grow closer to him.

At the other end of the scale is Robbie, a friend from school who is now at University. He had never shown much interest in Christianity, but this week due to what can only be God working in his heart, he is positively devouring “the Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel. I am preparing to go and visit him as I write; please pray for him.

And now with thanks and joy, I look forward to the months ahead in Angola and what God’s got in store there… Please pray for us too – we know that there is power in prayer and that without your prayerful support, we won’t accomplish nearly so much as we will with it. Thank you.

petitions and praises

Give thanks:

· that our visas have arrived and remaining tickets are on their way

· for the fact that God uses us where we are to touch those around us

· for the safe arrival of my team-mates to their respective countries of placement

Please pray:

· for safety in travel, as well as for families and friends as we leave them behind

· that God would use Tom and me wherever we are: from Heathrow right through to Lubango

· for the African church and SIM folks with whom we are to be working

· that God will prepare us for what he would have us do

· for Kingsley and Robbie
(see left)

Thank you. Be assured that you all remain in my prayers too.

MONEY MATTERS

I feel incredibly blessed by your generosity: cheques and money keep coming in from both Christian and non-Christian friends (and family) who wish to help Angolans. Thank you so much!

Please continue to pray that Tom and I would spend frugally and responsibly in Angola, and that God will continue to provide for all our needs.

FLIGHT DETAILS

24^th Jan @ 1800

London to Jo’burg

arr. 0705

25^th Jan @ 1055

Jo’burg to Windhoek

(Namibia)

arr. 1255

26^th Jan @ 1245

Windhoek to Lubango

arr. 1315