A YEAR IN Part 6

I run the text of each prayer letter past one of the SIM team in Angola, in this case Peggy. Life is good and exciting, but there's less of the "wow! that's new", and much of the paper prayer letter which some people receive you have seen already in the last couple of blogs. So here's the bits you might have missed by not getting the paper version ... and one or two bits the readers of the paper version haven't seen.

The weather

Last Tuesday was the first significant fall of rain since I have been here, and whilst I can see dark clouds on the horizon as I write, many feel that it is ‘too little, too late’. Food is becoming more of a problem, especially in the area around the hospital, and further out in the bush. If people are going hungry already, what will the next months hold?

You will recall the group of young gentlemen (about my age) I wrote about who, buoyed up by Dutch courage (the local beer is called N’gola for the international alcohol connoisseurs amongst you) showed some interest in the Bible in my hand, mostly to laugh at it. Meeting them in the street on subsequent occasions, they have asked more about my Bible and the local church, and indeed today I was able to invite them along on Sunday, as we chatted in (still somewhat stilted) Portuguese. There have also been opportunities to help them in more practical ways. This afternoon, they told me how hungry they were feeling ... a few bread rolls later, and that was one less problem to worry about. Please pray for these guys.

As in all of the earth, there are many needs here in Angola. I am grateful to God that he has enabled me to make some small difference here; perhaps for some of the individuals that He is able to touch through me, it will be a big difference. It is my prayer that you will continue to be used by God to make a difference to the needs in and around Reading, Framsden, Manchester, or wherever you may be.

Money Matters

Living is expensive in Angola – prices are hiked to cover damage done to suppliers’ lorries by the country’s roads – but my Scottish heritage is standing me in good stead as I look after the pennies: almost halfway through March, I am still surviving on February’s money ration. Nevertheless, with money for flights having been taken out of my SIM account, the cupboard is looking a little bare. Please pray with me that God will continue work through his people to provide what I need.

GAP update

All of the other GAPers have now been in their countries of service for over 2 months.

Isaac and Colin have been happily engaged in projects in Senegal to build chicken houses, design drip-irrigation systems and evangelise amongst Muslims. Their scooters seem to become more hazardous by the day. Meanwhile, further east, Connie and Hannah continue to enjoy teaching children in Kenya; pray for them as they reach out to the homeless around Eldoret.

Helen and Zara are involved in various forms of outreach in one of Asia’s “creative access” (closed) countries, whilst Beth and Jenny enjoy a brief holiday in one of Thailand’s islands before returning to Chiang Mai to teach English to students. Pray for healing for Jenny as she recovers from her fall down a hole: she tells me that she now walks like a pirate.

In South America, Avril and Pip are preparing to start teaching at the British school, after a couple of months of children’s camps in Uruguay and Argentina (and in hospital for Avril). Honorary Ecuadorians Tim and John are recovering from Carneval – a two week long water-fight – as they continue to minister to young people in the student café.

Give thanks

• For the ministry opportunities that have opened up here
• That Tom is progressing really well in his teaching skills
• For the chance to use the Land Rover, and the many other blessings that being part of an SIM Angola team brings

My Portuguese feels like it is gradually really coming along: I can hold conversations with folks now and even make people laugh in ways other than sympathetic 'you are really rubbish at our language' chuckles. I even entertain the man at the post office as he puts each letter through the machine many times.

Please pray with me

• That I would continue to learn what it is to be the human being that God has created me to be, rather than a human doing
• That God would work through me to be salt and light to those I meet
• For health and safety: spiritually, emotionally and physically

Monday was my first experience of an Angolan taxi, taking me home from teaching at the hospital (I don't have the car to drive on Mondays). Taxis actually work more like unscheduled buses here, they're pretty crammed. It was interesting coming down the mountain in the rain in a RHD taxi with only one working wiper and a creative style of driving. I'll see how the next couple of weeks pan out in that regard and may consider another solution!